Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (OBMH) advised on 19 November that a potential solution was being explored to the outcome of the planning applications for the land around the Warneford Hospital, in Headington. OBMH lodged five planning applications in summer 2006 to sell some of its surplus land, the capital receipt from which would enable the Trust to upgrade some of its wards and patient areas.

The Council and Trust have been engaged in constructive discussions since April 2007, when the City Council’s strategic development control committee declined to determine the planning applications. The Trust at the time considered that their next step must be to appeal this decision, but have now decided not to pursue the five appeals, as it seems likely that a solution which abides by the Adopted Local Plan has been identified. As the hearing to consider having the Warneford Meadow designated as a Town Green is unlikely to have an outcome until the spring, the Trust has also decided not to pursue the application for the meadow until this has been determined. OBMH is planning to meet with the Residents’ Associations in the local area shortly to share the current thinking.

Chair of OBMH Janet Godden comments: “The process of considering our appeals has involved us in exploring the possibilities open to us within the local area plan. We feel we have found a way forward which balances our need for the land sale receipt with the concerns of our neighbours and the local communities, and does not incur either further delay or cost. I am delighted that we can progress a solution which is economically sensible for both of our public bodies.”

Michael Crofton-Briggs, Head of Planning at Oxford City Council, says: “This is a positive step towards getting sensible developments in the area which meet the needs of the city.”