OBMH were disappointed to learn that, following the approval of the decision to grant planning permission for a new facility for young people with mental health problems, the approval has been challenged. We understand that the decision will therefore be reconsidered at a further meeting of the full planning committee on Wednesday 24th February.

One in ten young people suffer from mental illness at some point, and if this vital facility cannot be provided in Oxford, our young people will be forced to go to Birmingham, London, or Southampton for their care.

We are keen to put some facts into the public domain before the decision is reconsidered:

The cricket pitch, which is currently used by a cricketing group which is not connected to OBMH, its patients, or its staff, belongs to the Trust. It is OBMH property and is not currently available for public use or for the use of local communities.  The cricket club has been able to use the pitch at the discretion of the Trust. As agreed with the North East Area Committee on Tuesday 16th, we will contribute financially to a relocation of a cricket facility elsewhere if the planning consent is confirmed.

The site (on the Warneford hospital site in Headington) was designated in the Oxford City local plan in 2002 for development for mental health services. Our application is absolutely in line with these requirements.

Our priority is the care and treatment of young people. In order for them to recover, and live full, happy and healthy lives, we need to emphasise that a field used for cricket on a few occasions each summer cannot compare to meeting the needs of young people with mental health problems in excellent local facilities. They and their families live with the challenges of a mental illness every day of the year. We believe it is right to continue our application for planning permission to build them a new facility which will enable them to work towards recovery and a healthy and happy adulthood, and to provide this close to their families and friends.