HOW can residents be denied the opportunity to attend community meetings and shape the future of our community?
It was disappointing to find that the north-east area forum meeting, advertised in the Marston & Headington Community page (March 11) did not happen.
The meeting was due to be held at Headington Baptist Church, on Monday, March 17.
This forum is supposed to meet every three months.
However, the last meeting took place over a year ago in January 2013.
This is disgraceful considering the ongoing serious misgivings regarding overdevelopment within the community – worries over the safety of the public on pavements and the roads near Tesco’s proposed store at the Friar Public House; concerns with traffic congestion, flooding and sewerage leakage; and the added impact of the proposed Barton and Green Square builds.
It is time now for our local authorities to listen to local residents and businesses.
It makes sense to have a steering group with city and county councils together with community representatives. Why has this not happened? Why are concerns ignored?
A plan could determine the preferred location of new housing, shops and businesses and a set policy to protect buildings and sites valued by the community.
ELAINE BENNETT
Marston Road
Oxford
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