Residents 'disillusioned' with Garden Town status

Didcot was given garden town status nearly 10 years ago - but has enough progress been made?

Nearly 10 years on from Didcot being declared a "garden town" there are concerns over a lack of job growth, amenities and "fragmented" green space.

A new report says figures from 2023 show the number of jobs in the town itself had risen by 1,215 - against a target of 20,000 by 2031.

One councillor has said residents are "disillusioned" by the scheme - because key infrastructure has not been delivered.

But South Oxfordshire District Council says the Didcot Garden Town project is "improving the lives of people across the town".

Didcot was awarded garden town status in December 2015 - by the then Conservative government.

A press release at the time promised "high quality homes, new transport improvements, good schools, jobs and community amenities to be delivered in a strategic and sustainable way."

But important facilities- such as a GP surgery for new estate Great Western Park - have not yet been built.

A report by South Oxfordshire District Council has also said that green space is "fragmented" - with less than half of Didcot's "green infrastructure assets" accessible to the public.

Conservative Didcot councillor Ian Snowdon said residents were "disillusioned"

He added: "I've never met a Didcot resident yet who believes Didcot being awarded Garden Town status has brought anything valuable to Didcot.

"We've seen a surge in housing - but where are all the news roads, cycle infrastructure, the allotments, sports and leisure facilities and of course the always-promised health facility?"

James Peedle says Didcot "feels very concrete" but Marie Thelma likes the town - and is keen to move there from London

James Peedle from nearby Upton said he did not think Didcot felt like a garden town.

He said: "It feels very concrete - I mean you walk down the town, it's not very nice, it's very concrete.

"I didn't even know it had that status to be honest."

But Marie Thelma said she "loves" the town - and is hoping to move there from London.

She added: "I've been to a couple of the parks and they are beautiful."

A spokesperson from South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Council said factors such as Covid had caused some delays - but that the Didcot Garden Town project was "improving the lives of people across the town".

The statement added: "By utilising Government funding, the Didcot Garden Town programme is bringing exciting new developments with a strong focus on enhancing community wellbeing and improving the local environment.

"The council knows there is more to be done and is working hard to achieve the programme."

A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: "We have been working with local leaders in the area through the Garden Communities programme, and will continue to do so as we shape the future of the programme."