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Text of report submitted to 2011 consultation

Dear Sirs,

The Shilton Parish Council has considered the "Our Local Strategy" document published in January 2011 and is unanimously opposed to the proposed expansion for Carterton.

? The Core Strategy favours the development of 1,600 new homes for Carterton out of a total of 4,300 for the entire District on the mistaken premise that this will enhance the facilities for Carterton. All this development is proposed for locations in either Brize Norton, Alvescot or Shilton Parishes. These proposals will damage these separate communities and yet they bring no advantage to the parishes in which they are to be sited.

~ The Core Strategy invites responses to choose which Parish is to receive the blight and has had the disastrous effect of setting Parish against Parish.

~ All three suggested locations will harm Shilton. The developments proposed in Shilton Parish as the North Option would be the most damaging, closely followed by the Alvescot location.

~ All three proposed areas for expansion are for the benefit of Carterton and all the planning gain is hoped for by Carterton and not for the benefit of the parishes in which the development is to take place. If there is to be any development or external expansion of Carterton, developers' funds must be directed towards the Parishes in which the development takes place and that their requirements rank ahead of any gain for Carterton.

NI Carterton Need: JPPC

SI Siistainability - North option: JPPC

S2 Siistainability - West Option: JPPC

The Core Strategy, in all its proposals for Carterton, promotes development that will have the following effects:

. Shilton faces the threat of development into The Buffer Zone north of the Shilton Road Link as promoted by David Wilson Homes and also for a much larger proposal from the Prestbury consortium towards Kilkenny FaiiTI. . Shilton is presented with the choice between two equally damaging choices - The North Option or The West Option. 7

. Development is proposed into the buffer zone north of the Shilton Road Link. . Material changes that will detract from the rural nature of Shilton . Development in Alvescot will add to the Floods that affect Shilton on a regular basis . Damage to The Conservation Area of Shilton . Harm to The Conservation Area of The Shill Brook . Increase to the existing traffic menace through Shilton . Further danger introduced at The Dip . Alvescot Lane will become a thoroughfare from Alvescot to the A361 and to Cheltenham and Gloucestershire. . The Shilton Road Link will bring further traffic from development in the North Zone and from Brize Norton . New Bridges would be needed to cross the Shill Brook . Light Pollution from many origins will be created by the new town that is suggested for Alvescot Option. This will be directly visible from the west end of Shilton and from the Shilton Conservation Area . Flood management needed from Holwell to Bampton; no study has been made of the river system.

LANDSCAPE

Lt Public inquiries were undertaken in 1994 and 2004 by HM Inspectors Cookson and Mattocks respectively and their findings were published as the two previous WODC Local Plans. L2 Both Plans confirm the necessity of buffer zones between Carterton and its surrounding villages. The buffer zones between Shilton and Carterton extend to north from the line made by the "Shilton Road link" (from the Swinbrook Road to the B4020) and these zones must be retained and defined on all future maps and charts to further define the protection that they are intended to provide. L3 A limit to all development north of the Shilton Road Link is essential to the continuing separate identity of Shilton and to the retention of its rural character North Option - Shilton. Landscape assessment

This extract from the West Oxfordshire Landscape Assessment was submitted to the Planning Policy Unit on 22nd March 2010. The considerations are still pertinent.

"The area has high local and medium district landscape/visual importance; and high landscape/visual sensitivity. "

"(Area Ai) has a generally weak landscape structure and high intervisibility in all directions and forms an important part of the gap between Carterton and Shilton directions, and forms an important part of the gap between Carterton and Shilton. "

"Although this type of landscape can sometimes be capable of absorbing development within a strong new landscape structure, in this case development would effectively remove the settlement gap between Carterton and Shilton. The open agricultural fields are part of the setting of Shilton; there are strong historic links between rural villages and their agricultural hinterland, and the possible replacement of those fields 8

even with a planted buffer would remove that visual and physical linkage. The area's importance as a buffer between the two settlements was recognised in the WOLA, and remains unchanged. The County Council's minerals buffer zone is also a significant constraint"

"A major constraint, in landscape and visual terms, is the need to maintain a physical and visual gap between Carterton and the long established small neighbouring settlements of Shilton and Brize Norton. " "The open agricultural fields are part of the settings of the two villages; there are strong historic links between rural villages and their agricultural hinterland, and the possible replacement of those fields even with planted buffers would remove that visual and physical linkage. The importance of Areas Al and Bl/Bl as gaps between Carterton and Shilton and Brize Norton respectively was recognised in the WOLA, and remains unchanged. "

