4.5 Natural and built environment

A core objective of this Strategy is to maintain the attractiveness of the Oxfordshire environment as an economic asset and core strength, contributing to the quality of life of residents, and attracting businesses and visitors. The conservation and enhancement of the natural and built environment has been, and continues to be, a priority of the Oxfordshire Structure Plan since it was first approved in 1979.

Encouraging private and public sector organisations to make the most efficient use of resources, such as energy and water will help to reduce environmental damage. This will require increased cooperation and sharing of best practice.

The reform of the Common Agriculture Policy will also help to place more emphasis on the improved environmental management of farms, reduction in the use of chemicals, and potential to increase biodiversity within the agricultural sector.

The quality and appearance of the environment of our urban centres is of considerable importance in achieving a strong positive image for Oxfordshire. Currently, however, a considerable obstacle to maintaining a quality urban centre environment is the number of organisations with a responsibility for maintaining certain aspects of the street-scene, and the difficulty in coordinating their actions. The Local Area Agreement offers a valuable opportunity to bring together organisations at a number of levels and across a number of thematic areas to agree a protocol for street-scene management - not least of which is the business community (mainly retail) of our town centres.

The exploitation of technologies such as broadband can help to reduce traffic congestion, and the use of homeworking and teleconferencing can reduce the excessive use of nonrenewable energy and pollution. However, businesses are key to this process, and need to be encouraged to support their employees through such changes in traditional working practices.