Read the latest newsletter from the Oxford Green Belt Network
The Oxford Green Belt Network March 2016 Newsletter is now available.
The lastest newsletter provides a round-up of current threats to the Oxford Green Belt.
The picture presented is one of relentless efforts to develop in the Green Belt.
New plan for a smaller housing scheme at Woodstock after first plan rejected sparks local fears
Developers Blenheim Estate and Pye Homes whose plan to build more than 1,500 homes on the edge of Woodstock was turned down have proposed another, smaller development.
The developers now want to put up 280 properties on a smaller site, on land South East of Woodstock.
About 900 residents in Woodstock have received a leaflet informing them of the scheme, but many are sceptical and fear the number of homes could steadily grow.Read more …
Friends of Lye Valley pledge to protect Warren Meadow from development
The Friends of Lye Valley campaign group have pledged to protect Warren Meadow which lies next to the Lye Valley nature reserve in Oxford after development plans were given the go-ahead.
Friends of Lye Valley secretary Heather Armitage said residents were “bitterly disappointed” after city councillors approved plans to build 10 homes on the meadow east of Warren Crescent.
She added councillors have pledged to “call in” the application, allowing planning officials to review the proposals and give the group more time to voice their concerns.
Ms Armitage said it was vital to protect this fragile habitat, known by residents as Warren Meadow, since it is a rainwater catchment area for springs which go down to the 8,000-year-old Lye Valley Fen.
She added: “Developing could be detrimental for this very rare habitat that is so precious but we don’t know because it would be an experiment.”
OxLEP finally publishes plans for public engagement in SEP ‘refresh’
Today the OxLEP – the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership published its plans for public engagement in the SEP ‘refresh’ – the same day the Need not Greed Oxon Coalition issued a Press Release calling for OxLEP to come clean on its plans.
OxLEP prepared a Strategic Economic Plan (SEP) for the county that was adopted and submitted to Government in March 2014. OxLEP is now refreshing the Plan over the coming months.