CPRE Oxfordshire: Warneford Meadow: A Vote of Confidence from Councillors

23 January 2007

Councillors reject proposals to develop Warneford Meadow

Yesterday evening the North East Area Committee (NEAC) of Oxford City Council met to consider the application from the Oxfordshire Health Trusts to develop Warneford Meadow. After presentations from council officers, the Trusts and objectors, including CPRE and the Friends of Warneford Meadow, the Committee took the view that the Meadow should not be developed.

Although the Local Plan for Oxford City allows for development of up to half the Meadow, councillors took the view that circumstances have changed since the plan was drawn up. For example, brownfield sites are now available for student housing, one of the proposed uses of the site (the others include key worker housing, and research facilities). Moreover, the principal aim of the current proposals is to raise money for the Health Trusts but no legal assurance could be given that the money will be used for these purposes.

In recommending that the Meadow not be developed, the Councillors took into account the strong support from the local communities that have used the Meadow for generations. Councillors also believed it important to retain Oxford's green spaces.

NEAC's verdict is however only advisory. The decision whether to allow these proposals for development of the Meadow to go forward will be taken by the Strategic Development Control Committee on Wednesday 31 January.

Andy Boddington from Campaign to Protect Rural England in Oxfordshire said:

"This is an excellent decision. It shows that city councillors are listening to local communities and are committed to preserving the city's vital open spaces. Even though the proposals were to develop only 50% of the Meadow, in practice, the entire Meadow would have been wrecked through light and noise pollution, drainage works, and erosion by people living and working on the site. We look forward to the Strategic Development Control Committee taking the same view next week and we hope that the Health Trusts will then withdraw this damaging and unwelcome proposal."

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		CPRE Oxfordshire Campaigning to protect Oxfordshire's countryside for 75 years

	Warneford Meadow: A Vote of Confidence from Councillors

	23 January 2007 Councillors reject proposals to develop Warneford Meadow Yesterday evening the North East Area Committee (NEAC) of Oxford City Council met to consider the application from the Oxfordshire Health Trusts to develop Warneford Meadow. After presentations from council officers, the Trusts and objectors, including CPRE and the Friends of Warneford Meadow, the Committee took the view that the Meadow should not be developed. Although the Local Plan for Oxford City allows for development of up to half the Meadow, councillors took the view that circumstances have changed since the plan was drawn up. For example, brownfield sites are now available for student housing, one of the proposed uses of the site (the others include key worker housing, and research facilities). Moreover, the principal aim of the current proposals is to raise money for the Health Trusts but no legal assurance could be given that the money will be used for these purposes. In recommending that the Meadow not be developed, the Councillors took into account the strong support from the local communities that have used the Meadow for generations. Councillors also believed it important to retain Oxford's green spaces. NEAC's verdict is however only advisory. The decision whether to allow these proposals for development of the Meadow to go forward will be taken by the Strategic Development Control Committee on Wednesday 31 January. Andy Boddington from Campaign to Protect Rural England in Oxfordshire said: "This is an excellent decision. It shows that city councillors are listening to local communities and are committed to preserving the city's vital open spaces. Even though the proposals were to develop only 50% of the Meadow, in practice, the entire Meadow would have been wrecked through light and noise pollution, drainage works, and erosion by people living and working on the site. We look forward to the Strategic Development Control Committee taking the same view next week and we hope that the Health Trusts will then withdraw this damaging and unwelcome proposal." More on the Warneford Meadow campaign 26 January 2007: Decision delayed

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	All content Copyright © 2005-09 Campaign to Protect Rural England Oxfordshire unless stated. Published by CPRE Oxfordshire, Punches Barn, Waterperry Road, Holton, Oxfordshire OX33 1PP. 01865 874780. campaign@cpreoxon.org.uk. www.cpreoxon.org.uk. The Campaign to Protect Rural England promotes the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England by encouraging the sustainable use of land and other natural resources in town and country. National website: www.cpre.org.uk.