New partnerships will accelerate nature and carbon-reduction projects in West Oxfordshire

Funding awarded by the Council will enable these local organisations to continue delivering a range of outcomes which address local habitat loss and fragmentation, climate change, and pollution, in line with the Council Plan priorities.  

Councillor Andrew Prosser, Executive Member for Climate Action and Nature Recovery at West Oxfordshire District Council said: “We’re fortunate to live in an area that is rich with diverse habitat. However, like most of the county, the district’s biodiversity has suffered overall declines during the last few decades. The landscape continues to be fragmented through accelerated housing growth, and increased infrastructure and traffic, as well as the removal of hedgerows and other development. Water quality and river habitats have been severely impacted by pressures from human activity and sewage pollution. Tackling the climate crisis remains an urgent challenge.  

“We’re pleased to be working with these organisations, drawing on their experience and expertise to help us to deliver important climate and carbon reduction projects locally.”   

Councillor Lidia Arciszewska, Executive Member for Environment at West Oxfordshire District Council said: “We are committed to delivering our Council Plan, which includes priorities to create a better environment for people and wildlife and to respond to the climate and ecological emergency we currently face.  

“We are extremely lucky to have so much nature recovery expertise in West Oxfordshire. Working in partnership with specialist organisations will enable the best and most innovative work to be carried out in the most cost-efficient way.  

“The projects include supporting Wild Oxfordshire’s management of the Evenlode Catchment Partnership, which is working to improve natural flood management, water quality and river restoration and wetland creation of the River Evenlode and its wider catchment. There will be a focus on securing the long-term financial sustainability of the Partnership along with continued wider public engagement and involvement in the Evenlode, for example supporting citizen science in the catchment.”   

Some of the outcomes that will be delivered through the partnerships: 

• Wychwood Forest Trust will progress the Windrush in Witney project, which aims to protect and enhance the historic landscape of the Windrush Valley as it passes through the town. It will also work to expand and enhance its Gibbets Close Hill reserve to boost biodiversity and landscape recovery. 

• Wild Oxfordshire will provide ecology support to local communities with the aim of increasing the number of green spaces being managed for nature in the district. There will be a focus on increasing knowledge, confidence and skills within communities which in turn will benefit nature. Additionally Wild Oxfordshire will collaborate with local experts and groups to upskill volunteers and equip them to survey their local green spaces and implement enhancements, as well as host the Evenlode Catchment Partnership  

• Low Carbon Hub will receive funding for a project team to deliver the Community Action Plan for Zero-Carbon Energy (CAPZero). A first-of-its-kind in the UK, CAPZero aims to achieve zero-carbon energy in the Cuckoo Lane Primary Substation Area (which includes Eynsham, North Leigh, South Leigh and Cassington) before 2050 and to establish a blueprint to develop more zero-carbon projects in Oxfordshire. Households, businesses, schools and other organisations in the area will be supported in improving the energy efficiency of their homes and  switching to renewable electricity and the project also covers transport, planning for new homes and habitat restoration. 

Climate action and nature recovery is beneficial to all, leading to improvements in air and water quality, natural flood defences and improvements in the mental and physical health of those who live in the district, as well as delivering important benefits for flora and fauna and the wider landscape.