Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme public inquiry concludes

A public inquiry to decide the future of a flood alleviation scheme in Oxford has concluded.

The £176m scheme would create a route for floodwater between the Botley Road in Oxford and Kennington.

The Environment Agency (EA) has made a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for the scheme.

The inquiry's independent inspector will now make a recommendation to the Secretary of State, who will decide if the EA can continue with the order.

A CPO enables authorities to acquire land from a landowner to develop infrastructure projects in the public interest.

Oxford has previously experienced significant flooding, with Storm Henk causing severe damage to homes and businesses at the start of this year.

In its closing statement to the inquiry, the EA said approval of the CPO would "enable the delivery of a much-needed, major flood alleviation scheme", adding that it would help deliver "substantial benefits for residents, businesses and the reputation of Oxford".

"Missing this opportunity to deliver this scheme will, with little doubt, result in flooding of homes, businesses, and transport infrastructure which could be avoided," it added.

The 5km-scheme (3.1 miles) will begin north of Botley Road and end south of the A423 near Kennington

The project, which would be one of the biggest flood schemes in the country, would involve creating a new stream through the existing floodplain to the west of Oxford, diverting floodwater away from built-up areas.

The 5km-stream (3 miles) would begin north of Botley Road and end south of the A423 near Kennington, where it would join the River Thames.

Ferry Hinksey Trust, which owns a 10-acre (4-hectare) field subject to the CPO, said in its closing statement to the inquiry that the EA had "failed" to show that there was a "compelling case in the public interest" to justify the order.

It also urged the inquiry inspector and Secretary of State to "provide a clear statement to the EA that a scheme such as this quite simply cannot be used as a basis to acquire land and cause the significant environmental and other harms described at the inquiry, without it being shown that this is the right scheme".

The Oxford Preservation Trust added that the EA had "squandered the opportunity to balance the importance of grassland against the requirement for flood alleviation".

Following the inquiry a decision on the CPO is expected in mid-2024.

If confirmed, the EA said it could move to implement it in late-2024.

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