Final SEP Refresh – now online
The final Strategic Economic Plan (SEP) Refresh is now online on the OxLEP website.
A quick read of the final version of the Plan makes it clear that the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP) have not compromised on the overall growth targets for the county (100,000 houses and more than 85,000 jobs in the next 15 years) and have put the responsibility for the figures squarely with the local authorities.
However, it is clear that thanks to our campaigning the document is much improved and includes reference to some of the concerns flagged up by NNGO and others at the public workshops and in our responses to the consultation, particularly regarding the natural environment, affordable housing and infrastructure pressures.
For example, in the section on ‘Our Vision’, the Plan says:
‘Oxfordshire will be on a trajectory for growth that is sustainable environmentally (taking into account climate change, carbon emissions, heritage, the natural environment and patterns of resource use), socially (reflecting the needs and character of communities) and economically (with businesses and others choosing to reinvest)’. (Our emphasis).
Critically the Plan recognises the ‘need to balance the opportunities for economic development with the possible compromise to the natural environment.’
OxLEP recruits two new Board members with little experience of rural or environmental issues
OxLEP is the organisation responsible for championing and developing the Oxfordshire economy. Oxfordshire is the most rural county in the South-East. So surely you would expect OxLEP to have a well-developed rural strategy supported by the necessary Board level skills?
Sadly, that is not the case.
In July, OxLEP advertised for two new Board Members to join the LEP. The appointment was for Private Sector, Non-Executive Directors.
The Board is made up of representatives who are leaders in business, higher and further education and local authorities.
At the end of September the successful candidates were announced – Penny Rinta-Suksi, a commercial lawyer and Phil Southall, the Managing Director of the Oxford Bus Company.
Whilst they may be very capable in their own right, neither of these new Board representatives have any obvious experience of rural issues and limited environmental credentials.
Support Help Preserve Burford campaign
Last August, the outline planning application put forward by Hallam Land Management for the development of land west of Shilton Road, in Burford, was unanimously refused by the West Oxfordshire District Council Planning Committee.
The proposal was for 91 houses, up to 78 assisted/supported living apartments, and a 90-bed care home.
There were three main reasons for the refusal:
• The isolated location of the site and its remoteness from Burford’s facilities;
• The poor quality of design, which would not reinforce or be reflective of the special characteristics of Burford as an attractive small Cotswold town, and the visually intrusive nature of the proposed development on a prominent edge of settlement site; and
• The lack of any agreed mitigation package to ameliorate the harmful impacts of development.
Major businesses, Chamber of Trade, and some 438 individuals lodged objections with WODC.
However, WODC’s decision was appealed by the developer and in July, a Public Enquiry began at which a Planning Inspector heard the appeal by Hallam.
The Public Enquiry resumes on 8 November, for four days.
NNGO writes to Witney by-election candidates
Need not Greed Oxfordshire has taken the opportunity of the Witney by-election, to be held on 20 October, to ask all candidates their views on issues of concern to the coalition.
In our letter to candidates (see below) we asked – ‘Will you work with us to ensure a fairer balance between the needs of local people and those of landowners and developers?’.