Posts by Nemone Caldwell

CPRE Oxfordshire has responded to Oxford City Council’s Local Plan 2042 consultation, warning that the draft plan requires significant revision before progressing to the next stage. Our submission highlights serious concerns over the treatment of green spaces, housing numbers, and the consultation process itself, which is summarised below. You can see our full response on…

A development-led power shift could risk Oxfordshire’s countryside, climate goals, and community voice. CPRE Oxfordshire is raising serious concerns over the “Greater Oxford” unitary authority proposal, which would swallow up large parts of the Oxford Green Belt — a landscape specifically protected to prevent urban sprawl and preserve the city’s unique character. The proposal, put…

This week the High Court dismissed our challenge of the government’s decision not to hold a public inquiry into the controversial Abingdon Reservoir, part of Thame’s Water’s Water Resource Management Plan (WRMP), despite concerns about lack of transparency, ecological risk, misleading forecasts and financial recklessness. The decision follows a 2-day Judicial Review brought by SAFERWaterS…

The government has asked for proposals nationally for unitary authorities across the country. In Oxfordshire there will be 3 proposals for the Government to review and make a final decision on. The options are: This is Oxfordshire County Council’s preferred option and details can be found on their website here. This is South Oxfordshire, Vale…

Two Local Plan consultations, for Oxford City and West Oxfordshire, are now “Live” and CPRE Oxfordshire have a busy summer ahead, making sure we contribute actively to ensure ongoing policy which supports a thriving countryside. Oxford City Having had its previous plan rejected by the Inspectors last year, Oxford City Council has issued a new…

On 25-26 June the High Court will hear a Judicial Review case, brought by CPRE Oxfordshire and campaign group SAFERWaters, against Thames Water’s plans for a £2.6 billion mega-reservoir. We believe that the reservoir, which would be the second-largest in England and cover an area the size of Gatwick Airport, is completely un-necessary, will devastate…

This week, the Planning Inspectorate’s six-month examination of Botley West Solar Farm kicked off with 3 days of open floor hearings. Having registered as an Interested Party, yesterday CPRE Director, Lisa Warne, stood to deliver our statement, criticising the plans for their short-sightedness concerning land use, highlighting the impact the development would have on flooding,…

2pm, Saturday 7th JuneEynsham Village Hall, 46 Back Lane, Eynsham, Oxfordshire OX29 4QW Please join us to hear all the latest news and views on CPRE Oxfordshire’s campaigns and activities over the last year and what we have planned for the future. After the AGM, we are delighted that our speaker will be Catriona Bass from…