Autumn 2018 www.cpreoxon.org.uk voice

Imposed Growth Cherwell’s Cart Before National Parks for Strategy for Oxfordshire Oxford’s Horses? Oxfordshire? Railroading development Inspector agrees CPRE Oxfordshire support at Oxfordshire’s cost? housing figures greater protection of our AONBs OXFORDSHIRE Chairman’s voice

Voice New as well as accept our regular involvement with their Autumn 2018 old challenges plans is to be played for. dressed up in old Features clothes continue What has also been exercising our 2 Chairman’s Voice to interest and endeavours and patience are the engage. proposals of National Office for a newly- 3 New National Parks minted view of CPRE. The work, under 4 Cattle, crops and farmers... The Oxford to the auspices of the national Board of 5 Cherwell’s cart Cambridge Growth Corridor, or ‘Ox-Cam Trustees, is led by the recently appointed Arc’ as it is now known, continues to 6-7 Imposed Growth Strategy Chief Executive, Crispin Truman, and haunt us, in particular because Highways for Oxfordshire involves employing the Good Agency have chosen Corridor ‘B’ to to put forward proposals to re-brand the 8 David Gilmour, Chair CPRE include the Oxfordshire section of the organisation. Your Branch Executive Cherwell proposed Expressway. The expectation for Committee finds the documents 9 Need Not Greed: update prospective routes across the County to sent to all Branches and containing 10 Abingdon reservoir be revealed has not been realised, and we decisions already made by the Board are still in doubt as to whether the route unsatisfactory and is playing a leading Obituaries will go west of Oxford, essentially along part in discussions with colleagues 11 Oxford Green Belt Way the line of the A34, but now more likely throughout England in trying to ensure, Local Plan Round-Up to include a loop westward, starting north for example, that ‘planning’ continues to of Abingdon and rejoining the A-road be at the core of CPRE’s activities. 12 Members’ events north of Botley – or – plough through the Green Belt on a new road south of Oxford, We report the recent death of Alun DIRECTORY before joining the M40 and turning Jones, the longest serving Trustee for Views expressed in the Voice are not necessarily those of CPRE Oxfordshire, which welcomes northward. Growth potential was meant Oxfordshire. His maps which guided us independent comment. to govern the work of Highways England, in so many ways and also decorated our Editor: Julia Benning and Oxfordshire’s share of the million invitations to AGMs are legendary. An Cover: Bow Bridge at on the houses to be built by 2050 along the Arc extended piece will appear in our next Oxfordshire Way. Photo Rob Bowker is a central consideration. As readers of issue. Articles, letters, comments and suggestions for articles are welcome. Please contact the Branch this publication will know, CPRE roundly Office below. Published November 2018 rejects the whole idea of building an Wenda Reynolds became known to many Expressway but now has to decide what of us during her long life. She has left District Chairmen further representations should be made us a generous legacy. Knowing of her CPRE Oxfordshire Branch to Government in case mitigation is the Peter Collins 01235 763081 predilection for planting trees, we have [email protected] only option. decided that part of the legacy should be Cherwell: David Gilmour, Cherwell Chairman used to do just that. [email protected] Strongly related to the Arc in our Oxford: Contact the Branch Office as below considerations is the ongoing Julia Benning, our Communications South Oxfordshire: Professor Richard Harding development of the Oxfordshire Growth Manager, has become a valuable member 01491 836425 [email protected] Board, which includes representatives of Director Helen Marshall’s wonderful Vale of White Horse: Mark Barnett [email protected] of the County Council, the City Council team and makes us forget that she only West Oxfordshire: Contact the Branch Office and the four District Councils, and its joined us in April. as below Joint Statutory Spacial Plan – JSSP for short. Whilst the Board will not be The Branch Executive Committee Branch Office CPRE Oxfordshire, First Floor, 20 High Street, in a position to do much about the welcomes two new District Chairmen. Sir Watlington, Oxfordshire OX49 5PY developing District Plans to 2031, it has David Gilmour is Chairman of the newly (Registered office) been central in accepting a Growth Deal amalgamated North and South Cherwell T: 01491 612079 with Government and working towards Committees, and Mark Barnett has taken E: [email protected] a vision of what happens thereafter in on the Chairmanship of the Vale of White www.cpreoxon.org.uk respect of planning to 2050. CPRE favours Horse Committee. We wish them well and Follow us on Twitter @CPREOxfordshire such joined-up thinking, but only if there look forward to working with them. May is full public engagement – something their fresh enthusiasm never dim! and like us on www.facebook.com/CPREOxfordshire which has been woefully missing up to CPRE Oxfordshire is registered in England as now. CPRE Oxfordshire has the ear of the Peter Collins Charity No.1093081 and Company No. 4443278. Board, but just how far the Board will Chair CPRE Oxfordshire

2 CPRE Oxfordshire voice Autumn 2018 New National Parks for Oxfordshire? In 2000 Government confirmed that AONBs have the same landscape quality and legal protection as National Parks. However, AONBs don’t have their own authorities for planning control and other services. National Park authorities have a legal obligation to produce a 5-year management plan allowing a strategic view regarding development and conservation. It is usual for National Parks to assume some Local Authority responsibilities although it can be agreed that Local Authorities retain responsibilities in some areas, such as elements of planning or rights of way. The management plan ensures that all parties make decisions in line with an agreed and planned strategy.

