Plans to build 121 homes, which amassed hundreds of objections, have been refused, once again prompting relief from objectors that the “delightful LTN” city ward is safe for now.
The proposal to construct 121 homes, an 80-bed care home and green space to land at Bayswater Farm on the outskirts of Headington was submitted to both South Oxfordshire District Council and Oxford City Council.
South Oxfordshire District Council refused the application in April, but councillors in the city also gave consideration to the proposal at a planning meeting on Tuesday, 21 May, as “two small bits of land” lie within the Oxford border.
Speaking out at the meeting, Labour councillor Alex Hollingsworth said of the proposed development site: “Sandhill is a delightfully designed LTN.
“Obviously, this would make it much less of an LTN.
“I am just curious how many people who live in Sandhills don’t realise it’s one of the hated LTNs.”
This comes as objections were raised to the application on the basis it was lacking in surrounding active travel options due to the only route out being a main road.
Committee member Louise Upton also said after the meeting, there were “local worries about increase in traffic along what are currently very quiet roads”.
Labour councillor Mary Clarkson, also on the planning committee, added: “Virtually all of the development site is in the south Oxfordshire district.
“This was refused mainly on access grounds.
“In terms of cars, there are just those two routes out onto the A40, and so, there are undoubtedly more challenges in encouraging active travel.
“It’s definitely more of a challenge to promote active travel when you don’t have decent bus services and you’ll need to have a decent bike to be able to cope with those hills.”
Speaking of Mr Hollingsworth’s comments that Sandhills was a “delightful LTN”, Ms Clarkson said: “There are no real cut-throughs in Sandhills.
“You can only get in and out on the same route.
“Connectivity is pretty limited, so you go there as a means to just go to your house rather than using it to go elsewhere.
“Why would you go other than to visit Sandhills?”
Labour Barton and Sandhills ward councillor Mike Rowley said he agreed all of the estates were “effectively low traffic neighbourhoods”.
Mr Rowley added: “There’s low traffic and it means it’s easy for kids to walk to school.”
Meanwhile, Cowley Ward Independent Oxford Alliance councillor Ian Yeatman has shared his thoughts.
Mr Yeatman said: “It’s a misdirection to label areas designed with no through traffic as being the same as closing historic through roads.
“Sandhills, with its poor public transport provision and household car ownership of 90%, hardly seems something to aspire towards.”
A planning paper had said of the application: “The substantial area of open space will include an extensive network of routes which connect into the wider pedestrian and cycle network.
“It will also promote interaction between the new and existing community, as well as health and wellbeing.”
