The aquifer or underground river that rises at Galley Hill and flows just beneath the ground surface of Wicklesham Quarry has risen, leaving large areas of the quarry under water. This event occurs at least twice in most years, in winter and spring, and results in floods, standing water and waterlogged ground for weeks or months each time it happens. These conditions were photographed just before Christmas. Both ‘pond areas’ are full of water, and a further ‘undocumented pond’ has flooded across the entrance ramp and a wide area beyond it. The southern side of the quarry (above) is a wide shallow lake almost half the length of the quarry.  This is the second time in 2024 that the aquifer has risen and inundated large parts of Wicklesham Quarry, confirming the evidence of the flood map submitted to Oxfordshire County Council by the Vale District Council in December 2023. The claims made by the applicant that the ponds have been 'dry'  for several years and any standing water is merely ‘impeded drainage’ look as ridiculous as many other statements in their application. 

• 8 MORE DOCUMENTS DENYING WICKLESHAM’S BIODIVERSITY- BUT NO PUBLIC CONSULTATION?!

The applicants have submitted 8 more documents making erroneous claims about the absence of water or terrestrial habitat for the well-documented population of Wicklesham’s Great Crested Newts. Their statements that Wicklesham Quarry has ‘relatively limited biodiversity conservation interest’ looks thin in the context of TVERC’s Biodiversity Report for Wicklesham Quarry, which records an amazing total of 32 S41 Priority Species. Many of these species are dependent on the unique ecology of the quarry and its aquifer – including birds such as reed warbler, lapwing, reed bunting and curlew- the UK’s most endangered bird –as well as its Great Crested Newts, a European Protected Species. After local residents heard of the applicants’ denials of the existence of the GCNs, I received numerous photographs, which were forwarded to both the County Council and BBOWT.

• Oxfordshire County Council has ACCEPTED the applicants’ fictions and lifted their objection on the grounds of biodiversity to the proposed development.

As if in protest -the aquifer has helpfully risen, making fools of the applicants and their ridiculous claims, as well as the County Council- which has a record of naively accepting whatever they are told by this applicant, in spite of the clear evidence of their own eyes.

• THIS TIME, WITH YOUR HELP, IT WON’T WORK.

I have written to Senior Planning Policy Officer, Nicholas Perrins, to ask that a further consultation be opened and notifications sent to everyone who has previously submitted comments. It is not acceptable for applicants to submit documents that cannot be scrutinised and challenged by official respondents and members of the public - and as the current situation makes clear, their claims regarding both the environmental conditions and biodiversity of Wicklesham Quarry are demonstrably false.

• FAILURE TO ALLOW PUBLIC CONSULTATION COULD INVALIDATE THE PLANNING PROCESS.

If the County Council fails to hold proper consultations with the public, any subsequent decision is likely to be challenged by Judicial Review. This is especially the case where officers have accepted patently false claims in spite of the evidence, potentially allowing a development based on an unlawful decision. Help me to point out this error, by dropping an email to nicholas.perrins@oxfordshire.gov.uk  or Mary Hudson, planning@oxfordshire.gov.uk, and tell them WHY you think a further consultation should be held on the recent documents.

At a time when our native species are under threat of extinction as never before, it is essential to stand up for Wicklesham Quarry’s ecology and biodiversity.

You can read more about TVERC’s Biodiversity Report for Wicklesham Quarry here: https://www.change.org/p/the-vale-of-white-horse-district-council-and-secretary-of-state-michael-gove-protect-wicklesham-quarry-from-development/u/33115970

If you would like to see more pictures of the floods, recent photographs of the Great Crested Newts, or to receive a copy of TVERC’s Biodiversity Report for Wicklesham Quarry (for the purposes of responding to the planning application), email me at protectwicklesham@gmail.com.