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NEWSLETTER No 105 November 2006

ISSN 0308-9959

Towards a new West End – Tony Joyce, Chairman

Oxford West End is bounded by Cornmarket lems and it offers the prospect of some exciting Street/St Aldates, the (Isis), the rail- new developments to complement existing way and the swathe of development north of Hythe facilities. The aim must be a city centre better Bridge Street/George Street (A4144). The Castle adapted to the present and future needs of its Mill Stream and its tributaries bisect the area. citizens. Oxpens Road/Hollybush Row form the main Of course, the implementation of any plan through route and provide car access to the West- depends on the initiative of landowners (in- gate Centre and its car parks – in part, a key route cluding the city council and some university to the City Centre for public transport. colleges), but when adopted, the AAP will be- come part of the Local Development Frame- work, which is envisaged to take over from the Local Plan in controlling the direction of de- velopment. The AAP must insist at the outset on the highest standards of design – of spaces as well as buildings – and incorporate existing policies on building heights and sustainability issues. What then are the city’s most pressing needs? Housing must surely be top of the list; here the challenge is to find the most effective bal- ance between market, key-worker, affordable and social provision, not forgetting student accommodation. The relationship of flats to houses on city sites needs careful thought and

good design, incorporating effective amenity Area Development Framework, March 2006 space and access to green recreational areas, Development of an Area Action Plan (AAP) particularly for families. With housing comes for the city’s West End is now well under way: the need for the appropriate infrastructure – consultation on a Preferred Options Document local shops, post office, school places, GP’s is complete and officers are now digesting the surgeries, perhaps more improved primary responses. It is hoped to submit an agreed health facilities; and, for young people particu- document to the Secretary of State next sum- larly, recreational opportunities. mer, and have the Action Plan fully in place by This is where the future of the Ice Rink be- October 2008. comes so important. It might be refurbished as This may seem a lengthy process, but its im- part of an expanded leisure complex, or it portance can hardly be exaggerated. The West might be removed or replaced, but what it of- End provides the last opportunities within the fers must not be lost to young people in the city centre to tackle some long-standing prob- city centre.

Protecting our Heritage, Appreciating our City, Shaping our Future (Registered Charity No. 1116739)

Traffic and Transport problems must be an- : A re-examination of traf- other top priority. The decision to retain the fic, cyclist and pedestrian flows here is now existing railway station and extend it back overdue. Combined City and County Offices across Botley Bridge into the Beckett Street car could have an attractive new setting which re- park has at least removed one major uncer- leases a number of existing sites for redevel- tainty, even if it has eliminated some exciting opment. Good public transport links from all alternatives for the road network and bus sta- over the city (and county) would be essential. tion in the area. Access to this part of the city Further planning would be easier if the unitary will always be limited by the railway, the river authority issue were settled. and the pinch points at Folly Bridge and Botley Good quality hotel accommodation in the Road, so new developments should not stimu- city centre remains short, both to anchor more late increased car traffic, particularly at peak of our too-fleeting tourists, and to support a times, and parking provision will need to be more active term-time conference trade. A carefully controlled. This must restrict the West End location would provide ready access type of any new office development, which is from the rail station and perhaps an attractive nevertheless questionable in a city suffering riverside setting. from the present excess of jobs over living ac- commodation. In general, extra activity in the Larger conferences too could support the area should provide additional customers for move to establish the major Concert Hall public transport, to encourage extended bus which so richly deserves, the large routes and increased frequencies, particularly auditorium doubling as the central conference to and from the rail station. Route develop- venue. The AAP suggests such a development, ment is also the key to establishing the viable but of only some 600-seat capacity - hardly an bus turning-circles necessary to achieve the increase (though possibly more comfortable!) pedestrianisation of Queen Street. on the existing Sheldonian or a re-vamped Town Hall. Detailed study of the feasibility of Yet many transport questions remain to be more ambitious projects is another urgency. answered. First is the future of tourist coaches. Can these be detained at extended Park + Ride Worcester Street Car Park, so valuable for its sites, with shuttle services to the centre, as at central position on the bus priority route, as a many other heritage cities, or do they need gateway to the city, particularly the Castle site, central drop-off and pick-up points – if so, and at the end of the canal, presents many ex- where? Second, what is the future of Glouces- citing opportunities. A Canal Basin, though ter Green Bus Station? It is in urgent need of difficult and expensive to achieve, could be improved facilities and access, and a better taxi very attractive, as would any feature associ- linkage; but if it is to play a fuller part in the ated with the canal in a new mixed develop- local bus network it can hardly retain all its ment. Whilst some public parking may need long distance coaches. Could some of these to be retained within this, the site seems far too also operate out of extended Park + Ride sites, important to be given over just to parking or as at Cambridge, thus freeing the centre of an equally dreary bus facility. their impact? Do we really need to retain These are by no means all the proposals for coach parking on the valuable Oxpens site, the area, and much further analysis and feasi- when there are so many exciting candidates bility study remains to be completed. Then for its redevelopment? Further exploration of comes the difficult question of how much can these matters seems urgent as the possible ap- fit into the area, and overall the major problem proval of the Westgate Development with its of accommodating it in what is verging on large travel generation, draws closer (see Let- flood plain - the perennial Oxford conundrum! ters Page). The AAP consultation has aroused or rekin- dled debates on many other issues:

