Residents from a village south of Oxford have objected to the city council’s new development plan.
Villagers from Garsington are opposed to Oxford City’s Local Plan 2040 on the basis their village would be subsumed into a ‘Greater Oxford’
The plan sets out the planning strategy for the city and will be used in determining planning applications for a wide range of developments.
READ MORE: Parts of shopping centre roof fly off in wind
It will set out where new homes, business and community facilities will be located.
A ‘housing need’ consultation ran from February 13 to March 27.
Adrian Townsend, a member of the group Save Garsington, delivered 150 responses to the consultation to Oxford Town Hall on March 27.
He said he was confident that the majority of Garsington residents do not support the City’s proposals.
Mr Townsend added: “People in Garsington and other neighbouring communities are tired of the never-ending expansion of Oxford City.
“Oxford City Councillors living in their £1 million plus houses within the city are careful to protect their own green spaces often, with the support of Oxford Colleges who own large tracts of land in and around the city, but they don’t care about their neighbours.”
The objection letter stated a range of concerns regarding Oxford City’s Local Plan 2040.
It read: “I am a resident of Garsington and I strongly object to Oxford City Council’s expansionist approach to calculating housing need, promoting the building of expensive, unnecessary houses on land around the fringes of the city.
“This can only have a detrimental impact on the quality of life of existing residents in surrounding communities, such as Garsington, as we become subsumed into a ‘Greater Oxford.’
READ MORE: Illegally parked cars speed off as penalty fines are issued
“It will also negatively impact Oxford City residents in surrounding communities putting ever more pressure on already overstretched public services, transport and infrastructure, NHS waiting lists, pupil numbers in schools and traffic congestion.
“The city already has a vibrant economy and high employment.
“It is already common knowledge that Oxford has a housing affordability crisis rather than a housing supply issue, given the significant number of developments that have taken place both within and around the boundary in recent years.
“So-called affordable homes are not within the reach of normal working people given the extraordinarily high prices in the city.
“It is a myth that building more houses will see prices fall.
“There has been no evidence of this around Oxford or indeed in the UK.”
Other concerns raised included the impact on wildlife and an increase in carbon emissions as a result of the development.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel