The community ownership of a beloved wildlife haven has moved a step closer after a charitable company was formed.

Gavray Meadows, in Bicester, has seen a resolved conservation effort in the form of a community formed company, Gavray Community Meadows Ltd, comprised of people in Bicester who want to secure the future of the site.

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The ownership of the twenty-one acres of land required to secure the meadow’s future as a wildlife hotspot will pass to the new community company as part of a forthcoming planning application by L&Q Estates, which is currently awaiting determination.

Pat Clissold, one of the original members of the Friends of Gavray Meadows conservation group, said: “This is an exciting result for all of us. We are looking forward to securing a better future for wildlife and the habitat at Gavray Meadows."

Gavray Community Meadows Limited will be both a company and a charity and will be owned and controlled by members of the company.

Anyone on the electoral register within the wards of Bicester North, South, East and West along with Launton and Otmoor can become a full member.

Anyone supporting the aims of the new company who lives outside these areas can join as an associate member.

There is no joining fee and the members will elect a board of trustees to manage the charitable company.

Following a well-attended open day last year, a local group of residents have been working away to prepare to take ownership of the land.

One working group have been thinking through all the issues around establishing a community company and meeting the responsibilities of land ownership.

One of the working group members, Iain Armstrong said: “We have put together a long-term business case and financial projections that will enable the community company to manage Gavray Meadows for the benefit of all into the future”.

Dominic Woodfield, who has long campaigned for the protection of Gavray Meadows, said: “This is an important step in a long running saga to protect Gavray Meadows.

“Our new charitable company has a sole purpose to protect, conserve and improve the biodiversity of Gavray Meadows for the benefit of our community and future generations. We are so close to securing this asset for our community.”

Alan Caldwell, who establishes community companies across the country, has been working closely with local residents, L & Q Estates and Cherwell District Council.

He said: “The Council has the opportunity to consent a development that secures the future of Gavray Meadows as a wildlife haven rich in its biodiversity for generations to come.

In my experience, this will be looked upon as a nationally significant example of how a council can work together with a developer and their community for the benefit of everyone involved.”

 

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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1