Friends of Grandpont Nature Park takes complaint to next stage after claiming Homes England funding is being wrongly used for Oxpens River Bridge
A campaign group has escalated its complaint over the use of more than £1 million of public funding for the Oxpens River Bridge project, claiming the money is being used for a purpose it was not intended for.
Friends of Grandpont Nature Park has accused Oxford City Council of the “illegal misuse” of Homes England infrastructure funding, arguing that the grant should only support infrastructure directly enabling new housing development.
The group says the bridge project does not meet that purpose and claims new homes could be delivered without the proposed crossing.
The complaint, originally submitted to Homes England in May 2025, has now progressed to a second-stage complaint after campaigners described the response they received as “unsatisfactory”.
Campaigners challenge purpose of funding
Dan Glazebrook, a member of Friends of Grandpont Nature Park, described the proposed bridge as an “extortionate” project that would have a significant impact on the nature park.
He said the works would “destroy much of the only woodland on the main path through the nature park, the most used and most loved section of the site”, while creating a crossing that would “essentially replicate the two existing footbridges within a quarter of a mile”.
The group has raised concerns about what it describes as the “gradual urbanisation” of the nature reserve, which it says provides an important green space for nearby residents.
Dan said the park is “the closest thing to countryside” available to many local people and questioned the priority being given to a new bridge while existing crossings face problems.
He highlighted ongoing issues with Donnington Bridge, which is currently closed to buses, and Cottesmore footbridge, which remains closed.
Complaint process criticised
Friends of Grandpont Nature Park said its initial complaint to Homes England was made in May 2025, with a response expected within 10 days.
According to the group, a response was only received on 13 February 2026 following intervention from a local MP.
Campaigners then submitted a Stage 2 complaint on 15 February, with a response expected by 15 March. They said the reply was eventually received in June.
Dan Glazebrook described the process as involving “12 missed deadlines” and criticised the response as “inaccurate”, claiming it appeared to justify the council’s use of the funding.
The group is calling for the funding to be returned to Homes England and for the bridge project to be stopped.
Council says project supports regeneration plans
Oxford City Council said the Friends of Grandpont had previously challenged the planning decision for the Oxpens River Bridge and path works through a Judicial Review, but that challenge was dismissed by a judge on all five grounds.
A council spokesperson said the project is a key part of the wider West End regeneration programme.
They said: “The Oxpens River Bridge and path works are a central element of the wider West End regeneration programme, which will create a vibrant and accessible district that prioritises sustainable transport while protecting and enhancing green infrastructure.”
The council added that the Homes England grant is intended for infrastructure and cannot be redirected to other purposes.
“The proposed path works are funded by Homes England grant that is for infrastructure,” the spokesperson said.
“The city council is therefore unable to use this funding for alternative projects, including general bridge maintenance or directly delivering housing.”
The council also said changes had been made to reduce the number of trees requiring removal, with new planting planned to compensate for those lost.
“The proposals have been amended to significantly reduce the number of trees it is necessary to remove and new tree planting will take place as part of the proposals which will compensate for the trees removed,” they said.
The authority confirmed it remains committed to the project, with construction underway and completion scheduled for spring 2027.
Homes England unable to comment
A Homes England spokesperson said the organisation could not comment while the complaints process remains ongoing.
“This matter is subject to an ongoing complaints procedure, so we are unable to provide a comment,” they said.
Reporting contribution by Isabella Harris, Local Democracy Reporter (LDR) for Oxfordshire, covering local politics, council meetings and planning decisions across six councils in the county.
