Temporary parking arrangements during the energy works

The County has agreed with the Trust and the contractor that visitors’ parking permits will be available for residents temporarily affected by the works.

It has been agreed that 25 Visitor’s parking permits will initially be issued free of charge and resident’s will have a choice of the neighbouring parking zones for which they wish to have permits issued. If the works take longer than programmed OCC will consider issuing a second batch at that time. This arrangement is exclusively for the issue of Visitor’s permits so any persons wanting a specific Resident parking permit for a vehicle ( in their designated zone only) will need to pay accordingly as per normal protocols.

Visitor’s parking permits can be issued to any resident over the age of 17 (and regardless of whether they have a vehicle or not) upon production of a completed application form and supporting official proof of residency. This can either be a fully signed, termed, tenancy agreement, a most recent council tax bill or a bank statement/ utilities bill that is dated within the last 3 months. The application form and supporting document can either be presented in person at the Parking Shop on Speedwell Street, posted or scanned to the email address parking.shop@oxfordshire.gov.uk,

for them to be despatched first class. OCC pay all postage costs, with the exception of any requests for special delivery.

Here is the Parking Permit Application form you will need to fill in if you live in the affected areas and want to apply for visitors’ permits in advance.

Vital Energi has prepared a presentation on the various phases of the works. This can be seen on the Trust’s website (you have to scroll down to find it)

Vital Energi has set up a dedicated telephone number 0800 612 4039, and for specific questions an email address: hospitalenergyproject@ouh.nhs.uk.  Both have been established directly with the Trust project team and Vital Energi to respond to any queries related to this project.

There are signs that communication is improving from the hospitals’ Trust regarding the energy pipe works, and we look forward to working more closely with the Trust’s new communications officer who takes up position on 4 January.

We are asking that details of the above permit process are included in any impending leaflet drop by the Trust and/or contractor and will include these details in our next Focus leaflet.

There is currently on-going discussion about how the visitors’ parking permits will be funded as the County Council believes this cost should be borne by the project, not by taxpayers. The Parking Shop staff will keep a record all such additional visitors’ permits so that the total cost can be determined.

The implications of this alternative provision may mean that there is additional pressure on parking spaces In Highfield, New Headington and Central and North Headington.

 

County Council’s position statement on energy pipe project

We are publishing the Chief Legal Officer’s email dated 29/12 in full. It explains why the County Council believes it has undertaken its role (limited to granting permission) lawfully but it is not ‘legal advice’ as such. Those wishing to explore the possibility of taking legal action will need to seek their own independent advice.

  • I am not aware of all the communication that has (or has not) taken place.  Clearly officers considered they should have done more and you have received an apology.  I am not sure I can add much to that.  I believe the County did urge the Trust to undertake consultation as they are the key players in this Scheme.  Fundamentally, the County’s role is to ensure they have permission to undertake work on the Highway – not unlike many applications for permission the Council receives…
  • In terms of Vital Energi – acting for the Trust – they have not claimed statutory powers to undertake works to the Highway – such as, say, a mainstream utility company.  The route for those who are not a statutory undertaker is to seek permission to undertake work from the Highway Authority.  Vital Energi are a licensee, not a statutory undertaker.  Having said that, it is a condition of the licence that they abide by the provisions of the New Roads and Street Works Act.
  • Licence applications were originally applied for in January 2014 but these were not granted although detailed discussions did take place about the work Vital Energi wanted to undertake.  That resulted, finally, in further applications being made on the 28 October 2015 and granted on the 21 December 2015 – I can confirm that the works would be classed a ‘major works’ for the purposes of the NRSWA.
  • Ordinarily a licence holder is required to give 3 months’ notice from the date when the licence is applied for, not from when it is granted.  The County agreed start dates within that 3 month period, mainly due to the proximity of other scheduled works and to start earlier was considered to be the least disruptive option.
  • As to the Executive Arrangements Regulations, the granting of a licence is a function delegated to officers.  It would not be a key decision because the County’s Constitution and the relevant Regulations define a ‘key decision’ as one which is likely to (a) involve the County in significant expenditure (which this does not) or (b): ‘to be significant in terms of its effects on communities living or working in an area comprising two or more electoral divisions in the County’
  • As will be clear, a licence has been granted on each individual street, not for the whole Scheme.  I am not aware (although have not checked in detail) that these would involve two electoral divisions.  However, even if they did, the term ‘significant’ is defined as 25% of the people living or working in the area.  I do not believe that that threshold has been met.  As such, the grant of the licences would not be a key decision which requires an Cabinet/Executive decision.
  • In terms of the subsoil, that is really a question for the Trust.  The County’s principal concern is with the Highway fabric and as much subsoil as is needed to keep the Highway intact.  The ownership of the subsoil and notification that may need to be made to the owners of that is, as I say, a matter for the Trust undertaking the work.
  • I would not profess to know the detail of the City’s planning powers, but certainly the County’s role is restricted to granting permission under the New Roads and Street Works Act to those who wish to install apparatus  in the Highway or break open the highway for this purpose.  Accepting that communications can always be improved, I believe we have carried out that function appropriately and lawfully.  I note you are seeking your own advice on the planning issue.
  • In terms of the parking issue I can confirm this has been actively considered and the County has agreed that affected residents may apply for Visitors Permits to park in adjoining streets, outside of their designated Controlled Parking Zone.  The issue of funding of that has yet to be addressed as between the County and the Trust, but that does not affect the right of residents to apply.

Details re the visitors’ parking permits follow in the next email.

We have asked for further details regarding the “proximity of other scheduled works” which was referred to above, so that we can understand why the period of notice of less than 3 months for major works was considered to be the least disruptive option – we are expecting a further email on this later in the week.

