10/09/2026
GOLF COURSE PLANNING INQUIRY COMMUNICATION FROM SHRIVENHAM AND WATCHFIELD PC
Proposal of option for new Doctors Surgery in Shrivenham.
As part of the preparation for the upcoming Planning Inquiry for the plans to build on the Shrivenham Park Golf Course, a surprise agreement has been signed between Bloor Homes and the Integrated Care Board of the NHS, with Elm Tree Surgery, to allocate what was the Community Hub on the original plans to be a new Doctors surgery, and this land only would be provided for £1.
This raises a number of concerns in terms of the behaviour and transparency. Concerns have also been raised about accessibility to residents and that this location would significantly increase vehicle movements.
As a result, the Viscountess Barrington Memorial Hall and Recreation Grounds Trust, and the Viscountess Barrington Homes for Disadvantaged Ex Service Personnel have agreed to work together to facilitate the option to consider a plot of land behind the Football clubhouse in the village and associated improved parking and access at the location to meet the needs of a new surgery.
We plan to work collaboratively as the land owners to provide a joint approach to make this happen for the good of the residents of the local villages. We think this is in keeping with the objectives of the respective trusts, and also as a central location would be a much more accessible and a sustainable location, and hopefully help retain the much valued Shrivenham Park Golf Course.
Following approval from Shrivenham Parish Council as Trustee to the Memorial Hall Trust, this has now been proposed to the Integrated Care Board and the Surgery.
Reminder: Shrivenham Park Golf Course Planning Inquiry.
The Planning Inspectorate will be holding the appeal by Bloor Homes relating to the application for up to 200 dwellings, a community building and public open space starting on the 22nd September.
It will be held at The Shrivenham Memorial Hall (large hall), starting at 10am and running for up to 8 days. (22-25th September, and then 29th September to 2nd October)
Shrivenham and Watchfield Parish Council are making representations to the Planning Inspectorate, and we have engaged a specialist planning consultant on behalf of the villages to represent the Parish Council.
Members of the public are welcome to attend. It is also possible to speak, but a request has to be made and it is then at the discretion of the Inspector as to what to allow. We understand that at the start of the Inquiry, the Inspector will set a timetable.
Any general public speakers can make a brief statement sharing local knowledge and views that are relevant to the main areas of dispute of the case. However, it should be noted that legal representatives of the parties may then ask questions and cross examine the evidence, although the Inspector should protect the public from any hostile or unfair questioning.
The Parish Council is helping coordinate speakers to ensure appropriate representation from residents and users of the Golf Course. If you want to help, please contact Simon Howell on email at [email protected]
The Parish Council encourage attendance, but we urge all attendees to show the "best of Shrivenham and Watchfield". We support polite and courteous participation and respecting the process. There should be no antagonism, demonstrations or bad behaviour. Spaces will be limited in the hall, but we hope to be able to accommodate up to 100 people on day 1.
A Community Engagement event will take place on Monday 14th September at 7:15pm in the Shrivenham Sports Pavilion. This will be directly after the meet our PCSO event being held there.
Please come along to express thoughts, ideas, hear the latest news and whether you would like to contribute and speak to the planning Inquiry.
This informal event is to help co-ordinate activities and plan for the best possible representation of the villages at the inquiry.
If there is further news or material update to this, we will communicate through all available channels as soon as we can.
