THE creation of a development zone in central Oxfordshire the size of two Abingdons has won the backing of Oxford City Council.
In a report to the regional assembly, the city makes plain its hope that central Oxfordshire should become a Strategic Development Area (SDA), a decision that would bring 25,000 new homes to the outskirts of the city. And the council even suggests that a "strategic corridor stretching from the city south towards Abingdon, Didcot and Harwell," could be a solution to the south east's building land shortage.
Central Oxfordshire is on a shortlist of nine areas in the south-east being considered for SDA status by the South East England Regional Assembly in Guildford. The regions identified as SDAs would then be the main focal points of housing development and economic growth for the entire south east over 20 years.
With SEERA expected to produce its recommendations by the end of the year, the city council's response is certain to boost the prospect of the county being earmarked as a major development zone in the South East Plan. In its submission to SEERA, the council expresses its wish to see "a well-planned urban extension" of Oxford but says plans for 5,000 homes near Grenoble Road is only one of the sites with development potential.
The report, written by interim chief executive Neil Gibson, said: "The city considers that it is very important that there should be a Strategic Development Area within the Central Oxfordshire sub-region, preferably immediately adjacent to the city, even if this is on land currently designated Green Belt." With the regional assembly drawing up a development blueprint for the South East, which will eclipse the County Structure Plan, the city's decision to pursue SDA status has outraged nleighbouring councils.
Some city councillors accused the council's Labour leadership of making the crucial submission behind the backs of councillors, with the public being kept in the dark about the enormity of what was being proposed.
Lib Dem councillor Jean Fooks said: "The true extent of their intentions in the Green Belt has been withheld from citizens. The regional assembly has been consulting on development in central Oxfordshire, but the city has sent in its response without bringing it either to the executive board or the council. The definition of a strategic development area is some 25,000 homes over a 20-year period - a new Banbury south of Oxford?"
The leader of the Vale of the White Horse District Council, Jerry Patterson, said: "I don't know whether the city realises what it is doing or even knows what an SDA is. An SDA represents two Abingdons or one and a quarter Banburys. It would totally destroy central Oxfordshire, creating one giant Oxford, stretching from Kidlington to Didcot. This is not a strategic plan. It is ill-considered ribbon development." He feared the city wanted SDA status through being tempted by the promise of Government millions towards infrastructure, that would ultimately not be forthcoming.
South Oxfordshire District Council executive member, John Cotton, was equally horrified by the news. He said: "If that is what the city has submitted, our responsibility is to stand against it and to defend the Green Belt. An SDA would amount to Oxfordshire being split down the middle. It would have a grotesque impact on the Green Belt."
But Ed Turner, city council executive member with responsibility for strategic planning, said: "SDA status offers a great opportunity for the city from extra investment. Oxford is a growing area and it would help us meet some of the challenges which growth brings. It could assist with the relocation of the railway station for example and some of the transport challenges. The report to SEERA reiterates the existing city council policy. It supports our policy of providing an urban extension because we recognise the shortage of housing and the levels of homelessness. We were asked to offer an opinion quickly and, as the chief executive made clear, it was not possible to hold a full council to debate this. It does not commit us to anything."
Other south east regions short-listed for SDA status include South Hampshire, the Sussex coastal towns, East Kent and Milton Keynes and the Aylesbury Vale. A spokesman for SEERA said no decision had been made as to how many SDAs would be created. She said: "The broad definition of an SDA talks of 25,000 houses over 20 years. But it could be variable according to local circumstances. We have to publish a consultation document in January. We will be producing a draft document making recommendations where the SDAs should be by the end of the year."