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Charitable Status for the Society study, involving carving the garden into nar- row strips; since the house itself is attractive it The Special General Meeting of the Society should perhaps be retained: the decision has held on 11 October 2006 agreed both of the not yet been made. Hard standing for car Resolutions put before it: firstly, that the new parking with loss of landscaping vegetation in Constitution, based on the Civic Trust Model the front garden was proposed at 8 Norham Constitution, be adopted; secondly that the Gardens but we are glad to say that it was re- Society should apply to the Charity Commis- fused. A large box dormer across the rear of 53 sion for it to be granted Charitable Status. Rosamund Road, , was permitted Some questions were raised about the possibil- despite our objection. ity that Charitable Status might restrict the So- ciety's ability in the future to campaign on a In August and September, permission was re- particular issue. The meeting was assured that fused, for the second time, to demolish 9 Kirk this would not be the case. Close and replace it by two 4-bed semi- detached houses. Accommodation for 363 The application to the Charity Commission students was proposed on the site of Dorset was submitted on 17 October and was ap- House, London Road, , in large 3 proved by them with effect from 10 Novem- and 4 storey blocks; the plans attracted many ber. We will be writing to members about Gift objections and were withdrawn in October. In Aid Declarations in our first mailing of 2007 Road a proposal was made to demolish (see the item on Gift Aid in the lead article of three houses and build tall student blocks, but the July Newsletter, no 104). However, it is in November it was refused on the grounds worth reiterating now how beneficial the sign- that one of the houses, No 190, is of architec- ing of a Gift Aid Declaration by members will tural interest and an important feature of this be for the finances of the Society: our general Conservation Area. There was good news that expenses continue to rise, postage costs are a another Iffley Road house, No 17, has been recent example, and we must be in a position saved on Appeal and should be restored; for to fund any new initiatives arising from the three years there has been a series of propos- recent re-structuring of the Society. als to demolish it and replace it with a block of Gordon Balme, Treasurer flats. A further Iffley Road saga concerns Report from the Planning Sub-Committee Stapledon House, Nos 214 to 230, belonging to Exeter College, who suggested a a large Update on applications mentioned in the July 2006 student development in the back gardens, but Newsletter report: Plans were refused for conver- nothing further has been heard of this. sion into flats of 95 Green Road, , October brought a proposal, now permitted, and 111 Road, Wolvercote. A similar for use of the basement of the Central Post proposal for The Old School, Wolvercote, is Office in St Aldates as a bar/restaurant, ac- still undecided. Proposals were permitted: in cessed from the street by way of a light-well July, to demolish No. 2 Hernes Crescent and with steps, railings and a gate. On about nine replace by 7 flats; in October, to build 8 houses other objectionable applications, decisions are and 9 flats on land south of Lamarsh Place, off still anxiously awaited. These include propos- . als from the Mental Health Trust in Heading- In July at 2 Hendred Street, the Co-op Fu- ton for unrealistically large developments on neral Services applied to alter the entrance the Warneford Hospital playing field, the porch, for which permission soon came (de- Warneford Meadow and the site of the Park spite lack of respect for the rather charming Hospital for Children. For Nos 22 and 35 façade). For No 1 Lucerne Road a series of ap- Meadow Prospect, Wolvercote, applications plications and refusals began, for demolition were made to extend to the rear and side right and replacement by two pairs of semi- up to the boundary, so closing the gap be- detached houses each with 4 bedrooms and a tween houses and preventing access between

