Thousands sign petition against Blenheim homes on allotment

Blenheim seeks to build approximately 45 houses on the allotment site in Cassington.

However, a petition – via change.org – has gathered thousands of signatures, expressing opposition to the proposals.

Gardeners who use the allotment say the site is important not just to the community, but also to local wildlife.

Read again: Residents’ anger over Blenheim plans for 45 houses on allotments

Jaime Johnson, who started the online petition, said: “We’re now just short of 11,000 signatures which is mind-boggling.

“We’ve had signatures globally and people have really got behind us – not just in the village.

“People don’t want to see the allotments bulldozed, we’ve been overwhelmed by the support.

“This is more than just protecting a few allotments, this is a heritage issue – it’s a very important site.

Cassington residents are angry over plans by the Blenheim Estate to build on the village allotments. Picture: David Fleming

“We’ve conducted wildlife and biodiversity surveys, and they’re proving there’s rare wildlife here including reptiles, amphibians, small mammals, birds of prey and more.

“We have to protect places like this, we’re helping to reduce plastic waste and pollution by making local produce.

“Blenheim may own the land but it doesn’t own the community.

“Most of us are here every day so for people to come here and scribble down their designs just feels criminal.

“This isn’t about being a NIMBY, new homes can be built but they shouldn’t take away from the community at the same time.”

Cassington residents are angry over plans by the Blenheim Estate to build on the village allotments. Picture: David Fleming

A spokesperson for Blenheim Estate said: “We have been engaging with the allotment association and the parish council for well over 18 months, and will continue to do so over the coming months.

“We have also listened carefully to the responses we have had from the community to our first proposals and will be back soon to consult on modified plans.

“The proposals make it very clear there will be more allotments in Cassington after any new homes are built than there are today and that they will be better equipped, with enhanced facilities such as a water supply.

“The overall provision will therefore not only be increased, but also better serviced, as we agree allotments are important and we are committed to supporting them.

Cassington residents are angry over plans by the Blenheim Estate to build on the village allotments. Picture: David Fleming

“The proposed new community would also deliver really affordable homes for local people who are recognised as being in housing need.

“Those homes would be built to Passivhaus standard, which means better air quality, a low carbon footprint and a much lower fuel cost for residents.

“The desire to build to this standard recognises that the climate crisis emergency and unaffordable homes are two enormous issues in the area, and they cannot be addressed through inaction.

“New homes are rarely welcomed, but there is both a real need and a legal requirement for them.

“We believe these issues should ultimately be dealt with by a planning committee, not by a change.org petition which appears to be dominated by people with no connection to the area.”

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In Janaury, the allotments site was made an asset of community value by West Oxfordshire District Council.

The move essentially means if the land goes up for sale, then the community will be given a fair chance to make a bid to buy it on the open market.

Witney MP Robert Courts said that as an MP he had no formal role in the planning process, but had written to Blenheim Estates on behalf of local residents ‘to reflect their concerns’.