I hope this finds you all well and rested over the Christmas break, spending time with friends and family, and sharing news of activities during the past year.
And what better news to share here than the Planning Inspector’s dismissal of that proposal to build a Science and Technology Park on land at Waterstock Golf Club! Local opposition to the application by Greystoke, a major corporate developer, was led by a formidable and underestimated group of Waterstock residents and supporters. Henry Manisty, the notable power horse in this campaign, wished to document his thanks for “An Epic victory for Team Waterstock and its many wonderful supporters”, as follows -
“There surely cannot be anyone in Waterstock who is not already aware that the Planning Inspector has dismissed the Appeal to develop the golf course site, thereby lifting the cloud that has hung over us since May 2020, when Greystoke first announced its intentions to develop the site. We will not be able to relax completely until January 13th, the deadline set for Greystoke to decide whether to apply for Judicial Review of the Inspector’s Decision. But, in order to succeed, Greystoke would have to show that the Inspector has made a serious mistake in misapplying the law. Knowing--as we now do rather well-- our careful Inspector, he’s unlikely to have made a mistake of that kind.
So, we should rejoice in a great Victory, but one which could never have happened without the quite extraordinary efforts of so many in our tiny village. There’s ‘Green Belter’ Michael Tyce, a planning rather than judo expert, who upset so many of Greystoke’s technical arguments. There’s Nick
Edmonson, who brilliantly presented the golfing arguments and Arabella Whelan, the equestrian ones. Rob Arthur gamely took on noise, lighting and other aspects. We could always rely on a formidable support team: Lorna Arthur working her media magic, Shona and Ali Britton providing the artwork, Michael Talbot producing the slides to illustrate the points we needed to make, Edward Dyson, Susie Edmondson, Sarah Godowski, Michael Haffey, Jane Harper, Rosalind Portman and John Wilkinson all made oral statements at the Inquiry. Angela Abdoo provided valuable intelligence gleaned from her dog walks on footpaths across the site. Numerous others provided suggestions, intelligence and encouragement and, in the case of Rev. David Bendor Samuel, pleas for divine intervention.
Bass Hassan quietly provided wise advice to counter the developer’s claims that Oxford needed to have a Science and Innovation park at Waterstock. He was assisted by Professor Alastair Buchan,a former Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University and now Chair of Stroke Research at the University, who made an oral statement to the Inquiry having flown to Heathrow in that morning after attending a conference in the US.
So many responded generously to Stephen Shipperley’s indefatigable fund-raising efforts. This was Waterstock at its finest. A tiny village rising magnificently to the occasion or, as someone aptly put it recalling the title of a 1950’s novel, “The Mouse that Roared”.
However, we would never have got very far without all the many friends who have supported us. Outstanding was the commitment from the River Thame Conservation Trust (RTCT), where Ben Piper (Chair), David Fraser (Chief Executive), and Nick Marriner (Trustee) all gave testimony, as did the botanist Professor Roger Heath-Brown, and Nick Moon, our public rights of way expert. Savaging Greystoke’s inadequate highways case was Chris Shaw, Geoff Talbot’s brother-in-law, who painstakingly gathered compelling new evidence. All of these generously giving their support without charge.
We were also fortunate in our retained professionals. Dominic Woodfield, our biodiversity witness, who put in more hours than he ever charged us for, and whose advice has been invaluable throughout. And then there was Harriet Townsend, our highly experienced barrister, now a K.C., whose connection with the development site goes right back to her successfully opposing the unlawful waste disposal operations there many years ago. She guided us expertly through the mysteries of a planning inquiry.
There were generous financial contributions from the parishes of Great Milton and Waterperry and from many individuals; Chris Hill made a powerful statement on behalf of Tiddington with Albury Council; there were over 400 letters of support and the many participants in the protest walks, and the remarkable poem in support from Roger Coventry in Waterperry “A Curlew crushed by Concrete”.
A special mention too for the two members of SODC’s planning department taking part in the Appeal. Tracy Smith and Emma Bowerman were, quite simply, magnificent.
We are extremely grateful to Freddie van Mierlo our MP and Tim Bearder our Ward district and County Councillor for attending the Inquiry to make forceful statements.
There are just so many to thank, but my greatest thanks of all goes to Sara, who accompanied me to the Inquiry each day, and who kept me (more or less) sane during what was certainly a nerve-racking time. I am a very lucky man.”
I’m sure you’ll all agree we are the lucky ones to have Henry in our corner. Our sincere thanks go to you, Henry. If you’d like to read the details of the dismissal please go to our press releases in local and national press (just ‘Google’ for them) or on our website www.waterstock.org.
As we enter January 2026, there is still time to join the fun evening, back by popular demand, that is the
Waterstock Wine Bluff
Friday 23 at 7.00pm
Tiddington Village Hall
Please get your tickets bought asap as they are selling very quickly. It is a fun evening of wit and wine tasting. You have to decide which of our panel of ‘winos’ … sorry four keen wine drinkers are telling the truth and which are bluffing. Enjoy tasting their five carefully selected wines accompanied by a selection of nibbles, cheese, pate, and pudding/cake, plus a quiz! This event was a sell out last time in 2022 and places are limited so to help with planning please book and pay for your place by 9 January. You can reserve a table of 8 places or more, or just book one or two places and join a table. It’s all in a good cause - as profits will be split between Cancer Research and the Church Development Fund. Contact lornacampbell1@gmail.com for tickets - £25 each. PS if anyone has any prizes to donate to raffle/tombola that we will be running we will be looking for donations in early January.
As mentioned in last month’s news, Helen MacRitchie will be speaking at the Waterstock and Tiddington WI on January 20 from 7.30pm about her art practice. “Colours of Oxfordshire” will focus on her preparation and use of local natural dyes in her textile art. Come see her work and ask those burning questions you have, such as - just how do hawthorn leaves produce pink dye? Proceeds to Cancer Research.
And on one final note, Susie has reported that the grand total of £858.51 (including Gift Aid) was donated to this year’s British Legion Poppy Appeal by Waterstock residents. A massive thank you to everyone for their generosity!
Happy New Year!