"These constraints mean that there are very few areas which could accommodate large scale development without substantial adverse landscape and/or visual impact, and without affecting the gap between settlements and their rural agricultural setting. "

"Development on the open higher ground north or east of Carterton would destroy the undeveloped gaps between Shilton and Brize Norton respectively, and their rural agricultural settings, and therefore cannot be recommended from a landscape/visual point of view. "

"The small area of enclosed higher ground to the north, is part of the soft edge of Carterton, which it is important to maintain both generally on landscape/visual grounds, and also as part of the buffer between Carterton and Shilton. The proposed link road in its structural landscape belt will also form a strong new northern edge to the town which it would be preferable not to breach. "

The Core Strategy states (3.12) 'West Oxfordshire's towns, villages and countryside have a distinctive character that is worthy of special protection.' Development on the Shilton (North Option) and Alvescot (West Option) is clearly at odds with this policy.

The West Option -Alvescot. Landscape assessment.

WOl The area identified for the West location occupies land where there are outstanding views across the Thames Valley to The Ridgeway. Existing development on this western edge of Carterton has been successfully integrated and presents a soft edge with minimal light pollution. 9

View 1. The heart of the Alvescot West site. Looking south from Shilton West End across the west bank of the Shill Brook to Kenn's Farm. W02 The area has high local district landscape and visual importance. Development at this location is of high landscape visual sensitivity.

L

The area has a well defined landscape structure and high intervisibility in all directions and forms an important part of the gap between Carterton and Shilton, and forms an important part of the gap between Carterton and Shilton. Although this type of landscape can sometimes be capable of absorbing development within a hidden part of its borders, in this case development would effectively remove the settlement gap between Carterton and Shilton. The only hidden parts of the area are to be found at the far south west corner of the area identified. The open agricultural fields are part of the setting of Shilton; there are strong historic links between rural villages and their agricultural hinterland, and the possible replacement of those fields even with a planted buffer would remove that visual and physical linkage. The area's importance as a buffer between the two settlements was recognised in the West Oxfordshire Local Assessment remains unchanged. 10

View 2. Looking South from the Church Yard within the Shilton Conservation Area to the meadows proposed for Carterton West Option

W03 A major constraint, in landscape and visual terms, is the need to maintain a physical and visual gap between Carterton and the long established small neighbouring settlements of Shilton. Development in the Alvescot West area would remove this important buffer zone.

W04 These. constraints mean that there are very few areas which could accommodate large scale development without substantial adverse landscape or visual impact without affecting the gap between settlements and their rural agricultural setting. Development on the open ground West of Carterton would destroy the undeveloped gaps between Shilton and Carterton, and their iural agricultural settings, and therefore cannot be recommended from a landscape or visual point of view.

W05 The West Oxfordshire Local Plan 2011 states (10.32) "West of Carter ton lies the Shill Brook and assocžated jloodplain that creates the attractive rural edge to the town. This would be lost through prominent new development down to the Brook. " 11

View 3. Looking south towards Upavon Way from Shilton West End indicating the location of the new Bridges across the Shill Brook.

W06 The Core Strategy states (3.12) West Oxfordshire's towns, villages and countryside have a distinctive character that is worthy of specžal protection. River valleys and wet meadows, historic parkland and undulating wolds landscape are important features. Development on the Alvescot (West Option) is clearly at odds with both of these policies.

W07 The Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum identifies the Shill Brook Valley as one of their main conservation targets for the County. The valley is located in an area of High Landscape Value and contains a Site of Special Scientific Interest and the Alvescot West site directly adjoins two Oxford County Wildlife Sites. See Map SRI 12

MAP Sß 1

South Cotswold Valleys Conservatìon TarçJet Area

W08 The Shill Brook Valley is a feature of the Shilton Conservation Area and PPG3 controls views into and out of Conservation Areas. Any development within the Shill Brook Valley or any attempt to change the natural environment from its rural nature to that associated with urban use is intolerable.

RI The requirement to establish Buffer Zones in which all development is restricted 13 i) Main Policy should include an unequivocal definition of mandatory buffer zones around Carterton to protect Alvescot, Brize Norton and Shilton. For Shilton and its northern aspect, the zone must be the entire area between the B4020, "The Shilton Road Link", Stone lands Lane and the Burford Quarry. To Shilton and the south, the entire Shill Brook Valley and its banks to both west and east shuld be. free from any development within the skyline formed by the crest of the meadows towards Alvescot ii) Similar zones should be defined by Alvescot Parish, Black Bourton Parish and Brize Norton Parish so that the resulting plan can form an integrated Broadshires

Green Belt.

