Posts by Nemone Caldwell
CPRE Oxfordshire Warns Against “Green Belt Land Grab” in Response to LGR
We firmly oppose Greater Oxford “Green Belt land grab” that could put Oxfordshire’s countryside at risk. Changes to local government must offer joined-up, strategic planning. In our response to the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) consultation, we have expressed support for whichever of the proposed options (either the single-county unitary or the two-unitary option) that best…
Read MoreProposed Planning Reforms Raise Serious Concerns for Oxfordshire’s Countryside
A revised version of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was issued for consultation on 16th December 2025 with a consultation running until 10 March 2026, which can be found here. CPRE Head Office have issued a summary of the key changes at a national level which can be found here. At a county level, early…
Read MoreLocal Voices, Real Change: Why Your Community Needs You
From the preservation of our iconic Green Belt to the urgent need for safer cycling infrastructure, the challenges facing Oxfordshire today aren’t just headlines—they are the daily realities for people living across the county. But the most effective solutions don’t always come from the top down. In reality, they come from the residents who know…
Read MoreNovice Hedge Layers welcome in the spring
On Saturday 28th February we held a novice hedge laying competition at Harcourt Arboretum where 36 competitors worked to rejuvenate 180m of hedge over the course of 5 hours. It was the perfect way to welcome in the spring and, with over 1300 visitors that day, the pressure was on for the competitors. Working singly…
Read MoreRooftop Renewables launches as Warm Homes Plan puts solar in the spotlight
CPRE Oxfordshire has launched its new Rooftop Renewables project at a pivotal moment for household energy, following the recent announcement of the Warm Homes Plan and a growing national focus on cutting energy bills, reducing carbon emissions and improving home comfort. The Warm Homes Plan is expected to provide £15bn of funding across the UK…
Read MoreLand Behind the Moors… another Green Belt success
A planning application for 340 new homes on land known as “Land behind the Moors”, to the north of Kidlington and adjacent to St Mary’s Church, was considered by Cherwell District Council’s Planning Committee on Thursday 15 January. CPRE Oxfordshire has strongly opposed development on this site for several years. It was first proposed in…
Read MoreLetter to Oxfordshire
As we begin our centenary year, we’re sending this message to everyone: love your countryside and be part of its future. This is just the beginning – and we all have a part to play in shaping what comes next. If you share this vision, join the movement today, add your name to this letter and stand with us.…
Read MoreToo Big, Too Costly, Too Damaging: CPRE Oxfordshire responds to Thames Water Reservoir consultation
CPRE Oxfordshire has formally objected to Thames Water’s proposed South East Strategic Reservoir Option (SESRO), warning that the scheme would cause unacceptable harm to farmland, the countryside and rural communities, while failing to demonstrate clear need, value for money or sustainability. In our response to Thames Water’s Statutory Consultation, CPRE Oxfordshire recognises the importance of…
Read MoreWhy Is Cherwell Under Pressure to Approve So Many Houses — And Why Isn’t It Working?
There has been widespread confusion and growing frustration across Cherwell about housing numbers: how many new homes are actually needed, why large developments are being approved outside local plans, and why councils are still judged to be “failing” on housing delivery despite thousands of permissions already being granted. CPRE Oxfordshire has been examining the situation…
Read MoreIllegal Dumping at Cherwell: A National Failure of Waste Regulation
The scale of the illegal waste dump at Cherwell has rightly alarmed local residents and environmental groups. This is not just a serious case of environmental damage in one place, but a clear example of wider failures in waste regulation, environmental protection and joined-up infrastructure planning across England. A serious threat to the river The…
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