SODC Local Plan Update

It looks as if the end of the road is in sight for South Oxfordshire District Council’s (SODC) re-drawn Local Plan which has been at the centre of controversy with the Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick.

At the recent public hearing into the Plan, the Inspector ruled that the original plan drawn up by the previous Conservative-led administration should proceed.  This will allow 28,500 new homes to be built in South Oxfordshire over the next fifteen years including 3,500 in the Culham district and a Continue reading

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Respect, Protect, Enjoy – the Countryside Code

Residents will be aware of reports of litter in the countryside and farm animals being chased by loose dogs as more people enjoy our beautiful countryside.  Local landowners may well have been affected by these problems.

@NFUCountryside is highlighting the need to Respect, Protect, Enjoy – use the Countryside Code, and CPRE Oxfordshire has asked the Parish Council to share the following articles, resources and Countryside Code: Continue reading

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High Street Temporary Closure

The Parish Council was informed today of a temporary emergency road closure on the High Street whilst Openreach customer reconnection works are carried out for public safety reasons.  The off peak closure and will operate from 10th to 14th August 2020.

Access will be maintained for emergency service vehicles and for those frontages within the closure area, subject to the progress of the works and liaison with the works supervisor. Continue reading

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Resident Builds HMS Victory Model

Determination, persistence and skill – words that describe Long Wittenham resident Michael Byard’s commitment to a labour of love.  The former Royal Australian mariner is nearing completion of a fifty-one year project to build a model of Lord Nelson’s famous ship HMS Victory.

Mike, who is eighty, lives with his wife Anne in Fieldside.  Anne was the former editor of the now defunct publication Wittenham Ways.  Mike is putting the finishing touches to the Continue reading

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Friends Events Cancelled

The Friends of St Mary’s are disappointed to have to announce that the Village Produced Show which was scheduled for 12th September and the Opera Anywhere performance of The Mikado on 19th September have been cancelled owing to the Covid-19 crisis.

It was hoped that conditions would have eased by now to allow them to go ahead but this is not the case.  The Friends will reschedule the events next year, assuming that circumstances have changed. Continue reading

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Household Enquiry Form

South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC) has asked the Parish Council to inform residents that shortly, every home in South Oxfordshire will receive a yellow letter (a ‘Household Enquiry Form’) requiring residents to confirm everyone over the age of 16 who lives in their property.

When it arrives, simply visit www.householdresponse.com/southandvale to confirm that your details are correct or, if not, provide the correct information.  You will need the two- Continue reading

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Over 75s TV Licences

Residents are probably aware of the plans to end free TV licences for people aged 75 and over.

Age UK campaigned very hard to retain the free TV licence but the Government has not relented and the BBC has now introduced a new scheme to charge people over 75 for their TV licence, unless they receive Pension Credit.  People over 75 who have been receiving a free licence will get a letter from TV Licensing explaining what they need to do next. Continue reading

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Vanderbilt Homes Amendments

Vanderbilt Homes has submitted another set of amendments (dated 24th July) to its planning application for the housing development on the corner of Fieldside and Didcot Road.

There are twenty-three new documents.  The deadline for comments has been set as 14th August, but given the volume of information to be reviewed, the Parish Council has asked the planning officer to increase the consultation period to allow the documents to be properly scrutinised. Continue reading

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Neptune Wood Meadow Closed

The meadow next to Neptune Wood is now closed during August and early September to prepare the field for grazing.

The owners of the wood and adjoining field, the environmental charity Earth Trust, suspended the closure of the meadow in July following complaints from villagers who said that during the Covid-19 emergency the meadow was a valuable open space for dog owners and the public. Continue reading

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Pre-School Revives Village Hall Space

The village’s Pre-School has completed a project to revitalise the space at the side of the Village Hall.  It has created what the school says is “a more appealing and stimulating environment”.

The school had planned to spend the Summer term holding cake sales and volunteering at local community events to raise funds for the garden project but due to Covid-19, the Continue reading

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