Page 3 front and back gardens. Happily, a proposal buses with steps by early next year – numbers in the Conservation Area at 26 Lathbury Road 4 and 8. The OBC fleet has also been declared for demolition of an unusual and attractive the lowest emission fleet in the UK. family house in a fine garden, to be replaced Lastly on buses, the bus route through the JR by five tall pseudo-victorian houses, has just site is now open and the new passenger ter- been refused. minal building at the Redbridge P&R site Gillian Argyle, Mark Barrington-Ward, should be open by Christmas. Kate Miller, Chris Rayson, David Townsend. SEERA (The South East England Regional Editor’s Note - the Society has recently produced a Assembly) has just recommended an £88 mil- set of Guidelines on Planning Applications in lion package of transport spending for Ox- which all 8 stages of the application process are fordshire, which will include capacity en- succinctly outlined. Designed to complement plan- hancements at Oxford rail station. It is hoped ning services and to help any Oxford residents in- to have a new platform operating on the long- volved in planning matters, the paper is available stay car park south of Botley Road by 2009 on request from the Editor, or at www.oxfordcivicsoc.org.uk Planning which will later have an extra track on the east side when Oxford is re-signalled in 2015. This will enable London trains starting or terminat- Transport Notes ing at Oxford to keep clear of through services For those of you too young to benefit from free on platform 1. It is also hoped to bring the local bus travel, changes are imminent on the Goods Loops north of the station up to pas- ticketing front on Oxford Bus Company buses. senger standard to improve flexibility for The long awaited ‘Smartcard’ is undergoing trains on the Cotswold and Bicester lines. In- in-service trials by volunteer passengers and, cidentally, there will again be extra trains on if all goes well, it should be introduced gener- Saturdays and Sundays between Oxford and ally before Christmas. Called ‘The Key’ it is Bicester during the six weeks prior to Christ- basically a plastic version of the current Free- mas. It is now looking very likely that the Bi- dom Cards, available as a Zone Pass, a 12- cester line will at last become part of the long journey Route Pass or an Any-5-Day Carnet. awaited East-West Rail Link from Oxford to Only one product can be held on any one Bedford and, maybe, eventually to Cam- ‘Key’. After registering for the card on forms bridge. So much new housing is proposed that will be available on buses and at Park & along the route that a £10,000 levy on each Ride Sites, ‘The Key’ will be obtainable from a house built will go a long way towards fund- new OBC shop at Debenhams (replacing the ing the line. Gloucester Green office), or on line, or by Finally, another defunct part of our railway phone. Since it will not be available from system could be restored to life if BMW suc- drivers, boarding times should be speeded up. ceed in their plan to bring tracks back into the In preparation for this change the fare zone plant at Cowley – something which the old boundaries have been modified, Zone A now Pressed Steel Company had between the thir- covering the whole of the city plus Kenning- ties and fifties! This will keep yet more lorries ton, Botley and Cumnor. We will watch this off the road system. new system with interest and must hope that David Townsend, Transport Secretary it will bring the expected benefits. It should help to maintain the increase in bus passen- STOP PRESS – I have just learned that, from gers – up 8% this year – which trend has re- Sunday 10 December next, the direct bus ser- sulted in double-deck vehicles being reintro- vice from Abingdon to the John Radcliffe Hos- duced on the 35 route to Abingdon via Ken- pital will be restored. This is due to an in- nington. These are low-floor buses and, to- crease in demand connected with the transfer gether with the other low-floor single-deckers, of Radcliffe Infirmary departments to Head- will mean only two services will still be using ington in January. A very welcome move!

