6:15pm Thursday 16th July 2009
By Jen Rivett
WITH an idyllic town green surrounded by historic stone buildings, it is no wonder Witney is protected.
And now people are being invited to have their say about the future of the Witney and Cogges Conservation Area.
West Oxfordshire District Council has come up with suggestions about how the area — the largest of the district’s 50 conservation areas — can be managed.
Witney Conservation Area was designated in 1970, followed by Cogges in 1976.
The two were later amalgamated and are places of special architectural or historic interest.
Now the district council, which is responsible for the sites, has suggested moving land to the east of Cogges, which is home to late-20th century housing, from the conservation area.
Some pockets of open land around the West End and Wood Green areas of Witney could be added.
The proposals form part of a plan to better protect Witney and Cogges as conservation areas, which by law must be regularly reviewed to ensure the most attractive and historic parts are kept within their boundaries.
The proposals will be considered later this year when the council draws up management plans for the sites.
District councillor Warwick Robinson, cabinet member for strategic planning, said: “We are very fortunate to have a wonderful collection of historic towns and villages in west Oxfordshire — many of which have been made into conservation areas.
“Witney is the oldest and largest conservation area in the district and, as such, has benefitted from almost 40 years of careful stewardship.
“I very much welcome the draft appraisal for Witney and Cogges and would encourage those who live and work in Witney not only to contribute to the debate about their conservation area, but also find out more about what it means to live and work within this area and why it is so important that the policies which oversee it are respected.
“This is what makes the area distinctive and this appraisal will help to secure this special place for future generations.”
The deadline for feedback is July 31.
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