A councillor has called out a university development arm for ‘ignoring’ people’s concerns about footpath changes.

Oxford University Development (OUD) plans to upgrade paths that pass across university owned land surrounding the Begbroke Science Park, in Yarnton, which has been earmarked for further development by OUD as part of the Cherwell Local Plan Partial review.

These well-used paths are due to be closed for up to six months so that OUD can tarmac them to provide a safe walking and cycling route between Begbroke Science Park and Kidlington.

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However, concerns have been raised that local cycling and walking groups were not directly consulted by OUD, Cherwell District Council (CDC) or Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) Countryside Services before permission was granted for the work.

Councillor Ian Middleton claims that neither Yarnton, Begbroke or Kidlington parish councils were directly consulted either, except by way of a full planning application for additional buildings on the site where the plans could be easily overlooked.

He also raised concerns regarding public safety, especially for women walking alone.

He said: “Members of Begbroke Parish Council and I had a site meeting with representatives from OUD and explained our concerns, particularly the fencing off of the paths.

“They seemed to take these issues on board, but subsequently refused to change their plans.

“CDC should have made sure members of the public were specifically consulted instead of burying the proposals inside another application.

“OUD have been at great pains to demonstrate local engagement over the development of the whole site, yet seem to have fallen at the first hurdle by ignoring the views of local representatives.

“These works are being seen as the first signs of development on the site and represent a significant urbanisation of a rural setting. They should be more sympathetically handled.

“For many people the first they heard of the plans was when the closure notices went up”.

A spokesperson for Oxford University Development said: “Oxford University Development (OUD) takes local community concerns seriously and recently met on site with representatives of Begbroke Parish Council and Mr Middleton to discuss the footpath delivery, which is a requirement of the planning permission for two new science buildings at the Begbroke Science Park.

“The details of the footpath upgrade, to provide a safe walking and cycling route between Begbroke Science Park and Kidlington, were submitted to Cherwell District Council for approval in January 2022 and approved in July 2022.

“No comments were received from Begbroke Parish Council, who were consulted at the time.

“OUD has recently received further representations from Mr Middleton which we are currently reviewing.”

 

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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1