Sensible, Sustainable Estate Maintenance of our Green Spaces

Since I was elected in 2019 I have lobbied hard for sensible, sustainable estate

maintenance in our ward. For over a decade there was very little maintenance carried in our estates. This made the estate look lovely and green, but has come at a cost to many residents here.

The wrong location of certain plant species as well as little to zero maintenance has led to many homes being structurally damaged due to subsidence. Households have had to spend out on their insurance companies and in the most extreme circumstances, families have had to move out of their homes so that they can be repaired. Very sadly this is ongoing and I suspect it will be an ongoing issue for months and years to come.

However, since I was elected we have seen our estates being maintained annually. My work, working alongside West Oxfordshire District Council and Witney Town Council has seen Deer Park and Thorney Leys being looked after much more carefully and much more tactically.

I recently met with West Oxfordshire District Councils Biodiversity Officer who has explained that the Winter Works on Deer Park will focus on the areas which have been affected by subsidence, as well as the usual works of pruning trees as necessary.

Sadly, many Trees will have to come down over the coming years due to disease, however, more trees will be planted. Biodiversity thrives here in our ward and I want it to thrive further. The introduction of wildflower meadows was a positive step forwards this year and I have been speaking to residents who have made some great suggestions for further spots in the future.

My record of delivery shows that I care about our local biodiversity. As a Scout, I was part of the original team that helped plant trees and hedging in Deer Park Wood, I helped plant the UK’s first ever Tiny Forest right here in Witney, I raised the idea of wildflower meadows to the District Council and not only did they plant them here but also introduced them across the District and I pushed the Town Council to plant more hedging at the back of Thorney Leys along the Curbridge Road - this shows that I care about our local area, and with your support, we can make it greater still.

We live in a wonderful area and it is a privilege to live here and fall asleep to the noise of owls and even sometimes wake up to even seeing a Deer behind my garden wall - if you have any suggestions on how to improve our green spaces and increase biodiversity, then please do get in touch.