Lots of planning applications this week, six in our ward. If you would like to see them in full, please select “Planning applications” on the top header bar. The end dates for comments can also be found as above.
If you require information on the planning application process, please phone the City’s planning department (details on the above link) or contact David and Ruth using the Contact Us tab on the top header bar.
The latest health profile for Oxford shows that life expectancy is 7.7 years lower for men and 6.5 years lower for women in the most deprived areas of Oxford than in the least deprived areas (based on the Slope Index of Inequality). The data on child obesity and low engagement in sport also give cause for concern
Please click on our meetings/surgeries tab on the top menu bar for information about Area Forums, the first of which will take place next Tuesday 5 July at New Marston Primary School between 6.00 and 8.00 pm. The main topic for discussion will be the preferred options document from the City Council on Sites and Housing Development in the City which you can find here.
We are planning to hold meetings on topics relating to your local area called Headington Focus meetings. This will give people a chance to book surgery slots, raise local issues in open session, find out what is happening across the area from community groups and local councillors, and discuss topics that will lead to the formation of a local plan for each area of the ward
The first meeting will be held on Monday 19 July at Headington Baptist Church Hall at 6.00 pm. For more details, please click on the Meetings/surgeries tab in the top menu bar
You can see the new white paper called “Students at the heart of the system” here. There is an executive summary of about ten pages on p4
Some interesting and surprising comments on the content of the draft Conservation Area Appraisal of Old Headington have been published – click here to see them. This will be debated at the Area Planning East meeting at the Town Hall on 6 July at 5pm
Construction work is starting on the new classroom building at Headington School.
The works are scheduled to commence today Monday 27 June 2011 when a temporary access will be formed from Woodlands Road into the rear of the School’s property.
Construction of the new building will start on 11 July 2011 and will continue for about 14 months.
Access to the site will be via a temporary entrance off Woodlands Road. This access/egress will be used by construction traffic from 27 June whilst the construction of the new building progresses. The kerb will be modified to allow vehicles to enter into the site easily and all verges and pavements will be reinstated after the completion of the project. Kingerlee will carefully monitor traffic and clear away any mud that might be deposited on the road.
The Woodlands Rd entrance is being used as this was deemed by the Highways Authority to be safer than the one from Headley Way. Local residents are being notified by leaflet.
2 parking bays, an 11m section, of the residents parking is to be suspended for the duration of the works.
Following questions at the Osler Road residents’ meeting with various agencies including County, a senior officer has checked to see if taxis trigger bus lights – at the bus gate, it is only the general traffic lane that is signalised. (Sorry, his word not ours!)
Buses trigger a red light for traffic, but taxis do not. There is a give-way marking at the end of the bus lane, so that taxis, cycles and anything else that does not trigger the red light for traffic can get out of the bus lane, giving way to any traffic in the general traffic lane.
Busy Osler Road traffic
Congratulations to Louise and Jonathan for getting some action to make Osler Road safer when parents drop off and collect children at the Nursery.
After the residents’ meeting that Ruth had facilitated with agencies including the bus companies, the Trust and the County, the residents’ group has secured an agreement for an officer to
“instigate the work to install two sections of pedestrian guard rail on the public footpath outside the nursery, subject to a survey…before the end of July”
Another initiative resulting from this meeting is that a county member of staff will come and talk to the nursery children about road safety.
What a great result from our most recently set up residents’ group in Headington!
Liberal Democrat Transport Minister Norman Baker MP has announced measures to make it easier for councils to introduce 20 mph speed limits. The changes mean that councils will now be permitted to use 20 mph signs painted on the road as an alternative to street signs.
We have already investigated the option of painted signs on the roads in Highfield, and are bidding to get four such 20 MPH roundels painted in the area this year in conjunction with Highfield Residents’ Association
To read the full press release, please click here