Badgers like Luna are unlikely to survive a move to a new sett, which is a complex and difficult process as Chris Packham says. Housing developments on Oxford City Council land have already resulted in very poor outcomes for relocated badgers: most recently the Mosaics development on Barton Park resulted in the death of large numbers of badgers on Oxford’s bypass with no consequences for decision makers or developers.

These ancient meadows in Iffley hold a wealth of wildlife many times more biodiverse than agricultural green belt.  They are a unique resource for the city, providing wellbeing for people as well as nature. We need this now more than ever!

Building on a virgin meadow on the edge of a flood plain is completely unnecessary when there are plenty of brownfield sites in Oxford.  But Oxford City Council are reserving the brownfield sites for new business rather than regenerating them for affordable homes essential to key workers and residents. 

Oxford City Council is making homes in Oxford even more expensive by putting jobs before housing need: the 25 000 jobs planned for Oxford will push up housing demand and make this a city just for the wealthy.

Oxford City has been under Labour control for decades: so how come 1/3 of children are still living in poverty? Labour’s policies are still not working and are will increase inequality further. Oxford's Economic Strategy, on which councillors will vote in March, needs urgent review to ensure a thriving city for ALL of Oxford's residents rather than prioritizing the expansion of the University and new business.

And finally, no planning permission has been granted on these meadows - nor should it be! OCHL's proposals do not meet the council's own planning policies for:

• nature: concreting over an ancient meadow with abundant wildlife does not produce a biodiversity net gain
• highways safety for the hundreds of people daily who use the lanes designated as a quiet route for active travel and leisure
• the rural Conservation Area in Iffley which the council themselves are required to protect and enhance

Please continue to write to your councillors and MPs in Oxford to ask them to think again, and save the fields for Luna, for the whole web of life that thrives here and for people who come for their mental health and wellbeing, now and for our children. 

We will be in touch again in March when the planning application is expected, so that you can have your say.

Thank you for caring and spreading the word!

Together we can make a difference.