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Great Western Park update

Public spaces on Great Western Park

We are pleased to update everyone on the progress towards opening more public spaces on Great Western Park (GWP), including play parks and allotments.

Over the last two months we have continued to have some very constructive conversations with Taylor Wimpey, the housing developer for GWP.

There are 40 remaining public space sites – which range from very small pieces of land to larger open spaces and we have agreed on 15 priority sites to focus on (which includes the skate park, play parks and allotments).

This will help us to focus attention on opening and operating these priority areas as soon as possible. We have already worked with Taylor Wimpey to open some sites prior to their official transfer to us because we know how valuable they are to the local community. This includes Diamond Drive playground (in between Diamond Drive and Hornsby Fields) and Aspen Way playground. This means all the play areas with playground equipment are now open (although we are advised a few play items are currently fenced off waiting for parts).

As part of the site transfer process between Taylor Wimpey and the councils, there is still work that needs to take place – all of which will take some time. Essentially, we need to iron out any issues, carry out all our due diligence checks and make sure Taylor Wimpey complete any outstanding issues before we take ownership. This process includes a period when Taylor Wimpey is responsible for maintaining the site to make sure all issues are sorted, which can take at least 12 months.

Taylor Wimpey’s latest timetable is for 11 sites to reach ‘practical completion’ in the next three months – this means we are satisfied that any outstanding issues will be resolved before we take ownership. Four sites have already reached this stage and should transfer to us in the first three months of 2024. The 11 sites due to achieve practical completion in early 2024 will hopefully transfer to us in early 2025.

The remaining 25 areas are at various stages of the process and will be picked up in mid-2024 following completion of the 15 priority sites.

We are working on a map that will show the location of and progress against each area, which we aim to share with future updates.

GWP health centre

Responsibility for delivering primary health care lies with the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West (BOB) Integrated Care Board. 

A site for the health centre in Great Western Park was committed by developer Taylor Wimpey as part of its planning obligations, known as section 106. 

The two organisations have been working alongside Woodlands Medical Centre and their appointed developer Assura, as well as Vale of White Horse District Council, to bring forward the new health centre. 

An updated planning application was submitted in February to Vale of White Horse District Council, which is the planning authority for the site.  

The application set out the details of the health centre and how it will meet the needs of the local area. It was approved yesterday (Wednesday 2 April), by officer delegated authority.   

The updated application built upon the original application for the health centre to address concerns raised with the original application, with updated design information set out in a detailed design statement. This explains the design concept and principles that have been developed and incorporated into the proposed building – such as setting out landscaping, and parking arrangement – with the aim of optimising the site and range of services the building can provide for the surrounding community. It also sets out the sustainability measures the development will incorporate such as use of low energy LEDs. 

As the planning authority, Vale of White Horse District Council determined the application in accordance with the standard determination process for applications of this type. 

All parties are now working together to progress the next steps.