© 2020 Friends of Boars Hill
Friends of Boars Hill Preserving and enhancing our heritage

Welcome

Friends of Boars Hill was formed in 2017 to coordinate opinion and pool

resources in responding to threats to our community

We are a group of local residents, committed to nurturing and growing this hallowed spot in Oxfordshire, today and for future generations to enjoy. We value Boars Hill for its heritage, peacefulness, beauty, and open rural countryside. We are a vibrant community, open to change but keen to retain the character of the area. Our focus now is on the planning proposals being considered at Foxcombe Hall, (the previous Open University and Ripon Hall theological site). We think development should show sympathy and real understanding of the local Green Belt environment. Boars Hill residents have for long had to stand up for the Green Belt and the contribution that Boars Hill makes to the Oxford scene. For example, we successfully resisted a dramatic expansion of the Open University at Foxcombe Hall in 1990’s and prevented Richmond Homes from building a mega retirement village overlooking the Old Golf Course. We have not been alone. In particular the Oxford Preservation Trust with its goal to guide development and ensure that Oxford’s rural setting is maintained for all to enjoy, has made a significant contribution in the preservation of notable green assets such as the ‘Old Golf Course. But recently, Peking University HSBC Business School has purchased Foxcombe Hall and its grounds. They aim extensively to develop the site, exploiting the Oxford name by creating a significant commercial venture at the heart of our settlement which challenges the character of the Hill. We believe that we must be proactive to protect the Green Belt and the local environment for the future, as those before have done for us. Our aim above all, is for Boars Hill to remain a tranquil rural Oxford community.

News Summary

In response to planning and local objections, Peking HSBC Business School withdrew their application for commercial development of the site in August 2019. A new application is expected in spring 2020. With over 200 members, FoBH remains opposed to the commercial operation and construction, which if allowed to proceed will change our settlement and its rural, Green Belt setting.
© 2020 Friends of Boars Hill
Friends of Boars Hill Preserving and enhancing our heritage

Welcome

Friends of Boars Hill was formed in 2017 to

coordinate opinion and pool resources in

responding to threats to our community

We are a group of local residents, committed to nurturing and growing this hallowed spot in Oxfordshire, today and for future generations to enjoy. We value Boars Hill for its heritage, peacefulness, beauty, and open rural countryside. We are a vibrant community, open to change but keen to retain the character of the area. Our focus now is on the planning proposals being considered at Foxcombe Hall, (the previous Open University and Ripon Hall theological site). We think development should show sympathy and real understanding of the local Green Belt environment. Boars Hill residents have for long had to stand up for the Green Belt and the contribution that Boars Hill makes to the Oxford scene. For example, we successfully resisted a dramatic expansion of the Open University at Foxcombe Hall in 1990’s and prevented Richmond Homes from building a mega retirement village overlooking the Old Golf Course. We have not been alone. In particular the Oxford Preservation Trust with its goal to guide development and ensure that Oxford’s rural setting is maintained for all to enjoy, has made a significant contribution in the preservation of notable green assets such as the ‘Old Golf Course. But recently, Peking University HSBC Business School has purchased Foxcombe Hall and its grounds. They aim extensively to develop the site, exploiting the Oxford name by creating a significant commercial venture at the heart of our settlement which challenges the character of the Hill. We believe that we must be proactive to protect the Green Belt and the local environment for the future, as those before have done for us. Our aim above all, is for Boars Hill to remain a tranquil rural Oxford community.
** Latest News ** In response to planning and local objections, Peking HSBC Business School (PHBS) withdrew their application for commercial development of the site in August 2019. PHBS have said they intend to expand activities using the site as a conference centre. A new application is expected in spring 2020. With over 200 members, Friends of Boars Hill remain opposed to the scale of commercial operation and construction, which if allowed to proceed will change the Boars Hill settlement and its rural, Green Belt setting, forever.