CBC Planning Committee defers decision due to concerns about access road gradients
Reserved Matters planning application 23/01691/REM. Although Council Officers initially recommended that plans for the development should...
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Latest news - 29th March 2024
Friends are disappointed to advise that at the meeting of the CBC Planning Committee on 21 Mar 24, committee members voted to approve the developer’s application to vary the wording of Condition 13 (Gradients). The Reserved Matters application is likely to be considered at the April meeting.
Due to the loss of our web master, Friends will be unable to update this site until further notice.
Welcome to Oakley Farm Pasture Slopes (AONB)
A site dedicated to protecting this valuable Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in Cheltenham. Friends of Oakley Farm Pasture Slopes (FOFPS) was established last year when Robert Hitchins Limited made preliminary enquiries to build on this land. FOFPS is not against any development on the AONB, but inappropriate development.
IF YOU DISAGREE WITH THE APPEAL DECISION, YOU CAN LOBBY YOUR LOCAL COUNCILLORS AND MP.
Welcome to Oakley Farm Pasture Slopes (AONB)
A site dedicated to protecting this valuable Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in Cheltenham. Friends of Oakley Farm Pasture Slopes (FOFPS) was established last year when Robert Hitchins Limited made preliminary enquiries to build on this land. FOFPS is not against any development on the AONB, but inappropriate development.
IF YOU DISAGREE WITH THE APPEAL DECISION, YOU CAN LOBBY YOUR LOCAL COUNCILLORS AND MP.
An application for a large-scale housing development (250 dwellings) has been submitted to Cheltenham Borough Council to be built on Oakley Farm Pasture Slopes AONB - a part of Cheltenham's precious Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
This is a speculative attempt by Robert Hitchins Limited, https://www.robert-hitchins.co.uk/ (the owners of the land), to build on this area of protected Cheltenham green space. AONBs are afforded the highest protection in regard to inappropriate development, however, land developers are often very wealthy and can explore all avenues to achieve planning approval.
A core principle of development is that it should be “Plan-Led”; this effectively means that land for this size of development should have been identified and included in the Development Plan, which in this case is the Cheltenham Plan and the Gloucester, Cheltenham and Tewkesbury Joint Core Strategy (JCS). Robert Hitchins Limited has sought to have this land included in the local plan, but each time it has been rejected. THE PLANNING APPLICATION HAS NOW BEEN APPEALED. The more support that can be mustered to object to this application the better. If you wish to engage, go online via public access (link below) to see details of the application which is now subject to a public inquiry by the Planning Inspectorate on Tuesday 7th September, 2021 at 10:00am - online.
Anyone can speak at the enquiry so if you have a strong view about why this application should not be approved, please consider having your voice heard at the inquiry - send your written transcript prior to the inquiry, to:
Kerr.Brown@planninginspectorate.gov.uk
Why we want to protect this land
Oakley Farm Pasture Slopes is a 36.8 acre area of farmland on the east side of Cheltenham. It forms part of the lower escarpment slopes of the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) close to Aggs Hill, Mill Lane, Greenway Lane and the grade II listed heritage asset Hewlett's Reservoir and Pavilion.
Its beauty can be seen from the surrounding areas: Battledown, Harp Hill, Priors Road, Oakley Grange, Aggs Hill, Whaddon, Prestbury, Cleeve Hill and beyond. It can also be viewed from outlying country footpaths including sections of the famous Cotswold Way. Local footpaths offer views of Cheltenham with these pastures in the foreground.
Looking northeast across Oakley Farm Pastures from Harp Hill and Wessex Drive there are uninterrupted and expansive views onto the upper Cotswold AONB escarpment and Cleeve Common, while to the northwest, there are views of Cheltenham and beyond to the Malvern Hills of Worcestershire.
This highly protected greenfield site houses some small farm buildings situated in fields with well-maintained and aged hedgerows. A total of 39 protected mature Oak, Ash, Maple and Hawthorn trees populate a parkland setting. Several of the older Oaks are thought to be of veteran status.
