No surprises from inspectors

From the Abingdon Herald, first published Thursday 30th Aug 2007.

At first sight, there is nothing to surprise us in the recommendations of the inspectors who carried out the inquiry into the South East Plan.

We predicted some time ago that those arguing that some of the development around Didcot should go to Green Belt land around Oxford would be disappointed and that it was more likely the Government would actually go for both.

In fact, the inspectors themselves have suggested that Green Belt land to the south of Oxford should be developed with 4,000 homes in addition to what has already been proposed in the plan.

South Oxfordshire will also be expected to take an additional 700 homes over the next 20 years. No prizes for guessing where those extra homes might go.

The county council is painting the inspectors' report as something of a victory - on the grounds that it could have been much worse.

It may not be a victory, but there is no doubt it could have been much worse.

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