Last week the Government launched two consultations on plans to overhaul the planning system and reform the way development is given the go ahead.
The Government’s proposals entitled “Planning for the Future” are aimed at streamlining processes, achieving earlier community engagement and providing more transparency for residents through increasing the use of technology. Continue reading
Have you been more active than usual over the last five months or has the Covid-19 pandemic had a detrimental effect on your health and well-being? How do you feel about returning to activities and what measures would give you the confidence to get back out enjoying an active lifestyle? Perhaps nothing changed for you and you were able to continue doing the activities you love.
These are all things that the Active Communities Team at South Oxfordshire and Vale of Continue reading
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
