Save Bertie – Save Bertie Park Oxford

Bertie Park and the Aquifer

Bertie Park is an ex-landfill site. The Environment Agency says there is a “high risk” that building on the park could disturb the landfill. Contaminants could start to move into the underground water. The Environment Agency is worried because: the proposed development site is located upon a secondary aquifer which is shallow and has potentialContinue reading “Bertie Park and the Aquifer”

Bertie Park Fact Check

We’re going back to planning committee on September 9th. Posters have appeared with reasons to build on Bertie Park. So, here’s a quick fact check!

Ex-Mayor doesn’t like playgrounds like Bertie Park

Ex-Mayor Cllr Upton is chair of the planning committee. She summed up before voting to build on Bertie: “I actually think, having grown up in the countryside, I love having wild space to go around that’s not actually a MUGA or a playground. I think having a nature trail around Site B could be actuallyContinue reading “Ex-Mayor doesn’t like playgrounds like Bertie Park”

Bertie Park goes to Planning Committee 23rd June

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 whyContinue reading “Bertie Park goes to Planning Committee 23rd June”

List of Oxford parks, recreation grounds and allotments “suitable for development”

Oxford’s Office and Research and Development space is increasing by 72%. OCC say this a “seismic shift” in the city’s economy (read here p.6). So our housing crisis will only get worse. All parks, recreation grounds and allotments are now “Green Infrastructure.” The following “parcels” of land are now considered grey belt, and suitable forContinue reading “List of Oxford parks, recreation grounds and allotments “suitable for development””

OCC can’t answer Bertie Park speech

We talked to council on 26th January. OCC’s policy for Bertie Park says our recreation ground has to be re-provided. OCC always knew this was impossible: The planning application was submitted 2 1/2 years ago … Thames Valley Police are worried about crime, anti-social behaviour and community conflict if the development goes ahead: Recent OCCContinue reading “OCC can’t answer Bertie Park speech”

What the police say about Bertie Park

The MUGA and the play area are very close to homes. There are 2 problems with this: OCC want to build a long, narrow footbridge between Bertie Park and the land behind Wytham Street (site B). There’ll be “no option for escape” if someone is “approached by a hostile actor.” Site B “does not haveContinue reading “What the police say about Bertie Park”

Bertie Park gives OCC a headache!

Thank you to all who took part in the recent consultation! In spite of the rain, we got 88 people to comment this time around. There are now 3 who support, and 357 objections to OCC’s plans for Bertie Park. Any homes built on Bertie Park have to be safe from flooding now and inContinue reading “Bertie Park gives OCC a headache!”

Council forced to dig up MUGA

This October, Derbyshire residents took their parish council to court after problems with antisocial behaviour and noise from a MUGA (Multi Use Games Area). The Parish council was forced to dig up the MUGA. Article: Council demolishes play area after noise complaints. Sport England recommends 30 to 40 metres between MUGAs and homes to avoidContinue reading “Council forced to dig up MUGA”

Bertie Park: they are consulting AGAIN … NOW!

OCC have started another consultation. We have until 30 November to comment. Bertie Park is part of our local history. It’s where our young people learn to be independent, where they go to let off steam. OCC want to shrink it down. The whole recreation ground will be less than twice the size of theContinue reading “Bertie Park: they are consulting AGAIN … NOW!”