The Chilterns at Rotherfield Greys At a recent CPRE West Oxon public meeting Martin Lane, Director, Nearly 70 years after National • how to connect more people with AONB spoke about its interest Parks and Areas of Outstanding the natural environment from all in acquiring National Park status. CPRE Natural Beauty (AONBs) were first sections of society and improve Oxfordshire sees that there are good established, a review launched by health and wellbeing. environmental, social and economic Environment Secretary Michael reasons for National Park designation. • how those who live and work in Gove in February 2018 will seek to However, we would also like to see much National Parks and AONBs can be ensure designated landscapes are more robust enforcement of existing better supported. fit for the future. The review, led by AONB protections, as well as a better writer Julian Glover, will feedback Expanding on work already underway, understanding and appreciation of to Government in autumn 2019. the review will also take advice from the value of ‘ordinary’ non-designated Natural England on the process of countryside. National Parks and AONBs cover a designating National Parks and AONBs quarter of England’s land and are and extending boundary areas, with a Chilterns home to over 2.3 million people, with view to improving and speeding up the The Chilterns covers 324 square more than 66 per cent living within process. miles, stretching from the River half an hour of a National Park or Thames in South Oxfordshire, through AONB. They also generate over £20 The review poses no threat to the and Bedfordshire, and billion for the rural economy and National Parks or AONB’s, neither up to Hitchin, Hertfordshire in the north. support 75,000 jobs. their protection or geographic scope www.chilternsaonb.org is at risk. Rather, this could be an The review will look at: opportunity for some areas to receive Cotswolds more protection: with both the The Cotswolds is the largest of Britain’s • how National Parks and AONBs Chilterns and the Cotswolds AONBs 46 AONBs and the second largest meet our needs in the 21st century. have made a formal request for protected landscape after the Lake • whether the current 34 AONBs and National Park status. District National Park. Covering 790 10 National Parks could be extended square miles the Cotswolds run from or new areas designated. Natural England manages the decision Bath and Wiltshire in the south, through process regarding designation , Oxfordshire and up to • how to improve individual and requests, which involves public Warwickshire and Worcestershire in the collective governance of National and stakeholder consultation. Any north. Parks and AONBs. proposals made by Natural England www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk • financing of National Parks and for new designations are subject to AONBs and their role in the rural confirmation by the Secretary of State, Julia Benning economy. Defra. Communications Manager

Join the debate. Join the campaign. Join CPRE 3 smaller harvests of second and third Cattle, crops and farmers cut grass quickly followed in June and July. face the challenge of nature For all cattle we have had a

Rob Bowker heavy summer, still ongoing, of supplementary feeding to maintain body condition as we tried to make up the short fall in grass growth. Our grazing plan for the milking herd soon hit the buffers in June, a lack of grass, a burning sun and temperatures of over 30 degrees are not the stuff of bovine dreams! The compromise was to be in the shade of their shed during the day with silage to eat and out at night in the grazing paddocks to find a blade or two of grass.

We started our grain harvest with some trepidation – unsure how A baler bundles the straw after this summer’s wheat harvest such a season would

Looking out of the office window meant the grass finally grew giving us impact on crop yields. at a very blustery Autumn Equinox useful crops of grass both for grazing day, shows another variation in cows and youngstock. Importantly We started our grain harvest with meteorological phenomena. If nothing allowing us to make a good quantity some trepidation – unsure how such else 2018 will surely be remembered of good quality first grass silage for the a season would impact on crop yields. for its weather. coming winters feedstock, before the The Winter Barley was at best average month ended with 56.5mm in the last and the Winter Oilseed Rape not great. It should also be a reminder to us of few days. However, our spirits were lifted as we how we can get caught up in the issues moved into the Winter Wheat crops of the day, with sophisticated solutions Things seemed quite normal at this which surpassed our expectations for to control problems we have likely stage of the year, apart from the yield and quality, turning a mediocre created, only to find that nature is still prolonged end to winter. Crops were harvest prospect into a good result! top dog in our industry and intends to racing through their growth stages in remain so. the warm moist conditions, even late Quite a lot of comparisons have been sown spring plantings were getting made with the summer of 1976. As It is amazing how our crops coped away well in the warming soil. a school boy at the time I can vividly with the challenges of the year. Things June gave us 4.2mm on the first day recall discovering with a school pal began well with crops sown in the and then only 1mm on the 17th, July that we could get into the Mill Brook autumn of 2017 having a very average only 14.8mm for the month, which (a local main river tributary of the winter of rainfall at an average of quickly evaporated as it fell in the Thames) at the bottom of the farm 53.5mm per month. February was very soaring temperatures. and could then ride our bikes along dry at only 18.5mm, averaged out by its dry bed. I had some difficulty in March at 74.5mm and April a typical The abundance of grass we had pin pointing our position as we moved 59.3mm. This data of course hides enjoyed in May very quickly gave way along, navigating by counting the the chill we had from the East, which to a much more parched situation, ends of the smaller farm ditches that delayed spring planting and getting the increasing temperatures flicking periodically joined from our left side. cows out to graze. a physiological switch in the grass This year I can report that such a feat to develop a seed head, which does of daring exploration would only be May was warm and kind to us dairy not give us the leafy feed of high possible with a canoe!! farmers, with 30.2mm of rain in five nutritional value we require. So, the wet days spaced through the first grass is cut again, in an attempt to Angus Dart twenty-five days of the month. This stop this process, thus small and Farming Advisor

