For those that didn’t make it to the persimmon exhibition here are the plans they are proposing for BAN5, North of Hanwell Fields. Having spoke with the representatives for a while I found out that persimmon already own the land with the houses marked on the plan, but as yet they don’t own the rest. Which means Lord de la warr has already sold some of what he owns. The field to the right is owned by Mr. Donger, so that will be sold very soon. Presently the plan only shows 350 (approx) properties, the land to the right would also be developed once purchased from Donger, taking the number to 400 properties. The main access to the site (at the moment) comes from the Warwick Road. The public footpath to the left is intended to be paved. These plans don’t mention the green buffer that has to be included, and when asked I was told it would just be open space between the current ancient hedgerow and Hanwell Village, so that’s the field then.
If the land to the East is sold then access would come off Winter Gardens Way. Although different houses are not shown on the plan it is based up on providing 30% social/affordable housing. The proposed designs of the houses looked like painted (well multicoloured) seaside style houses, not very inkeeping with the feel of the countryside.
There is no planned provision for schooling except integration in to existing schools, when asked I was told they had a list of schools available with such places. If anyone has more information about this then please let me know. Another thing I put to them is the density of the housing as Hanwell Fields, as we know is rather cramped. From the plans I suggested this might make matters worse, as these houses are also crammed in, I also noted that most houses would have shared drives and more likely single car parking plus a garage for some. My recent calls to estate agents have proved this is a major draw back on the saleability of our own homes.

On their information sheet it says
WHY NOW.
A planning application is being considered at this stage since Cherwell District Council are experiencing difficultly in boosting the supply of housing needed to meet the Government Policy as set out in the NPPF. (National Planning Policy Framework). I’d just to like to add this is completely wrong and one huge lie. The NPPF numbers are lower than what Cherwell are estimating, which is why we are opposing it. So this statement is false. They are putting forward their plans now to maximise their chances of getting the area on the CDC Local Plan.

You can send comments about the plans to
Pegasus Planning Group
Querns Business Centre
Whitworth Road
Cirencester
GL7 1RT

or email
rob.riding@pegasuspg.co.uk 

I have been in touch with various organisations about the wildlife in the fields of the proposed developments areas.
I’ve spoke to the RSPB who regrettably don’t seem to concerned about the area. When I mentioned about the skylarks, I was told that the area is not significant enough to warrant any further investigations. They did say that skylarks are on the ‘red list’ but again not enough of them to worry about !!!

When I mentioned about the Buzzards again the reply was not brilliant. Apparently there are 44,000 nesting pars in the UK now. So although a bird of prey it’s not significant enough to be of interest.

They did apologise for the negative view but basically they’re not that bothered. The only thing we can hope for now is a Golden Eagle or something to nest, or perhaps a tiger.

I have also been in touch with the Thames Valley Environmental Record Centre who provide records for local authorities, parish councils, local people, conservation bodies, land-owners, students and commercial organisations such as ecological consultants and utilities companies

I was told “Some of the species you mention are unlikely to be found here, such as adders and dormice”. So if anyone has photo then please send it in. Thanks to Amanda for the photo of the dead snake, sorry to say it’s been identified as a large grass snake 🙁

To quote TVERC “While most Oxfordshire records come from the Chilterns there is a single adder record from 1982 from North Claydon. A clear photo showing the patterning on the back and around the head would help a great deal“.

A member of the Group, Nick is a Horticulturalist and has mentioned that there are some orchids that would be of interest. In order to get any response from some of these groups we need some real information. Again a quote from TVERC “we need a picture of plant at the site at Banbury with location details, an idea of numbers and the name of the recorder” for it to be taken seriously. I have received a spreadsheet from TVERC to log any finds properly.

Perhaps they think we’re all David Attenborough wannabe’s.

