DEVELOPERS have been warned to prioritise transport after a report earmarked a neighbouring area’s shortcomings.
An initial public consultation on proposals for Bayswater – land north of Bayswater Brook, on the edge of Oxford – closed at the end of last month.
The new neighbourhood, which could total more than 1,500 homes, would be to the west of Barton and to the north of Barton Park, close to the A40 north-east of the city centre.
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Barton Park, where 885 homes are being built, was named in a report published earlier this year by community interest company, Transport for New Homes.
The ‘building car dependency’ report was published this year and examines 20 new housing developments across England to find out whether they are built around sustainable transport – or the car.
The report states: “Transport for New Homes believes that planning and transport should be done in a joined-up way and reduce the emphasis on the car.
“We want future planning to be centred instead on sustainable transport modes, by which we mean public transport, safe walking and cycling, and newer forms of personal mobility.
“We think this shift away from the car is key to reducing carbon emissions from transport, and essential in preventing mounting congestion on our roads.”
In relation to Barton Park, the report says: “The proposed bridge over the dual carriageway for buses, pedestrians and cycles was not built: instead there is a road crossing for buses and pedestrians only.”
David Young, the former director of environmental services at Oxfordshire County Council, and member of POETS (Planning Oxfordshire’s Environment and Transport Sustainably), said: “It is important that anything happening around Oxford takes note of this Transport for New Homes report, which named the Barton Park area.
“It’s critical anything happening in Oxfordshire gets away from the private car, otherwise the county has very little hope of meeting the ambitious reduced car use targets.”
Transport concerns were also expressed by Sue Holden, Barton Community Association’s company secretary.
However, she said provision for car parking had to be in place.
“The consultation was an expensive process and reached out to all and sundry, so fair play to them for that,” she said.
“I hope they’ll use the feedback from the consultation for the next part of their process.
“We acknowledge there’s a huge need for extra housing but it’s how it might impact our existing communities.
“The developers are talking about new community facilities, which is great, but we need to make sure we don’t suffer.
“It’s a fine balance. It’s going to be tricky and it won’t be an easy balance to find.”
Ms Holden added: “What worries me most is parking in the development and we as the neighbours to this, may suffer.
“The provision of parking spaces is the worry because if people can’t park, then it will impact Barton and Barton Park hugely.
“A good transport system needs to be in place, and there is still the need for the use of a car for people who don’t work in the area.
“There’s got to be sacrifices on both sides of the coin when it comes to transport.
“The developers need to understand that transport is a biggie – it impacts most of us in one way or another.”
Among the Bayswater plans by Christ Church and Dorchester Residential Management are: 1,450 homes and 120 assisted living dwellings; a new primary school and contributions to a new secondary school; a new bus lane on the A40 and routes for the area, and new links across the A40 including a foot and cycle bridge.
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Gavin Angell, development director at Dorchester Residential Management, said: “We welcomed the chance to speak to the wider community about our plans for an attractive, low carbon neighbourhood on the edge of Oxford.
“We held four events, two online with a total of 89 attendees, and another two at local community spaces with over 150 visitors.
“The online events were also published online and received 195 views in total.
“It was an important chance to understand more about local issues, opportunities and challenges.”
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Mr Angell said the developers would look at feedback from the consultation, ahead of further talks and the submission of a planning application.
“As part of our immediate follow up, we have taken action to respond to concerns around tree and hedge trimming, and the maintenance of parts of Bayswater Brook,” said Mr Angell.
“We are now carefully considering all feedback received during the consultation and we will continue to consider any comments we receive on our proposals.
“This feedback will play an important role in informing the next stages of our work, which involves refining the site’s final master plan design.
“We will also be meeting with local councillors, parishes, organisations and other community representatives to discuss specific aspects of our plans and to hear their suggestions on how we can refine our thinking further.
“A second consultation on our draft planning application is planned for later this year. We will then submit a planning application to South Oxfordshire District Council.”
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