Warneford Meadow saved – it’s official!
March 23, 2010
High Court Judge David Waksman, has dismissed the NHS appeal and upheld Oxfordshire County Council’s decision to register Warneford Meadow as a Town Green. http://www.friendsofwarnefordmeadow.org.uk/page.php
This has been a real joint community effort, headed up by local campaigner Paul Deluce, lasting for nearly four years. Thirty local people including 10 from the DRARA area, gave evidence to the public inquiry about their use of the Meadow over a 20 year period, and many others have contributed to raising legal costs of over £60,000. The Campaign to Protect Rural England has provided a great deal of help with fundraising, and lawyers Ross Crail and Alastair Wallace have been key to this massive success. But the most important people, those who never would give up, and gave up enormous amounts of their time and talents, are the Committee – particularly Sietske Boeles, Graeme Salmon, Chris Dunabin, Andrew Carter and David Sutton.
Today the Mental Health Trust has issued a statement that they will not waste more public money on a further appeal. NHS remain landowners, and with the local authorities and residents’ associations, have an important role to play to conserve and enhance the Meadow and Orchard and make them an even more valuable resource to be enjoyed by the people of the area for generations to come.