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that bleak street; such a difference could be made in Broad Street by the delicate tracery of Community Groups trees contrasting with the solid structures Our Autumn meeting for Community Groups there. There are other areas and specific places took place on Wednesday 4th October at St where you might like to see trees planted – Michael's-at-the-Northgate Parish Room. FOX would very much like to know your ideas There was a very good attendance and a lively and suggestions. discussion, covering:- the encroachment of For now, please pass on any thoughts and student accommodation into residential areas ideas to your local councillor. We hope to in the city, and the development of the new have prepared a list of specific contact details tennis centre on the sports grounds in Iffley for the next newsletter in March. Road; the extension of properties for "buy-to- Marion Macleod, OCS Liaison with FOX let" accommodation in terms of the impact on the environment and community, and also the Island’s late, lamented willows designation of gardens as brownfield sites for development. The sale and subsequent devel- The recent inquest into the death of a student opment of Warneford Meadows, the Warne- who was killed by a falling tree four years ago ford Hospital playing field and Park Hospital has fostered a robust approach to tree man- was discussed on behalf of those groups in the agement by Oxford City Council. The tough area who are campaigning against the current new policy appears to allow the City Council’s planning applications. tree officers to take any action that they deem There was concern over city centre cleanli- appropriate, without consultation or following ness, parking and the CPZ scheme and the im- due process, even down to keeping proper re- pact of hospital and university expansion on cords. That is the conclusion of the Osney Is- traffic, parking and the quality of life. The landers who recently lost their campaign to meeting concluded with a short presentation halt the unannounced felling of 11 of the 17 from the Oxford Pedestrians Association on willows that stood in East Street. their campaign, "Life begins at 20!", to increase This was surely one of the city’s most attrac- the number of 20 mph areas in the city. tive riverside streets, properly deserving the For a more comprehensive record of the meet- protection afforded by Osney Island’s conser- ing see www.oxfordcivicsoc.org.uk Local vation area status and Article 4 statutory pro- Groups. To be part of this Forum, please send tection? the contact details of your Residents’ Associa- Yet residents had no idea of the forthcoming tion to Membership Secretary, Liz Grosvenor. carnage until notices were posted advising Our next meeting will be held in the Spring. them of the suspension of parking in East Your choice of trees Street. Upon enquiry, it was discovered that 11 trees were due to be felled. Work would No matter what you think of Frideswide commence one working day following the Square, I am sure you will agree that the vi- posting of the parking suspension notices. brant colours of the maples in front of the Said Business School are a joy to behold. Outraged, residents sought additional infor- The Forest of Oxford (FOX) works with in- mation – could they see a copy of the Council’s terested groups across Oxford to undertake report that assessed the trees? None was and encourage tree planting and management forthcoming. Did it ever exist? Surely a written throughout the city. The trees need not be big record of the Council’s own inspection ought and sometimes they can be put in containers. to be on file to record what was found, espe- Properly sited, they can enhance the beautiful cially after the inquest verdict? Accurate, ap- buildings in our city. Imagine how some trees propriate and timely management of the city’s in Cornmarket might improve the ambience of trees is a matter of great concern to us all. Page 5

