COG Public Meeting

Thanks to everyone who came to the public meeting at Thomas Reade School on Tuesday (17 April) organised by COG (Community in the Old Gaol). It was very big lively event and it is now clear that there is a huge amount of support for influencing the developers of the Old Gaol site to make sure community interests are taken into account. One person counted at least eight community groups represented. I didn't do a headcount, but it was probably over 100, with people standing at times.

Although I'm a member of COGs working group, I have to stress that as the owner of this blog any opinions here are mine and not necessarily COGs. The intention is to put out news and information that is fresh, and I'll try to be accurate with that.

Speakers from COG on Tuesday were were Glynne Butt, Lesley Legge and Alison Mummery. Debbie Dance (Oxford Preservation Trust) spoke about her experiences with the development of the Oxford Castle site (the old prison). Bob Johnson (Vale Councillor) also gave a short talk from the Vale perspective and took questions.

Questions came thick and fast and it was clear to me that interest in the Old Gaol's future is intense and that the COG aims of protecting the freehold of the site, enforcing free access to the river frontage and including non-commercial community space were supported strongly.

Personally I was not convinced by the arguments in favour selling the freehold of the Old Gaol. It would of course free the Council from future responsibility to spend time dealing with issues over which they had not much control. But a downside would include loss of any real chance for the community to be secure in any provision for free access to the riverside.

After the meeting, people had a chance to see Michael Howell's fascinating model of his vision of how the Old Gaol could be used as a large theatre with the potential for including community facilities. This could be a very attractive idea if it emerges as a bid from a developer with a firm business plan.

GOG now has a lot of work to do, a major part of which will be to achieve a "voice at the table".

Plese send your comments to this blog. Click the "comments" link and follow the instructions. I hope its not too difficult!

More news to follow shortly!

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