Planning Application MW.0027/22
First of all I wish to assert that I am completely aligned with the position of HOEG on this issue, and fully expect on their grounds that the application will either be drastically amended or rejected outright.
It is not often mentioned the importance of the many routes that criss-cross the flood plain in the area between Botley Road and South Hinksey. In particular, I would mention the Electric Road, the Monk’s Path (AKA Hinksey Causeway) and the field paths that start from a stile in North Hinksey Village, crossing the Hinksey Stream with a bridge and then continuing straight on and also round the field boundaries, eventually connecting with the Electric Road, with connections to Osney industrial estate, the Thames towpath, Hogacre Common Eco Park, South Hinksey Village, the railway crossings leading to South Oxford and Hinksey Park… and beyond. These routes are in continuous use by walkers, dog walkers, runners and all manner of groups of people enjoying nature and the outdoors, improving their health and extending the boundaries of their lives. This has been the great discovery of lockdown for many people, and even now they continue to use these routes as can be witnessed on any day of the week and almost any time of day.
I would mention South Hinksey Village in particular for being cruelly isolated by this plan. They were already isolated from North Hinksey many years ago by the developments on the A34. The Electric Road is now a major access route for South Hinksey to North Hinksey, and the West side of Oxford City.
I find it inconceivable that these factors might be ignored in assessing the practicality of the scheme. Talk of “restoring nature” after completion just doesn’t cut it. The plan states that use of the Electric road will be partially restricted, and that the old ways of crossing the meadow will not be restored in full. Also, there will be a total loss of all this utility while the diggers and lorries are ploughing up the land.