Oxford City Council wants to “grow” Oxford. It will create way more jobs than homes. Surrounding authorities have to build homes for the people who work in Oxford. And so OCC has to build on every single site on the local plan. Bertie Park is on the local plan. OCC say that social housing isContinue reading “Oxford City Council don’t care”
Tag Archives: Local Plan
Bertie Park at Cabinet, and why we’re fighting on …
It’s taken a while to upload this as the council didn’t record the first part. We had to re-record. This is Michael giving the campaign speech: Cllr Linda Smith outlined the council’s position. She recommended that the cabinet note our objections, but appropriate the park: Councillor Hollingsworth said it would be unreasonable not to appropriateContinue reading “Bertie Park at Cabinet, and why we’re fighting on …”
What will OCC say on the 16th?
OCC cabinet will meet on 16th October to decide whether to appropriate Bertie Park for building. The 1972 Local Government act says that Councils can only appropriate a park if it isn’t needed. So OCC has to show that their new recreation facilities will do everything that Bertie park does. Not easy! The Multi UseContinue reading “What will OCC say on the 16th?”
The big decision
Oxford City Council will meet on to decide whether to appropriate the land on Bertie Park for planning purposes. They have said that appropriation is simply moving land from “one budget to another” …. a “paper exercise.” But it has real consequences for our community. It is the difference between having a recreation ground andContinue reading “The big decision”
Does Oxford City Council have to follow the law?
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?”
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”
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”
Save Bertie Park Oxford 