The Environmental Impact
IMPORTANT HABITATS
Oakley Farm Pasture Slopes - AONB is the site of a diverse wildlife habitat. Badgers, deer, foxes, bats, reptiles and insects are frequently seen within this area and deserve our protection of their sensitive and established habitats.
TREES
The site is home to a vast number of trees and hedgerows including 39 Oaks, Hawthorn, Maple, Ash and Sycamore, most of which are now protected by a Tree Preservation Order applied to the land after felling was carried out. Many of these trees are mature and form magnificent silhouettes across the AONB vista, as well as provide essential habitats for wildlife.
OUR COUNTRYSIDE HERITAGE
This beautiful part of the Cotswolds AONB is used by many locals and visitors to Cheltenham. Walkers, ramblers, cyclists, horse riders, drivers and families with children frequently use the surrounding pathways, lanes and roads of Oakley Farm Pasture Slopes to enjoy the vista of this spectacular landscape at the foothills of the Cotswolds Escarpment. Harp Hill is a popular viewing point of this magnificent countryside for both visitors to, and residents of, Cheltenham and its environs.
It is a wonderful area of ancient oaks in open sloping grassland and is afforded abundant wildlife. Today it is used for grazing sheep. The area and far reaching views to Cleeve Common can be seen clearly from the public footpath between Harp Hill and Pillowell Close.
Until recently fantastic views of Cleeve Common and beyond were visible from Harp Hill, but unfortunately Robert Hitchins Limited has neglected the hedgerow which had previously always been maintained, and which now blocks this view. Ironically, partially removing the hedge and building an access road to a large housing estate is cited as one of the benefits of this planning application (according to Robert Hitchins Limited) as it will allow people to enjoy the view! - the view that local people and visitors had always been able to enjoy before the land was purchased by Robert Hitchins Limited.
We believe we need to prevent development of this scale on this precious area and restrict access from Harp Hill.
Follow the links on the website to submit an objection.
OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
Other factors which could present significant environmental impact are ecology and biodiversity, geology, flooding, traffic, pollution and local infrastructure.
Are you unhappy about the impact of this planning application?
Join us ...
Friends of Oakley Farm Pasture Slopes - AONB is a group of people who support the conservation of precious countryside surrounding our renowned regency spa town. Please help us to protect this particular portion of the stunning AONB which is under threat of disappearing FOREVER.
** YOU CAN SUBMIT OBJECTIONS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE **
Click on the button below to access the planning application on Cheltenham Borough Council's planning portal. You will need to create a login to 'make a comment'.
You can also write to your councillors:
Matt Babbage (cllr.matt.babbage@cheltenham.gov.uk) and
Louis Savage (cllr.louis.savage@cheltenham.gov.uk) for Battledown;
Paul McCloskey (cllr.paul.mccloskey@cheltenham.gov.uk) and
Angie Boyes (cllr.angie.boyes@cheltenham.gov.uk) for Charlton Kings;
Rowena Hay (cllr.rowena.hay@cheltenham.gov.uk) and
Max Wilkinson (cllr.max.wilkinson@cheltenham.gov.uk) for Oakley
Let them know how you feel about it.
The Cotswolds AONB needs you!
Do you appreciate the beauty of Oakley Farm Pasture Slopes - AONB and want to protect it from large-scale development?
If so, please contact us to help with the campaign to save our landscapes.
Please get in touch if you have experience/knowledge of campaigning for the protection of AONB, countryside, wildlife, and precious spaces in our communities and any other skills as appropriate. Use the form below or email:
Get in Touch
Keep a look out for wildlife on the Oakley Farm Pasture Slopes - we can report sightings of significant species: newts; reptiles; bats; highly protected birds to Gloucestershire Centre for Environmental Records (GCER). Contact us with details of any sightings including photos.
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