Ruth Wilkinson and David Rundle

Depot on New High Street

David Rundle — Thu, 24 May 2012 09:13:37 +0000

As recently mentioned, there is a new planning application for the old Council depot on New High Street. There was, as some of you will remember, a previous application which was withdrawn and then another which was for two-flat development which gained permission. This new application (12/01112/FUL) effectively returns to the density of the first, withdrawn, application, fitting three flats onto the site. There will, obviously, be concerns about this as potential overdevelopment and, in order that these concerns can be fuller considered, Ruth and I have organised for this application, should it be recommended by the officer for approval, to come to the committee so it can be discussed in public.

The application can, of course, be viewed on the planning pages of the City Council website.

Headington Farmers’ Market

David Rundle — Thu, 24 May 2012 07:56:41 +0000

A quick reminder that tomorrow, Friday, it is Headington Farmers’ Market. It’s the place to be! It’s on from 8am to lunchtime and we’re promised aspargus as well as the usual delights of meat, bread and the rest.

Latest on Planning

David Rundle — Tue, 22 May 2012 14:25:23 +0000

To keep you informed of what is going on in the area, we have our page for Planning Applications. The latest two have been added to that — and they include an old chestnut of the depot on New High Street, on which there is a live permission but where this looks to put more on the site.

In addition, it is worth alerting you to the fact that East Area Planning Committee (now entering its second year of attempted re-centralisation of planning) will take place next Tuesday on 29th May. The agenda is now available. Two controversial applications in Headington Ward will be discussed there, one concerning backland development facing onto Norton Close from 82 – 86 Windmill Rd and the other a large extension to 129 Lime Walk. I (David) sit on the Committee and welcome any comments – positive or negative – you may have on these applications.

Today: Low-Carbon Headington AGM

David Rundle — Tue, 22 May 2012 07:37:18 +0000

It’s only a few years ago that Low-Carbon Headington was established; I remember well the launch event in Headington Baptist Church. Since then, it has, thanks to its core group led by Jill Haas and Mary Gill, become an important part of the community landscape — a regular presence at the Farmers’ Market, a contributor to meetings including one of your Ward Focus Meetings, and the centrepoint of a series of events raising awareness about our carbon footprint and helping households play their part in tackling climate change.

If you’ve not been involved with it, now is the time, with their AGM taking place tonight — 22nd May 2012 — in the main site of Brookes at 7:30pm. They have some interesting speakers on eco-living and sustainable lifestyles. It will be a good occasion to reflect on what has been achieved in the past year, and how much more needs to be achieved in the near future!

Exhibition of Oxford University’s plans for Park Hospital

David Rundle — Tue, 22 May 2012 00:33:04 +0000

It has long been known that Oxford University was negotiating to purchase Park Hospital and that they saw this as an opportunity to review more widely what is presently known as the Old Road Campus. Indeed, representatives of the University have attended several of your Headington Ward Focus Meetings in order to keep the local community to understand what is planned.

Oxford University is now arranging a public exhibition to inform the local community about its thinking for the area. Here is their notice for the event:

“The Old Road Campus is the main focus for the University’s Medical Sciences Division and one of the foremost biomedical research centres in the UK. The University’s vision for the Campus is to create an internationally renowned centre of biomedical excellence.

“The University is in the process of purchasing the adjacent Park Hospital site, which will provide capacity for further research facilities to be developed over the long term. To guide its plans for the Park Hospital site, the University is preparing a Framework to ensure that the Old Road Campus and the Park Hospital sites are fully integrated.

“Prior to submitting an outline planning application to Oxford City Council, the University would like to take this opportunity to consult residents and other stakeholders on the initial proposals at a forthcoming exhibition. At this exhibition, the University will share with you its initial findings and in turn would welcome your thoughts on the issues to be addressed and opportunities for the site.”

The details of the exhibition are as follows:

Venue: Old Road Campus Research Building, ORC, Roosevelt Drive, Headington, OX3 7DQ (the most south-easterly building on the ‘campus’, facing onto Roosevelt Drive)

Date: 28th and 29th May 2012

Time: 2pm – 7.30pm

Sites and Housing Plan – hearings in September

Ruth Wilkinson — Fri, 18 May 2012 15:33:16 +0000

The City Council has formally submitteed the Sites and Housing Plan to the Secretary of State. This means that the Plan has entered the Examination stage. A Government-appointed Inspector, Shelagh Bussey, has set a programme for examination hearings over a two week period beginning Monday 10^th September. A Pre Hearing Meeting will take place in the afternoon of Monday 7^th June (this will be joint with the Barton AAP Examination).

All documents relating to the Sites and Housing Plan submission and Examination can be found here.

Two new planning decisions this week…

Ruth Wilkinson — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:55:05 +0000

…in London Road and Franklin Road. Please click on top bar for more information

Latest planning applications

Ruth Wilkinson — Tue, 15 May 2012 10:05:03 +0000

There are 2 this week in Sandfield Road and Bickerton Road, please click on the tab on the top bar for details.

Domestic abuse campaign – Speak out today

Ruth Wilkinson — Mon, 14 May 2012 16:30:23 +0000

Since becoming a councillor, Ruth has been alerted to two instances of domestic abuse in Headington Ward, but this situation is believed to be widely under-reported in the City.

A campaign to raise awareness of domestic abuse is being launched today by Thames Valley Police in partnership with Domestic Abuse Co-ordinators and Crimestoppers.

The aim of the campaign is to increase awareness and promote early intervention in an attempt to break the cycle of abuse.

The majority of domestic abuse still goes unreported and the focus of the campaign is to encourage people to contact either the police, Crimestoppers or specialist support agencies.

The campaign is urging family, friends, neighbours and colleagues to come forward and let the police or other agencies know if they suspect someone is being abused.

A dedicated website speakouttoday.co.uk and video has been launched to provide practical information for victims and those supporting them, and includes vital links to national and local support services.

Further information on domestic abuse can be found on the Thames Valley Police website

That absent zebra again!

David Rundle — Sat, 12 May 2012 13:21:10 +0000

As you will know, there’s been some confusion about whether Old Road has a zebra or not… Beacons are in place but no striped markings on the road.

We have pursued the County Council on this. They have confirmed what we have already advised residents: the crossing is not yet in use. They have accepted that the situation is confusing and will put up signs to warn people of the fact.

Why, you might ask, haven’t they finished the work? Because, we understand, some tree work needs to be done to make sure there are clear sightlines for the beacons.

When, you might ask, will that be done and the zebra finally painted on the road? That’s such a good question we’ve asked it ourselves! We’ll let you know when we are given a clear answer.