TRAFFIC

TI Prior to the Local Development F orum, West Oxfordshire District Council, in association with Oxford County Council, commissioned The Halcrow Group to produce a report: 'Carterton - Transport Evaluation of Potential Housing Sites and Evaluation of the Transport Impacts Associated with Development Options.'

If the unwise decision is made to permit the expansion to Carterton, in any location, it is incontrovertible that an extra 1,600 homes will generate significant new traffic flows.

This report includes a map of route hierarchy and traffic movement. Using the map created by Halcrow, these flows can be seen in the Map TI

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T2 This map is compromised in that its authors have failed to include The Shilton Road Link in the diagram. Nonetheless, the traffic flows are clear. It can be seen that all the options would bring traffic flows through Shilton via the B4020 and 'The Dip.' With the Shilton Road Link included, this will siphon significant flows of traffic from 14

Shilton Park and from Brize Norton. It can also be seen that the cut through Shilton for the A361 and Cheltenham etc. to the west will be a significant nuisance. The B4020 is a an unmodemised two lane B road subject to considerable traffic including most of the commercial and heavy goods vehicle movements into Carterton and to RAF Brize Norton. The alternatives to the A40 are through Monahan Way but the construction of this road includes three roundabouts that prevent the larger heavy goods vehicles from negotiating the road. Furthermore, the junction between this route and the A40 on the Witney Bypass only allows access from west bound traffic or, for traffic intending to join the A40, eastbound journeys can only be accommodated. In consequence, most of the traffic travels through the B4020 and Shilton.

T3 It can also be seen that the flows that exist through Shilton Village and on the Alvescot Lane linking with the A361 and that these can only increase if Carterton is allowed to expand. The Alvescot Lane is a single track rural lane as is Shilton Village and Hen and Chick Lane, being the link to the A361. Apart from the acknowledgement in the Map T1 that the route exists through either Shilton or The Alvescot lane, no further attention is paid by this report.

T 4 In May 2007, Shilton Parish Council commissioned a traffic survey from the Thames Valley Police. Typical weekday figures show upwards of 800 vehicle movements per day through Shilton Village and over 2,750 vehicle movements through 'The Dip' on the B4020. Any increase would be highly unsustainable.

T5 The report acknowledges that the traffic flows are those of a dormitory town where most employment has to be served by private car: "E. 4. 4 The traffic data suggests that there is a significant demand for trips between Carterton and Witney and the A 40 for employment. A trend is also evident for trips to the A361 and A420, with high AM peak flows from Carterton matched by higher PM peak flows toward Carterton. That is, people are out-commuting from Carterton by car. JJ

T6 The report states that the North Carterton is unsustainable in terms of traffic into Carterton and recognises the difficulties caused by 'The Dip': "The potential development site at North Carterton ..... has several constraints. The main constraint with this proposed site is in terms of the distance that sections of it are located from the key destinations within the town. The central and northern proportions of the site are located between 2.5km and 3km of the town centre, secondly, the topographical constraints of the Shilton Dip and the Country Park north of Shilton

Park, may discourage walking and cycling. JJ

T7 The report reinforces the point that the East Option at Brize N orton has advantages over Shilton or Alvescot: "E. 7. 7 In terms of the potential for each of the proposed sites to access current public transport links and infrastructure, the potential development site at East Carterton is the strongest of the three sites. JJ

T8 The need for changes to the road network and that expansion would bring unacceptable change to the locality is amplified: 15

E. l.ll "The potential development site at North Carterton is in a good location to access the local network to the south and the strategic highway network to the north and west via the B4020 Shilton Road. The proposed link road connecting the B4020 Shilton Road and Elmhurst. Way also borders the site and this link could be designed to offer access points onto the network from the southern proportion of the site. Alternatively, significant junction and highway improvements are likely to be needed elsewhere on the surrounding road network to provide the required capacity. For example, Burford Road (N of Monahan Way) to the East of the site is classified as a Rural Distributor Route and is likely to need upgrading to accommodate additional traffic, which could alter the character of the area. The main point to note with accessing this site is the rural nature of the surrounding road network and the changes to the character of the area that additional traffic and resulting mitigation measures could bring. ll Any development at Alvescot would have a significant impact on Shilton, both through 'The Dip' and through Alvescot lane. The Halcrow report and developers' proposals indicate the construction of two bridges over the Shill Brook. This would route most of the traffic along the B4020 and 'The Dip'.

