Cycle track

Deadline Thursday 15th December 2022

Ref 22/02446/CT3 Removal of existing fencing and formation of footpath and cycle path and associated landscaping works. | Donnington Recreation Ground Freelands Road Oxford Oxfordshire OX4 4BT

You can have your say – see the link below. FOIV have concerns that the route favoured by the Council is unnecessarily damaging as it will clear a substantial number of the group of mature willows and other trees adjoining Meadow Lane – this causes it to fail to comply with new statutory provisions under the Environment Act 2021. FOIV maintains there are less damaging ways to address pedestrian and cycle damage to the football playing surface, and deliver a surfaced cycle link around the edge of the recreation ground. The submitted option simply creates a new ‘desire line’ (diagonally across the Rec from Meadow Lane to Arnold Road) that may just move the damage to another part of the playing fields. The proposed route will not prevent people continuing to cross the Rec on the current ‘desire line’ ie diagonally from Cavell Road to the current exit. This exit is to become a kissing gate – not great for disabled users. The new proposed exit is on an incline that might lead to added danger for users of the Quiet Route caused by cyclists coming too fast on to Meadow Lane.

See link to OCC planning portal
https://www.oxford.gov.uk/info/20066/planning_applications/328/view_and_comment_on_planning_applications

From Oxford Direct Services:

“Consultation has been extended to 05/06/22 and updated on the city website.

“Signs (replicating info on this page and including the address https://www.oxford.gov.uk/donnington-cycle-path) up in 4 locations.

The sign at the proposed entrance coming off Meadow Lane includes (along with all the others): “A small number of trees will be removed to allow the path to connect to Meadow Lane. Replacement trees will be provided nearby to compensate for this” with the image:

“We’ve run out of the red and white tape originally used to denote the trees impacted (I’ll get some ordered in today). There’s quite a lot of low-level growth there now (including nettles!) that would be a shame to disturb. I’m of the opinion that the sign’s text and images gives a reasonable indication of the trees that will be impacted.

If/when submitted, the publicly viewable planning application will include the detailed tree impact drawing and will be open to comments from the public.” Oxford Direct Services.

FOIV has responded: ‘We are concerned that the consultation does not offer any alternatives to the one route on offer. There should be a discussion of other possibilities. On the one proposed route, there are no details about the number of trees that would be felled, and undergrowth area cleared, to make enough space for a cycle/wheelchair route to descend/ascend in a graduated manner from Meadow Lane to the track. It could not go directly up as the incline is too steep, ie the level difference is too great.
So, on the one proposed route, we feel that the proposed destruction of the trees is unnecessary. Cheaper and equally effective routes could be adopted that would achieve the ends that OCC/Oxfordshire County Council/ODS have set themselves.
We think there should be further consultation.’

Horse Fields

A meeting with OCHL’s head, Helen Horne, and the new project manager, Rebecca Jacob, was helpful but we are still awaiting the planning application for the Horse Fields. We asked for wide publicity of the application; however the Council is only obliged to advertise it in the local press and to post up the regular planning notices. However FOIV will advise as soon as it is made public and the statutory consultation period of 21 days starts.

Regarding the Memorial Field, OCHL advised that it will be managed by Oxford Direct Services (ODS).

Iffley Mead

The proposal is for 89 houses, with traffic exiting through Augustine Way. We have not yet received notice of the application for this, and we do not know whether the proposal is at the pre-planning stage. We will advise as soon as more information is forthcoming from the County Council (the owners of the field).

Cycle Route across Donnington Recreation Ground

You may have seen the trees with tape around them on Meadow Lane, and the notices up about ‘Consultation to start soon’. This is in regard to the Council’s plans to create a new route for cyclists across the Rec, to try and discourage use of the direct, diagonal track and to protect the football pitches. Many are unhappy with the proposed felling of trees, and the possible routing for the track will need to be fully examined. We will advise when more is known. These tapes and notices have now been removed, and a certain amount of cutting back of trees has been undertaken. 

FOIV Committee

planning@friendsofiffley.org