Comments

OX15 4HZ

DM

So it seems Gladman have withdrawn their application... for now...!
I fully expect it to be resubmitted in the future: I think this is probably part of the process for them when they get objections from the council etc. I am assuming they think it's better to withdraw and address the objections with a re-submission than to push on regardless and get a rejection.
Will keep this site going in the mean time.

OX15 4HZ

AA

More comments have been added today...check the planning portal !!

DM

OX15 4HZ

We have emailed in our objection and comments to CDC (the portal wouldn't let us upload - of course). It turned into quite the novel and I have only just got off the soap box. I feel quite relieved to have got it off my chest and can now look forward to spraying fake blood at the committee meeting (I'm joking).

OX15 4HZ

DM

I have just seen a report on the planning portal titled "Environment Agency comments 03/10/19" - it provides two objections to the application based on the flood risk of the existing area and how that would be mitigated (or contributed to!) if developing the site.
This would seem like a big reinforcement for the rejection of the application by CDC... however... as noted by several residents, contractors have been seen in the field taking measurements and/or samples in those flood-prone areas. So, personally, I believe Gladman are already onto this and have been doing their own assessment (as recommended in the Environment Agency comments) as maybe a pre-cursor to a fuller assessment. Let's be honest: this isn't their first rodeo, and we must assume they have seen it all and are prepared for anything (although I still believe they will ultimately be unsuccessful).
So while it is good that there are official objections, we still need to be mindful that it's not a "never", just a "not right now based on the data available/provided". Let's keep the good fight going!

OX15

A

Several people are saying that they have submitted their review but it has not appeared on the portal. We had this issue before but all compliant comments will eventually be loaded. Submissions must have your name and address. They are very wary of comments from non local addresses. Note if you know someone who is writing in to CDC do not add a signature, just your name. Signatures appearing in the public domain is not a good idea. Just checked with CDC and the December Planning Committee date is 12 Dec when it possible Gladman will be on the agenda. Not set in concrete as they may change but add to you calendar.

OX15

A

BPC and CDC will refuse this application. Gladman will appeal with a very high profile, experienced and aggressive legal team. CDC will be reluctant to spend taxpayers money on expensive lawyers to defend its decision. We are a village of 3000 residents. Surely there are solicitors, barristers etc who can help and advise. If you have any links with anyone in the legal profession who has planning
law experience then make them aware of our need.

OX15

John Groves

Sent to CDC today

"1. The Neighbourhood Plan (BL1) agreed development of 85 houses and Policy BL2 required such further development as may occur to be within the existing built-up limits and small in scale. This proposal contravenes that.

2. There is no demonstrable need for an estate of this size in terms of meeting the Cherwell Local Plan targets. Estates currently being constructed have ground to a halt as there are so many houses on the market they are not selling.

3. There is no demonstrated need for additional affordable housing in Bloxham and vanishingly few of the 80 affordable homes built over the last ew years have gone to people with a strong village connection as such need has been met several times over.

4,Connectivity within the village is poor. The High Street is categorised a traffic hot-spot by sat-nav systems and the mini-roundabout is patently beyond its capacity as agreed at the previous Bloxham-Gladman appeal. Attempts to find designs to alleviate this by Oxfordshire Highways were eventually abandoned. Additionally there have been numerous RTAs at or near the proposed junction including a horrendous one in 2013 resulting in serious injury right at the proposed junction. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policy BL9

Additionally - the revised NPPF emphasizes the importance of low-carbon travel (I.e. Walking and cycling.) The SUSTRANS report produced as part of the Neighbourhood Plan stated clearly the A361 was not safe to cycle on and the pavements from the SW of the village (where the proposed estate would be sited) would require those accessing village services on foot to make multiple crossings of the busy A361 and even then to be using horrendously narrow pavements where HGV mirrors pose a frequent and real risk. Note - the A361 from Chipping Norton to Banbury (via Bloxham) has been accepted to be one of the 8 most dangerous streches of road in the country!