We have also queried the dates on the temporary traffic order notices issued on 29/12/15 – there is a discrepancy between dates displayed in notices on street and those on the TTRO for All Saints Road, and the end date for the Sandfield Road works is currently listed on the TTRO as Tuesday 22 April – it’s likely that this should read Friday 22 April but we are asking for clarification.

 

Latest planning decisions

One has been withdrawn and two more have been granted permission, they are in Lime Walk and Langley Close. See details below.

22.  15/03257/CPU Headington Ward PERMITTED

  • Application to certify that the proposed formation of 1No. dormer window to rear roofslope and insertion of 2No. rooflights to front elevation is lawful development.
  • 16 Lime Walk Oxford

23.  15/03349/CPU Headington Ward PERMITTED

  • Application to certify that the proposed formation of hip to gable, 1no. rear dormer, insertion of 2no. rooflights to front roofslope, insertion of 1no. second floor side window, and erection of single storey side extension is lawful.
  • 6 Langley Close Oxford

24.  15/03508/B56 Headington Ward WITHDRAWN

Change of use from office (Use Class B1(a)) to residential (Use Class C3) to provide 2 x studio flats and 1 x 2-bed flat. This application is for determination as to whether prior approval of the Council is required and, if required, whether it should be granted.  This application is assessed solely in respect of transport and highway impacts and contamination and flooding risks

125 London Road Headington

Energy pipe update

Ruth attended a liaison meeting arranged by the Trust on 22 December along with some local residents, the Trust, a representative from OXTRAG (transport and access matters for the disabled) and the contractors.

Some matters are becoming clearer. Letters from the contractors to residents in affected areas two weeks in advance of the works will show a map of where the works will be, will specify the house numbers affected, will indicate the date when works will be happening, and will indicate where alternative parking might be found. There will be collection points either end of the works where those with mobility issues can alight or be picked up by car. Footpaths will be accessible throughout the works and there is a process for emergency vehicles to gain access to properties at all times. The contractors are aware of the need to retain access to Latimer Grange, McMaster House, St. Luke’s and The Brambles and have made a specific plan for the Latimer Road phase.

Some elements of the project are not so clear, and we have been in daily contact with City and County Council officers and others for further information on the following:

  • Has process been followed correctly?
  • Does this sort of scheme definitely not need planning permission?
  • Does this sort of scheme require lengthier consultation?

In the meantime there are further unanswered questions:

Parking

It appears that the Trust and the contractors are doing as much as they can to identify alternative parking spaces for those in affected roads either on private or Trust land. A temporary replacement car park may be set up on the area of grass at one corner of the JR’s site off Sandfield Road near Cuckoo Lane for use by those displaced from Sandfield Road and Latimer Road, this is being investigated but couldn’t be operational till February at the earliest. They are also talking to pubs and the universities about making additional parking space available.

There is a further option being explored that may mean that residents who have to park elsewhere may be given visitor permits; funding for this is as yet unclear and it would be done via the Parking Shop in Speedwell Street.

Insurance

Anyone who will have to temporarily park their car on-street, as opposed to off street, may be in breach of their insurance contract in the unlikely event that the vehicle should sustain damage. Advice is that owners should ring their insurance companies and let them know they will be parking on-street for a temporary period – it is possible that some insurance companies might charge for this temporary change to the contract and others won’t but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Further action

We are awaiting legal advice from both Councils. We would encourage the submission of planning applications if at all possible; while it is likely that such applications would get permission, this would provide an opportunity for residents to give their comments and enable planning officers to ensure that tight conditions are placed on the works on issues important to local people, including:

  • alternative parking
  • disabled access
  • communication with residents and councillors
  • traffic management
  • start and finish times for working
  • construction access plan

The County’s view is that the need for planning permission is overridden by the section 50 licence which has apparently been obtained by the Trust and the contractor, but we have asked for clarification on this.

The next liaison group meeting will take place during the second week of January. Our next Focus leaflet will be produced w/b 11 January and delivered during the weekend of 16/17 January by our volunteers, but we shall try and update you on the blog in between. Our next Ward Focus meeting will take place on Tuesday 26 January from 6:00-7:30pm, venue to be arranged.

 

 

 

Latest #Headington planning decisions

Two have been permitted and one has been withdrawn. Details below:

15/03257/CPU PER

Application to certify that the proposed formation of 1No. dormer window to rear roofslope and insertion of 2No. rooflights to front elevation is lawful development.

16 Lime Walk
15/03349/CPU PER

Application to certify that the proposed formation of hip to gable, 1 rear dormer, insertion of 2 rooflights to front roofslope, insertion of 1 second floor side window, and erection of single storey side extension is lawful.

6 Langley Close
15/03508/B56  WDN

Change of use from office (Use Class B1(a)) to residential (Use Class C3) to provide 2 x studio flats and 1 x 2-bed flat. This application is for determination as to whether prior approval of the Council is required and, if required, whether it should be granted.  This application is assessed solely in respect of transport and highway impacts and contamination and flooding risks

125 London Road

Changes to Police counter services

Thames Valley Police have informed us:

We are proposing to close a number of front counters in the county as we improve our communication with the public by other means while ensuring that in the main you will never be further than ten miles from a front counter.

The following changes are scheduled to come in on 1 April 2016:

  • Abingdon, St Aldates and Banbury front counters will now be open from 8am and 10pm, seven days a week.
  • Meanwhile, front counters at Witney and Bicester will be open from 10am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, while Kidlington will be open from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Previously, each front counter would offer a different level of service but these counters will offer all services to the public.

  • Front counters at Cowley, Henley, Didcot, Thame, Wantage, Faringdon, Wallingford, Carterton, Woodstock and Chipping Norton are scheduled to close.

    The public can still contact the police by telephone, via our website, social media accounts or our community alert system.