Stop Oxford’s Sprawl (SOS) Campaign: Time to Act – says KDW
Kidlington Development Watch ( a NNGO coalition member ) is calling on supporters to respond to the public consultation on Cherwell District Council’s Partial Review of its Local Plan.
The consultation closes on 10 OCTOBER (NOTE CHANGE OF DATE!).
Cherwell District Council proposes to build 4,400 homes in the south of the district (in addition to those allocated in its original Local Plan, to meet Oxford’s unmet housing need) – 3,990 of these will be in the Oxford Green Belt, while another 410 will be at Woodstock.
KDW say Cherwell’s Plan, if adopted, will turn Kidlington into an ‘Oxford suburb’.
The Oxford Green Belt provides ‘the only protection against Oxford’s sprawl’ say the campaign group.
North Abingdon – outline planning application approved for large urban extension
The outline planning application for a large urban extension to the North of Abingdon was approved last week (26 July).
A development of 950 homes, plus a care home for 80 residents was approved on land that was originally in the Green Belt (it was recommended for removal in the Vale’s Local Plan Part One).
Representatives of the North Abingdon Local Planning Group (NALPG) – a member of the NNGO coalition, were present at the planning meeting where they raised concerns about the increase in traffic, air pollution and the fact that the number of homes permitted on the site in the Vale Local Plan was originally for 800.
The proposal was approved unanimously.
OxIS public engagement programme – have your say!
Have your say on the impact of growth and related infrastructure priorities in Oxfordshire – consultation closes on 10 September.
The Oxfordshire Infrastructure Strategy (OxIS) is an independent report commissioned by Oxfordshire’s six councils who make up the Oxfordshire Growth Board.
The aim of the strategy is to set out the investment in transport, schools, hospitals and other infrastructure needed to support the predicted growth in population, jobs and homes up to 2040.
A technical Stage 1 report was published in April 2017 and work has been progressing on Stage 2 of the work.
Gavray Meadows saved – for now!
Cherwell District Council Planning Committee last week turned down the current planning application for Gavray Meadows in Bicester (15/00837/OUT).
Their decision rested on the fact that the developer, Gallagher refused to put in place funding and a management plan for the Local Wild Life site as required by the Cherwell District Council regulations under the National Planning Policy Framework.
Obviously it will come forward again in some guise in due course – either as a new planning application with a proper environmental management plan for the whole site or, as seems likely, an appeal by the developer.
However, the Save Gavray Meadows team have fought an effective campaign and we are confident that the campaign group’s arguments will stand up to consideration by an Inspector.
Congratulations to all the campaign team!
Find out more: Save Gavray Meadows Facebook
See also: NNGO News