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 a buffer zone.

On Bertie Park, they want to put a block of flats over-looking the children’s playground. The flats had a shared garden. Look closely at the picture on the left. It says “wetland mix”. Not proper grass. Not supposed to be mown. But their garden is now part of a wildlife buffer zone. So, the only bit of outdoor space is that little strip between the ground floor windows and the play area. And it’s on a slope. The council say “it’s usability is severely limited for future residents …” i.e. ‘it’s a fat lot of good’! Residents will have nowhere to sit, eat, or hang out their washing. Oxford City Council they say this is OK because residents can look out over the buffer zone where their garden was supposed to be….

There are so many reasons why building on Bertie Park doesn’t make sense! Bertie Park is going back to planning committee on September 9th. We will find out if OCC want to listen.