| Working Group Name | Natural Environment, Biodiversity & Wildlife |
| Aims | To protect and enhance the natural beauty, animal-life and biodiversity of Sunningwell Parish for the benefit of residents, visitors and future generations. |
| Scope | Includes all naturally-occurring geological and environmental features and animal species.Also includes:Man-made green environment (orchards, field margins, hedgerows, drainage channels, gardens, woodlands etc).Water management and flood management/alleviation measuresFarmed and tended animalsThe contribution that can be made by domestic gardensSmall as well as large areas.Publicity & Educational activities on the above topics |
| Current Members | Andrew Hoare (Lead), Tom Alden, Bob Evans, Vicky Russell, Sandy Sims |
Meeting summaries
22 January 2026
The Natural Environment, Biodiversity and Wildlife Working Group submitted its report to the January 22nd Steering Group meeting. This was very well received by all present. Minor modifications and additions were suggested, and these were completed prior to the Steering Group meeting of 5th February where approval for publication following proofreading was given. The Draft Consultation Report was subsequently published on the Sunningwell Parish Council website on 17 February 2026.
5 January 2026
The Natural Environment, Biodiversity and Wildlife Working Group made an early start to the New Year, meeting in Sunningwell Barn Café on 5th January 2026.
The feedback from the presentation made at the December Steering Group meeting was discussed. The interactive “sticker-session” had proven particularly useful in getting people engaged, and that approach could be used again in future.
The work remaining to pull-together the Green Inventories, the draft topic sections that had been written by group members, and the various and the reports from outside bodies (e.g. Wild Oxfordshire) into a coherent whole was discussed, with a view to having a draft suitable for submission to the Steering Group meeting towards the end of January.
16 October, 3 and 17 November 2025
The Natural Environment, Biodiversity and Wildlife Working Group had its first meeting in the Barn Café, Sunningwell on 16th October 2025, with follow-up meetings in the same location on 3rd and 17th November.
The first step was to define the Aims and the Scope that this Group will cover. This was agreed on 17 November and is shown above.
A “Green Assets Inventory” was also commenced, ensuring that all valued assets are properly considered by the group. Many of the items on this list make significant contributions to the local character and so will also appear within the remit of Heritage & Character Working Group, although from a slightly different perspective. Overlap from two perspectives is considered a benefit, not a flaw.
The Green Inventory is being prepared in tabular form and will be presented to the Steering group on 9 December. In additions, all locations will be annotated on an A0 map available for inspection and comment, so please come along and use the Post-it notes that will be provided!
If you would like to know more detail, or to join this Working Group, please contact one of its members, or send an e-mail to neighbourhoodplan@sunningwell-pc.gov.uk