Here are questions recently sent to Alex Hollingsworth who is OCC cabinet member for planning and housing delivery
When were residents consulted?
You say that Bertie Park was first allocated for development in 2013 after going through multiple stages of public consultation. The accepted plans stated that planning permission would only be given if the recreation ground was re-provided on the land behind Wytham street. Your consultation never asked us whether we wanted our playground and Multi Use Games Area squeezed in alongside new housing, as you are now proposing.
Who protects Oxford’s recreational facilities?
You make it clear that Oxford City Homes Limited (OCHL) are responsible for designing the development. You say they have to make an independent decision about the scheme it will submit. You are one of the OCHL shareholder panel members. Your whole focus is the provision of housing. So, whose responsibility is it to make sure that we have an equivalent recreation ground that complies with current OCC policies?
Which policies will be taken into account?
You say that the Planning Committee members must weigh up the application against national and local planning policies, and decide whether or not to approve the application. What do you mean by “local planning policies”? The proposed changes to Bertie Park go against a number of Oxford City Council policies. Which of OCC’s policies have to be taken into account? Which can you choose to ignore?
Save Bertie Park Oxford 