July 2009

Oxford Core Strategy
Oxford Green Belt Network welcomes the deletion from this Plan of all reference to an urban extension south of Oxford. But we are opposed to development at the "Northern Gateway", especially on two areas of Green Belt land included in this development site. We expect to take part in the resumed public inquiry which may be in July 2010

Chiltern Railways
We accept that the proposed Oxford to London line via Bicester will bring advantages to travellers by rail. But at Water Eaton, where a parkway station is proposed, we do not wish to see industrial development spill out into the Green Belt. So we are opposed to any attempt to relocate the aggregates depot and to build a waste processing centre on nearby Green Belt land. We expect to take part in the public inquiry which is likely in the Autumn of 2010.

Wind Turbines
We remain committed to opposing wind turbines in the Oxford Green Belt. We are therefore strongly opposed to the two giant turbines proposed at Cutteslowe Park and Horspath. Such turbines need huge subsidies, only work when the wind blows so need back up power, and they destroy much loved views of our Green Belt countryside.

July 2009 - The Oxford Green Belt Network took part in the Examination into Oxford City's Core Strategy beginning on 14th July. Here are the Statements submitted by OGBN in connection with the

• Oxford Green Belt,
• Employment,
• the Proposed Strategic Development Area to the south of Oxford.

19 April 2009 - Oxford Green Belt Way Walk and Rally
Over 100 people joined the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), Oxfordshire Branch, on a short walk along the Oxford Green Belt Way. Refreshments awaited them at Horspath Village Hall.
See the Rally Report here with photos, and read the speech made by Ian Scargill, Chair of OGBN, at the rally.

1 September 2008 - Why there should be no building in the Green Belt
- see the OGBN response to South Oxfordshire District Council's current consultation (PDF format 21 Kb).

16 September 2008, Letter to the Oxford Times - Is this the real truth about developers plans for the Green Belt?

23 July 2008 - Bad news for the Green Belt.

7 March 2008 - Role of the Oxford Green Belt upheld at Horspath. The Planning Inspector dismisses Oxford City's appeal to install floodlights in Horspath Sports Ground car park. It is an important judgement which recognizes that floodlighting columns add to urban sprawl and that their lighting detracts from a village's rural setting. Read the full text of the Judgement (PDF format 57 Kb).

November 2007 - Hands off our Green Belt Campaign.

FRONT PAGE SPLASH - 31 August 2007 - Setback for Green belt.