On Tuesday, 9th February, Inspector Pratt held a Procedural Meeting about whether the examination of Oxford's core strategy, of which the 'Northern Gateway' is a part, could continue. Engage Oxford attended in strength to highlight the weaknesses in the process and Core Strategy. Since this was a procedural meeting we were asked not to repeat the strong evidence against the 'Northern Gateway' itself although we tried to highlight most of the issues of lack of consultation, traffic congestion, blight on local houses, pollution, flooding and uncertainty as well as the increasingly strong argument that Oxford, demonstrably does not need more 'employment land'.
Our view is that the current Core Strategy which has already been subject to heavy amendment is now so damaged by the legal challenge to the proposals to develop on Green Belt at Grenoble Road and the strength of arguments against the 'Northern Gateway', that it should be withdrawn by the City Council or found 'unsound' by the Inspector.
We were encouraged by both the tone and direction of the discussion. We were able to state our objections as were other opponents of the current plan. Wolvercote Commoners, CPRE, Residents Groups across the City and many local councillors were united in opposing the Northern Gateway and as ever we appreciated the support of our local MP: Dr Evan Harris, local Parliamentary Prospective Candidate: Nicola Blackwood and many Green Party and Liberal Democrat councillors. No City Councillors spoke in favour of the Northern Gateway proposal. Thank you to all of our supporters who yet again, took the time to come to the hearing.
The Inspector has given Oxford City Council until 19th February to decide between withdrawing the Core Strategy OR to seek independent legal advice and to suggest a route for how the examination might continue which he explained would require significant additional work to be undertaken and they would need to provide a timetable for how long this extra work would take.
We believe that if the City Council opted for withdrawing the Core Strategy, the existing Local Plan would continue in force and this current Plan appears to promote a 10% higher target for annual house building.
The Inspector hopes to issue his judgement on whether hearings can continue in the next few weeks. His judgement will be made public so we will let you know as soon as it is issued.
Documents relating to this:
Oxford City Council's Meeting with GoSE - October 2009
Letter from New Inspector to OCC - 2nd November 2009
Oxford City Council's Response to Inspector - Undated, November 2009