AN environmental charity is looking for volunteers to help it continue to challenge development plans in the north Oxfordshire countryside.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) Oxfordshire is calling for people to join its team to look at and respond to planning applications that could have a negative effect on Bicester and villages nearby.

The group is one of more than 200 CPRE regional branches across England which works to improve, protect and preserve the landscape of Oxfordshire and its towns and villages for the benefit of everyone.

It has contributed to consultations such as the Great Wolf Lodge water resort that was proposed for Chesterton which was rejected.

It is now looking for some additional help in challenging future applications.

Helen Marshall, director of CPRE Oxfordshire, said: “Due to its location Bicester is a target for development, housing and logistics warehousing.

“Our volunteers keep a look out for planning applications that will, in our opinion, have an adverse effect on Bicester and surrounding villages.

Oxford Mail:

“Recently volunteers have argued against building shops on Bicester’s Oxford Road sports field; 500 houses on Gavray Meadows Local Wildlife Site; a £25K electricity substation and a care home on Linear Park (proposed District Wildlife Site); a 350 bedroom hotel and new automotive engineering site on Bicester Airfield Local Wildlife Site; the Great Wolf Lodge water resort at Chesterton, and a chicken farm (59,000 hens).”

Volunteers have also fought to protect the River Ray Conservation Target Area against development of the Wretchwick Green housing estate.

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The latest it tried to challenge was the extension of warehousing at Symmetry Park outside the Local Plan area, but this got the go-ahead.

Those who join CPRE Oxfordshire would be able to take part in different areas of contesting planning applications.

Ms Marshall added: “Volunteers take on different roles: some enjoy getting involved with campaigning; some prefer digesting planning applications and analysing the planning system.

“We need more volunteers to ensure we’re able to look at and respond to planning applications and having a voice at Town and District Council meetings.”

CPRE Oxfordshire says Bicester and Chesterton are facing the threat of ‘exponential development’ with plans for over 10,000 new homes and employment sites creating 18,500 new jobs.

If you live in or around Bicester and would like to become a volunteer, you can email director@cpreoxon.org.uk or call 07791 376365.