4 CPRE Oxfordshire voice Autumn 2018 Cherwell’s Cart before Oxford’s horses? Helen Marshall

TAKE ACTION: If you would like to find out more about the Oxford Green Belt and why we think it should be protected, visit http://www. cpreoxon.org.uk/campaigns/ oxford-green-belt-2

d) Given the above, the exceptional circumstances required to build on the Green Belt could not possibly exist and therefore the Plan should be rejected as unsound.

The reality of campaigning life – our wonderful local group representatives make their Fundamentally, it seems to us absurd case to an Inspector, in a room full of barristers and developers. that the District Councils around Oxford should be forced to adopt Local Cherwell District Council’s to see representatives from so Plans that sacrifice valuable Green Belt proposals to build nearly 4,000 many community groups there, land when Oxford’s own needs have not houses in the Oxford Green mostly under the banner of Cherwell been robustly examined by bringing Belt came under the scrutiny Development Watch Alliance. It can forward its own Local Plan. of Inspector Paul Griffiths this be easy to feel intimidated by the autumn. process, especially when faced with a In other words, Cherwell’s cart is being room full of developers and barristers, put well before Oxford’s horses! Cherwell argues the housing is needed but CPRE Oxfordshire was able to work to meet an overflow from Oxford City’s with the groups in advance to help In the face of all this, the best requirements. them understand what is involved and argument that the massed lawyers give them the confidence to present were able to put forward appeared to After reviewing the Plan and all the their own evidence – which they did to be not about the merits of the case, comments, the Inspector took the outstanding effect. but the fact that the Vale of White unusual (although not unprecedented) Horse and West Oxfordshire Districts step of holding a one day ‘pre-hearing Our arguments were that: have already gone through this pain session’ to look at some of the a) The overall housing figures for in their own Local Plans, so Cherwell fundamental issues raised and decide Oxford are flawed (they are over should also fall in line. whether more detailed sessions could double the need identified by the go ahead. latest Government methodology) At the time of going to press, we are still waiting for the Inspector’s findings b) The Oxfordshire Growth Board’s We were pleased that he identified the and to learn whether the Plan will be subsequent allocation of 4,400 of two key issues that CPRE Oxfordshire dismissed as unsound, whether it may Oxford’s houses to Cherwell was had raised in our earlier submissions, be suspended until the Oxford Local arbitrary and flawed. essentially: Plan is further developed, or whether • Are the overall housing numbers c) Oxford City has plenty of capacity the full hearing sessions will go ahead. for Oxford correct and, if so, is the to meet its own need by releasing We’ll keep you posted. allocation to Cherwell appropriate? employment land for housing instead and by building at a density Helen Marshall • Assuming the figures are right, do appropriate to city living. Branch Director the exceptional circumstances exist to justify building on the Green STOP PRESS – as we go to press the Inspector has agreed housing figures and Belt? stated Oxford’s unmet housing need justifies developing the Green Belt. CPRE Our trustee, Michael Tyce, did a Oxfordshire are hugely disappointed and will be considering the implications fantastic job of presenting CPRE and further action, including possible legal challenge. Oxfordshire’s case. It was also great

Join the debate. Join the campaign. Join CPRE 5 Imposed Growth Strategy for Oxfordshire

Railroading development at Oxfordshire’s cost? Background Last November, the Government endorsed the National Infrastructure Commission recommendation that the five counties forming the “Oxfordshire Cambridge Arc”, including Oxfordshire, should be targeted for exponential growth involving a doubling of both population and housing stock during the twenty years 2031-2050. In Oxfordshire’s case this would be another 300,000 houses on top of the 100,000 in current Local Plans.