5. Recent estates developers have chosen to prefer their standard calculations to taking on-board local knowledge of flooding - and - surprise, surprise, brand new houses have consequently flooded. The South Newington Road end of the recreation ground adjacent to the proposed development frequently floods and concreting over adjacent fields can only make things worse in an village which the National Geological Survey categorises as built on almost totally impermeable sub-soil. The proposal is therefore likely to worsen flood-risk within the village contrary to BL7

6. The previous Gladman-Bloxham appeal agreed money for new primary school places but the school was found to be incapable of expansion and so the money went to another six miles away. The Neigbourhood Plan emphasizes the importance of adequate school places *within the village* and Oxfordshire Education comments upon the BNDP stated "The County Council’s current position on primary school capacity in Bloxham is that Bloxham Primary School has been expanded to the full extent of its site capacity, and further population growth in the village is likely to mean that not all children who live within the catchment will be able to secure a place at the school......On these grounds, the county council School Planning team would support the Neighbourhood Plan’s policy on housing need, that only small scale further housing growth takes place in Bloxham" As part of considerations of community cohesiveness the BNDP emphasized the importance of primary places within the village. The prosed development therefore contravenes Policy BL9

7. The recreation ground is an important aspect of the southern Gateway to the village providing a soft-edge that preserves the rural character. This estate would provide a hard-edge damaging both the gateway and the rural feel of the recreation park itself. The proposal is therefore contrary to BL9.

8. The proposed development also endangers the viability of the Slade - a designated nature reserve adjoing the proposed area. Animals that live in the slade rely for their survival on being able to access a wider area around it. To build this close to it would be totally irresponsible.

To summarise - there is no demonstrable need for this development which in any case fails to comply with the Neighbourhood Plan on multiple counts.

OX15 4HZ

DM

The 'whole village meeting' was very useful last night - thank you Parish Council. I would like to have seen more people, but it was great to see so many people able to take time out to support the cause!
The Parish Council are going to keep people updated, and I'm sure myself and/or others will update here also as events occur.
The deadline for objections/comments to CDC has been confirmed to be 9th October. As noted, try and use the helpful points from the Parish Council as 'reasons' or 'points' to object, but do put them in your own words. I'll link to the info on the Home page.

OX15 4HZ

AA

Another objection letter sent...keep sending them !! you can send more than one.
Unfortunately the last 2 I have sent do not seem to be shown on the planning comment portal !? (I have questioned this with CDC but no reply.)

OX15 4HZ

AA

"Bloxham Needs Your Support"leaflets starting to be distributed...don't forget the date 2nd Oct @ 7pm St Mary's Church...!!

OX15 4HZ

DM

Just read that there is a 'village meeting' on Wed 2nd Oct at 7pm in St Mary's Church. See the Upcoming Changes on Home page for link to the broadsheet online. Hopefully we will get a bit of an update. That's two days before deadline for objections, so I am going to wait until Thu 3rd before I submit mine, so that I can gather as many reasons and info as possible.
Also, Parish Council are delivering leaflets at the end of this week - if you are able to volunteer to help, follow the link on the Home page and email them to offer your support.

OX15

There has been comments made that if this site is permitted the farmland opposite could be next on the agenda as there is access along the Barford Road. Just putting it out there !

OX15

PW

I agree with all the comments below as a basis for objecting to this. What happened to the neighbourhood plan? Was that just a waste of effort? Bloxham has shouldered more than its fair share of development. Enough is enough.

OX15

A cynical sweetner has been proposed on the plan regarding The Slade Nature Reserve of a 10m woodland buffer and a landscaped pond as they have pre-empted their views on this and the impact/impingement of wildlife !

OX15 4HZ

AA

As a previous comment states the council could change the access point to Hyde Grove which in turn will have an adverse effect on the estate, please inform your friends and neighbours of this potentially dangerous decision and get them to send their comments to CDC.
Thank you.

OX15 4HZ

AA

We all need to lobby the local MP and councillors, details are on page 28 of The Bloxham Broadsheet.
If anyone knows of the councillors sitting on the planning committee can you please pass the information on as we need to lobby them directly. (currently trying to find out).
Objection letter sent to CDC.

OX15 4HZ

RF

Long objection letter sent stating building on green belt land with ancient boundaries, medieval ridge & furrow field prone to constant flooding throughout the winter months. Notorious accident hotspot for the proposed vehicular access to the new development. Schools oversubscribed. Significant adverse impact on the local highway. Traffic congestion through the village. Build a BY-PASS instead !!!

OX15 4TB

PC

Objection sent anything I can do to help just ask.

