Latest Planning Decisions

Seven decisions have been made on planning applications week ending 23/12/11 by officers using delegated powers.  There were five permissions and two were withdrawn. Application sites included: Franklin Road, New High Street, Staunton Road, Headley Way  and Sandfield Road. You can view these applications by clicking on our Planning Decisions tab (top bar).

Details of road works starting 9 January Old Road/Lime Walk

Phase 2 of the New Headington Transport Improvements Scheme will be starting on 09 January 2012.  The County Council will be carrying out traffic calming works at the side road junctions on Old Road in Headington and 2 junctions on London Road.  They will write to residents of each road where  they will be carrying out the works to inform them of the road works and the traffic management arrangements they have organised.
 
Road works are programmed as follows:
09 January to 17 January 2012 – junction entry treatments on Old Road (Valentia Rd, Finch Close and Highfield Avenue)
18 January to 27 January 2012 – junction entry treatments on Old Road (Bickerton Rd, Stapleton Rd) + new Zebra crossing on Old Road
30 January to 07 February 2012 – junction entry treatments Old Road/Lime Walk junction + London Road/Latimer Road junction
08 February to 17 February 2012 – junction entry treatment at London Road/Lime Walk junction
 
Works on Old Road will be carried out during ‘off-peak’ hours of 09.30 to 15.30.  Works will be carried out under temporary traffic signal control on Old Road in order to divert pedestrians out of the working area.  Pedestrian access will be maintained to the side roads however.  Side roads will be closed to through traffic for the duration of the works unless they are cul-de-sacs.
 
Works on London Road will involve diverting pedestrians away from the working area and into London Road.  Pedestrian access will be maintained.  They are not anticipating having to use off-peak traffic lights for works on the side road junction off London Road.  Side roads will be closed to through traffic for the duration of the works.
 
A local diversion route will be in operation during each of the road closures.

Please email us if you would like a map

New Nordic Walking Weight Loss Course comes to Headington

A new Nordic Walking Weight Loss Course is coming to Oxford. GO Active have teamed up with Bury Knowle Health Centre to launch the Nordic Walking Weight Loss Guru. The four week course is designed to help you lose weight for life, not just for Christmas!  By combining the physical activity of Nordic Walking with nutritional advice (from celebrity Nutritionist Pete Cohen) and ongoing support, the programme helps participants lead more healthy and active lifestyles. Nordic Walking has become hugely popular in Oxfordshire and with the list of benefits it is easy to see why. By utilising both the upper and lower body with walking poles Nordic Walking works and tones the whole body and burns 46 per cent more calories than ordinary walking alone. The activity is easy on the hips and knees and therefore suitable for all ages and abilities. It is also a safe and social outdoor activity to enjoy with friends and family all year round. The course starts on Friday 20 January and runs until 10 February. There is also a programme of regular Nordic Walks across the county for people to enjoy. For more information visit the GO Active website, or contact Vicki on vgalvin@oxford.gov.uk or 01865 252720.

Bizarre Freedom of Information requests received by councils

The Local Government Association has been tracking down strange FoI requests made to councils over the past year.

More than 197,000 requests for information were made to councils in England and Wales this year. The local authorities spent £31.6 million responding.

 The top 10 unusual FoIs received by councils in the past year are:

• How does the council plan to help the brave soldiers of our infantry if and when Napoleon and his marauding hordes invade the district?

(West Devon District Council)

• What preparations has the council made for an emergency landing of Santa’s sleigh this Christmas? Who would be responsible for rescuing Santa? Who would be responsible for rounding up the reindeer, and who would have to tidy the crash site?

(Cheltenham Borough Council)

• How many drawing pins are in the building and what percentage are currently stuck in a pin board?

(Hampshire County Council)

• What preparations has the council made for a zombie attack?

(Bristol City Council and Leicester City Council)

• What plans are in place to deal with an alien invasion?

(Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service)

• How many holes in privacy walls between toilet cubicles have been found in public lavatories and within council buildings?

(Cornwall Council)

• How does the council manage to cope with the vagaries of Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle? How does it function given the inherent unpredictability?

(Wealden District Council)

• How much money has been paid to exorcists over the past 12 months?

(Cornwall Council)

• Provide details of uniforms worn by Civil Enforcement Officers including descriptions of embroidered logos and markings, as well as any difference between summer/winter wear.

(Allerdale District Council)

• What is the total number of cheques issued by the council in the past year, and how many did it receive?

(Scarborough Borough Council)

Consultation on housing policy and sites for development NOW OPEN

The draft Housing Strategy has been approved by councillors for public consultation. Once the feedback has been analysed the Housing Strategy for Oxford 2012 – 2015 will be approved for publication. The strategy outlines the housing priorities for Oxford over the next 3 years and beyond and sets out the challenges faced by the City Council in meeting these.

Click here to take part in the consultation on the Draft Housing Strategy which ends on 12 February

Boxing Day Walk at Shotover Country Park

To start getting rid of those extra pounds you may have gained over Christmas, why not book yourself onto the Shotover Country Park Boxing Day Walk?  The walk takes you around one of the city’s most beautiful parks and is being organised by the Oxford Health Walks team as part of GO Active at Oxford City Council.

Local history enthusiast Mike Stranks will be leading the two mile stroll that takes in some of the most spectacular views across Oxford and along the way will be sharing some of the park’s historical tales. He says: “I’m looking forward to taking people to different parts of Shotover and explaining some of the fascinating history of the area. It should be really good fun and get people out from in front of the TV on Boxing Day.” Walking is a great way to maintain an active lifestyle with many health benefits. It is also a good way to get out exploring the areas we live in. 

GO Active offers a variety of walking activities across the county all year round ranging from weekly Health Walks to Nordic Walking courses. The Boxing Day Walk will meet on Monday 26 December at 10.45am at the Shotover car park and is free for people to attend. Everyone is welcome; however it is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. For more information visit the GO Active website: www.getoxfordshireactive.org, or contact Vicki on vgalvin@oxford.gov.uk or 01865 252720.

Cyclists in Headington. Our next ward debate.

Many thanks to the 50 or so residents who came to our Ward Focus Meeting yesterday night to discuss the outcomes and implications of  planning policy decisions made at Full Council on Monday. We were delighted to see so many of you there and listen to your views.

Our Ward Focus Meetings are held in months of the year when there is no Area Forum. There will be an area forum at Brookes on Wed 11 January from 6.30-8.00 pm about youth provision in the North East of the City, so our next Ward Focus Meeting will be in February – details below!

SHOULD HEADINGTON HAVE SAFER CYCLE ROUTES?

SHOULD MORE BE DONE TO HELP PEDESTRIANS?
 
Come to our Ward Focus Meeting on cycling-related issues
Guest speakers invited
Tuesday 21 February, 6pm – 8pm,
Headington School, London Road

Keeping warm in winter

The Home Heat Helpline has been around for about six years, but many people aren’t aware that it exists.  With current concern about energy bills now is a good time to contact the Home Heat Helpline.  It helps people save money whilst also being good for the wallet and the environment.

 The Home Heat Helpline is a free, not-for-profit phone line to help people who are struggling to pay their energy bills and keep warm.  It can be contacted on 0800 33 66 99 or via their website