Dr Evan Harris MP supports community at Oxford boatyard planning appeal

4.08.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 19th Aug 2008

The MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, Dr Evan Harris (right), has attended four full days of the planning appeal - being heard in public before a planning inspector in Oxford Town Hall - on Spring Developments' proposal to build flats on the canalside and prevent any future boatyard activity on the site. Dr Harris addressed the inspector on Tuesday in support of local residents in their bid to preserve facilities for boaters. He urged the inspector to kick out the appeal on another key issue - the inadequate amount of affordable housing in the proposal.

Dr Harris said: "Key workers and those in housing need must be provided with houses they can afford to live in. The Oxford local plan was adopted well before Spring bought the site, and it is very clear that 50% of new housing units should be affordable. Yet the developers - themselves very nicely housed I'm sure! - are trying to get away with only 35%. That is not acceptable. Jericho is special, and that is partly because of its mixed housing. It would set a disastrous precedent for affordable housing in the city if the historic canalside setting just becomes home to a set of exclusive apartments.

He added: "Canal boats provide a form of affordable housing which make a big difference in Oxford. Lack of provision for boaters to maintain their homes at reasonable cost nearby would severely undermine the viability of the boating community and affect those they live among, in Jericho and elsewhere."

Dr Harris and local Lib Dem councillor Alan Armitage were joined at the appeal hearing by representatives of the Jericho Community Association, the boaters and and political campaigners of all parties (except the Tories!).