Will OCC be able to build on Bertie Park?

Bertie Park was in the Oxford Mail last week: Oxford protesters object to Council’s plan for homes on play park

On Wednesday 9th August, Oxford City Council Cabinet will be asked to agree to appropriate the land on Bertie Park under section 122 of the 1972 Local Government Act (here). They need to do this before they can build on it.

There is a problem. The law says that councils can only appropriate sites less than 250 square yards. Bertie Park is 7,894 square yards.

If they can’t appropriate the land, does that mean they can’t build on it? We will find out on Wednesday.

There are laws protecting recreation grounds. If can they build on Bertie Park, they can build on any recreation ground in England.