Oxford City Council are bending over backwards trying NOT to follow this Government policy: Existing recreational land, should not be built on unless the loss resulting from the proposed development would be replaced by equivalent or better provision in terms of quantity and quality in a suitable location; or the development is for alternative sportsContinue reading “Does Oxford City Council have to follow the law?”
Tag Archives: Bertie Park
Watch OCC make this important decision!
On June 12th OCC will decide whether to appropriate Bertie Park Recreation Ground for building. Not exciting? If they can’t appropriate, it stops them in their tracks! “Appropriation” is a legal procedure described in s122 of the 1972 Local Government Act. Even if a local authority already owns a recreation ground, they must appropriate itContinue reading “Watch OCC make this important decision!”
What do the candidates say about Bertie Park?
40 people attended the Hustings at St Lukes on Friday 26th. With Anna Railton (Labour), Ben Christopher (Oxford Independent Alliance), Nuala Young (Green Party) and Rick Tanner (Lib-dem) all present, there was lively discussion of many topics. These included flooding, sewage problems and the Grandpont cycle bridge. Here’s what the candidates said about Bertie Park:Continue reading “What do the candidates say about Bertie Park?”
Bertie Park Campaign leaves OCC speech-less
In August ’23 the Environment Agency objected to OCC’s plans for Bertie Park. They said they couldn’t use the bank of Hinksey Stream: Last October, we asked council how much smaller the new recreation area would be. They were still working out what to do, but said “any … amended plans will be re-consulted onContinue reading “Bertie Park Campaign leaves OCC speech-less”
One rule for them and another rule for us?
The new development at North Oxford covers 64 hectares. It will provide one million square feet of laboratories and workspaces, 4,500 jobs and 3 public parks. They say: At the heart of (this) exciting new community is the Neighbourhood Square, a landscaped park creating lush and leafy vistas. With play areas for children to explore,Continue reading “One rule for them and another rule for us?”
OCC trying to remove Bertie Park from the map
Two years ago we realised that Bertie Park wasn’t on the list of sites subject to Oxford City Council by-laws. We asked the Parks Department why. Chris Bell said “the last version of the park byelaws done in 1996 (was) ill-informed and riddled with omissions and mistakes … whoever listed them in 1996 clearly lackedContinue reading “OCC trying to remove Bertie Park from the map”
Bertie Park campaign in waiting
Oxford City Council cabinet first met on 15th November 2023 to decide whether to appropriate Bertie Park for building. It was pulled from the agenda 3 hours before the meeting and rescheduled for February 7th. It is now on the agenda for March 13th …. We were told Bertie Park might go to planning inContinue reading “Bertie Park campaign in waiting”
No more football at Bertie Park?
OCC have a new local plan waiting for approval. It tries to solve the problems OCC are having with their proposals to build on Bertie. There will only be space for a playground on the current site. Instead of 13 items of equipment, there will be 8 or 9, “depending on safety requirements”. What willContinue reading “No more football at Bertie Park?”
Bertie Park Campaign plans for 2024
We have sent a complaint to the Local Government Ombudsman: that OCC are deliberately fudging how they will replace the recreation ground, that they have mis-represented the results of consultations, that they are acting illegally etc. Our complaint seems to get longer by the day. We should get the results in 2024. In early 2024Continue reading “Bertie Park Campaign plans for 2024”
The speech that stopped OCC in their tracks?
A couple of weeks ago October Oxford City Council was saying that appropriation of Bertie Park was “a paper exercise”. On 7th November they released a report recommending that OCC cabinet should go ahead and appropriate the land on Bertie Park for housing. 13th November we sent our speech to the Council 14th November OCCContinue reading “The speech that stopped OCC in their tracks?”
Save Bertie Park Oxford 