CPRE Oxfordshire was dismayed when a planning application by Kilbride Properties Ltd for development of the former limestone quarry at Shipton-on-Cherwell, north of Kidlington (for a mixture of uses including industrial and commercial) was approved on 14 January 2008 by the County Planning Committee.

As the decision is contrary to the development plan it has to be referred by the County Council to the Secretary of State to decide whether it should be 'called-in' for further scrutiny at Public Inquiry.

News update:

June 2008:

In February 2008 the Wildlife Trust for Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire (BBOWT), along with other organisations including CPRE Oxfordshire, wrote a letter to the Secretary of State requesting that she call in the planning application for the development of 71.3ha of land at Shipton-on-Cherwell Quarry in Oxfordshire, which was submitted to Oxfordshire County Council by Kilbride Properties Ltd ( see copy of original letter ).

Conditions had to be finalised before the application could be considered further. These have recently been submitted by Oxfordshire County Council. Having seen these agreed conditions, BBOWT has written a second letter, signed by CPRE Oxfordshire, clarifying that our objection to the application still stands.  

• See a copy of BBOWT's letter.

February 2008: Development of Shipton-on-Cherwell Quarry gets Green Light

Planning and Regulation Committee of Oxfordshire County Council have gone against recommendations of their planning officer and given the go ahead for development at Shipton-on-Cherwell to the north of Kidlington.

A planning application by Kilbride Properties Ltd for development of the former limestone quarry at Shipton-on-Cherwell (for a mixture of uses including industrial and commercial) was approved on 14 January by the County Planning Committee.

Approximately 63ha of the site is designated as a County Wildlife Site (CWS), with approximately 28ha also designated as a geological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The site also falls within one of Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT)’s Conservation Target Areas.

The CWS is considered to be one of the most important sites for birds in the County and is host to numerous priority habitats and species.

The decision to grant permission for the scheme went against the recommendations made by the planning officer (set out in a report to the committee by the Head of Sustainable Development).

The recommendation to refuse the application was based principally on the fact that the proposals are contrary to development plan policies relating to County Wildlife Sites, biodiversity and the Green Belt.

As the decision is contrary to the development plan it has to be referred by the County Council to the Secretary of State to decide whether it should be 'called-in' for further scrutiny at Public Inquiry.

CPRE Oxfordshire has lent their support to a BBOWT campaign requesting that the application be called-in, allowing for the possibility of getting the decision to approve this application over-turned. See the letter from BBOWT, CPRE Oxfordshire and others to the Secretary of State.

New Eco-Town

Kilbride Properties Ltd also put forward proposals to Central Government for the development of this land as a new eco-town, a scheme that would entail the further development of the site to accommodate 5-10,000 new homes. The proposals were not included on the Government's shortlist announced in April 2008.

Further Information

For more information about the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) campaign please e-mail: conservation@bbowt.org.uk or see their website: www.bbowt.org.uk