Police raise Oxford crime concern over Sandhill homes plan

Proposals for a new development at land on Bayswater Farm in Sandhills to the east of the city have been questioned by Thames Valley Police over crime prevention and community safety.

The plans for the site which include a care home for 80 residents and a multi-use games area (MUGA), have also had more than 100 objections from householders and the surrounding parish councils.

READ MORE: Oxfordshire hotel named one of the 'most stylish hotels on the planet'

Responding to the application, Thames Valley Police raised issues over speeding, undercroft parking areas which are “known to be at higher risk” for crime and poor lighting on pathways.

The force also pointed to the proposed MUGA that “may be vulnerable” to crime due to its “remote and isolated” location.

Furthermore, it adds the care home must be properly secured due to the risk of unauthorised entry into the building, which will be home to vulnerable people.

Kevin Cox, designing out crime officer for Thames Valley Police, said: “I appreciate this project is at an early stage, however, I was somewhat disappointed to see that crime prevention and community safety is not a significant consideration at this point.

“In order to safeguard future developments and their residents from crime and anti-social behaviour, I ask that crime prevention and community safety is a key consideration which is specifically addressed within forthcoming applications.”

Bayswater Farm Field (Image: Risinghurst and Sandhills Parish Council)Warwickshire-based company Cilldara Group is the applicant for the plans with fears already being expressed over losing “desirable” fields which give a “countryside feeling” to the Sandhills estate.

Concerns over speeding in the proposed development are due to “long straight streets”.

An objection from an anonymous householder in Delbush Avenue said: “We already have drivers entering at speed and doing turns to avoid the traffic light sequence and save a few seconds on their journey at the risk of hurting someone.

“We have an increased danger to life with this added estate to our community as I believe we would not be able to police the speed limit and with the local community primary school, this is too problematic and scary in itself.”

Sue Holden of Delbush Avenue added: “This development would bring much stress and danger to those of us living here with added traffic pollution and taking away the safety that we currently enjoy where children are able to enjoy their childhood in a natural environment.”

READ MORE: Family of stabbing victim release heartfelt tribute to ‘beautiful boy’

There have also been objections raised over the loss of the bridleway that runs east-west behind Sandhills from Delbush and Burdell Avenues.

A Forest Hill with Shotover Parish Council objection said: “This is a well-used right of way and any proposed plan to run a road across it would increase the risk of injury to those users.

"This would seem to counter Oxfordshire’s Vision Zero road safety policy that is currently in consultation.”

The parish council also noted the concerns from the police as well as raising issues with the amount of consultation with the public.

The objection added: “There has been very little public consultation, with a poorly advertised ‘public consultation’ for an initial week, which was then extended to two weeks over Christmas.

“The applicant also refused to hold a public meeting with concerned residents and would not attend a public parish council meeting, only agreeing to meet in private.”

An objection from Stanton St John Parish Council added: “The design of the layout proposed site reflects sub-urban sprawl which is a characterless extension and continuation of the now out of date style.”

Elsfield Parish Council added there is “no justification” for the impacts on Sandhills due to “increased” traffic and “loss” of landscape amenity and biodiversity.

The developer said the application would have "a significant social benefit" and provide a minimum of 35 per cent social rented tenure homes if approved. 

A statement added: "The proposals for this allocated housing site have followed a rigorous process of assessment, analysis, evaluation and design.

"There is a clear, strong rationale that has been tested by technical experts and in pre-application meetings."