Bertie Park is 90 years old. It was built at a time when it made more sense to invest in recreation grounds to keep people healthy, than hospitals to treat the sick. This means that most people in this area played on Bertie Park, their kids play on it, or their grandchildren do. That’s why we are demonstrating:
Councils legally must produce plans which are “deliverable during the plan period.” OCC boast that Bertie Park has been on local plans for more than 30 years. This just means it was never deliverable. Plans also must meet government guidelines like this:
Plans for building on Bertie Park always said: “Planning permission will only be granted … if the existing Bertie Place recreation ground, including a replacement Multi Use Games Area, is re-provided on land” behind Wytham Street (SP32). But this just isn’t possible; they are going to shrink the park to less than 20% of its current size.
OCC declare that their plans are “in broad conformity with the NPPF (government guidelines)”. Thames Valley Police don’t agree (here and here). We don’t agree. 840 people took part in our survey. This is what they thought:
OCC admit “there will be an impact on local children and young people by the loss / reduction of these facilities (BUT) this is balanced against the provision of new affordable housing some of which is aimed at families.” But new kids won’t have anywhere to run around either! Oxford City Council create complexity in order to obscure the issues. If you want to do your head in, read the officer’s report to planning committee. We have produced a deep dive into the issues; you can either dive or dip a toe in.
Save Bertie Park Oxford 