Homeowners in Didcot gave feedback on the ‘garden town’ plans asking for better cycle routes, a community feel and better services.

In 2015, the Government awarded Didcot ‘garden town’ status, endorsing the delivery of 15,000 new jobs and 20,000 new homes in the area.

According to the developers the concept of a ‘garden town’ encompasses the idea of building a ‘complete and wholesome’ place to live. The ‘garden town’ development should have a clear identity, green space, integrated transport, and well-designed homes.

The Residents Sounding Board is one of three groups set up by Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire District Councils to collate direct feedback to the advisory board on important topics for residents living and working within Didcot and the wider garden town area.

In a recent Sounding Board meeting held publicly on Zoom Didcot residents put their questions and expectations for the town’s development forward.

Didcot resident Andy Lord said he believes funding for the local community is vital for a ‘garden town’ and he did not want to forget about small groups within the community.

Brian Mcnamee, chair of Didcot TRAIN youth group said he felt it was important young people are considered and listen to and wanted to make the process of discussing the ‘garden town’ “intergenerational”.

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Long Wittenham cyclist Tom Botwell raised concerns over creating safe cycle routes and wanted to make sure the surrounding villages would be able to access Didcot by bike.

Kate Stevenson Weal is mother and after recent struggles of finding a school she raised the point that she would like to see public services such as school, doctors’ surgeries and road crossings not planned for the ‘garden town’ as an “after thought”.

Geoff Bushell wanted to make sure more mature trees has preservation orders on them and explained that mature trees will help Didcot reach its net zero target.

Councillor Ian Hudspeth, chair of the Didcot Garden Town Advisory Board, said: “We’re delighted that so many residents took the time to attend the first Residents Sounding Board meeting. The views and local expertise from people living in and around Didcot is very central to giving us a better understanding on how we can help shape the garden town plans and projects.”

South Oxfordshire District Council has been drawing up plans to develop options to regenerate its landownerships at the Broadway. It is hoped that 116 and 118 Broadway, which were originally closed due to health and safety reasons, will be demolished this year to enable redevelopment of the site, whilst 120 Broadway is to be refurbished, before being put back into use.

Councillor Sue Cooper, leader of South Oxfordshire, said: “These three properties need attention and are an important part of our plans to help redevelop the town and encourage more people to visit the Broadway while shopping in town. The redevelopment is at an early stage and once we have looked further into all the options, we will be engaging with the local community and sounding boards on our proposals.”