By now deeply suspicious that the Council’s (published in 2000) but it now appears that own tree report could not be produced, resi- this review is postponed until the West End dents sensed that the Council had acted im- strategy is further developed. The third group properly and were felling all of the trees for is concentrating on how people move about in reasons of overall economy, rather than con- the city, ie their travel behaviour – mainly is- sidering less drastic remedies put forward by sues about walking, cycling and buses. the residents – removal of three or four trees If you would like to be involved with one or known to be diseased, replacement planting, more of the above groups, please make your- and pollarding of the remainder. self known. Just contact Ros (01865 426805, Residents sought a stay of execution and a [email protected]) who will put you second opinion. At a very well attended public in touch with the appropriate group. All three meeting with the councillor responsible for the could use more people with ideas, enthusiasm department, residents voted unanimously in and some time to spare. favour of a motion to take no immediate action until a second report into each tree’s individ- Litter – hardly a new problem ual condition could be obtained. This was not As we know, the Society’s recent restructure to be. Despite a written statement by a tree- has recognised the need for a specialist group surgeon, paid for by the residents, that seven to consider the environment. The work of its of the trees could be saved, and the threat of Litter & Recycling Work Group is very much an injunction, work started next day. Eleven a continuation of earlier work done by OCS of the original seventeen willows were felled, activists. Here is an extract from Newsletter rendering East Street a scene of stark devasta- No. 51 February 1989:- tion. ”On April 22nd there will be another ‘Litter Blitz’. Of course, if a tree in our city is genuinely This date also coincides with the ‘Spring Clean dangerous then immediate action should be Day’ in which the Civic Trust is urging us to par- taken. Yet the Council’s post-inquest policy, ticipate as part of Environment Week. Heroic that seeks to remove all possible danger and members of the Civic Society did play their part two all liability without allowing for debate, cannot years running in Litter Blitz, but it is enormously be right. Osney Islanders hope that the City discouraging to see the area one has cleaned of its Council will learn to demonstrate that trees squalor just as bad in a few weeks’ (or days’) time.” under its care will be managed, not massacred. Christine Butler, Society Archivist Meanwhile, those who love Oxford’s trees should be fearful. We couldn’t have done it without you! Richard Thurston, Chairman, (1) Grateful thanks to the 20 volunteers who Osney Island Residents’ Association helped us deliver 2,300 membership leaflets in  the , and areas on the 8 & 9 November. Everyone en- Environment Group joyed lunch beforehand in South Parade, The October meeting elected Ros Weatherall Summertown, and we now look forward to an as Environment Secretary (or Convenor). increase in membership as a result of all our There is a very long list of issues for this new efforts. sub-committee to examine – so three working Liz Grosvenor, Membership Secretary groups have been defined. The first will look & Community Groups Liaison at litter and recycling to see what the Civic (2) Members receive their Newsletter in the Society might do to improve the cleanliness of post thanks to the help and support of a small the city. The second is going to look at public group of people who gather to stuff a daunting space: we thought we might get involved in a pile of envelopes with the various enclosures. review of the city's Public Realm Strategy This easy, social gathering requires half a Page 6 dozen people with a morning to spare in and recommendation is sometimes circulated to March, July and November. If you could be the Area Committee before the deadline for sub- ‘on call’ to help us out, please let the Editor mission of objections. know. We are always very grateful for an ex- What is required is a method of scrutiny that tra pair of hands and helpers get to take their will ensure a robust defence of the community's newsletter home with them – a privileged ad- interests by the imposition of appropriate condi- vance copy! tions which will stand up to appeal. In considering planning applications, members Pauline Martin, Newsletter Editor of the Area Committee, the ward councillors, act in a 'quasi-judicial' capacity. This ties their ½ ½ In time for Christmas … ½ ½ hands and neuters their primary role as council- lors, which is to defend the interests of those who (1) The Village of Iffley is the title of the illustra- elected them. As things stand, there is no one to tion for our greetings card this year – notelet act as advocate for the objectors in this so-called cards are still readily available but we have judicial process. The applicant usually has the limited supplies only of Christmas and blank resources for professional assistance; the objec- greetings cards. Don’t delay - send in your tors are on their own, often ignorant of the nice- ties of what qualify as 'planning grounds'. Order Form or contact Sally Roberts (01865 721596), [email protected]. Full de- One or two ward councillors should have their tails at www.oxfordcivicsoc.org.uk Publi- hands freed to represent the objectors. It is ab- surd to require up to eight judges to determine cations Cards matters within tightly imposed constraints. This ½ would seem to be a much more positive approach (2) Why not consider Gift Membership of the to the role of public consultation. At present, the Society for one year as a present for a friend or rather bland committee discussion that follows neighbour? We will send a card indicating the officer’s presentation can sometimes appear that their membership has come from you. to take no notice of the objections. Objectors need informed advocacy. No one is better quali- Further details from Liz Grosvenor, Member- fied to provide this than their ward councillors.“ ship Secretary – 01865 765453 or member- [email protected]