OX15 4TB

I whole heartedly agree with all the points raised. I would like to strongly emphasise that the village cannot tolerate any more traffic load on its infrastructure. The A361 is a totally inappropriate access/exit point for the new estate. An already overloaded and dangerous road. With no pedestrian access to the village there will be an increase in school run traffic, which when returning home to the new estate will require a right hand turn, queuing on the A361 creating a dangerous traffic hazard particularly in the winter. The siting of the estate will require residents to use cars to visit schools and local amenities within Bloxham. Parking at and around the shops is already on overload, causing traffic tail backs and frustration. At busy times the roads around the village are almost at grid-lock, with parked vehicles inhibiting two way traffic flow, particularly the roads nearest to the primary school. The new estate will only exacerbate this. The recreation ground and its surrounding land should remain an open space for relaxation and provide a green environment along with the Slade for the enjoyment of villagers. Bloxham has accommodated its allocation of new builds and now it is time to say no more.

OX15 4NZ

RH

All the points are relevant here and have been so greatly covered.
My concerns are the increase in human and noise pollution in this rural area. The effect on the wildlife could be devastating. The planning area would take away the character of the local area and surrounding villages.

OX15 4HZ

DM

I have summarised some of the Reasons to Object in a new section at the top of the page. I'm hoping (with your feedback!) to grow/evolve it and that will be the basis for my objections via the CDC against the application. Let me know what you think.

OX15 4NZ

KH

There are already many excellent points here on why it's an unpractical and unnecessary development. I hope something can be done. That road is already very busy, with another crash just recently, not to mention the extra pollution and disruption of wildlife. Bloxham has already gone through many extensions!!

OX15 4TB

CM

Objections already entered to council web site as follows, in outline.
Land previously designated green belt.
Area is designated flood plain across which there are many natural springs. It has flooded to a depth of 4 feet, in parts, between Hyde Grove and the pavilion on the recreation ground. I attached good evidence in photos take over a number of years and I have many more. These all show flood water stretching from Hyde grove to the pavilion.
School places are inadequate, across all age groups.
The surgery is over loaded with waiting for appointment times becoming longer.
I believe that the council will change access to the new housing to Hyde Grove (see their wording) and this will create major dangers and risks, especially to children and older persons.
Land alongside Milton lane is far more appropriate for development as it offers the opportunity for new householders to exit and enter Bloxham without the need to go through the centre of the village, which is already a big problem.

OX15 4TB

NQ

Thank you for setting this up. I am willing to help in anyway and have sent my objection this evening. Will spread the word!

OX15 4TB

Enough is enough. Too many vehicles on the Bloxham roads. GPS overloaded etc, etc.

OX15 4TB

DQ

Thank you for doing this @DM These are my comments that I have posted on CDC website. We need to stop this.

Bloxham is far big enough already, we have one shop that is already struggling to meet the residents needs and one primary school that is overflowing at the seams. The development is not just adding new houses but extending the length of Bloxham further and only fields away from another village, Milcombe. My son is only 7 and he has seen at least 5 developments in Bloxham in his life time. Enough is enough!
Before Bloxham consider any more housing developments, then you must improve the shops and car park facility, doctors and dentist services now to help the current Bloxham residents but most importantly the primary school already needs extending to help deal with the current demands.
The South Newington Recreation Ground and The Slade Nature Reserve is a place that families and dog walkers go for some peace and quiet away from the centre of Bloxham and me for one find both areas relaxing and calming. I’m also concerned that building more houses will affect the wildlife in the area.

OX15 4HZ

DM

Just delivered the first batch of leaflets in Hyde Grove, Colesbourne Road, Orchard Grove and Ludford Gardens. Spoke to some great neighbours on the way: I hope we can all make a bit of a difference.

OX15 4HZ

DM

I have looked on the planning site and already there are a few comments and objections. Some very good points already raised:
1) Access to this site is limited and the only entry point would be onto a bend in the notoriously busy A361 as it approaches the village.
2) According to Cherwell Local Plan, the area has already covered its quota of new build housing, and this development would be surplus to requirement while other areas of Oxfordshire still need to increase their housing.
3) The fields in question are a flood plain and are often affected by surface water for much of the winter. Building on this area could cause flooding to occur in other residential areas of Bloxham.
4) The fields in question are adjacent to The Slade wildlife reserve, and building work and housing would impinge on wildlife and plants in that area.
5) Bloxham has already been subject to the development of five housing estates in the last decade. The village's infrastructure, including schools and the GP surgery, is over capacity. Roads in the village have also become noticeably busier, especially at key junctions.

OX15 4HZ

DM

We are residents of Hyde Grove and along with Colesbourne we feel we will be some of the most affected by this new development. We plan to write a letter of objection. I will add another comment with further details.

We urge everyone to object via the council application website link on the home page.