Oxford University has gained permission to build a link road across green belt land to the Begbroke Science Park in the north of the city, in spite of objections from residents, the Begbroke Parish Council, and the Oxford Green Belt Network.
The road will link Woodstock Road with the Science Park, improving access to the academic research/ business complex.
The plan was approved by the Cherwell District Council planning committee last month and work is set to begin in late July. The final obstacle was removed with news that Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman would not call in the application.
The approval comes after five years of controversy. One person told the Oxford Times, “They [Oxford] always get what they want”.
Letters of objection argued that the green belt area should be left undeveloped to prevent the merging of the villages of Begbroke, Yarnton and Kidlington, to deter traffic congestion on Woodstock Road, and the threat to the region’s wildlife.
A University spokesperson commented, “The new road will reduce traffic movements along Sandy Lane for the benefit of local residents. It also presents the university with the opportunity in the future to expand activities on the site, bringing new jobs and prosperity to the region.”
The Science Park is set to become an international centre for innovation and University spin-out firms. Moving research groups to Begbroke is part of a long-term billion dollar project to improve science facilities.
The Council justified the proposal on grounds of having come to a decision that it “will not cause harm to purpose and objectives of the Green Belt, neighbouring or visual amenity, protected species or highway safety and will not impact on the significance of heritage assets.”