CPRE considers that growth on anything like this scale would be incompatible with preserving the upgrading existing ones. the West of the M40 close to Otmoor or presently rural nature of Oxfordshire. East of the M40. EXPRESSWAY UPDATE The basic infrastructure skeleton on For the past year Highways England The “engagement” with “stakeholders” which this growth is intended to hang has been conducting “engagements” has been opaque at best, and there has consists of new road and rail links. with “stakeholders” including CPRE on been neither the public consultation or the routing of – not the justification Public Inquiry which CPRE demanded New Rail will be East West Rail through for – an Expressway from Oxford to from the start and in which we were the Growth Arc, and a number of new Cambridge, although it will actually supported by a near unanimous vote or enhanced South-North links from run from Chieveley on the M4 to the of Oxfordshire County Council. London. Rail is intended to facilitate M11. We were told that the chosen corridor commuting between the settlements from end to end would be decided by in the Growth Arc and between the There were three potential main last July. Arc and London although it may corridors under consideration: C, the take some freight off the roads. CPRE most northerly via Buckingham, but Whilst expressing strong reservations accepts the East West Rail link but is using existing roads extensively; B, about the Growth Strategy as a whole, concerned that South-North rail will via , paralleling East West Rail and an Expressway in particular, CPRE swamp the area with commuters, but involving new roads across open advised Highways England that if the changing its character in another way. countryside; and A, via Aylesbury Expressway were to go ahead the least using largely existing roads. worst alternative would be the Western Road will be the new Expressway, a option round Oxford and main corridor motorway in all but name. This is to Of particular relevance to Oxford, a C via Buckingham as this would mainly facilitate long distance HGV haulage, number of sub-routes around the City involve upgrading existing roads rather an outer M25, although it will also were on the table. One main route was than building new ones across the facilitate car movements between to the West of the City, based on the countryside, especially Green Belt. settlements in the Arc and lorry A34; the other was a new road driven movements serving new industrial through the Green Belt South of the July came and went. sites. CPRE is in principle opposed to City and then either continuing North new roads through the countryside but East via Thame and Aylesbury, or In mid-September it was announced accepts that there can be benefits in turning North near Wheatley either to that the main corridor would be B, but

6 CPRE Oxfordshire voice Autumn 2018 although there is a welcome decision First impressions are, however, that it significantly. There are environmental to rule out Otmoor, the fundamental appears the Expressway as a project hazards on B3 too, e.g. to ancient question of the routing around Oxford is financially precarious and exposed Radley Woods, and more are likely to was still undecided. It might still be to substantial potential cost inflation. be unearthed during the next phase either the A34 corridor to the West B1 (the A34 corridor) is slightly less (with our help). In any case it is a (B1) or a new road South of the City suspect as it costs less and yields brand-new road through Green Belt then North at, or close to, Junction 8a almost equal “benefits”. from the A34 to North East of the M40. near Wheatley (B3). The coloured areas on the map below shows the “area of Against that B3 yields somewhat more CPRE will continue to express strong search”. connectivity for potential new jobs, concerns about the Expressway in which may or may not arise. principle, and particularly about the You can zoom in to see how your own scale of development it is intended village might be affected by visiting Corridor B1 (the A34) is suitable to facilitate, and to campaign for any an unofficial inter-active version of the for a new Expressway (as indeed Expressway that might nevertheless be map at: https://tinyurl.com/ycwtrf7y. Highways have repeatedly confirmed imposed to minimise environmental in our discussions with them), and harm, use existing roads where The choice of routing around Oxford, improvement work will have to be done possible (be “on-line” in Highways where we had expected to know the on the A34 anyway. parlance) and particularly to avoid worst by July, will now not be made for entirely new roads being driven at least another year. Against that the environmental through the Oxford Green Belt. hazards on B1 are clear, although the Highways England have issued a A34 passes through or near them Michael Tyce copious report which at the time of already, and as a survey in the Vale Trustee writing we are only just beginning to of the White Horse plan showed examine in detail. upgrading may not increase the blight

throughout the County, creating a Oxfordshire template within which the individual 2050: the Joint Districts would prepare their own local development plans. From this arose Statutory Spatial the County Town Strategy, which limited the development of Oxford Plan itself (because of the Green Belt and the medieval nature of the City) BACKGROUND and directed it instead towards the Whilst the new rail lines and the larger towns throughout the County Expressway are the skeleton on which – sharing the proceeds of growth as Cllr Barry Wood, Leader of Cherwell the Growth Arc hangs, the doubling of it used to be put. A Structure Plan District Council and Helen Marshall, population, the new jobs it is imagined considering development as a whole Branch Director will be created to employ them, and across all of the County, and the the new housing which will need to be strategy to direct it to the larger towns to Co-operate with each other on built for them to live in, are its sinews were near perfect for a County like ours development, particularly where one and flesh. with Green Belt around Oxford and a District was not able to accommodate wealth of AONBs and other valuable all the housing it felt it needed, but A doubling of Oxfordshire’s housing countryside to protect. this was in fact only a duty to discuss stock and workplaces by 2050, as the –not to agree. At the same time Oxford Government proposes, is a tall order Gordon Brown scrapped it in favour of City Council was unleashed to resume by any standards and a huge planning Regional Plans which attempted to do its old growth ambitions, creating problem to boot. a similar thing across a whole region, more and more employment and in our case the South East. A step too dumping the housing consequences That is where the Joint Statutory far, as there was too little in common on its neighbours. Spatial Plan (JSSP) comes in. across such a wide expanse of England. The Government has now negotiated a JSSP Update Regional Plans were in turn scrapped Growth Deal with Oxfordshire Councils One upon a time Oxfordshire had a by David Cameron, but the Structure under which the Councils between Structure Plan. This laid out where Plans were not re-instated. Instead them agree to build 40% more houses development would take place District Councils were given Duty than even the Government thinks

