The Oxford Times published a letter from St Ebbes resident Colin Bridger
Sir – I note from your paper that the Oxford Pride festival and parade on June 6 will terminate on Oxpens Field “where there will be entertainment, stalls and music”.
I also note in the same paper that Oxford City Council, the owner of this field, has objected to it becoming a registered town green, as suggested by St Ebbe’s residents, because it wants to see most of it developed.
Do the hundreds, probably thousands, of Oxford Pride supporters realise, I wonder, that if the city council has its way, there will soon be no space left on this field for such joyful events.
No entertainment, no football, no cycle rallies, no circuses, no balloon launches . . . Sorry, no space.
Colin Bridger, Oxford
Saturday, 9 May 2009
City Council objects to town green
(From Oxford Times)
OXFORD City Council has lodged an objection to a residents’ group campaign to get a city centre meadow registered as a Town Green.
Sendra, the St Ebbe’s New Development Residents’ Association, wants Oxpens Meadow next to the Ice Rink to be recognised as a public space to protect it from development.
About 50 per cent of the five-and-a-half-acre meadow, which campaigners say has been used by the community for almost a century, was earmarked in city council plans for part of the so-called West End redevelopment. The land has been identified as a site for a 150-bedroom hotel, housing, or civic offices.
In its application last November, Sendra had to provide evidence and witness statements proving the area had been used by the community for more than 25 years.
A public consultation was then launched when objections to the application could be lodged with Oxfordshire County Council, the body which grants Town Green status.
County Hall confirmed only one objection to the application had been received – from the city council.
Colin Bridger, of Sendra, said the council had objected over the legal terminology used in the group’s application.
He added: “We are now seeking legal advice and are preparing a strategy to fight this objection. We will continue to fight on.”
A city council spokesman confirmed it had lodged an objection, but was unable to give details of the grounds on which its argument was made
OXFORD City Council has lodged an objection to a residents’ group campaign to get a city centre meadow registered as a Town Green.
Sendra, the St Ebbe’s New Development Residents’ Association, wants Oxpens Meadow next to the Ice Rink to be recognised as a public space to protect it from development.
About 50 per cent of the five-and-a-half-acre meadow, which campaigners say has been used by the community for almost a century, was earmarked in city council plans for part of the so-called West End redevelopment. The land has been identified as a site for a 150-bedroom hotel, housing, or civic offices.
In its application last November, Sendra had to provide evidence and witness statements proving the area had been used by the community for more than 25 years.
A public consultation was then launched when objections to the application could be lodged with Oxfordshire County Council, the body which grants Town Green status.
County Hall confirmed only one objection to the application had been received – from the city council.
Colin Bridger, of Sendra, said the council had objected over the legal terminology used in the group’s application.
He added: “We are now seeking legal advice and are preparing a strategy to fight this objection. We will continue to fight on.”
A city council spokesman confirmed it had lodged an objection, but was unable to give details of the grounds on which its argument was made
Green councillors support town green
The Oxford Times carried a letter from Green Party County Councillors as below:
Sir – It is not the whole city council (as reported in your article City Council objects to town green application, April 23) who oppose Sendra’s proposal to gain town green status for Oxpens Meadow.
It is the Labour group, now running the council as a minority administration. Labour councillors have always backed proposals for development here.
Green councillors fully support Sendra’s town green proposal and were not consulted when the council made its decision to oppose Sendra’s plans.
Historically we have worked with local residents to keep this vital open space development-free.
Deborah Glass Woodin and Sushila Dhall, Oxford Green Party
Sir – It is not the whole city council (as reported in your article City Council objects to town green application, April 23) who oppose Sendra’s proposal to gain town green status for Oxpens Meadow.
It is the Labour group, now running the council as a minority administration. Labour councillors have always backed proposals for development here.
Green councillors fully support Sendra’s town green proposal and were not consulted when the council made its decision to oppose Sendra’s plans.
Historically we have worked with local residents to keep this vital open space development-free.
Deborah Glass Woodin and Sushila Dhall, Oxford Green Party
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