What’s the difference between Worcester College and Bertie Park?

Both Worcester College and the Save Bertie Park campaign object to the new 2045 Oxford local plan.

The differences are:

1. Bertie Park’s a 0.67 hectare neighbourhood recreation ground. Worcester College has 10 hectares of gardens for its students.
2. Bertie Park never shuts. Oxford residents can visit the college gardens once a year.
3. The new local plan says Worcester College’s gardens are protected Core Green Space. The college objects because it WANTS to build. Bertie Park is not protected. We object because we want a safe place for kids to play.
4. Worcester College is supported by a whole team of lawyers. Bertie Park isn’t even supported by local councillors.

New local plans have to follow government guidance. This is a legal obligation. The guidance says you can’t build on a recreation ground unless you replace it with equivalent or better. The new Bertie Park policy (here) doesn’t even pretend to do this. The 2045 local plan is going through inspection now. We think we can get Bertie Park OFF local plans ONCE AND FOR ALL.

BTW OCC have STILL not issued planning permission for Bertie Park. Watch this space!