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Longford Park country park handover still not complete
20/01/2022
Checks by Cherwell District Council have shown that the park does not yet meet the full specification originally set
Frustrated Longford Park residents will have to continue waiting for the removal of the temporary fencing that is blocking off access to large areas of their new country park. Banbury FM has been told by the consortium of developers who still own the site that they are unable to give a date for the handover of the country park, but hope to complete work “as quickly as possible”.
Control of the area will eventually be passed over to Banbury Town Council, but only once Cherwell District Council are happy that the developers have fulfilled their planning obligations.
Banbury FM has been shown copies of correspondence where local people have expressed their dissatisfaction at the lack of communication they are receiving in relation to what is happening. They have also raised concerns as to the safety of the temporary fencing on the Country Park and specifically its maintenance when it may be knocked over or damaged.
Current sticking points include a requirement that the developers’ consortium submit revised plans for the country park in order to relocate a cycle path. The position of the path had been approved for an area of the site where the gradient of the land made it unfeasible. The plans are being developed in consultation with the Council officers.
The consortium is also carrying out ongoing planting and maintenance work on the country park. They say this will continue until the formal handover to Banbury Town Council is completed.
Areas of the country park and the nearby sports pitches were first fenced off early in 2021. In April last year, Antonio Ferrara, Chair of the Longford Park Community Association, told residents: “The Consortium believe vandalism and theft from the park is obstructing their work, and that by fencing it off this will stop people from entering who wish to.”
In a later email in October Mr Ferrara acknowledged that the fencing was doing little to stop people accessing the country park area. He said “There are significant gaps in the fence where residents have decided to open them, which are not often repaired. The result is some residents with little care for safety are using the park constantly, while others are being denied it for no practical reason.”
The consortium are currently unable to give a date for the handover of the country park.
A spokesperson for Cherwell District Council said: “The planning permission for the Longford Park development included a legal agreement to secure associated infrastructure including sports provision and a country park. The process is that the developer will create and lay out these areas before they are transferred to the end user. For the country park it is expected that this will in due course be transferred to Banbury Town Council.
“Whilst the country park has been laid out and planted by the developer, the checks undertaken by Cherwell District Council have shown that it does not yet meet the full specification originally set. There is ongoing communication between the district council and the developer as they seek to overcome these issues. It is recognised that this has taken some time, but it is impacted by issues such as waiting for correct planting seasons.
“As the ownership of the land rests with the developer, the council cannot prevent them fencing off the area as they seek to undertake the necessary corrective works. It is anticipated that further planting will happen in the spring months and therefore, subject to a successful subsequent inspection, the land transfer and the opening up of the area to the public should be able to happen soon afterwards.”
A spokesperson for the Longford Park consortium said: “We are very sorry for the delay in completion of the country park at the Longford Park development and the subsequent handover to Banbury Town Council. We understand the frustration that this is causing to residents.
“Whilst this is a complex process we can assure residents that we are committed to completing the outstanding work as quickly as possible.”
The Longford Park consortium comprises Taylor Wimpey, Barratt Homes and Vistry Group.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam
Tracy Harrell On 20/01/2022 at 2:28 pm
It’s all very well talking about the country park but what about the shops we were promised on Longford park along with a doctors surgery and a pub and canal basin. These were some of the reasons for people buying on Longford park. Also the roads and pavements leave a lot to be desired throughout the development. They should be completing one phase before going into the next.
Tony On 03/08/2022 at 11:21 pm
Any update on their progress?