Town-green bid for Oxpens

5:00pm Thursday 2nd October 2008

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A MUCH-loved Oxford meadow is at the centre of a new battle between residents and developers.

Families living next to Oxpens Meadow — used by the community for almost a century, yet right at the heart of plans to redevelop the so-called West End of the city — want it recognised as a Town Green to protect it from development.

This latest move places a further obstacle in the progress of the scheme, Oxford's flagship regeneration project.

Half of the 2.2 hectare meadow, which was bought by Oxford City Council in 1923, has been marked on the Local Plan as "available for development".

This would leave a triangular section of land in the lower half of the meadow, flanked by the River Thames and Castle Mill Stream, for community use.

But St Ebbes New Development Residents' Association, known as Sendra, wants to send the West End development plans back to the drawing board. Sendra chairman Mark Luntley, a former city council finance director, said he was confident they could win.

He said: "If they take as much land as they are proposing, it just wouldn't be a viable space.

"We are not trying to mess up the proposal for the Westgate or for the redevelopment of the area. We know it needs to be done, but this is the only green space in the area and will be even more important when the new homes are built."

Sendra will have to prove to Oxfordshire County Council, the Town Green registration authority, that the meadow has been used for recreation for at least 20 years by local people.

The latest action is not the first time Sendra has fought to protect the meadow.

In 1997, the group backed the successful fight against plans to build a leisure village, complete with a multi-screen cinema, bingo hall, and casino on the open space.

Peter Clark, county hall's head of legal services, said the Town Green application had been received and said the next stage, if it had been properly made, would be to hear evidence from interested parties.

So far, Sendra has collected more than 60 letters and statements from people who use the meadow regularly.

A spokesman for Oxford City Council said that if the development went ahead, the remaining land would be enhanced with play areas, planted gardens and a wetland nature area. A part of Oxpens Field may also be needed for additional flood compensation measures.

Sendra member Colin Bridger said: "They can't just build over everything and leave no green for people." Oxfordshire County Council leader Keith Mitchell said: "If the planning and regulation committee decide to designate the area as a Town Green, the council will need to determine the impact on the overall plans for the West End and how the green can be integrated into the wider area."

Oxford City Council leader Bob Price said: "It would complement the proposed build area to the west by providing a green space nearby for people.

"Historically, the meadow has been a link between the countryside and the city centre. I don't think half of it should be built on and I have always been opposed to that particular plan."