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Businesses aim to grow ECO-FRIENDLY staff at Howbery Business Park are set to benefit from their own allotment. The park has created 12 beds for use by the workers. They have been made using compost from the site. Gardening is increasingly being recognised as a way of improving physical and mental wellbeing and the aim of the allotment is to provide a healthy work-life balance for the staff. “We are looking forward to seeing staff get together to grow some great plants or vegetables, with competitions planned for the tallest sunflower or biggest pumpkin!” said Donna Marsh, estates manager. From left, Bruce Tomlinson, CEO of HR Wallingford, estates manager Donna Bowles and Robin Sergi, of Nuture Landscapes, with the new allotment
New homes setback By Eva Astreinidou PLANS that would increase a village’s population by nearly 30 per cent have received a major setback. The development of 120 homes on land east of Chalgrove was recommended for approval by planning officers. But parish councillors called for the plans to be refused at a South Oxfordshire District Council planning meeting on Wednesday last week. The officer in favour of the plans,
– put forward by developers Wates and planning company Boyers – said she was satisfied there would not be adverse impacts that would outweigh the benefits. But the plans were turned down on the grounds of risk of flooding, damage to countryside, lack of village integration, lack of consideration given to the neighbourhood development plan and a disproportionate growth in the area. Alongside planned development on land west of the village, the plot would lead to a total of 320 homes in the area.
Councillors also objected on the grounds of the plot not being listed as a preferred site in the latest local plan published by the district council. Ann Pritchard, of Chalgrove Parish Council, said: “I sincerely hope you can see that it is not an ideal site especially when there is another proposed development in the village which is the preferred site in the neighbourhood plan and the public choice. “This application before you has only one access and one pedestrian access, not so conducive to village integration.
“We value our community, having grown from a population of 360 to 3,000 today, with everyone belonging.” Jacqui Nabb, of the NDP team, expressed her concern that the unfinished neighbourhood plan – a document where residents have their say on local developments – would be ignored. She also mentioned a history of flooding as well as landscape harm. She added: “Residents have seen badgers, hare, deer, bats and owls on the site and development would cause eradication of natural habitat.”
Paul Boone, from the Chalgrove Airfield Action Group, said he and his campaigners are ‘delighted’ with the decision. A spokesperson said: “Wates Developments is disappointed that the land east of Chalgrove was refused planning permission. The application had an officer recommendation for approval and had been subject to an extensive period of community consultation. “Wates Developments is carefully considering its position before agreeing the best route forward.”
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