Wednesday 20th August 2008

Nicola Blackwood

Blackwood speaks out against developers

Nicola Blackwood, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Oxford West & Abingdon, spoke at the recent public enquiry into the proposed housing development of the Jericho Canalside.

The proposals have met with strong local opposition, and Nicola joined with local residents to speak out against the proposal which would see the boatyard replaced by a dense housing development.

In her statement before the Planning Inspector, Nicola said:
 

In Jericho we have a responsibility to preserve and protect not just the aesthetic and infrastructure – although without these there can be no Jericho – but also that thing called ‘the community’. The local community in this case are in the large majority deeply opposed to this development and, in my opinion, with sound reason.

Nicola has lived in the Jericho are for many years, and lives just a few minutes away, her concern through her strong personal ties has been strengthen through talking to local residents who have raised their concerns with her.