This was the final week of hearings in Oxford, with two short sessions Tuesday and Wednesday.

The proceedings on Tuesday wrapped up in less than an hour.

Ian Miles (Ox Uni + OUI) gave a brief update on the ongoing conversations with the Environment Agency, and said there is an expectation that an agreement will be reached. The problem is the status of Egrove Campus – whether it is ‘public open space’ or not. 

Mr Ian Beesley, a private objector,  then gave his evidence.  He has been represented by Carter Jonas with whom the EA have been in contact. He didn’t appear to like listening to Carter Jonas, however, and expressed the opinion that ‘there have been backhanders taken somewhere’. Richard Turney, for the EA, put it on record during cross-examination that the idea that there have been backhanders anywhere in the project is one that the EA do not accept and is not accurate.

Finally, Dr Sally Prime spoke about the importance of environmental heritage and the impossibility of offering compensation for something that is irreplaceable. Under cross-examination, she accepted that the EA are responsible for finding a way to alleviate flood risk in Oxford, but reiterated her opinion that the ‘no channel’ option had not been adequately considered.

The following day’s session lasted only 25 minutes. Councillor Martin Dowie, from North Hinksey Parish Council, was the only objector. He spoke not only as a councillor but also as an allotment holder. He emphasised that the Parish Council maintained its objection, as well as its concerns over the EA and the County Council ‘marking its own homework’ with regard to the future planning application. He adhered to the line that the alternatives had not been sufficiently investigated by the EA to convince him that the project was good value for money and that environmental damage had not been minimised.

Counsel for the EA cross-examined him on the issue that the scheme had been adequately tested by means of the inquiry itself, during which expert hydrologists for both sides had appeared and been cross-examined. Cllr Dowie could also not say that the alternatives would not also require the compulsory purchase of land. In the end, he agreed with Counsel not to call rebuttal witnesses but instead to refer the Inspector to the rebuttal statements made. 

Richer Sounds did not appear, nor did Ayse Ergenelli and Yvonne Hutchinson who had submitted written objections relating to equestrian activity.

DB Cargo appeared with legal representation, to report that negotiations with the EA are ongoing, that there is goodwill on both sides, and that there are no substantial issues that should concern the Inspector. It is likely they will be able to reach a deal with the EA.

The Inquiry will sit for 2 further days in January, but these will be virtual and not take place at the King’s Centre. Issues relating to open and exchange land will be considered on 19 January and closing submissions will take place on 26 January. There were some housekeeping announcements to the effect that the Inspector will not be  accepting further evidence or submissions from this point, and she urged the objectors to organise amongst themselves to keep their representations concise in January so as not to waste inquiry time. 

As a reminder, you can view all the inquiry documents and the most up-to-date inquiry programme on the programme officer’s website at Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme CPO Inquiry | Helen Wilson Consultancy Limited (hwa.uk.com) This includes all the proofs of evidence, including a summary of the reasons why the EA rejects the alternatives proposed by objectors.

Oxford Flood Alliance appreciates the time and effort everyone put in attending the inquiry, preparing and presenting evidence, and for taking an interest in the proposal for the scheme. No matter what their opinion might be as to the merits or the disbenefits of this particular scheme, what brought everyone together in the inquiry was a shared love for Oxford and its green spaces, a desire that it be a sustainable place to live, and a driving sense of civic responsibility. Democracy doesn’t work if a multiplicity of views aren’t heard.