We have now got more definite information about the process, which OCHL have indicated will start week beginning 13th September.
The purpose of the process is for OCHL to get the communities’ views on their initial proposals which they can use to shape their proposals for the Horse Fields.
Initially OCHL didn’t give us specific information about their proposals but we have managed to tease these points out of them:
They have developed a consultation strategy alongside PR company Devcomms, and Hill Partnerships
The consultation activities have been specifically designed to engage with the wider Iffley community and surrounding areas (which we understand are Iffley, part of/all Rose Hill, Donnington, Iffley Mead)
They seek to gather a broad spectrum of views and opinions
The first phase is likely to be conducted over a number of weeks with participation within a consultation platform (i.e. it will be web-based)
Throughout this phase, Devcomms will be monitoring and collating feedback which will be reviewed and considered in the context of their current plans
A second phase of consultation will take place, probably in October
The submission date of a planning application is still the end of this year. We have also found out that there will be a separate consultation process on the future of the Memorial Field. This could occur as early as October.
Any question please email planning@iffleyfields.org.
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.
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.
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.
