Residents approve village plan

RESIDENTS of Binfield Heath have approved their neighbourhood plan in a parish referendum.

The document sets out planning policies for how the village should grow and included special character areas to be protected, including parts of Binfield Old Heath and the hamlet of Crowsley.

A total of 194 people voted at the memorial hall in Shiplake on Thursday last week, with 185 in favour and nine against.

Residents across the parish put together the plan which included a design guide, landscape and green space assessments and a list of heritage and community assets.

They aim to protect the character and rural nature of the parish while supporting positive, sustainable development.

South Oxfordshire District Council, the planning authority, will use the plan when deciding applications.