From Gillian Turberfield, 60 The Cloisters, Pegasus Grange, White House Road, OX1 4QQ Your letters .. (01865 722562) An appeal for action on The Westgate From Peter Schofield, Chairman, (Planning Application No 06/01211/FUL) Apsley Road Residents’ Association, “ We still have time to make a difference” 19 Apsley Road, OX2 7QX (01865 557532) Many people in the Civic Society, not least in our [email protected] Committee, have followed the progress of the Planning applications – a proposal for second set of Westgate development plans with more supportive consultation growing concern. These propose an even bigger Westgate than the first application (rejected in The following is a shortened version of a letter 2002). first published in the Oxford Times in December 2005:- Because the City is part landowner of the West- gate site, it cannot approve its own application “Everyone involved in the planning process with it first being examined by the Government seems to share a fatalistic sense of intimidation Department for Community and Planning. because of the need to comply with Government- imposed targets and the threat of successful ap- The plans (bulky enough to fill a very large peals against rejected applications. This is lead- wheelbarrow) should be assessed before Christ- ing to a widespread attitude in the community mas, but the Government’s planning officers may that raising objections is a waste of time. This is well require more time before making their rec- not dispelled when the Planning Officer's report ommendations to the Minister (Meg Munn and Page 7 not Ruth Kelly, as has been widely reported in Cross, Lucerne Roads and Hawkswell Gar- the local press). dens, it looks at houses and at lives both 'ordi- This development, by the admission of our own nary' and outstanding, at schooling, work, planning officers, is meant to have a significant shopping, and above all at successful impact on our entire region, drawing in an extra neighbourly relations. 20,000 shoppers per day – many from the county The book is available to OCS members at the towns. It seems extraordinary that such an im- special price of £10 inc p&p (normally portant outcome on this very valuable site should £12.99). Please send a cheque (regrettably, we be determined by less than half the full comple- cannot accept cards) to White Cockade Pub- ment of city councillors (only those members of lishing, 71 Lonsdale Road, Oxford OX2 7ES the Central South & West, and Strategic Devel- or contact me directly by phone or email, as opment Control Committees). Why has there not shown above. been a meeting of the full Council? If you have serious concerns about the West- gate, please write NOW to the Caseworker ap- pointed to act for the Government Minister in this From Kenneth Moore, [email protected] case:- Signage on trees in Gloucester Green Mark Newman Just recently around the square in Gloucester Thames Valley Planning Team Green signs have appeared on the trees telling Government Offices for the South East people they will clamped if they park in the Bridge House square. There are over 14 of these signs, at- 1 Walnut Tree Close tached to the trees by plastic straps. I believe the GUILDFORD, Surrey, GU1 4GA trees have preservation orders on them. Clearly state your particular concerns, quoting My question is – should these signs just be al- the application number, and ask for these plans lowed to be put up without proper consent and if to be called in for full public enquiry. (Please do so, should they be allowed to be strapped tightly not hesitate to contact me for more information.) on trees which will grow and have these straps cutting in to them? Editor’s note: The City Council officer con- From Perilla Kinchin, (01865 510411) or cerned has since advised Kenneth that “.. these [email protected] are not officially permanent signs so it doesn't matter”. Kenneth finds this response neither re- “Seven roads in Summertown” assuring nor particularly helpful. May I interest fellow members in a special of- fer on a new book, “Seven Roads in Summer- town: Voices from an Oxford Suburb”, which To contribute to the Letters Pages, paints a detailed picture of a small middle- please contact the Editor at the address class neighbourhood since its beginnings a below or by email – century ago? [email protected] Based on interviews with residents of Lons- Copy deadline for our next issue is dale, Portland, Hamilton, Victoria, King's Friday 9 March 2007

Newsletter issued in March, July and November and published by Oxford Civic Society, P O Box 632, Oxford OX3 3AF (phone/fax 01865.764898) www.oxfordcivicsoc.org.uk email:- [email protected] Chairman: Tony Joyce, 68 Blenheim Drive, Oxford, OX2 8DQ (556050) Vice-Chairman: Stephen Brown, 8 Walton Street, Oxford, OX1 2HG (311535) Membership Secretary: Liz Grosvenor, 15 Lime Walk, Headington, Oxford OX3 7AB (765453) Newsletter Editor: Pauline Martin, 112 Bridge Street, Osney Island, Oxford OX2 0DH (250870) Planning Secretary: Kate Miller, 68 Blenheim Drive, Oxford OX2 8DQ (556050) Programme Secretary: Sheila Glazebrook, 116 Woodstock Road, Oxford OX2 7NF (310488)

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