A charity has expressed ‘serious concerns’ about a reorganisation proposal for Oxford due to its environmental impact.
CPRE Oxfordshire has declared the proposal for a ‘Greater Oxford’ unitary authority ‘flawed’ and emphasised the importance of protecting the green belt from what the countryside charity considers ‘opportunistic expansion’.
According to the charity, the proposal would encompass large areas of the city’s green belt, which exists to support local food supply, combat climate change and encourage connection to nature.
Oxford City Council has argued the proposal will allow for the delivery of affordable housing, jobs, transport links and green spaces.
However, CPRE has claimed that the proposal is ‘not the solution’, advocating instead for more ‘community involvement’ in decisions to bolster local interest and democracy.
The council has been contacted for comment.
To learn more about LGR proposals, check out: Reading BC accused of reorganisation ‘land grab’.
