Posts by Nemone Caldwell

One of the stiles due to be replaced at Toot Baldon CPRE Oxfordshire is delighted to announce that work will begin to replace stiles with accessible gates on the Oxford Green Belt Way, at Toot Baldon, Nuneham Courtenay, Cumnor and Wytham. The Countryside Charity are working in partnership with Oxfordshire County Council who will be…

Solution to climate change CPRE’s new report argues that the Green Belt, which protects 12.6% of England’s land area from development, should become greener, wetter and more biodiverse. The Green Belt is being overlooked as a pivotal solution to climate change, the decline of nature and food security vulnerabilities. ‘State of the Green Belt 2023:…

19th century affordable housing in Jericho, Oxford. Credit Kamyar Adl/flickr The government has announced its long-term housing plan, and although there are some encouraging signs, we’re urging the government to rethink development plans. Commenting on the government’s plan for housing, Roger Mortlock, chief executive of CPRE said:‘There are some positive indications that the government is listening on…

Image credit: Oxford Flood and Environment Group The Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme, which would see a five km long channel dug through the western floodplain of the city, will be examined by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs later this year. The inquiry was called by Secretary of State Thérèse Coffey following objections from…

Artists’ impression of future A4130 – credit Oxfordshire County Council **UPDATE – as of 25th July the Secretary of State has called in the planning application and decided to hold a local inquiry. For more information download the letter sent from Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government to Oxfordshire County Council below. Oxfordshire County…

CPRE Oxfordshire is disappointed that a Chalgrove solar farm has been granted permission to extend the temporary operating period. It illustrates an increasing tendency for developers to request longer operating periods once the original application has been permitted. Temporary permission is given for solar farms on the basis they are damaging to the landscape and…

Oxfordshire County Council is running an online survey asking for your views on the response of Oxford United Football Club (OUFC) to the seven key strategic priorities set out by the council for the use of the land known as ‘the Triangle’.The survey is open until 23rd July 2023. Friends of Stratfield Brake have prepared a response guide,…

A new report from CPRE shows how some big housing developers are still exploiting a loophole that enables them to appeal against refusal of planning permission, even in our most iconic landscapes. We’re urgently calling for proposed changes to the planning rules that would stop this happening. The proposed change to the National Policy Planning…

Botley West Solar Farm has submitted their Scoping Report to the Planning Inspector. The Inspectorate is required to adopt a Scoping Opinion within 42 days of receiving a scoping request – which will be the 27th July 2023. At this stage only specified organisations and bodies are consulted, If they fail to respond, it is…

A major new CPRE report has found that over half the solar panels needed to hit national net zero targets could be fitted on rooftops and in car parks. The research, by the UCL Energy Institute, for CPRE, shows that decarbonising the national energy grid requires far less land than feared. Installing solar panels on existing…