Dear Badger supporters
Luna and her family are in danger of being evicted!
The planning application for Oxford City Council’s housing plans now open for consultation (closing 10th February).
If these plans go ahead the badger sett would be closed and relocated to an artificial sett. (see below)
Please put in your objection to the planning application.
Taking action is quick and easy!
Just send an email to the planning officer MKemp@oxford.gov.uk
- Giving reference 22/03078/FUL
- Stating I object to the development of the meadows in Iffley Village
You could include any of these reasons in your response:
1. The artificial sett is inadequate
The Council’s plans are to move this large and complex sett to an artificial replacement sett shown as covering less than 1/30th of their current area.
2. The location of the artificial sett is unsuitable
An exposed and waterlogged area in an open field with a public path passing close by - and the badgers would most likely to disperse and be killed on the roads.
3. There is no adequate mitigation strategy
The Council’s own report admits that ' it is probable that badgers in the vicinity of the new development could be killed or injured as a result of road traffic accidents when trying to cross internal roads'.
The welfare of this disturbance to the badgers, however, has not been addressed and the mitigation strategy report fails to offer viable mitigation for the loss of such a well established and extensive badger sett.
4. Foraging area lost
There would be a net loss of foraging as the badgers with the loss of two vital fields of 2.5 acres in the immediate core area. But the ecology company, which is not local, failed to establish the badgers’ foraging areas. The adjacent Oriel Field, unlike the ancient meadow, is capped ex-landfill, contaminated with hospital waste with compacted soils and high dog walker use. These fields will be especially important to females with young and to young badgers making their first forays out of the sett. The effect of this, as is acknowledged in the applicant's report, will be 'significant' and negative.
5. Oxford City Wildlife Site
Wildlife surveys of the meadows show a rich variety of species in addition to badgers. These including 16 species of insects rare in Oxfordshire or nationally, as well as rare barbastelle bats, grass snakes, lizards and endangered birds.
The meadows qualify as an Oxford City Wildlife Site – which was not picked up by the Council when they allocated the site for housing – and this status should be enough to offer protection from development.
In addition, these meadows sit at the junction of 3 wildlife corridors, connecting habitats across the city.
5. Not in keeping with Local Planning Policies
G1 (protection of Green and Blue Infrastructure Network); G2 (protection of biodiversity and geo-diversity; G3 (Green Belt); G7 (protecting existing green infrastructure); and inadequate for G8 (new and enhanced green and blue infrastructure)
6. Not in keeping with Council policy on maintaining and enhancing green spaces
Oxford City Council's own Green Infrastructure Study highlights how "the Green Infrastructure embedded in the National Planning Policy Framework requires local authorities to set out a strategic approach in their local plans to maintain and enhance habitats and green infrastructure" and how, “the benefits provided by the natural environment are essential to our survival, health and wellbeing are now understood and evidenced".
It is quite clear that Oxford City Council is not fulfilling its obligations to protect ecologically rich habitats in Oxford and wildlife is paying an unacceptable price.
The Local Wildlife Trust BBOWT agree! See their report here.
7. A better alternative for people and nature
Friends of the Fields are proposing, with the support of local schools, that the meadows under threat are instead nurtured as a natural resource for outdoor education as a Meadow School. This would meet the needs of young people, their families and the local environment, as well as establishing a wonderful connection with nature, bringing a sense of belonging and community, and opening up more opportunities for green jobs.
See the ITV broadcast yesterday about Luna, the meadows and the Meadow School here.
For more information on all the aspects of the planning application please visit our website www.iffelywoods.org
Thank you for taking the time to submit your objection to the planning application.
Please spread the word on Social Media/email with these posters!
Together we can show Oxford City Council the strength of support for protecting Luna, her family and her habitat now and for the future.
Friends of the Fields Iffley
friendsofthefieldsiffley@gmail.com