Barton Nature Park is lost, but Ruskin Fields is saved

Oxford: Our worst fears for Barton Nature Park are confirmed.The Planning Inspector’s report on the Barton Area Action Plan has been published, the Park will be lost to housing development.

A new linear park will be established alongside Bayswater Brook on the northern boundary of the site.

The Inspector did not accept our concerns about the lack of adequate green space in the development. We hope that the development may not be quite as dense as we feared, perhaps about 900 houses, rather than 1,200.

And with every cloud comes a silver lining. The Inspector has ruled out development at Ruskin Fields saying that this “would have an adverse impact on the distinctive character of the Conservation Area.”

Many thanks to all those who helped us fight for existing and future green space in Barton.

You can see the Inspector’s report here.