'Meadow school' under threat from development

Plans for a "meadow school" to help older children to connect with nature could be at risk after the land was earmarked for housing.

Community group Friends of the Fields Iffley believe its project is a world first, taking inspiration from forest schools.

But under Oxford City Council's draft local plan, the meadow has been identified for the potential building of up to 32 new homes.

Councillor Alex Hollingsworth, cabinet member for planning, said the land had been considered for housing since 2020.

"We are under an obligation - quite rightly - to current and future Oxfordshire residents, to make sure we meet that housing need," he added.

The school was being developed with Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) and would focus on the biodiversity found in meadows.

It was the brainchild of former GP Evelyn Sanderson, who has worked with five local schools in the area to develop the idea.

"The mental health services in Oxford are using nature connection in every stage of their journey for young people who have mental health problems and we'd like to extend the provision to be local and really accessible," she said.

For BBOWT, the meadow school could become part of its Reconnecting Bernwood, Otmoor and the Ray project.

The organisation plans to apply for £4.1m from the national lottery heritage fund to go towards the scheme.

Eliza Ader is the programme's lead and describes the meadow school as a potential "cornerstone" for the project.

"We're not 100% sure what the project will look like, but we're about to start trialling it with the students to test what they like a go from here," she said.

Oxford's current housing target is for 22,000 new homes, with 12,500 already being absorbed by neighbouring district councils.

It leaves the city council needing to find land for 9,500 homes within Oxford, including the 2.5 acre meadow - known locally as the horse fields - in Iffley.

The land was identified for development in the previous version of the local plan and already has a live application, running since December 2022, for 32 homes.

The new local plan, which is currently out for consultation, would allow this development, or one similar, to progress, subject to planning permission.

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