Since 2014, statements made in the Neighbourhood Plan and ‘Evidence Base Review’ have been frequently repeated- especially the worrying claim (if true) that Faringdon is a ‘dormitory town’. It has also been stated that “The Vale refused to allocate any employment land in Faringdon” (repeated at Monday’s Planning meeting). The Neighbourhood Plan was presented to people as defending the interests of Faringdon against a negligent local authority. In 2014 I urged the author of OUR FARINGDON OUR FUTURE  to remove it as evidence from the FNP- every claim and ‘calculation’ in it was so outrageously WRONG! As people often ask me about the need for local jobs, let’s deal with this question properly, using the evidence. 

FICTION NO. 1

OUR FARINGDON OUR FUTURE[1], attributed to Faringdon Chamber of Commerce, states that “only 27% (i.e. ~959 in 2011) of residents in work were employed locally, implying that Faringdon was effectively a ‘dormitory town’.”

Since there are no census data nor any authoritative source of information about where local residents work, how did Our Faringdon Our Future come up with this figure?  This is how: -

It was based on estimated floor space at Park Road & RAC industrial estates, and Wicklesham Farm offices. The ONLY jobs considered as ‘local jobs’ in this report were those on 'allocated employment land’ or Wicklesham Farm. Even these  jobs were not actually counted but simply guessed at, using a very generous average of 65sqM per employee. It also seems that all floor space in the ‘employment land’ area of Park Road etc. was assumed to be single storey. (There is no explanation or detail regarding any of the floor space areas cited in the table.) So if you did NOT work at Park Road, RAC or Wicklesham Farm offices –you were not 'employed locally' according to the Chamber of Commerce.

WHAT IS MISSING? All jobs and sectors in Faringdon EXCEPT those on the Park Road/ RAC estates or Wicklesham Offices. For example: teachers, teaching assistants, doctors, health care workers, agricultural jobs, construction workers, town centre retail, catering or office jobs, care workers, solicitors, social workers, leisure centre staff, delivery workers, drivers, pubs, restaurant, hotel and catering jobs, post and sorting office staff, childcare workers, anyone working from home, salons, veterinary jobs, dentists, ground workers, groundsmen, …. Need I go on? If you worked in ANY of these sectors in Faringdon– YOU DID NOT COUNT AS BEING ‘LOCALLY EMPLOYED’ in OUR FARINGDON OUR FUTURE!

The 27% claimed to be ‘employed locally’- based on a rough guess of Park Road/ RAC/ Wicklesham Offices - begins to look like a very high number! If it was true that is, but even that is based on a major misunderstanding of the difference between ‘working age’ and ‘working population’.  Here are some of the obvious errors made in the assumptions and understandings about local employment in Our Faringdon Our Future, which is Appendix 2a of the Evidence Base of Faringdon Neighbourhood Plan:

• Everyone aged between 16 and 64 (‘working age’) is part of the ‘working population’. WRONG: About 75% of people of ‘working age’ work. The other 25% are students, home-makers, carers, retired, not in employment, etc.
• The ONLY ‘local jobs’ that exist in Faringdon are on allocated ‘employment land’. WRONG: see above. The majority of sectors and jobs do not require allocated 'employment land'.
• All new jobs must be created on 'employment land'. WRONG: All the omitted sectors listed above (i.e., most sectors) create new jobs usually without any land need at all.
• All new jobs must be created on NEW ALLOCATIONS of employment land. WRONG: many new industrial, trades & manufacturing jobs are created on existing employment land by redevelopment: modernising & replacing existing buildings. 

FICTION NO. 2

“The Vale refused to allocate any employment land in Faringdon.”

 This is complete rubbish. Employment Land Reviews are carried out across the Vale IMPARTIALLY based on objective considerations, informed understandings, and consultation. Sites are assessed by URS Ltd, the recognized experts in this field, and take account of numerous factors- demographic, spatial, economic, sectoral, regional, market trends, etc. Their evidence is used by the District Council to draw up strategic allocations which are subject to consultation and rigorous examination. ALL THIS WAS DONE IN FARINGDON, JUST AS IT WAS IN THE REST OF THE VALE. The District Council is obliged to allocate strategic sites and to demonstrate that its decisions are ‘sound’ and ‘justified’ in the Examination of the Local Plan. Faringdon’s strategic employment sites are the large area north of Park Road, from Regal Way to Volunteer Way, the area between the A420 and Palmer Road including the 4&20 site, and 7.4 acres south of Park Road, which have not yet been developed.*[2]

Faringdon Council challenged this allocation in 2016 - because it did not include Wicklesham Quarry – and the challenge was REJECTED.[3] The report of the Written Examination Stage 2 states: “the Council considers that no clear or persuasive evidence has been submitted to the Council to demonstrate or indeed promote any alternative sites specifically for strategic employment use in this Sub-Area.” It also states: “Wicklesham Quarry at Faringdon was considered, but it has not been safeguarded as it is outside of the settlement boundary.” The SOUND and JUSTIFIED evidence the Vale cited for this decision (see link below) is extensive, authoritative and objective- unlike any used in Faringdon Neighbourhood Plan’s employment land policies.

Wicklesham Quarry has been assessed in Employment Land Reviews, reviewed by the District Council and REJECTED in 2008, 2009, 2013, and 2016. The truth is that this Neighbourhood Plan SET OUT to flout the strategic policies of the Local Plan. This was unlawful, and it was duly found to be unlawful in the High Court in 2017.

Flawed evidence and inflammatory statements were used to justify Faringdon Neighbourhood Plan’s allocation of Wicklesham Quarry SSSI. The idea they must be true has taken root in many people’s minds - without looking at the evidence. I hope Councillors in Faringdon will consider their responsibilities to Faringdon and the wider area, and the unique natural environment and scientific resources of Wicklesham Quarry SSSI. Faringdon's most important environmental site could so easily be lost for ever through careleness and misinformation. The time to speak out is NOW, before it’s too late. 

Many thanks again to Sarah, for another beautiful photo!

 
[1] Appendices, Evidence Base Review: Appendix 2a, Our Faringdon Our Future. https://www.faringdontowncouncil.gov.uk/council/faringdonneighbourhoodplan/
[2] VOWHDC Local Plan 2031 Part One: Strategic Sites and Policies: Appendix A, p.46; Appendix B, p.56 chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/07/359975-VWH-Plan_Appendix_DIGITAL-LPP1-appendices.pdf
[3] Local Plan 2nd Stage Examination: Written Statement by Vale of White Horse District Council in relation to: Matter 10 – Strategy for the Western Vale Sub-Area (Policy CP20) pp.11-13