Posts by Nemone Caldwell

CPRE Oxfordshire has huge concerns about the cumulative impact of three separate giant warehouse developments proposed for countryside surrounding Junction 10 of the M40. These developments are planned for rural sites, with critical loss of green fields and serious impact on a number of villages including Baynards Green, Fritwell, Ardley, Middleton Stoney and Heyford Park…

Planning is being sought for a solar farm near Burcot, South Oxfordshire – a 57 hectare site in the Oxford Green Belt. The site is just a short distance from the controversial 123 hectare site at Nuneham Courtenay that was recently granted permission. CPRE Oxfordshire oppose the application. It is within the Oxford Green Belt…

CPRE Oxfordshire is calling for a properly thought out strategy for the location of renewable energy, as more of Oxfordshire’s farmland is targeted by solar companies. With applications increasing dramatically, the countryside charity has published a map showing existing solar installations in the county and those currently under consideration. See:   Oxfordshire Solar Farms Map Helen…

Image – Nicola Schafer We were delighted to have George Eustice, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs, pay a visit to one of our Hedgerow Hero project sites this morning. CPRE and Wild Oxfordshire have been working with the community groups and parish councils of Kidlington, Watlington and Eynsham to plant…

PLEASE RESPOND TO THE LATEST CONSULTATION ON THE ABINGDON RESERVOIR – BY MONDAY 14 MARCH Water Resources South East (a group of water companies including Thames Water and Affinity Water) are currently consulting on their Emerging Regional Plan for the area.  The Abingdon Reservoir is central to this Plan, with proposals to start in 2025.…

Government plans for the OxCam Arc appear to have been flattened, apparently leaving local authorities to decide whether to pursue any of the identified proposals. While CPRE Oxfordshire has asked local MPs to confirm what IS happening with Arc plans, the Countryside Charity is also seeking assurance from local councils that the notional Arc housing…

Image – Nicola Schafer The hills above Watlington have a secret. They are the source of one of the world’s rare chalk streams. But the Chalgrove Brook is under threat from all sides. One Oxfordshire community is taking action to restore and protect its chalk stream. A local film maker, Nicola Schafer, has produced a…

Is a football stadium an appropriate Green Belt development? Oxford United FC, the Yellows, want to build an 18,000-capacity football stadium and commercial complex on 44 acres in the Oxford Green Belt at Stratfield Brake. Oxfordshire County Council, who own the land, has been asked to transfer it to Oxford United under a 250-year lease.…

CPRE Oxfordshire is concerned that, despite the cancellation of the Oxfordshire Expressway, this proposed road follows the same ‘south of Oxford’ route and will create a need for road improvements between the A4074 to the M40. There are also concerns that a new road planned from Milton, Didcot to Clifton Hampden threatens to increase traffic…

Dark starry skies are a beautiful sight, and a distinctive feature of the countryside. But too often, light pollution means that many of us can’t see the stars. To celebrate our starry skies and to help to protect and improve our view of the stars, CPRE, the countryside charity is inviting the nation to be…