Edition #2119: Housing, High Street, and Heavy Charges

Opening Theme

Witney Town Upgrade Concerns

High street upgrade in Witney causes significant trade loss; Local Council raises serious concerns about communication and disruption; Town Centre redesign project continues despite issues.

Developer Eyes Land North of A44 For Homes

400 new homes planned on Oxfordshire’s edge; Gallagher Developments consults residents before planning application; Proposed site includes nature park, green infrastructure, and affordable housing

Carterton’s Military Housing Project Launched

Work begins next month on 265 new homes for Armed Forces members; Construction starts on former RAF Brize Norton housing site; Northwood Crescent road closure expected until late 2029.

Firm Faces Manslaughter Charge

A family-run guttering business faces corporate manslaughter charges after an employee electrocution death. Andrew Curbridge died while at work on November 14th, 2024. The company is due to appear in court over the incident.

Buttercross Lane Flood Relief Imminent

Flood-prone estate in Witney set for taxpayer-funded drain upgrade; Repeated flooding led to discontent among residents; Council cabinet member acknowledges past maintenance failures, Conservative councillor laments taxpayer burden.

Historic WWI Hospital up for Sale

Historic WWI-era hospital in Chippy Norton up for sale; Originally used as a Red Cross hospital and later run as a cottage hospital; Planning permission approved for residential conversion despite opposition.

Justice Slips Away for Sex Assault Survivor

Sex assault victim speaks out after attacker avoids jail; Hailey Dobbin waived anonymity post sentencing; She criticized justice system after Pollard received suspended sentence.

Dog Owners Face £100 Fines

New £100 fines proposed for dog fouling; West Oxfordshire District Council sets public consultation; Fines aim to promote cleaner, safer spaces while ensuring fair enforcement.

Tory Triumph in Carterton By-Election

Conservatives win Carterton by-election, Thomas Cripps elected with near-50 vote margin, promises practical solutions and council representation for Marston residents.

Rare Bird Spotlight

An ultra-rare bird has made its first sighting in the UK for 25 years. Known as the Long-tailed Shrike, it was spotted in the county near Gloucestershire. Bird watchers, also known as twitchers, have traveled from across Britain to see it.

Gardener’s £39,000 Scam

A rogue gardener scammed customers out of £39,000. Bruce Harris posed as a legitimate gardener but completed minimal work after receiving substantial payments. Sentenced to prison and ordered to complete community service.

Fire Sprite Challenges Clarkson’s Farmers’ Dog

New pub ‘The Fire Sprite Pub & Grill’ opened by Nigel and Rachel Bailey, inspired by Texas and Cotswolds; formerly the Horse & Radish till mid-2022.

Local Heroes Revive Oxfordshire Inn

Oxfordshire pub erroneously marked closed; Community rallyies and persuades Poole search engine to reinstated listing; Owner Sam fears initial impact but remains optimistic.

Witney Grants 24-Hour Drive-Thru to McDonald’s

McDonald’s Witney gets approval for 24-hour drive-thru; Local opposition acknowledged but overruled. Service times adjusted accordingly with indoor seating hours unchanged. Residents can report noise issues.

Extreme Weather Worsens Water Shortages

The region teeters on drought due to extreme weather. Impact includes low water supplies in southeast England and Cotswolds, with rivers drying up and reduced crop yields.

Splash Park exemption

Splash park remains open during hose pipe ban with reduced hours in Whitney; Council uses exemption to balance water conservation and community access; Opening times revised based on family feedback.

Reflection with Reverend Ralph Williamson

Passage from St Paul emphasizes unity over divisions; originally written in early church, it remains relevant today; Reverend Ralph Williamson reflects on Christian inclusivity as fundamentally important.

Editor’s Choice - Murdoch’s Most Trusted

Diana, Princess of Wales sought help from Rupert Murdoch executive, Lew Hinton, against constant paparazzi harassment; Hinton offered sympathy but no practical aid; Diana died in Paris car crash three years later.

Quiz - Lat Week’s Answers

Quizzes about Oxfordshire’s towns and rivers; Morris dancing debated as Bampton’s traditional entertainment; The Eagle and Child pub linked to Tolkien and Lewis.

Quiz - Hot Temperatures

Oxford Road Renovation Midpoint

Oxfordshire road improvement project hits halfway mark; Over 105,000 square metres resurfaced to reduce repairs; Council aims to complete works by mid-October

Three Short Stories - Antisocial Behaviour, Moterbike Seizure, Attempted Burglary

Thames Valley Police issued warnings for antisocial behavior in Oxfordshire towns. Four off-road bikes were seized in Woodstock after disruptive riding. An attempted burglary sparked security advice for village residents.

Oxfordshire MP Challenges Potential Solar Impact

Developer defends solar farm bid following MP’s objections; £80m scheme could cover 1,000 hectares in West Oxfordshire; Project promises energy benefits and heritage protection, but MP raises concerns about impacts on communities and Blenheim Palace.

Burford Data Centre Battle

Locals oppose new Air data centre in rural Burford; Over 180 objections raised due to environmental concerns and insufficient security; applicant responds, acknowledging issues but emphasizing outline application status

Clarkson’s Choir Album Debut

Jeremy Clarkson’s choir, Clarkson’s choir, releases debut album, ‘The Maidstone Farmer’. The group sings Baldon Lane in Welsh at Real Welsh Show, after winning Britain’s Got Talent.

Goodbye!

A new contactless ticketing system called Freeflow is introduced by Go Thames Valley for bus users. The service allows passengers to tap on and off with their credit cards or phones for automatically calculated fares, with daily and weekly fare capping. Existing ticket methods remain unaffected.

TNF Soundings Radio & TV Listings

Latest radio shows and programmes overviewed; music, drama, documentaries, comedies, etc. Upcoming events include an exploration of the guitar’s social impact and a cooking programme in Malaysia.