OCC have appropriated Bertie Park. The law says a “council may appropriate … land which … is no longer required for the purpose for which it is held immediately before the appropriation.” But case law says the council can take “a broad view of local needs.” OCC say that the need for social housing in our ward outweighs all of our concerns. After all, Bertie Park will be re-provided as “open space, in a slightly different place/form” and “2 new play areas in a slightly smaller form”.
What does this mean?
“Slightly different place/form”: All the space for free play will be re-provided as a 250m path on land that tvhe police say is unsuitable for unaccompanied children.
“Slightly smaller form”: The Multi Use Games Area will be too small for either basketball or football. The play area will be only 10% smaller, but will include disabled access to the play area and MUGA, a “bund embankment” to prevent flooding of the new properties, and a sensory planting garden.
OCC says families no longer served by Bertie Park can go to Hinksey Park or Fox Crescent.
For OCC, this data shows the need for social housing in Hinksey Park Ward:
“The average house price to August 2020 is £401,360 where the England average is £304,430…. 47.4% of homes are owner-occupied against an England average of 64.4%. Of these 1.3% are shared ownership properties against the England average of 0.8%. 17.8% of households live in social rented homes almost in line with an England average of 17.7%.” Equalities Impact Assessment
It is outrageous to use this data as an excuse to remove our recreation ground. The council wants to build on the only recreation ground in a working class area of Oxford. But in North Oxford, the Oxford North development will see 480 homes and 3 new public parks.
Our lawyers have advised that it makes more sense to challenge planning permission than appropriation. The development is due to go to planning “some time in 2025.” Anna Railton says that “it really could go either way.” So watch this space.
Save Bertie Park Oxford 