Oxford protestors against number of houses being built

Protestors in the Marston locality joined forces at the weekend, raising concerns over road safety and flooding.

More than 200 homes have already been given the green light in the area.

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In May 2021, a 159-home estate called Hill View Farm, situated at the end of Mill Lane, was approved by Oxford City Council.

Then, in October, 80 homes in Mill Lane were approved, with 40 more braced for Old Marston Paddock in Butts Lane.

Protestors against the perceived overdevelopment in the Marston area. Picture: Skye Denno

Former city councillor in the Marston ward, Mick Haines, condemned the number of housing estates being developed.

He said: “We had a good turnout for the protest – there was a lot of people there.

“It’s a big issue for the village, people are really up in arms on this one.

“I know people need houses but it’s too much in one area.

“If it was spread out, it’d be understandable but it’s all in one area.”

Protestors against the perceived overdevelopment in the Marston area. Picture: Skye Denno

Mr Haines said that sewage concerns were his key priority with the Butts Lane proposals.

“I’m worried mainly about flooding as it does flood regularly,” the former councillor said.

“People say there was some raw sewage in their gardens just the other week.

“Butts Lane is so narrow, so to get lorries down there is going to be difficult too.

“There’s also the wildlife in the area, which people are really worried about.

“At the caravan site, you get kiddies playing but you’re going to have lorries going regularly down there for the construction.”

Protestors against the perceived overdevelopment in the Marston area. Picture: Skye Denno

Skye Denno, vicar at St Nicholas Church in Old Marston, said: “My main concern is that there’s a group of people I care for, who are being overlooked.

“It feels like from a local perspective that we don’t know what’s going on.

“There’s a feeling from my perspective that people aren’t being treated fairly, or had the consultation that other applications have had.

“I’ve helped organise these protests, hoping that we might get interest from the public and local councils.

“It’s important for me to get involved, even if I didn’t agree, as I don’t think people have been treated fairly.

“There’s concern about the lane – it’s very narrow – and there’s environmental concerns as well, it’s a green area.”

Protestors against the perceived overdevelopment in the Marston area. Picture: Skye Denno

Dave Fisher, who lives at the St Nicholas Mobile Home Park, said: “My main concern is the safety point of view – I want it to be safe.

“Butts Lane is so narrow, you can only just about squeeze a fire engine down there.

“It’s a single lane just wide enough to get a car through – there’s no room for cyclists, pedestrians or wheelchair access.”

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This story was written by Liam Rice, he joined the team in 2019 as a multimedia reporter.

Liam covers politics, travel and transport. He occasionally covers Oxford United.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Liam.rice@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter @OxMailLiamRice