CPRE selects Hogacre Common Eco Park for pilot landscape project
18th December 2019
CPRE Oxfordshire will be supporting the 14-acre community space by providing funds for various initiatives. These include training courses, planting a forest garden, improving access and installing information boards to offer a greater understanding of the site and projects.
The project is being funded by the Essex Trust, as part of a National CPRE pilot landscape improvement project.
Hogacre Common Eco Park is a rural oasis a mile from Oxford City Centre within the Oxford Green Belt. In 2010 the local community came together to undertake low carbon projects on land previously used as a college sports ground. The space has been transformed and now provides space for a thriving food garden, beekeeping, Forest School site, orchard, newly created lowland meadow, hazel coppice, a developing community woodland.
CPRE Oxfordshire is delighted to be involved with Hogacre Common. It’s a working demonstration of how Green Belt land can be used by local communities: increasing environmental awareness, improving physical and mental health, providing hands-on opportunities to get involved and learn new skills whilst encouraging practical climate change actions. Hogacre Common Eco Park was established in 2010 when West Oxford Community Renewables (WOCoRe) leased an unused sports ground from Corpus Christi College. Hogacre Common Eco Park Community Interest Company (HCEPCIC) was soon set up to manage the land and to work with the local community to bring about the changes needed to develop the Eco Park.
The first event to take place, thanks to CPRE Oxfordshire support, was a Hedge Laying Course held on Saturday 14th December. To register an interest in future events email hogacrecommon@gmail.com or visit the Hogacre website for more information.