Save Grandpont Nature Park from unnecessary destruction! 

Oxford Council’s governing Labour cabinet, at a time of crisis in our public services, have chosen to spend over £10m of public money destroying Grandpont Nature Park to build a mammoth, concrete bridge a stone’s throw from where a perfectly functioning bridge exists. This will decimate this small, beautiful wooded parkland, used by a thousand people daily, ruining the natural landscape with its beauty and tranquillity. This is a cherished public space, and a peaceful haven in the centre of the city. 

All of this in despite of : 

• the existing bridge being less than 2 minutes’ walk away
• the mature trees and hedgerows it will destroy
• no environmental impact assessment
• the zero consideration of unresolved flooding issues in the area
• no lifelong carbon assessment or any consideration of the carbon footprint of the construction which is huge for a project this size
• the supposed link to the University’s proposed Osney Mead development to the city  centre and railway station, yet this development is years away from receiving planning  permission and may never be given that it mostly lies entirely on the flood plain 

We believe this new bridge, known as the Oxpens River Bridge, is unnecessary and will destroy the only wooded area on the 3 mile stretch of footpath between Osney Lock and the eastern bypass beyond Iffley much loved by all who use it locally, as well as those who have enjoyed it on their trips to Oxford from far and wide. 

On March 19th planning permission was granted subject to a request for ‘calling in’ the proposal for further discussion. Well done to the 13 councillors who called in the proposal for this unnecessary project to reconsider this proposal.  A review planning meeting is now scheduled for April 18th to review this decision.  

Grandpont Nature Park needs your support to put a stop to its unnecessary destruction, and to seek creative ways to upgrade the existing bridge. 

What can you do? 

We are hoping that you will join our campaign to support and oppose this unnecessary and unwise project when it comes before the review planning meeting on April 18th, to add your voice and ask Oxford City Council to halt this plan by signing this petition.

Links:

https://www.instagram.com/savegrandpontnaturepark/​

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1531164530779210/

Join us to oppose this pointless, destructive, and expensive project when it comes before the review planning meeting. 

Write to your local councillor Anna Railton: 

Cllannarailton@oxford.gov.uk 

Write to the Oxford Mail / Oxford Times with your concerns  

Oxfordmail.letters@nqo.com 

letters@oxfordtimes.co.uk