Oxford Campsite
Someone mentioned on a Facebook group that the Oxford C&CC site is closing. Don't think this is completely surprising news? I note from the website there is no facility block in use now and trying to book for next year draws a blank but no confirmation of it closing. Apparently Go Outdoors have already closed their branch next door so perhaps the whole area will be redeveloped? This is a double blow for Oxford as the CMC Bladon Chains closed a while ago. In the latest Club magazine it suggested that 73% of new members joining owned either a camper van or motorhome just at the point when all the popular sites with easy access to towns by foot or public transport seem to be disappearing?
David
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I spotted that too David. Although it was not the most salubrious of sites it was very handy for the buses into town and further afield. The smaller sites in the vicinity should prosper from its closure all the same.
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We stayed there last year, and it certainly had a facilities block then, although not the greatest. Not the most pleasant of sites (imo) but a handy site given its proximity.
A couple of years ago we booked a stay at their Umberleigh site. We were subsequently informed that our booking had to be cancelled due to the loss of the site. It was all a bit vague. There was no formal announcement from the C&CC.
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I believe Go Outdoor own the site and are the CCC's landlords...looking to do something else there perhaps...
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I noticed the post on FB and yet nothing from the CCC.I wondered though if it was closing for a toilet block ungraded though.
I understood the Go Outdoors owned the land ,so it is worrying that both have closed.I have used the site quite a few times ,and yes it had its faults especially with the toilet blocks but as we use our own facilities,this did not effect us,but the access to the city of Oxford,outweighed the disadvantages.
I just hope this is not an addition to the many CCC sites they have closed or left their network.
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Perhaps someone with the know how could investigate if there are any planning permission applications for the area?
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From what I read in the local press the building housing Go Outdoors was actually dangerous and that was the reason the store closed. They mentioned that they hoped to build/open a new store in the area but the current site wasn't mentioned. The C&CC are never very good at informing members what is happening with sites no longer in the network. If the lease has been taken back then it might be a bit early to know what eventually the site will be used for. Given its location I suspect housing?
David
PS I did check the Oxford Planning Portal but couldn't find any current plans outstanding for the site.
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I'm there until the 4th January and it closes on the 6th January. The facility block was closed in mid September after a structural Engineer deemed the building unsafe.
There is no official word from the club and the site Manager is at a loss as to the reason but having done some research I believe it may have something to do with the Oxford Flood Alleviation project. Hinksey stream that runs alongside the campsite is being widened which would have a major impact on the site. But that's only speculation on my part
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Details of the Oxford Flood Alleviation Project can be found here. A quick look didn't throw up any mention of the campsite but I suppose as its likely to be closed because of the scheme its really more to do with the owners of the land rather than the campsite? I noticed there is a thread on the C&CC forum on the subject but no official response thus far.
David
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In the February members' magazine CCC announced that the Oxford site was closing with immediate effect because:
"In recent years the road infrastructure and condition of the facility blocks has proved challenging,and with further disruption expected due to building developments around the location,the Club feels now is the right time to step away from operating the site".When we last stayed there quite a few years ago the shower block was in a poor state - the Holiday Site Manager told me that Go outdoors owned the site and would only give a 12 months lease each year, therefore the Club was (understandably in my opinion) unwilling to make large investments in the site in case the lease wasn't renewed after investment.
The same article stated that Adgestone CCC site on the Isle of Wight had also closed.
It can be easy for members to miss such information. For instance, I hadn't realised that the CAMC at Old Hartley is not functioning in May until I tried last month to make a booking. Presumably, I missed an announcement. I wonder if the facility block is being upgraded as when we were there last May a warden apologised for them not being up to the usual Club standard (although we found them quite acceptable).
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