A Healthy Economy depends on a Healthy Ecosystem

On Wednesday, Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer, chose to deliver a major economic speech in Oxfordshire, signalling the importance of the county in her plans for delivering growth. While we welcome the recognition of Oxfordshire’s unique position and national significance, with escalating growth comes a need for more homes, offices and associated infrastructure, putting our existing services under increased pressure if not done right.

The Right Homes for the Right People in the Right Places

We acknowledge that we are in a housing crisis, but we are also one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. We actively welcome more homes, but we urge the government to focus on brownfield sites, using land that has previously been developed, to save our countryside and take advantage of existing infrastructure.

Removing the need for environmental impact reports won’t necessarily deliver more housing. More than 1 million homes granted planning permission since 2015 have not been built, and a recent report found that 84% of councils don’t have enough planning officers to deliver housing targets. We need to invest in our planning systems, not pull them apart.

We welcome the ambition to improve the living standards of ordinary working people, but that won’t come from building houses alone. New builds must be energy efficient, well designed and genuinely affordable to local residents, with prices based on local wages rather than a reduction in market price which we currently see.

All homes should be serviced by good schools and doctors’ surgeries with excellent public transport links. There should be an emphasis on active travel so people can safely cycle or walk to work and school, building vibrant and healthy communities who feel connected with their local environment.  

Abingdon Reservoir is not fit for purpose

Whilst securing sustainable future for water in our region is critical, the proposal for the mega reservoir near Abingdon will have massive environmental and carbon costs. 11 times the size of Farmoor, its construction would threaten over 200 veteran and ancient trees in the area, along with the wildlife that depend on them. It would increase flood risk in the area by raising the groundwater levels by a metre, further exacerbated by the loss of trees and natural landscape.

Water from the river Thames and its tributaries will be used to fill this 150 billion litre reservoir and in times of extended drought would be unable to refill due to low river flow rates.  This unsustainable abstraction will lead to reduced flow and dry chalk streams which are the arteries of our river’s existence, having a hugely damaging effect on our wildlife, river users and biodiversity as a whole.

We believe the multi-billion pound cost of building the reservoir would be more effectively spent by investing in infrastructure, fixing the leaks and upgrading sewage treatment works which is so urgently needed.

Thames Water has consistently failed to engage with the strong evidence presented to it about both the harm the reservoir would cause and the viable alternatives that would offer more adaptable and scalable solutions. We continue to call for a Public Inquiry to make sure these matters are properly explored and the decision is fully transparent.

Our greatest asset is Nature

We believe long-term economic success will be achieved through sustainable development not growth for growth’s sake. Our land is a finite resource with essential uses beyond housing and development, such as providing food, enabling climate mitigation, and supporting the health and wellbeing of people and nature.

Rather than ignoring the voices of local communities and bulldozing through major developments, we must consider how we bring people together into the decision-making process to ensure a thriving countryside that benefits everyone.