R2 Road network improvements needed, even without Carterton expansion i) All development, either infill or development at Alvescot, Brize Norton or Shilton must be preceded by improvements to the road networks to both serve Carterton and RAF Brize Norton and to protect the Rural Villages of Alvescot, Brize Norton and Shilton. Without these improvements, Carterton will never flourish commercially and will always be a dormitory town. ii) The B4020 needs to be improved to allow the traffic that exists at present and will soon be further amplified by the opening of the "Shilton Road Link" from Shilton Park into the B4020. iii) Any development in either Alvescot, Brize Norton or Shilton will add to the through traffic passing through Shilton itself. A transponder controlled bollard system on the Cambridgeshire Addenbrookes model is essential iv) Improvements to the A40 Link Road are required to enable westerly connection with the A40 and to allow strategic traffic to negotiate Monahan Way into RAF Brize Norton. v) A route to the South is required to allow traffic to avoid Brize Norton and

Alvescot. vi) A route to the West is needed; cUlTently all traffic passes through Shilton or

Filkins on its way to the A361. vii) Transponder controlled bollards at the corner of The Alvescot Lane and Hen and Chick Lane according 0 the Addenbrooke's pattern would control rat iuns and through traffic. viii) A dip bypass has been a County Highways project for many years and it needs to be put back at the top of the list. 16

LIGHT POLLUTION

LPI Shilton has been awarded Conservation Area status as an extremely rare surviving example of an English lUral village where the traditional pattern of meadows and original buildings remains. Its lUral setting and independent identity are part of the assets that are to be protected. Inherent in the concept of independent identity and rural nature is the freedom from light pollution. With one notable exception (the Carterton Town Football Club erected high level floodlights without consultating Shilton Parish within whose boundaries it lies) the control of light pollution has been partially successful and dark starlit nights, so much a part of Old England, can still be seen.

LP2 The introduction of over 1,000 homes at Shilton Park has resulted in an intrusive glow over the skyline. New development at the North Option or north of the Shilton Road Link would introduce urban lighting that would directly impinge on to the rural nature of Shilton. Lighting and its associated pollution would bridge the gap between Carterton and Shilton and destroy its sepa~ate identity.

LP3 The Carterton boundary on the East bank of the Shill Brook is well contained and a 'soft planning edge' is presented. The introduction of a new town of 1,000 houses at the West, Alvescot site would introduce light directly in view from Shilton. This light would include house lighting, street lighting and vehicular lights. Such intrusion would destroy the rural character of Shilton and would remove its separate identity.

LP4 The developers representing landowners in the Alvescot, West Option zone have presented preliminary plans for the development. Not only would their proposals introduce unacceptable light pollution but to obtain access to their inappropriate site, they plan to build two new bridges across the Shill Brook. One bridge would be to ake vehicles and the other would be for pedestrian use. Both these bridges would be accompanied by intense illumination; in the case of the vehicle bridge would have to be provided with high level street lighting. Even the pedestrian bridge would destroy the location.

FLOOD

FI Shilton has a long history of flooding. It is at the North end of the level area that runs down from Mount Zion Bottom (where The Roman Road, Akeman Street, crosses The Brook) down to Clanfield and The Thames at Radcot. The watershed that feeds this large river system starts at Holwell and Signet and collects rainfall from a very large area.

F2 The fall between Shilton and the culvert where the Brook is channelled beneath the lUnway at RAF Brize Norton is only about one metre over a three kilometre stretch. Flooding in Shilton is caused by the lack of flow through the lower section that promotes a build up of water in Shilton Village.

F3 The developers' plans for Alvescot West Option show a scheme with ponds to attenuate flood water 'To protect villages downstream of Alvescot.' The stupidity of 17

an idea that will further damage Shilton shows the unsuitability of the location as well as the paucity of sense in the proposal to expand Carterton into neighbouring Parishes. Even if there is no expansion to Carterton, let alone development to the East, North or South, a full survey of the entire Shill Brook river system, from Holwell to Radcot, is required. The scope of this survey should be to assess the ecology of the valley and to establish what needs to be done to mitigate flooding for all the villages in the system. Until this is in place no sensible plans can be made.

Shilton Parish Council believes that the strategy proposed in the West Oxfordshire Core Strategy Consultation will not achieve its desire for the rejuvenation of Carterton but will fatally damage the surrounding villages of Shilton, Brize Norton and

Alvescot.

Yours faithfully,

Alexander Postan Chairman