Happy Hunting

Malc – HFDAG

http://m.banburyguardian.co.uk/news/local/against-development-1-4212769

The Draft Local Plan has been made available for public consultation. This is YOUR chance to have a say about the proposed plans around Banbury and Cherwell. The areas which are focused around Hanwell Fields are referred to as Ban5 (between us and Hanwell Village) and Ban2 (Southam Road)

Here is the statement from CDC

PLANNING AND COMPULSORY PURCHASE ACT 2004
THE TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING (LOCAL PLANNING) (ENGLAND) REGULATIONS 2012

 REGULATION 19 CONSULTATION

 NOTICE OF PUBLICATION OF DRAFT LOCAL PLAN DEVELOPMENT PLAN DOCUMENT AND PROPOSED SUBMISSION POLICIES MAP (PROPOSED SUBMISSION DOCUMENTS) AND SUSTAINABILITY APPRAISAL OF LOCAL PLAN

STATEMENT OF REPRESENTATIONS PROCEDURE

Title
Proposed Submission Cherwell Local Plan and Proposed Submission Policies Map

Subject Matter and Area
Cherwell District Council has prepared a Local Plan and Proposed Submission Policies Maps which it proposes to submit to the Secretary of State of Communities and Local Government.

The Local Plan will, upon adoption, set the broad planning framework for meeting the future needs of Cherwell District. The plan will

• Develop a sustainable local economy
• Ensure sustainable development
• Build sustainable communities

The Proposed Submission Local Plan and Proposed Submission Policies Map are being published for consultation from Wednesday 29^th August 2012 until 5pm Wednesday 10^th October 2012. Simultaneously, the Council is also consulting on the Sustainability Appraisal of the Local Plan.

All comments must be received by 5pm Wednesday 10^th October

The consultation paper on the Proposed Submission Local Plan and supporting documents will be available on-line at

http://www.cherwell.gov.uk/localdevelopmentframework

from Wednesday 29^th August 2012.  It will also be made available at the locations below.

How to make your representations
Please make your representation on the representations form.

The representation form can be completed online or downloaded from the website at:

http://consult.cherwell.gov.uk/portal/ldf

The representation form is also available at the deposit points (see below).

Alternatively completed forms can be returned by:

Post:
Strategic Planning and the Economy
Cherwell District Council
Bodicote House
Bodicote
Banbury
Oxon
OX15 4AA

Email Planning.policy@cherwell-dc.gov.uk
Fax:  01295 221856

All comments received during the consultation will be made available for public inspection. Representations may be accompanied by a request to be notified at a specified address of any of the following:

i) the submission of the Local Plan for independent examination under section 20 of the Act,

ii) the publication of the recommendations of the person appointed to carry out an independent examination of the Local Plan under section 20 of the Act, and

iii) the adoption of the Local Plan

Where and when to inspect the document:

The Proposed Submission Local Plan, Proposed Submission Policies Map, Sustainability Appraisal, Leaflet, Guide to Making Representations and Representation Form can be viewed and downloaded through the Council website at:

www.cherwell.gov.uk/localdevelopmentframework

The Proposed Submission Local Plan and its supporting documents are also available to inspect at the deposit points listed below. Copies of the representation form can also be obtained at these deposit points.

Cherwell District Council Offices, Bodicote House, Bodicote, Banbury, OX15 4AA
8.45am (10.00am Wednesday) – 5.15pm Monday –Friday

Banbury Library, Marlborough Road, Banbury, OX16 5DB
Monday9am –1pm, Tuesday9am-7pm, Wednesday9am –8pm, Thurs and Friday9am –7pm, Saturday9am – 4.30pm

Neithrop Library, Community Centre, Woodgreen Avenue, BanburyOX16 0AT
Monday10am –7pm, Tuesday Closed, Wednesday2pm –5pm, Thursday10am –1pm, Friday10am-5pm, Saturday9.30am –1pm

Bicester Town Council, The Garth, Launton Road, Bicester, OX26 6PS
Monday – Thursday9am –5pm, Friday9am –4pm