Join the debate. Join the campaign. Join CPRE 7 Oxfordshire needs, in return for £215 was no provision for involving million (say £4,000 per unneeded environmental organisations in the house) of Government money. One process of developing the Plan. David Gilmour, of the conditions is that Oxfordshire Accordingly, at their meeting at the Councils, through the Growth Board, end of July, we addressed the Growth new chair of also set up a Joint Statutory Spatial Board to support the broad principle Plan – effectively the very Structure of a Joint Spatial Plan, and to ask for CPRE Cherwell, Plan Gordon Brown abolished three a place at the table. As a result, we on his move to paragraphs ago. were promised involvement on the spot and have now been made official the Oxfordshire This is now on a monstrously bigger consultees. scale however. The task before the countryside JSSP is to find a way – if there is one This should give us the opportunity to – of accommodating the more than be involved in guiding and shaping not and the fight to doubling of Oxfordshire’s current only the location, but the amount and housing stock with the extra 300,000 time scale of development. protect it homes envisaged in the National Infrastructure Commissions Oxford- Cambridge Growth Arc “Partnering Our guiding principles for Prosperity” strategy, by 2050, will be that brownfield without fatally damaging Oxfordshire’s land should be presently rural character and landscape. developed first; that Green Belt and AONB In fact, CPRE believe the JSSP is a good thing in principle. It is wise land should be avoided… to look across the whole canvas of the County when considering how Our guiding principles will be that growth will be best managed, rather brownfield land should be developed than having the decision making first; that Green Belt and AONB Ten years ago my wife and I decided segmented between the Districts as it land should be avoided; that high to move from Scotland to Oxfordshire. is now. densities of development will be the As a historian and biographer, I norm to avoid losing more land than wanted to be near the libraries and But CPRE also believe that the necessary; that we shall seek to protect archives of Oxford. As a parent and proposed level and rate of growth communities from being severed from grandfather I wished to be closer cannot be absorbed without their services; that only sustainable to my children and grandchildren, unacceptable damage to Oxfordshire’s communities will be created; and that most of whom live in London. And character and the amenity of its the amount of development, and its as a countryman by inclination who current residents. What is more we time scale, will recognise the County’s had spent too long in a city, I wanted fear that the new road and, especially, capacity to absorb growth whilst to live in a landscape where I could rail links are more likely to result preserving its rural character. watch the birds, lie in the grass and in a wave of new commuters than plant a few trees. in a surge of new local jobs – and Against the strong forces for commuter land is not a desirable place development, not least from the I had already spent two periods of to be for the cohesion of communities. University as major landowners, and my life in Oxford colleges, as an the Local Councils in need of money undergraduate and as a research We are also very concerned that the (the County Council has already said fellow, and much as I loved –and Statement of Common Ground (Policy it would expect similar inducements love –the city, I liked to escape to Statement) for the JSSP does not to the £2000 per house in the the country, usually to the west near properly recognise the equal balance Growth Deal), we hope to provide a Burford or to the north-west around that needs to be struck between counterweight so that the end result Wychwood. When my wife and I chose economic growth and the protection shows a proper balance between to come south, we thought we would of Oxfordshire’s environment, which necessary economic growth and the be looking for a house in the valleys of is in any case valuable not only for its vital need to Protect as much of Rural the Windrush or the Evenlode. own sake, but for the economic value England as we can. it provides. Both of us were happy that the ‘right Michael Tyce house’ turned out to be somewhere We were also concerned that there Trustee

