Dear Supporters
This image shows Oxey Mead gravel pits, just west of Oxford.
The biodiverse Hinksey wildflower meadows pictured on the main petition would become like this devastated landscape if Oxfordshire County Council Planning Committee gives permission for the current plans for the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme (OFAS).
The planning committee will meet to decide on OFAS and the fate of Hinksey Meadows this Monday 15th July at 10am.
Please write to the County Councillors on the Planning Committee this weekend to object to these plans and ask for a better alternative.
Unsafe planning proposal
Councillors on the Planning Committee should REJECT the Environment Agency’s £176-million destructive Environment Agency’s Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme (OFAS) because there is a far simpler, lower cost option available that has much better environmental outcomes.
It is the middle section of OFAS, the enormous proposed channel between Botley and Redbridge through Hinksey Meadows, that is the least effective, most expensive and ecologically harmful component. Digging this poorly researched experimental channel would have unpredictable effects on groundwater that would compromise the whole of Hinksey Meadows which provide natural flood protection for Oxford.
Better alternatives
There is a viable, no-channel option that will avoid the destruction of 33 acres of protected and irreparable wildflower meadow and the loss of 2000 - 4000 trees and many miles of hedgerow.
Not only would this less destructive alternative SAVE taxpayers millions of pounds but it would also provide flood alleviation up to 5 years SOONER than constructing the scheme as currently proposed.
You can find more details in the Press Release issued by the Ferry Hinksey Trust
Take Action!
- Please write to the County Councillors on the Planning Committee this weekend asking them to REJECT the current proposal for Oxford's Flood Alleviation Scheme and review the better alternatives.
- Please share this update widely with others / post on social media.
Together, we can save Hinksey Meadows
Thank you
Oxford Flood and Environment Group
For details of the Council Planning Meeting at 10am on 15th July and the video link to watch the meeting online click here.