DEVELOPMENT THREAT TO THE INTEGRITY OF OXPENS MEADOW

The Nature of the Threat

Oxford City Council (which owns Oxpens Meadow) adopted the West End Area Action Plan 2007-2016¹ (WEAAP) in June 2008. This Plan envisages the regeneration of a major part of Central Oxford. While the economic downturn has delayed the implementation of the WEAAP, its significance remains as it represents current settled policy for this part of the City.

Within the West End Area the largest single development site is No. 17 – The Oxpens. This site extends along one side of Oxpens Road from a point roughly half way across the existing Meadow to Osney Lane. Permitted uses of this site include houses, public and private offices, hotels, conference facilities, and museums, as well as open space and leisure (a public square is one of the suggested uses in this context).

We support development of the West End, but.....

At this juncture there is no way of telling which of the above permitted uses are likely to come to fruition but what is clear is that the City Council is prepared to facilitate development which would lead to a substantial increase in the resident and working population in this part of the West End. We have no problem with this. However, development means a greater need for open spaces for play, sports, events, recreation and relaxation - not less!

As local residents we welcome the rejuvenation of this area but we believe the proposed reduction of the existing Oxpens Meadow by almost half is incompatible with the City’s own policy on open spaces. Our calculation is that Oxpens Meadow currently measures 2 hectares, of which 0.9 ha. are earmarked for development. Under the Core Strategy 2026² the policy is to retain the current availability of open space as 5.75ha/1000 population. However, there is considerable variation in open space availability in different parts of the City. In the Centre (which includes the West End) the provision is only 3.16ha/1000 population ³.

To reduce Oxpens Meadow by almost half while appreciably increasing the local population makes no sense and is clearly contrary to the City’s own policy.

References

¹WEAAP can be consulted at the City Council office in Ramsey House, St Ebbes Street or on the Council website www.oxford.gov.uk
²Core Strategy, amended April 2009, Policy CS22, page 91. This document can be consulted as above.
³See Core Strategy Background Paper CD5/12 D (iii) Green Spaces, Sport and Leisure. This document can be consulted as above.

NB The Planning Inspector has yet to complete his report on the Core Strategy.