We, the undersigned, petition against the potential development of student accommodation/facilities on the site of The Lord Nuffield Club and adjoining playing field (OX4 2JX, in Cowley, Oxford).

We understand Oxford Brookes University’s bid to purchase The Lord Nuffield Club and playing field is under serious consideration by the receivers (Moore Stephens). This puts the site at high risk of being developed into hundreds of student flats and/or being used as a student facility (e.g., bar, sports centre) by up to 1,000 Brookes students from the surrounding areas.

We believe the proper infrastructure (e.g., access, parking) does not exist to support this type of development, and we want our overwhelmingly residential neighbourhood, where local children, families and young professionals live, to be protected.

The site of The Lord Nuffield Club (previously Morris Motors Social and Athletic Club) has been a longstanding community resource for over 80 years. Before going into administrative receivership in 2009, it was serving as a unique social, sports and community venue for hundreds of local children, youth, OAPs and working people, with further plans to expand its services and outreach. The impending closure of the Temple Cowley Pools and Fitness Centre nearby makes this facility even more urgently needed.

We strongly support the re-opening of The Lord Nuffield Club as a vibrant, well-managed community facility and keeping the playing field as a valuable green space for everyone, and vehemently oppose any development of the site by Oxford Brookes University for student use.

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