There's still time to have a say on the Council’s proposals aimed at stopping people from making fires and digging for old bottles in some of Oxford’s parks and open spaces – but there’s not long.
It closes on 28 June.
The City Council is proposing new rules to stop people from lighting fires – including BBQs – in Port Meadow, Burgess Field, Wolvercote Common, Rivermead Nature Reserve, Angel and Greyhound Meadow, and South Park. Port Meadow and Wolvercote Common are both a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a Scheduled Ancient Monument and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC); and Burgess Field is a nature reserve.
All these open spaces have been damaged by fires in the past. The fires have burnt the grass and scorched the ground, which can take years to recover. All the parks and open spaces will continue to welcome picnics.
The new rules will not target all Oxford’s parks and open spaces. Instead, they will focus on sites where the City Council has evidence that fires have caused damage in the past. Similar rules have been already been implemented by the New Forest national park authority after a fire in Wareham Forest in Dorset – which was thought to have been started by a disposable barbecue or campfire - burned slow worms and lizards alive and damaged more than 500 acres of the site of special scientific interest
Separately, the City Council is also proposing to introduce new rules to stop people from digging holes to search for old bottles in Port Meadow. The practice has seen large and damaging holes dug in the protected meadow.
The proposals will see the City Council to bring in a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) to control both activities. The PSPO will enable City Council officers to issue fines of £100 to people who are causing damage to Oxford’s park by making fires or digging for old bottles. But the City Council’s anti-social behaviour policy states that officers will seek to resolve cases at the lowest level of intervention, for example by talking to the individuals in the first instance.
The consultation ends on 28 June. To take part, visit consultation.oxford.gov.uk. The City Council is aiming to make a decision on whether or not to implement the new PSPO at the start of July.
More information about PSPOs in Oxford.
“I’d like to remind everyone that we want to hear their views on this, and the consultation will close soon, so don’t miss out. Tell us what you think of our proposals to protect these areas for all to enjoy.”
Councillor Louise Upton, Cabinet Member for Safer, Healthier Oxford
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