8 CPRE Oxfordshire voice Autumn 2018 Update

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ensuring that our landscape, nature nature landscape, our that ensuring at the communities are and rural heart of decision-making. control in the hands of locally locally of hands the in control elected and accountable representatives with a proper balancing of of balancing proper a with and social economic, environmental considerations You can see the full consultation consultation full the see can You page of the on the ‘News’ response NNGO website. NNGO has talked constructively with with constructively talked has NNGO officers and members Board Growth exploring months, few last the over in representation for opportunities and processes decision-making JSSP local for engagement meaningful welcome a been has There communities. in the strategy, evolution of rhetoric to placemaking reference incorporating concerns as and environmental making, decision in considerations greater for need the recognising and communication. and transparency member Cllr Hudspeth Board Growth annual their at NNGO joined also kindly information present to meeting public questions answer and JSSP the about despite However, audience. the from has NNGO developments, positive these for definition current the that concerns challenging project, the of scope the integrate to need the and timescales such strategies government other with difficult it make will Expressway, the as that outcome an deliver to JSSP the for and sustainable. NNGO will is coherent to opportunities for look to continue members coalition its for voice a provide develops. as the strategy • sustainability, and rural Environment Joint Statutory Spatial Plan Plan Spatial Statutory Joint (JSSP), Sue Haywood JSSP in principleNNGO welcome the to planning approach as a coordinated an also is There county. the across the JSSP to deliver: essential need for • of planning principles, A restoration • with planning democracy, Local The Need Not Greed Oxfordshire is a coalition of 35 35 of coalition a is Oxfordshire Greed Not Need The together come have that individuals and groups local of views the respects that future a for campaign to and protects ‘need not greed’ plans for local people, is group the for secretariat The environment. the CPRE Oxfordshire. by provided www.neednotgreedoxon.org.uk visit: more find out To 3 Year Housing Land Supply Housing Land 3 Year developers speculative years recent In Oxfordshire made hay across have fallen have authorities local our when to have they say which rules of foul of supply 5-year a prove to able be housing. In July 2018 the deliverable looked to Board Growth Oxfordshire reduce to Government with negotiate to a 3-year Oxfordshire for the rules supply. housing Brokenshire, James September 12th On Housing, for State of Secretary Government, Local and Communities to change temporary a announced housing supply policies in Oxfordshire, would be confirming Oxfordshire rules supply housing 3-year to subject whilst the County writes the Joint Spatial Plan (JSSP). Statutory address not does measure This the or impacts longer-term the of making unfairness fundamental land, to more local authorities release and communities particular of cost the fail sites, when developers greenfield However, promise. they what build to speculative that prevents any measure NNGO and welcome is development space some breathing hope it delivers communities. local our to National Planning PolicyNational Planning Framework to changes for called long has NNGO Framework Policy Planning National the the welcomed therefore and (NPPF) on consultation recent Government’s was there Sadly, approach. revised a 5 punitive the abandon to attempt no or increase Housing Supply rules Year to stick to on developers pressure housing, on affordable their promises further but instead the potential for to fail they if councils for penalties weakening of and further meet targets protections. planning consultation full the see can You on the ‘News’ page of the response NNGO website. Join the debate. Join the campaign. Join CPRE We have to mobilise and fight for to mobilise and fight have We other people. We and for ourselves who laboured owe it to our ancestors and to make the English countryside, above all we owe it to our children, who will inherit the consequences of our actions. I joined the CPRE as soon as I realized I joined the CPRE as soon as I realized our Oxfordshire how threatened by housing pressures landscape was economic and insensate demands for at all costs. When I see growth often allied against us the forces business, Whitehall, –Westminster, and alas local government, developers –it seems a miracle too many farmers that so much has survived. But almost all of it is at risk. It is easy to despair seek to when desk-bound planners their existence by declaring justify and Cambridge must be that Oxford must be of growth joined, that an ‘arc’ of the southern that yet more created, must be desecrated, countryside so that tarmacked and suburbanized Britain doesn’t get ‘left behind’ by But we cannot allow its competitors. them to go unchallenged. My appreciation of the beauty of of My appreciation grew countryside the Oxfordshire an awareness simultaneously with When living in of its vulnerability. time as I spent as much Edinburgh I could in the Scottish countryside, especially in the south-west, Dumfres my mother’s where and Galloway, But in Scotland the come from. family not to the landscape were dangers schemes badly-planned housing large, forestry tax-break but coniferous insensitive golf and environmentally courses. else, in the hamlet of Alkerton next to hamlet of Alkerton else, in the county in the north of the Shenington, I love border. Warwickshire close to the are The fields up here. the landscape secret more the valleys smaller and the buildings elsewhere; than they are of a deeper, are of local Hornton stone the Cotswolds; richer colour than in of no coachloads are and there tourists. The updated plan is so radically The Abingdon Reservoir: different from that put out for consultation in the spring that GARD back on the agenda for the 2030s (Group Against Abingdon Reservoir), supported by CPRE, called for a new In the last issue of the Oxfordshire The Environment Agency voiced consultation and this has now been Voice (Spring 2018) we reported on substantial worries about the accepted. We expect to see the new Thames Water’s (TW) latest plans to environmental impact of increased draft published late September with a supply water to the Thames valley in extraction above Teddington, in consultation for eight weeks. We have the 21st Century. A lot has happened particular the effect of the increased not seen the final details, but CPRE in the last 6 months. TW’s original temperature of the waste water on still has considerable reservations plans projected a substantial shortfall spawning fish. In addition nearly over TW’s plans. TW have reviewed in supply over demand, primarily all respondents to the consultation their population projections post 2045 driven by population increase. This queried the modest reduction of (resulting in a reduction of 2 million shortfall was to be filled in the next leakage. As a result the Teddington people) but the population growth 10 years by increased abstraction at project has been shelved and the rates they present up to 2045 look Teddington Lock (with compensating shortfall made up by a more ambitious exaggerated. We also feel there is release of treated waste water across leakage reduction target – 15% more scope to reduce water demand – Teddington weir) and by a modest by 2025 and 50% by 2050, plus through greater leakage reduction, and reduction in leakage (TW has the development of some smaller water through incentivising people to reduce highest leakage rates of any water sources. The big change, however, is a their water use. company). The massive reservoir south ‘new’ requirement from Affinity Water of Abingdon was still required but for 100 million litres per day by the We all want a clean and secure water not until the mid- 2040s. Following 2030s. Affinity Water supply a million supply but many of TW’s plans will representations from CPRE, TW revised and a half households to the west and result in permanent damage to our their long-term population forecasts north of London and are projecting a countryside and environment. CPRE downwards, putting the need for the 17% increase in population by 2045. will continue to scrutinise and critique reservoir back by five years. However, This new requirement brings the need these plans to ensure the best and when the responses from the full for the Abingdon reservoir right forward most robust plan for the future. consultation were presented at a to 2037. Given the, at least, 15-year Stakeholders’ meeting in August, a lead time for the reservoir construction, Richard Harding very different picture emerged. planning will have to start very soon. Chair of CPRE South Oxfordshire

