HAVING knocked on the door of every house in Rymers Lane and Church Cowley Road, some residents along Rymers Lane are clearly concerned with the large open area immediately to the rear of the proposed restaurant.

The developer would like to use this area for the purpose of goods delivery. The John Allen site has a purpose-built noise abatement zone a little further down Rymers Lane, where all deliveries are currently made.

Opening up another delivery zone at the junction of Church Cowley Road by the road-calming chicanes would, in my view, have an adverse effect upon local residents.

The applicant has planning permission for a restaurant and a licence for the resale of alcohol. The site was also given historical planning permission for a small number of dwellings where the applicant plans to make deliveries. These dwellings remain a future possibility if deliveries can be encouraged via the noise abatement zone.

The officer, in my opinion, was right to refuse this application on the grounds stated in her report. Deliveries via the proposed new exit would have an adverse affect on local residents and put pedestrians using the pathway at unnecessary risk.

Cllr Simm and myself have worked hard to reduce the proposed licensing hours by over 30 per cent, we are also encouraging the applicant to hire locally (60 jobs) to reduce the potential carbon footprint generated by staff commutes.

I agree with Hazel Dawe in that we do need more social housing in Oxford. However, the idea of draconian compulsory purchase orders wouldn’t be sustainable, viable or provide a democratic solution that would benefit the local community.

DAVID HENWOOD
Oxford city councillor
Cowley Ward
David Nicholls Close
Littlemore