graham soame

Member since 12 August 2023

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graham soame3 years ago I guess 95+% of local people don't know what BNG and NRN means, I find many professionals in development don't either. Here's just a few ideas: Press releases that simplifies what these are, mention how your garden, your extension your new dwelling with net gain for nature adds to the bigger picture, which helps to reinforce Nature Networks locally. Suggest with SME builders that show much more than 10% increase say over 20% BNG, on a before and after plan. If they do, the Council get their expert to do a simple overview, and approve without the need for an expensive report (see Jo's Blooms, a private company already offering something along thee lines - they fill in the forms, the SME developer just does a simple or two) WODC can do this! Offer prizes and accolades across the district where individuals and groups have been nominated and then confirmed as "Nature champions" for their wild flowers, tree planting and so on. SIMPLE - RAISE THE PROFILE TO GET NATURE IMPROVEMENTS.

graham soame3 years ago The larger settlements should all be fully connected by safe cycle ways with the nearby smaller settlements, often they are not.For example, the "Oxfordshire Cycle Way" at the point where the path approaches the tunnel under the A40 at east end of Witney is completely impassable after years of neglect. I tried several times, watched others also, to cycle here from Witney to South Leigh, the only way is to take your life in your hands and venture onto the slip road where often cars come around the bend at 60 miles per hour.Local amenity groups would help - ours at South Leigh would. You need a cycles CSAR to promote and have some teeth to get sections done asap!

graham soame3 years ago Almost every community, big or small in WODC area, doesn't have enough 1 and 2 bed flats and homes. Developers find viability difficult, a 14 one bed site became a 9 one beds to achieve approval, in a case I know, so making each unit affordable became almost impossible for the majority who need them.Produce a Supplementary Planning Document that encourages more of these, planning officers acting in respect of this more as Citizens Advice people who guide interested developers more than is the norm (I know the pressures on officers doesn't allow this, after 53 years in planning).Make it public knowledge that this is a key priority and you can contact X officer for a fast track under a month (Most PREAPPS take far longer), reduced PREAPP fee advice route, for this area of need.