NEGOTIATIONS are under way to secure 36 acres of land bordering the River Cherwell in Old Marston for the people of Oxfordshire.

Oxford Preservation Trust confirmed this week that it had opened talks with Tesco, which owns the bulk of the site lying between Oxford’s northern bypass and the Cherwell.

The trust is also speaking to Oxford City Council, which owns attractive neighbouring water meadows that run down to the river.

The trust said that it wanted to buy the site as part of its ongoing policy to ensure river corridors running through the city were fully protected and also to allow public access to them.

A public appeal for funds is expected to be launched if agreement is reached with the two landowners.

Debbie Dance, the director of Oxford Preservation Trust, said: “We own land on either side of the Marston Ferry link road leading up-river from the University Parks along the Cherwell to the Victoria Arms, where the old ferry used to cross before the Marston Ferry link road was built.

“We are keen to protect the river corridors of the city and to give the public access, which is exactly what this land purchase would achieve. We are still at an early stage in our negotiations but are delighted to have the support of the city council in this.

“We are excited at the chance this gives to make a riverside walk upstream from the pub and do hope that local people will support us in our fundraising in due course.”

The city council’s north east area committee last week approved the disposal of almost ten acres of city council-owned land fronting the Cherwell, which suffers from regular winter flooding. A price has yet to be agreed.

The council land has no vehicle access, with the site categorised as an undeveloped flood plain.

The Tesco land has access to the A40 and is significantly less susceptible to flooding.

But the supermarket looks to have effectively ruled out developing the site.

The officers’ report to city councillors said: “The sale of the city council’s land will be at a purchase price that is equal to the price for the Tesco land on a pro-rata basis.

“The land is to be sold freehold as Oxford Preservation Trust is not able to raise funds against long leasehold purchases.

“Covenants will be put in place which will preclude any development and will limit the land to public open space or grazing land.”

A spokesman for Tesco said: “Tesco has no plans for the site and is therefore working positively with the OPT, who are interested in buying it.”

The trust owns more than 800 acres of land in and around Oxford, including 120 acres in Old Marston. Much of the land was acquired to stop the land being developed in the 1920s.

The Victoria Arms pub, a favourite location in the Inspector Morse series, was added to the trust’s estate in 1959.