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”
Tag Archives: Recreation ground
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?”
Cabinet Discussion Cancelled
3.00 this afternoon (Wednesday 15th November), at the very last minute, Oxford City Council have taken the approptiation of Bertie Park off the agenda for tonight’s cabinet meeting. There is no explanation. The council’s report recommended the appropriation of the park. The speech that we submitted challenged their arguments. It is clear that something hadContinue reading “Cabinet Discussion Cancelled”
Witness this important decision!
On 15th November, Oxford City Council will decide whether to appropriate Bertie Park Recreation Ground for building. OCC have to appropriate Bertie Park before they can build on it. Appropriation is a legal procedure described in section 122 of the 1972 Local Government Act. This says councils can only appropriate land which is no longerContinue reading “Witness this important decision!”
Will Bertie Park be dropped from the 2040 local plan?
Whenever there is a new plan, it is sent to the Secretary of State for approval. They check to see if it is deliverable and if it complies with government guidance. Previous plans for Bertie Park were always approved because they said “planning permission will only be given if the recreation ground, including the MUGAContinue reading “Will Bertie Park be dropped from the 2040 local plan?”
Save Bertie Park Oxford 