Bicester Library, Old Place Yard, Bicester OX26 6AU
Monday 9.30am –7pm, Tuesday 9.30-5pm, Wednesday and Thursday 9.30am –7pm, Friday 9.30am –5pm, Saturday9am-4.30pm

Kidlington Library, Ron Groves House, 23 Oxford Road, Kidlington, OX5 2BP
Monday 9.30am –5pm, Tuesday 9.30am –7pm, Wednesday 9.30am –1pm, Thursday 9.30am –5pm, Friday 9.30am –7pm, Saturday 9.00am – 4.30pm

Adderbury Library, Church House, High Street, Adderbury, OX17 3LS
Tuesday:10 am –12noon & 3 –7pm, Thursday:2pm –5pm & 6 –7pm, Friday:10am – 12noon &2 pm –5pm, Saturday: 9.30 am –1pm

Deddington Library, The Old Court House, Horse Fair, Deddington, Oxon. OX15 0SH
Monday2pm -5pm, 5.30pm -7pm, Tuesday Closed Wednesday 9.30am -1pm, Thursday2pm -5pm, 5.30pm -7pm Friday Closed Saturday 9.30am -1pm

Hook Norton Library, High Street, Hook Norton, Banbury,Oxon,OX15 5NH

Monday2pm-5pm,6pm-7pm, Tuesday           Closed, Wednesday2pm-5pm, Thursday Closed, Friday2pm-5pm,6pm-7pm, Saturday9.30am – 12.30pm

Mobile Library Services
Copies will be available on the North, Central and West Mobile Library Services.
For details of locations and times of the mobile library visit www.oxfordshire.gov.uk or phone 01865 810240

Banbury LinkPoint, 43 Castle Quay, Banbury,Oxfordshire,OX15 5UW

8.45am (10am Wednesday) to 5.15pm Monday to Friday

Bicester LinkPoint, 38 Market Square, Bicester, Oxfordshire, OX26 6AL

8.45am (10am Wednesday) to 5.15pm Monday to Friday

Kidlington LinkPoint, Exeter Hall,Oxford Road, Kidlington,Oxon,OX5 1AB

8.45am (10am Wednesday) to 5.15pm Monday to Friday

THE question over whether 
housing developments that have been approved but not yet built count towards Cherwell’s housing supply has been answered by the Minister for Decentralisation and Planning.

Banbury MP Sir Tony Baldry wrote to fellow MP Greg Clark in the Government’s department for Communities and Local Government following an increase in opportunist planning applications for large housing developments in and around Banbury.

Developers have submitted applications for major developments around Cherwell, stressing a shortfall in the district’s housing supply.

However many of the controversial applications have been refused by Cherwell district councillors, who argue the housing supply will be met when work begins at sites which have already been approved, such as at Bankside in Banbury. In a bid to end the debate, Sir Tony wrote to Mr Clark asking for clarification on whether approved, yet undeveloped housing sites, do count towards the council’s five-year housing supply.

In his response Mr Clark referred to the National Planning Policy Framework and wrote: “The policy is clear that implemented planning permissions count towards the five-year supply. The footnote does require consideration to be given to whether such permissions can be expected to be built. This is necessary because it would otherwise be possible for councils to meet their housing requirement by approving applications for land that is never, likely, in practice, to be financially viable to build on. So viability does have a role to play.

“The footnote makes clear that all sites with planning permission should be considered deliverable “unless there is clear evidence that schemes will not be implemented within five years”. So the onus of proof is to show clearly that they will not be implemented if they are not to be included.”

Sir Tony forwarded the response to Cherwell District Council with a letter stating: “I think the only reasonable inference that can be made from this is that Cherwell has an adequate five-year housing supply, unless it is possible for developers to demonstrate to planning inspectors that the planning permissions already granted by Cherwell were granted deliberately to thwart housing development in the district and to prevent building elsewhere.”