OURS is a city of great beauty. So beautiful is it that Hitler famously ordered it not to be bombed in the presumption he would make it his British capital.
And when something is beautiful it needs protecting and nuturing. Oxford City Council’s heritage plan is an interesting initiative that looks to establish those historic buildings and iconic views of the city as points that should be protected.
To be fair, it’s surprising a programmes of this nature has not been in place for years already. As noble a cause as it is though, the real acid test will be its strength in the face of a determined developer.
While it will give the city council a remit to consider in applications and policies, its absolute legal underpinning is unclear. While everyone will talk a good game about preservation, a developer is unlikely to be too sympathetic when the viability of a project is at risk.
However, that is in the future. To give the plan strength, the council needs the public to come forward and nominate what needs to be protected.
You can’t be indifferent now and then complain in the future.
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