Save Fiddler’s Island and Streams by Oct 17th 2013!

Introduction

This beautiful stretch of the Thames, with its timeless meadows, narrow boats, and abundant wildlife north of Osney up to Port Meadow is under imminent threat of development under:

“13/02350/FUL | Erection of 9 student study rooms on 3 floors adjacent to Thames Wharf, East of Fiddler’s Island stream, together with pedestrian footbridge to the Thames Towpath, 1 disabled car parking space, bin and cycle stores. | Land Adjacent Thames Wharf 3 Roger Dudman Way Oxford Oxfordshire OX1 1AG “

For a very detailed planning objection: Fiddler_Objection_Second_Final or read on….

This is NOT the main Roger Dudman Way development, but another, directly to the south between Osney/Rewley Abbey Stream and Port Meadow on the banks of the Thames for which planning approval has not yet been given.

which will see a hideous modern building :

Impression of new building – not to scale

:

intruding onto what remains of a glorious piece of countryside :

Cows and Ducks Opposite Development Site

Canal Boats At The Development Site

in the centre of the city, the severely damaging to Fiddler’s Island Steam East bank :

Fiddler’s Island Steam At Development Site

and the very narrow wildlife corridor at this point.

The Creepie Crawlie Corridor – Port Meadow Narrows Down to feet at this point

View South Of Development Site

This building, on the banks of the stream itself, cannot be screened or mitigated in any way.

Objection Summary

• The proposed building is extremely ugly, and completely discordant with the exceptional and highly sensitive surroundings comprising of unspoilt countryside, a beautiful stretch of river and Victorian suburbs to the south.  
• This landscape defines and frames Oxford (OX-Ford) and is an ancient unspoilt trackway used by generations of pilgrims and wayfarers from Godstow and the Binsey shrine to St Frideswides and Rewley abbey and beyond
• Will severely impact Fiddler’s Island side stream, cutting a wildlife corridor at its narrowest,  destroying the east bank – no protection or buffer is possible due to site constraints, and may lead to local water falls disturbing wildlife in Fiddler’s stream
• Screening from the river is not only impossible as the building is on the stream, but it will prevent screening from the river of the main Roger Dudman development to the immediate north.
• The Thames Path is of national importance, the views and feel should be protected, development here will damage Oxford’s reputation, and will be the first sight for walkers
•  Sets a precedent once allowed, all further development on the river must be permitted, thus this is a decision regarding the whole of the Thames though Oxford
• This is a greenfield site and should not be built on
• Remove significant view of St Barnabas  
• The harm to the environment for such a small gain of 11 bedrooms cannot be justified, particularly as there is now no shortage of student accommodation

Save Our Heritage – Save Fiddler’s Island and Streams!

What Can I Do?

•  Object to the application by the deadline of Oct 17th at Oxford City Council Planning Site:

http://bit.ly/17huv5G

• Email your local Councillor
• Write to a member of the West Area Planning Committee

cllrovannooijen@oxford.gov.uk;
cllrmgotch@oxford.gov.uk ;
cllrebenjamin@oxford.gov.uk ;
cllramcanning@oxford.gov.uk
cllrccook@oxford.gov.uk;
cllrbprice@oxford.gov.uk;
cllrgjones@oxford.gov.uk
cllrjtanner@oxford.gov.uk;

Or the Local Councillor for Jericho and Osney:
cllrspressel@oxford.gov.uk

and of course, visit the site to appreciate its beauty

Why Am I Interested?

It is an area I know and love

Planning Objection (technical)

Will be posted here when complete – this addresses planning policy in regard to this development.

This Article

Link to this article:

http://bit.ly/17qlW7z

By

For more in green space, history and heritage issues please visit my main page at:

http://www.headingtonheritage.org.uk

headingheritage@outlook.com