A COUNTY councillor for the Cotswolds is calling for two massive planning applications in Moreton to be considered together.

CALA Homes has already submitted an application for 140 homes across two sites in Todenham Road and Dulverton Place.

The outline plans, which include a new public park linked to the existing Blenheim Park, are currently being considered by Cotswold District Council.

And a further application for between 200 and 280 houses and up to 9,500msq of employment space is soon to be submitted by owners of the Fire Service College, Capita.

But County Councillor Nigel Moor, who represents Stow and Moreton, said he is concerned about the cumulative impact on the town the applications could have, and if approved, could see more than 390 extra houses built.

"In my view these joint proposals will generate significant levels of additional traffic to and from the local highway network," he said. "And in particular place an increased impact on the A429 which bisects Moreton and the bridge that carries this road over the Oxford/ Worcester railway line.

"This road over the bridge is already narrow and the footpath also narrow. Additional traffic on the bridge will exacerbate the already adverse environmental conditions experienced by vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians."

But Cotswold District Council said the CALA application has been in since February 27 while the Capita (FSC) application has not yet been registered.

A spokesman said: "We have a duty to determine applications within a set period and, as such, the CALA application is likely to go to Committee in advance of the Capita scheme.

"If we were to unduly delay the CALA application, we would potentially then risk an appeal against non-determination, and even an application for costs."

The amount of planning applications for the district is of great concern to councillors across the area and is frequently mentioned at parish and town council meetings.

District councillor for Moreton, Robert Dutton, said at Monday night's meeting of Moreton Town Council: "The avalanche of housing being planned for this town I think is just ridiculous. It's way beyond this town's capacity."

Cotswold MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, who raised his concerns about planning a Prime Minister's questions last month, is set to meet planning minister Nick Boles MP, and the leaders of Cotswold District Council on Wednesday, April 23.