In memory – In memory – Anne Kelaart OBE

Alun Jones We sadly have to report the death of Anne (Bessie) Kelaart, on 17 June It is with great 2018, aged 73. Anne was President of sadness that we CPRE Oxfordshire 2010-2013. report the death of Alun Jones on Anne was an Oxfordshire farmer, 16 October 2018. landowner and tireless ambassador for the Oxfordshire countryside and Alun has been rural communities. She brought an amazing a great deal of experience and contributor to knowledge to her role as CPRE CPRE Oxfordshire, and the whole Branch President. Amongst many county, over many years and will be roles she was the Chairman of the sadly missed. He leaves a fantastic Trustees of the Farming and Wildlife legacy of maps, drawings and Advisory Group (FWAG), served on the images of Oxfordshire and we will Executive Committee of the CLA and feature a tribute to Alun’s support the Council of English Nature and was was High Sheriff of Oxfordshire from and contribution in the spring President of the Oxfordshire Country 2004 to 2005 and was appointed edition of Oxfordshire Voice. Land and Business Association. She Deputy Lieutenant in 2007.

10 CPRE Oxfordshire voice Autumn 2018 The Oxford Green Belt Way Alun Jones It is now some eleven years since the Oxford Green Belt Way was created to Although the County Council is mark the 75th anniversary of the Branch responsible for maintaining rights as well the 50th anniversary of the of way, no special priority is given to Oxford Green Belt. With a new edition of the Way and it was therefore decided the guidebook about to be published by that each of the nine stages should be the Branch it is perhaps the moment to adopted by a CPRE volunteer so that recall how it came about. At that time its condition could be monitored to various ideas were suggested as how ensure it is maintained to an acceptable best to mark both anniversaries, one standard by the County Council and idea in particular being a walk on the would continue to remain an enjoyable lines of the CPRE series of sponsored walk. As it happens, there is a need Save The Countryside Walks which for two new volunteers as the present had been so strikingly successful in incumbents have recently retired. attracting young people to get to know The stages now vacant are Stage 7 better the importance of the countryside from Wolvercote to Hampton Poyle –in 1972 1174 children finished the (6.2 miles) and Stage 9 Beckley to reported. If anyone is interested to know route and raised nearly £5000. In the Thornhill (4.3 miles). Being a volunteer more, please contact me: end, the importance of drawing attention is not particularly onerous requiring to the Green Belt, since threats to it were only to walk the stage at least once a E: [email protected] already being felt, led to a permanent year, ensuring any missing waymarks T: 01235 522958 long-distance route being created to are replaced and trimming back any take in as much of the still unspoilt overgrown vegetation, while at the same Gordon Garraway countryside of the Green Belt. Such a time noting any problems that should be Rights of Way Advisor walk would follow the tradition of the Branch in creating other long-distance walks, in 1978 the Oxfordshire Way, challenged the safeguarding of land for Oxfordshire Local transport schemes around Sunningwell and in 1986, with the Oxford Fieldpaths and strongly objected to the proposed Society, the d’Arcy Dalton Way. Plan round-up 1,000 housing allocation in the North Wessex Downs AONB at Harwell. At the After much poring over of OS maps and Cherwell Inspector’s request, we are now working with the Council to revisit the wording of the walking along of different stretches See p.4 for an update on the Cherwell its historic environment policy. of paths by five enthusiastic volunteers, Local Plan Part 1 Review. a 50-mile route was drawn up together Oxford City West Oxfordshire The Inspector’s report on the West with notes of the wild life that could be A public consultation on the final draft Oxfordshire Local Plan has now been seen and historical notes of features (‘Pre-Submission’ version) of Oxford’s published, finding the Plan sound that one would come across along the Local Plan will take place 1 November-13 subject to Main Modifications. route. At the outset a guiding principle December. Although identifying housing as a priority, the City plans to retain was that the Way should be accessible CPRE Oxfordshire is disappointed that large areas of land for employment and overall housing numbers have been by public transport, easy to follow for all, will ask its neighbouring districts to take increased, well beyond recognised need. whether experienced in reading maps even more of its overflow. Please see our and long-distance walking or for a family website for latest information. However, CPRE Oxfordshire and local just wanting to enjoy a recognised walk South Oxfordshire campaigning groups were able to ensure in the countryside around Oxford. And that a more robust policy to protect the The Council is continuing to review its so, the route was waymarked with CPRE Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural main strategic allocations, including Beauty (AONB) was introduced and the discs and the first guidebook included looking at Grenoble Road and Wick Inspector recommended the removal of detailed route directions to accompany Farm sites. A second Pre-Submission four specific development sites in this a series of annotated OS maps showing Consultation is expected in January area from the Plan. 2019. the route. How much has the Oxford A new policy has also been introduced Green Belt Way been walked is difficult Vale of White Horse advocating avoidance of pollution, to assess since very few reports by Hearing sessions on Vale Local Plan including noise and light, maintaining/ users have been received but those that Part 2 took place over the summer. improving tranquillity and dark-sky have were invariably complimentary, CPRE Oxfordshire argued in favour of quality. We believe this is now the accommodating development at Dalton strongest policy for AONBs across including from a group from the USA and Barracks without using Green Belt land, Oxfordshire. two couples from Germany.

