Bicester Countryside and Communities C.I.C.
The organisation behind Wrong Plan. Wrong Site.
Company number: 17399471
Bicester Countryside and Communities C.I.C. has been established to provide a formal, accountable structure for the work of Wrong Plan. Wrong Site.
It gives our campaign the framework needed to organise effectively, raise and manage funds, commission professional advice and, where appropriate, support formal legal action.
Most importantly, it provides a transparent way for local communities to work together, with money raised through the campaign held and used for the community purposes for which it was given.
More than one campaign
While the immediate focus is supporting the work of Wrong Plan. Wrong Site., the purpose of Bicester Countryside and Communities C.I.C. extends beyond the current campaign.
Its objectives include protecting the countryside, communities and quality of life in and around Bicester and its surrounding villages.
This includes:
- Protecting the amenity, landscape, environment, heritage and rural character of our local area.
- Safeguarding the wellbeing, safety and quality of life of residents.
- Encouraging environmentally sustainable and appropriate development.
- Helping local communities understand and participate in decisions that affect them.
- Supporting greater transparency and informed public discussion around development and its impact.
What does the CIC do?
Bicester Countryside and Communities C.I.C. provides a structure through which we can:
- Coordinate and support community engagement and consultation.
- Research the potential effects of proposed development on residents, public services, infrastructure, community cohesion, public safety and the environment.
- Commission independent research and specialist advice where appropriate.
- Obtain professional legal, planning and technical advice.
- Raise and responsibly manage funds in support of its objectives.
- Represent the views and concerns of local residents to public authorities, elected representatives and other decision-makers.
- Promote transparency and informed public discussion.
- Support environmental improvement, community resilience and sustainable development.
Supporting a potential legal challenge
One of the important reasons for establishing the CIC is to create an appropriate legal structure through which a potential challenge to the proposed development can be properly investigated and, if there are sufficient grounds, supported.
The creation of the CIC does not mean that legal action will automatically take place.
Any decision to pursue or support a legal challenge would depend on the evidence, the merits of the case, professional legal advice and the funding required.
The CIC enables money raised by the community to be used to obtain the legal, planning and technical expertise needed to assess the options available to us. If professional advice concludes that there are proper grounds to take matters further, the CIC provides the structure through which that work can be supported.
Support our work
Wrong Plan. Wrong Site. is supported entirely through voluntary contributions from members of the community and others who share our concerns about the proposed development.
Every contribution helps us continue our work, communicate with local residents, obtain expert advice and ensure that our community has a strong, informed voice.
- Donate online
Many supporters choose to donate through our GoFundMe campaign, which provides a quick and secure way to contribute.
- Donate by bank transfer
If you would prefer to make a direct contribution, donations can also be made to:
Account name: Bicester Countryside and Communities C.I.C.
Sort code: 30-54-66
Account number: 24702563
Payment reference: Donation
How will my donation be used?
Funds received by Bicester Countryside and Communities C.I.C. are held and managed in support of its community purposes and objectives.
Depending on what is required, donations may be used to:
- Obtain professional legal, planning and technical advice.
- Commission independent research or specialist reports.
- Support community engagement and communications.
- Meet other costs directly connected with the objectives of the CIC and the work it undertakes on behalf of local communities.
As a Community Interest Company, the organisation is subject to an Asset Lock. This provides an important safeguard by ensuring that its money and assets are retained for community benefit rather than being distributed for private gain.
If you are considering making a substantial donation and would like to understand more about how funds are managed or may be used, please contact us. We will be happy to provide further information.
What happens to the money if a legal challenge does not go ahead?
We understand that people supporting the campaign want reassurance about what will happen to the money they donate, particularly if a legal challenge is ultimately not pursued.
Because the CIC is subject to an Asset Lock, its money and assets must continue to be used for community benefit.
If a legal challenge does not proceed, any remaining campaign funds will be divided equally between four organisations whose work reflects the environmental and community objectives of the CIC:
Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT)
Nais House
The Hummingbird Centre
The Woodland Trust
This means that money donated to support our campaign will continue to benefit worthwhile community and environmental causes even if legal action does not ultimately take place.
What is a Community Interest Company?
A Community Interest Company, or CIC, is a type of limited company specifically designed for organisations that operate for the benefit of a community.
CICs are regulated by the Office of the Regulator of Community Interest Companies and must demonstrate that their activities are carried out for community benefit rather than private profit.
One of their most important features is the Asset Lock.
The Asset Lock places legal restrictions on how a CIC’s money and assets can be used, helping to ensure they remain dedicated to the community purposes for which the organisation was established.
For Bicester Countryside and Communities C.I.C., this gives us an appropriate and accountable structure for managing community funds and pursuing the objectives set out in our Articles of Association.
Transparency and accountability
People who support Wrong Plan. Wrong Site. deserve to know that the money they contribute is being handled responsibly and used for the purposes intended.
Bicester Countryside and Communities C.I.C. gives the campaign a clear legal and accountable structure for doing that.
It allows us to raise funds, seek expert advice and take appropriate action while ensuring our resources remain focused on the communities, countryside and environment we are working to protect.