4,000 Homes Set For City Green Belt

30 August 2007 - Source: http://www.oxfordmail.net

Government-appointed planning inspectors have singled out land south of Grenoble Road in Oxford as ripe for a 4,000-home housing development.

Last night‘s revelation effectively ended years of speculation over whether Green Belt land around the city could be used for housing.

The news was welcomed by Oxford City Council, for whom this is seen as another partial solution to a chronic housing shortage, but residents in South Oxfordshire, where the land - jointly owned by Magdalen College and Thames Water - lies, were left seething.

The inspectors have, in essence, overturned rulings made by Oxfordshire County Council and the South East Regional Assembly, by recommending an extension to the city.

Andy Boddington, Oxfordshire campaign manager for the Campaign to Protect Rural England, said: "The impact of the report will be to severely damage the rural character of the centre of the county.

"The planned urban extension into the Green Belt is the first stage in eroding the gap between Oxford and surrounding settlements."

The number of houses to be built in the county by 2026 has increased from 47,200 to 54,600 - with more than half that difference likely to go on land off Grenoble Road.

Chris Lake, of Marsh Baldon, said: "We have had two examinations in public, which we won fairly and by the rules.

"But because that doesn't suit the Government they go and change them - where's the democracy in that?"

Last week,the Oxford Mail revealed exclusively that the report would recommend increasing housing numbers in Oxfordshire and order a review of building in the Green Belt.

The report also declared Oxford a "centre for significant change" because of its potential for growth. Oxford East MP Andrew Smith said: "It‘s good news for everyone concerned about local housing that this independent report backs homes at Grenoble Road.

"Everything must be done to make sure the development is well designed and includes a good share of social housing and shared-equity homes, so local people can get a foot on the property ladder."

Yesterday, we revealed details of plans for a 5,000-home ‘eco-town‘ at the disused Shipton Quarry cement works, near Kidlington.

Oxford City Council‘s chief planning officer, Michael Crofton-Briggs, said: "There is a desperate need for housing in and around the city. I welcome this important announcement for the city."

 

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