A decision on the planning application is now unlikely before mid-September. The case officer Clare Gray has informed us that:-
‘We’re still awaiting Heritage and Urban Design advice as well as Ecology advice. Once this has been received we will know more. At the moment, we have not needed to request from the applicant any further information.’
FOIV have met with OUD and had a productive meeting:-
OUD acknowledged the comprehensiveness of our planning response and that it had caused them to review a number of areas
Their technical team have reviewed our comments and are preparing responses to submit to the planners. OUD will share this with us before its submission
We reiterated our concerns over the brickwork solution. The matter has been raised by FOIV with David Prout, Pro Vice Chancellor who requested our submission and said ‘I will be discussing with OUD over the coming weeks. I am sure some of these points can be dealt with’.
Progress was made in getting OUD to realise that communication must improve. They have acted on our suggestions and confirmed that o A newsletter is to be produced this week o They will actively look at setting up a Court Place website o Update notices to be displayed at the entrances
They continue with design development and have agreed to set up a session in second week of September to share this information
Demolition is planned for the New Year
Tenders have been sought from 4 contractors, appointment October
A planning submission for the Mansion House and Lodge is to be submitted shortly. Heritage specialists are involved.
OU Woodland forestry works have been approved and could start in September
Any question please email planning@iffleyfields.org. Copies of this notice are available in the shop, please communicate this update widely.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the draft proposals for Yellow Lines in Iffley including the Conservation Area. Friends of Iffley Village (FOIV) would wish to feed back the following responses in relation to the three proposals which, with the exception of the north side of Iffley Turn, fall within the Iffley Conservation Area. Iffley has seen substantial increase in traffic, with concomitant parking and access issues, over recent times, which some limited management would assist in addressing.
One key concern is that any further parking restrictions will inevitably move the problem of traffic and parking onto neighbouring roads particularly in relation to Church Way (already heavily congested during peak times) and the surrounding roads in the Conservation Area. This would become significantly more problematic should the housing new build plans in Iffley be implemented.
We agree that the central issue, particularly in relation to Mill Lane, is access for Emergency Vehicles and general road safety.
With this in mind we wish to make the following comments:
1) In relation to Mill Lane: major issues here are poorly parked cars and access to Iffley Lock for Emergency vehicles and Mill Lane residents. We would agree that double yellow lines as suggested are indicated, but see comments below about the type of yellow lines in a Conservation Area. The proposals would address the access and safety issues while preserving limited parking, thus reducing the danger of displacement onto neighbouring streets.
2) The Iffley Turn proposals. While there is concern about the large buses/lorries which often park there restricting access, and about safe child-crossing areas especially at school times, there was also concern that the proposal maybe somewhat excessive and – particularly in relation to schoolchildren crossing – could be addressed by a pelican crossing. The worry is that extensive restrictions would have a knock-on effect on the east side of Iffley Turn and neighbouring streets where there is already evidence of overflow parking from Iffley Turn.
3) The Tree Lane proposal, regarding concern about cars parking and speeding round the corner of Stone Quarry Lane into Tree Lane, was again thought somewhat excessive and that the same issue could be addressed by broken white lines and either a stop or warning sign.
4) Iffley Conservation Area. We have some concern about excessive street furniture in a Conservation Area. We suggest that, should yellow lines be planned in the Iffley Conservation Area, we consider it essential that such yellow lines that are approved are of the narrow muted cream-yellow type.
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
This is the first of what will be regular FOIV Bulletins to keep you up to date on planning matters.
The purpose of this bulletin is to cascade information received from OCHL on Thursday 24th June about investigation work which will take place on the Horse Field next Tuesday 29th June. We have received two statements from Will MacKay the OCHL Development Manager:-
‘We will be conducting an initial utilities survey next Tuesday. This won’t involve any works other than inspection of relevant areas and shouldn’t last more than a day. I would appreciate you relaying this information onwards. The consultant team has eluded they may bring a portable toilet so please be aware of this arrival.’
And subsequently
“We will commence with buried services clearance by a specialist contractor who will walk the site and scan each proposed exploratory hole. After each exploratory hole has been completed the RSK engineer (Antonia Chennells) will direct the wheeled JCB to each exploratory hole and excavate a trial pit to approximately 3m depth, undertaking sampling and testing as it proceeds. The pits will be supervised full time and on completion they will be backfilled with arisings with any surplus spoil mounded neatly at the surface. Access is to be determined on the day, but it is considered that this will be via the gates off Church Way. A small portable toilet will be provided on the site for our staff and will hopefully be collected on the day of the site work, but if not a day or so later”
After the first email we sought clarity from OCHL about precisely what was to be undertaken. Also asking for clarification on the second statement, especially with respect to ‘services clearance’ and information contradictory to that previously given that one trial pit was to undertaken. We are contesting the decision to bring heavy machinery onto the meadows, causing ecological damage before planning permission has been granted.
We will keep you updated when we get further information. On the day of the works Will MacKay the Development Manager is the point of contact should anyone have concerns about how the work is being undertaken. 07483 098621.
We know people are very interested in planning issues. FOIV will keep you posted in subsequent Bulletins. The immediate priority was to let you know OCHL’s actions on the Horse Fields.
Copies of this bulletin are available in the shop for you to pass on to those who otherwise may not see it.
FOIV had a successful event in the Village Hall in early September – our first since the pandemic. Some 50 people came along and we were able to go into the garden area as well. Peggy Seeger added her stardust to the evening with some lovely songs, blending her humour and wit along with her skill as a musician and her warmth.
Events from the past - video recordings
In the 1990s and into the 2000s a number of plays and musicals were performed in Iffley Village Hall. The first was the Musical in 2 Acts, 12 scenes – Freely based on Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist with music and lyrics by Lionel Bart. This was produced and directed by Pemma SpencerChapman and Judith Judd (wife of the then vicar Rev. Peter Judd).
A video of the performance was produced by the brother of Faith Goodwill who played Nancy. The quality of the recording starts poor and improves in some of the scenes: this is a link to the recording (in .mp4 format). The actors, all from Iffley village and the locality, ranged in age from eight to 80. A copy of the programme will be made available on this page in due course.
The next play was a pantomime, Snow Green and the seventeen and a half dwarves, written by Anne Borrowdale with music by Pemma SpencerChapman. Here is the link to the recording
