On 23rd June Oxford City Council gave planning permission to build on Bertie Park. On June 29th we learnt that the decision has been “called in” for review by the planning review committee. The committee next meets on September 9th. We have no idea if Bertie Park will be on the agenda. Watch this space!
Bertie Park is 90 years old. We have been fighting to save Bertie Park Recreation Ground for more than 5 years. Oxford City Council want to use it for social/affordable housing. But more housing means more people, which increases the need for recreation grounds. OCC’s planning portal shows that 3 members of the community support the proposals, 357 object. Even the police object details here. If you want more details, please have a look at the new deep dive page.
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A life-line for Bertie Park
For 10 years, Tom Hayes was councillor for St Clement’s. He’s now MP for Bournemouth. In 2025 he set up the first all-party parliamentary group on play; fighting hard for recreation grounds like Bertie Park. The government has just published new guidance. Best let Tom explain: Bertie Park is a little different because it is…
Bertie Park and the Aquifer
Bertie Park is an ex-landfill site. The Environment Agency says there is a “high risk” that building on the park could disturb the landfill. Contaminants could start to move into the underground water. The Environment Agency is worried because: the proposed development site is located upon a secondary aquifer which is shallow and has potential…
Residents can look out over the buffer zone where their garden was supposed to be …
The Oxford city council has a local plan policy that everyone should have a bit of private open space where they can just sit, or eat or dry their washing. Their Bertie Park policy says there has to be a buffer zone between the Redbridge Stream and any buildings. The Environment agency also insisted on…
At some point, we must draw a line and say if we want [Oxford] to be a great place for people to live, then we also have to protect the things that make it great: the things people love, like Bertie Rec.
Oxford Mail. 11th March 2021
Save Bertie Park Oxford 
Good evening
We must change this government immediately by calling for a general election.
I support your cause. I hope your park is saved in the near future. Social justice will prevail, and your park will be saved.
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