This is a crucial moment for Faringdon’s future, and YOUR VOTE for a County Councillor on 1st May could play an important role. On 16th June Oxfordshire County Council will determine the application for a major industrial/ commercial development at Wicklesham Quarry Site of Special Scientific interest, OUTSIDE FARINGDON.
- MAKE SURE COUNTY COUNCILLORS HEAR LOCAL PEOPLE - RETURN A COUNTY COUNCILLOR WHO WILL STAND UP FOR FARINGDON, THE COXWELLS AND THE WESTERN VALE!
Since Wicklesham Quarry SSSI has not been sold, no one knows WHAT THE SITE COULD BE USED FOR if it were granted permission, but realistic possibilities include a DATA CENTRE (B8 use class) or DOG BREEDING FACILITY for the life science sector- HIDDEN AWAY 10 miles outside the Science Vale.
Above is the map of the Vale of White Horse District Council’s ‘Call for Land’. It shows that the WHOLE of WICKLESHAM FARM has been put forward as a proposed development site – an area that would DOUBLE the size of Faringdon. WICKLESHAM QUARRY IS A STALKING HORSE TO JUSTIFY BUILDING ON THE WHOLE OF WICKLESHAM FARM.
Wicklesham Quarry (the wedge shaped area south of the A420) has been fully restored to farmland as a result of the High Court case brought by local people in 2017. If a 33,500 sqm development is permitted at Wicklesham Quarry, it would represent a major urban expansion of Faringdon outside the development boundary, in conflict with the Local Plan, and would be used as a precedent for building on the WHOLE of Wicklesham Farm.
- DO YOU WANT DEVELOPMENT IN FARINGDON TO BE DICTATED BY DEVELOPERS?
The Vale District Council has repeatedly rejected attempts by the landowner and Faringdon Council to have Wicklesham Quarry included in the Local Plan as a strategic development site from 2008 to 2016. The Draft South and Vale Local Plan 2041 ALSO rules out Wicklesham Quarry.
Policy SP5- A Strategy for Faringdon states:
1) Neighbourhood development plan reviews are expected to, and the council will support development proposals that:
c) provide new employment opportunities and improve the building stock within existing employment sites and brownfield sites within the built-up area.
For the past ten years local people have fought to defend Wicklesham Quarry from Faringdon Council's neighbourhood plan, that the High Court ruled 'failed to meet the basic conditions'. Now we are fighting to defend it from the same dodgy developers who have devastated the economic sustainability of Faringdon's historic town centre. Please help us!
- VOTE FOR A COUNTY COUNCILLOR WHO WILL DEFEND FARINGDON AND THE WESTERN VALE FROM PREDATORY OVER-DEVELOPMENT.
Only one candidate has made her views 100% clear: KATHERINE FOXHALL, who has OBJECTED to the proposal to build on Faringdon’s most important environmental site in all 3 public consultations.
Faringdon District Councillor Bethia Thomas (a former town councillor) has consistently refused to state whether she OBJECTS to the proposed development, and failed to respond when I asked her what her informal response to the 3rd consultation was, and whether she supports the Local Plan.
Below are the candidates and their records on Wicklesham Quarry SSSI.
JAMES FAMAKIN – Faringdon Town Councillor –VOTED IN FAVOUR OF a 42,286 sqm development on top of Wicklesham Quarry SSSI.
KATHERINE FOXHALL – Vale District Councillor – has OBJECTED 3 times to the Wicklesham Quarry SSSI development proposal to Oxfordshire County Council.*
CHRIS PALMER – Faringdon Town Councillor - VOTED IN FAVOUR OF a 42,286 sqm development on top of Wicklesham Quarry SSSI.
TIM PERKIN – No public record relating to Wicklesham Quarry SSSI. VIEWS NOT KNOWN (and no contact details on his leaflet).
BETHIA THOMAS – Vale District Councillor and former Faringdon Town Councillor –Her initial objection was followed by a statement that the application needed ‘further improvements’, and (unpublished) ‘informal’ comments to County Council Officers in the 3rd consultation.* She has refused to clarify or respond to questions about her views!
*The responses by District Councillors Foxhall and Thomas to all 3 consultations can be seen on the County Council website among the documents for Application MW1051/23.
If you want to Protect Wicklesham Quarry from Development- there is a clear choice for voters in Faringdon, the Coxwells and the Western Vale –
- VOTE for your GREEN PARTY CANDIDATE!
- KATHERINE FOXHALL FOR FARINGDON AND GREAT COXWELL
- EMMA MARKHAM FOR LITTLE COXWELL AND THE WESTERN VALE
Please get in touch with any comments or queries: protectwicklesham@gmail.com