CPRE Oxfordshire director Helen Marshall is correct in that there needs to be effective public engagement in the process that is now under way to look into reviewing the Oxford Green Belt as part of the overall assessment of how to meet housing need in Oxfordshire.

South Oxfordshire District Council is probably also correct in registering concerns about the process and the approach Oxford City Council has adopted.

While there can be little doubt that there is a substantial housing need in Oxfordshire that is not being met and, in particular the need for affordable housing, the entire approach needs reappraising.

Oxford City Council has been culpable over the entire issue of meeting the city’s housing need, firstly with its attempts to have the Cherwell local plan thrown out as"unsound" at its public examination, thereby potentially delaying the implementation of up-to-date planning policies across Cherwell.

Secondly, that Oxford City Council commissioned a study to examine possible locations for major housing developments outside the city, including Green Belt locations, without any apparent consultation with the adjoining district councils.

Thirdly, there is not any degree of certainty about whether or not Oxford City Council as to whether or not it can meet its housing needs within the existing boundaries of the city. A number of major sites have been identified for potential development within the city and higher densities for development can be achieved within the many sustainable locations in the city.

Overall, Oxford City Council should put its own house in order before seeking to spread relentlessly elsewhere.

Many communities, such as Kidlington, have housing needs that are difficult to achieve and my preference is to address that particular issue as a priority in partnership with Cherwell District Council, as the local district council for Kidlington, rather than Oxford City Council seeking to impose its unjustified housing proposals on the surrounding areas.

As it looks inevitable that the Green Belt review will proceed we also all need to fully engaged in that process.

ALAN GRAHAM
Kidlington parish councillor
High Street
Kidlington