Northern Gateway – last chance!

Comments on Northern Gateway Area Action Plan must be in by 5pm on Monday 15 Sept.  Please join us in telling the Inspector that key traffic and environmental issues still need to be addressed.   Here’s how…

Many thanks to all those who came to CPRE’s Public Meeting on the Northern Gateway Area Action Plan (AAP) last week.

We are encouraged that so many of you share our concerns about the fundamental questions that still need to be answered about the proposed development of the Northern Gateway area.  For example:

• Why does the submssion document propose a scale of development 64% greater than that outlined in Oxford’s Core Strategy?
• Why is traffic modelling based on the provision of a strategic link road, that is now said to be ‘beyond the scope’ of the AAP?
• Why is the Green Belt land being allocated purely in order to maximise the size of the development?
• Why has there been no assessment of the visual impact on Port Meadow Special Area of Conservation?
• Where is the evidence of full surveys in relation to hydrogeological and biodiversity impacts, and air quality?

Please make your comments by 5pm, Monday 15 Sept.   Here’s a link to the Comments Form on the Oxford City Council website.

Comments must be based around whether the Northern Gateway Area Action Plan is:

• Legally compliant
• Sound  (ie Properly prepared / Justified / Effective / Consistent with National Policy)
• Complies with the Duty to Co-operate.

The City Council has prepared a Guidance Note on how to fill in the form – see below.  We know it isn’t easy, but we do urge you to take the time to respond.

CPRE Oxfordshire’s own draft response to the consultation is also provided below to help you.  We will be commenting on the following policies:

• NG1 – Green Belt
• NG2 – Mix of Uses
• NG5 – Highway Access
• NG7 – Design & Amenity
• NG8 – Oxford Meadows SAC   (See also NG presentation by ecologist Dr Judy Webb on her website here.)
• NG11 – Delivery of Infrastructure
• Sustainability Appraisal

Please note these CPRE documents are at final draft stage and may still be subject to minor alterations, but we wanted to share the information with you as soon as possible to give you time to submit your own responses.  If you have additional points that you think we should be including, please do share them with us as soon as possible:  E: campaign@cpreoxon.org.uk

With thanks & good luck with your own submissions!

 

09b_Guidance_note_on_completing_the_comment_form.pdf
CPRE_Proposed_Comments_on_NG1_and_NG2_10_Sept_14.pdf
CPRE_Proposed_Comments_on_NG7_8_11__SA_10_Sept_14.pdf