I AM honoured to be a Freeman of the City of Oxford, and as a custodian of Port Meadow feel an obligation to hand it on in at least as good a condition as it was when I was admitted.

Port Meadow is Oxford’s oldest monument, given to the Freemen of Oxford in the 10th Century by King Alfred, as recorded in the Domesday Book. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a Scheduled Ancient Monument and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) under the European Habitats Directive oxford.gov.uk/PageRender/decLP /PortMeadow.htm

The University of Oxford is also an ancient establishment, albeit not quite as old, and one would have hoped that the officers of the university would feel an equal obligation to protect and enhance the City of Oxford, including Port Meadow.

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How then can they justify the brutal Castle Mill development? The Environmental Impact Assessment confirms what we all knew, that it causes high adverse impact to four sensitive heritage sites: Port Meadow, the views of the city skyline, the views of St Barnabas Church, and the Thames towpath.

My own preference is that all of the Castle Mill buildings should be demolished and the whole development started again, this time with sensitivity to the unique local environment.

Since this option is not on the table I call on the planning committee to opt for option 3, the only choice that would reduce the adverse impact from ‘substantial’ to ‘slight’ for the majority of Port Meadow. I do hope they they will take this opportunity to right their previous wrong.

Dr Jessica Harris
Warnborough Road
Oxford

Oxford Mail:

The controversial Castle Mill development



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