Join the debate. Join the campaign. Join CPRE 11 Members’ Events 2018 by Judy Crocket and Gill Salway Benson, May On a lovely May morning 17 CPRE members visited the Heritage Centre at RAF Benson. The Centre is a well- kept secret, a hidden gem containing fascinating documents, photos and items from the 80-year history of the base. Some of our members had close links with the base and were able to find evidence of their family ties. After a good pub lunch, we enjoyed a guided walk around the historic heart of Benson. After a visit to the church, our guide pointed out the old coaching route from London, now a quiet lane, the many coaching inns, the site of a water mill and Birmingham Yard the industrial centre of Benson in the early part of the 20th century. village do provide an ‘edge’ street to cottages and back streets can return We can only hope that the large remove the traffic from the old centre to relative tranquillity –RAF helicopters number of new houses planned for the of Benson and that the attractive permitting!

Gill Mill Quarry, June construction industries. However, Kingston Bagpuize House, we have to accept that there will On what proved to be one of the August

always be a certain level of extraction Des Blenkinsopp / CC BY-SA 2.0 hottest days of the year 16 CPRE and it was reassuring to meet members braved the heat to tour the representatives of the industry who desert-like terrain of Gill Mill quarry, are actively engaged with their local just outside Witney. This is Smiths of community and enthusiastic about the Bletchington’s flagship quarry and opportunities offered by restoration for they gave us an extremely interesting the enhancement of biodiversity. afternoon, transporting us round the site in an air-conditioned bus and allowing us close access to the machinery, including the plant for recycling aggregate. Martin Layer, our host for the afternoon, gave us an onsite lecture on the geology of This visit was a new evening event the Lower Windrush valley and we to enable those members who are wound up the afternoon by visiting working to come. This proved popular the Rushy Common Nature reserves and 29 members enjoyed a tour where Smiths, in partnership with the of the lovely 18th-century house Windrush Valley Project, have created conducted by the current owner, Mrs a series of lakes now managed for Virginia Grant. We were shown over wildlife conservation. two floors of the building with plenty of entertaining anecdotes about Many CPRE members will have previous owners, the objects they had concerns about the effects of gravel assembled to furnish it, and the laying extraction on the countryside and out of the gardens. We hope to find wish to minimise the amount of land another location for a similar evening taken to satisfy the demands of the event in 2019.

Oxfordshire Voice Branch Office CPRE Online Published biannually by the Oxfordshire Branch CPRE Oxfordshire, First Floor, 20 High Street, Oxfordshire: www.cpreoxon.org.uk of the Campaign to Protect Rural England. Watlington, Oxon OX49 5PY Twitter: @CPREOxfordshire Design: Rob Bowker T: 01491 825609 (Registered office) www.facebook.com/CPREOxfordshire Print: Severnprint Ltd with vegetable inks T: 01491 612079 on recycled paper using renewable energy. E: [email protected] National: www.cpre.org.uk