Development Proposed for Green Belt Golf Course

Outline planning permission has been submitted to build 1.2 million sq.foot of industrial and office units on Waterstock Golf Club. Deadline for comments is 10th September, visit the South Oxfordshire District Council website for more information and to have your say. CPRE South Oxfordshire object to the planning proposal, read the response below:

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Improving access to the Oxford Green Belt Way

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…

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State of the Green Belt 2023

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:…

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Government’s Long-term Plan for Housing 

Jericho, Oxford Credit Kamyar Adl/flickr

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…

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Controversial Flood Scheme Faces Public Inquiry

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…

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Major Road Scheme Rejected

Artist impression Didcot road improvements

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…

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Solar farms: temporarily permanent?

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…

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Oxford United Proposals – chance to respond

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,…

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Developers exploiting loophole to build on greenfield land

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…

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