A contractor employed by OCHL has undertaken a CCTV survey of utilities, including drainage, in Meadow Lane.
OCHL have informed us that there will be members of their professional teams on the Horse Fields conducting additional ecological and other surveys beginning from 26 July onwards. All works, we are assured, are being conducted by a qualified and experienced ecologist. OCHL has also assured the Village that no intrusive works are being undertaken.
Some of these additional surveys and investigations will require night-time assessments. This will involve the installation of a generator and three lights for one or two nights. These lights will not be sited immediately adjacent to any properties. The Development Manager, Will McKay: WMCKAY@oxford, gov.uk, has agreed that he may be approached if there are any questions about these procedures.
OCHL would like also to remind residents that the Horse Fields and the Memorial Field are private land over which there are no rights of way, and that permissions needs to be sought for anyone seeking access to these fields.
We are days away from the deadline, 7th July, for you to make your personal comments to Oxford City Council (OCC). There are already fifteen comments posted. EITHER via Adrian Arnold, Esq., Director of Planning Services Oxford City Council (SA02) 109 St Aldate’s Oxford OX1 1DS Ref: 1 Court Place Gardens 21388/FUL, DTAYLOR@oxford.gov.uk OR online to https://www.oxford.gov.uk/info/20066/planning_application
Oxford University Developments (OuD) have helpfully provided us with hard copies of the 135 planning submission documents. Displayed in the shop are a selection to assist you in assessing the proposals.
Many of you attended the ‘drop in’ sessions at Court Place. As members of the Committee of the Friends of Iffley Village (FOIV) were in attendance at all these sessions, they were able to get a good impression of your views – some supportive, some critical. They have also reviewed the proposals, and have come forward with the following points which we will be submitting to OCC’s planners on behalf of the Village:
We continue to support the redevelopment in principle. OUD has made above-average attempts to meet some concerns; however, the plan submitted to Oxford City Council, without consultation, is still a long way from being satisfactory, much less exemplary, from the promises made in February 2020.
FOIV has now met with OuD and pointed to four key areas that need more work or reassurances:
1 Above all, the proposed housing is disappointing to say the least. In appearance, density and height it neither enhances nor fits in with the semi-rural nature of Iffley. 2 The current ecology and other environment surveys have deficiencies. 3 There seems to be a lack of measurable carbon reduction performance targets, especially for the construction phase, but also in respect of performance of the resultant buildings. 4 Despite the efforts of the village to contribute to a fitting and successful outcome, OuD has not lived up to promised best practice consultation.
In the light of these deficiencies, we are expecting OCC’s planners to set appropriate conditions which OuD must meet before formal approval of the planning application is given.
Members of FOIV’s Committee met the OuD team on Wednesday and had constructive discussions on these matters. FOIV expect OuD to improve its communications with the community as we have the same goal: to deliver a housing project that enhances the Iffley Conservation Area. In response, OuD has committed to this. We will see.
Your concerns about access into Court Place from the Eastchurch gate Jennifer Waterhouse OuD has clarified the matter
There will be no vehicular access onto (or from) Court Place Gardens through the Eastchurch Gate, and the current pedestrian route through the site will be retained and improved. The hard surfacing around the Gate Lodge and the Mansion House will remain as it is currently, to allow for access to these buildings for wheelchairs and service and emergency vehicles. There are also two accessible parking spaces in this area that will serve the Mansion House.
The main vehicle route through the site is shown in purple in the plan. Because access will be required for emergency vehicles, there will not be a physical barrier at the end of the purple route, but there will be a change in surface material, and signage that permits access for authorised vehicles only. Any vehicles parking in the two accessible parking spaces will require a permit to do so.
Oxford University include wording within the standard tenancy agreements that prevents students from bringing a car into the city unless they have been granted a permit to park within the site. This has been agreed with Oxford City Council. Having reviewed the historic use of cars of the site, we believe the parking provision, alongside the cycle parking provision, will be sufficient for the residents on the site.
Oxford City Council has started the process of producing the Local Plan 2040. This is an early opportunity to get involved in the development of the Oxford Local Plan 2040. The Local Plan can help tackle many of the issues that the city faces, such as our environment, inequalities and climate change. It will set out where and how new development can happen. It will look at what development is needed in the city and try to provide for that. At the same time it try to keep hold of the things that make Oxford a special place, and see where things can improve to make it a better place to live, work and visit.
We have begun to identify issues that we think the Local Plan could help to address. These are set out in an Issues Paper, supported by a series of topic papers containing more detailed background information. The Issues Paper and topic papers are on our website:
Comments can be made using the questionnaire, which does not require reference to any other documents, or using the Issues Paper Questions to help guide your responses to the issues paper. Links to both are on the webpage as above.
In addition we have prepared a Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report, a Duty to Cooperate Scoping report and we are running a call for sites exercise. Details are on the webpage as above.
We’d be grateful if you could spread the word about this consultation.
Planning Policy Team
Planning Policy I Planning Services Oxford City Council I St. Aldate’s Chambers I 109 St. Aldate’s I Oxford I OX1 1DS I planningpolicy@oxford.gov.uk I
