Category: West Oxfordshire District Council

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News from Oxfordshire County Council

Oxfordshire County Council logo A white speech bubble on a pink background with "If I can just get one more meal out of this" with ...sound familiar? text below
Financial support for those in crisis  Do you know someone elderly or vulnerable struggling with rising living costs?

The Oxfordshire Residents Support Scheme is here to help people who are facing financial hardship. We offer short-term support for essentials like food and credit for gas and electric prepayment meters. In some cases, we can also help with white goods, furniture and clothing.

This support is designed for one-off crises or emergencies, ensuring people who receive it get what they need to stay comfortable and safe. Find out about the scheme

Bikeablity session, line of four children standing next to their bikes on the pavement listening to their tutor who is stood at the front talking to them.
Get your child cycling confidently
Give your child a life skill they will never forget and sign them up for Bikeability’s free level one and two cycle training for ages nine and over. From basic skills to advanced journeys, we’ve got them covered.
Find out more

Two home owners and three installers as stood in front of a home that is having solar panels fitted to its roof. One person is holding the Energy Saver App pull up banner.

There’s still time to get involved

We have successfully completed our initial installations of solar panels for two Energy Saver App users who were chosen to participate in the trial. If you would like the chance to get involved download the app.

Find out more about the trial

Visitor parking permits
The resident parking permit system is now online but paper permits will still be available for anyone who is unable to set up a digital account. Learn more


Having a clear out?Having a new year clear out this January? Wondering what to do with your old mattress, paint, or any other household item? 
Use our waste wizard

Supporting children to learn a new skill
Did you know that the Oxfordshire Music Service offers a variety of lessons for young people in schools? They also offer instrument rentals and guidance on how to play them. 

Music Service | Oxfordshire County Council

A new group will help Oxfordshire improve its readiness and response to flooding by bringing together many of the key organisations responsible for tackling it.
New group to improve response and readiness to flooding

Sign up to receive all the latest information and support related to special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Parents and carers will get updates, invitations to events and chances to feedback – straight into inboxes and can sign up using our online form. 




Planning Application – Lioncourt – Topics for commenting

The Planning Committee of North Leigh Parish Council met on Friday the 10th January to discuss the proposed Lioncourt development. In response to residents’ queries about assistance with key points, the Planning Committee has compiled the following topics to assist residents when commenting on the Lioncourt Proposal, planning application number 24/03100/OUT.

THE LOCATION AND PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT

  • North Leigh has had a 40% increase in housing in the last 7 years, this development would be a further 10% increase
  • Villages in the West Oxfordshire Local Plan 2031 should only receive “limited” development” – this application clearly fails this test
  • Backland development on a greenfield site
  • This development would fail to protect the local landscape and setting of the village 
  • This development would impact on the visual amenity of the area including views from the footpath running close to the site
  • Failure to conserve the natural environment
  • An unsustainable car led development
  • High density of housing – too many houses in too small a site
  • House design and layout inconsistent with the existing houses in the village
  • 5% self build housing design will need to be consistent with other housing in the village
  • This is a windfall site not envisaged in the 2031 Local Plan and as such is opportunistic
  • This site falls within the historic Wychwood area and the landscape character needs to be preserved
  • Common Road south of Common Close is a ribbon development of single houses.  This development is out of character.
  • Inadequate regard to the preservation of historic Grims Ditch which is designated as a scheduled monument, a detailed survey should be conducted including on a possible additional section which might run under the proposed development site

LOCAL AMENITIES

  • Limited facilities in the village, very small shop, no playing field, no full time pubs etc
  • Pressure on existing amenities in the area eg primary and secondary schools, doctors, dentists
  • Insufficient parking in the village already without finding capacity for another 230+ cars

UTILITIES

  • Grampian Clause preventing occupation of the houses until the Church Hanborough sewage treatment works has been upgraded meaning the development if approved would be unlikely to be started until 2030 earliest and as such it will not help the 5 year housing land supply
  • Aging local sewer network leaking and collapsing, in urgent need of maintenance and cannot support more houses
  • Insufficient clean water pressure in North Leigh 

TRAFFIC CONSIDERATIONS

  • Significant concerns regarding access from and to the proposed development and the proximity to a dangerous junction on the A4095 and possibility that the North Leigh Football Club could be relocated opposite this junction
  • Common Road is already a busy road and also has the S7 bus and Estelle Manor minibus running from early morning until late at night.  Congestion will increase with a further 230+ cars and the access into the development will be a dangerous junction

OTHER

  • Almost non-existent and inadequate consultation with the residents prior to submitting the application to WODC
  • No regard to the emerging North Leigh Neighbourhood Plan or the wishes of residents as shown in the public results of recent local surveys conducted by the Neighbourhood Plan

Planning Application – Lioncourt

UPDATE: The Parish Council has changed the date of the meeting to discuss the Lioncourt planning application to allow more time for residents to attend and make subsequent comments. The new date of the meeting will be on FRIDAY THE 10TH JANUARY at 7pm in the Memorial Hall.

The Parish Council would also like to remind residents that, if you have any views, you are welcome to share them with us, but PLEASE also submit them directly to West Oxfordshire District Council.
Here is the link to the application: https://publicaccess.westoxon.gov.uk/online-applications/simpleSearchResults.do?action=firstPage

We have had comments to say there is an issue with the link. If you have any issues, the planning application reference is 24/03100/OUT and you can search this on the District Council’s website: https://www.westoxon.gov.uk/residents/planning-building/

There has also been an article in the Oxford Mail about this development which can be found here: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/…/24816227.oxfordshire…/

Footpath closure map December 2024

Temporary Emergency Footpath Closure at North Leigh, Footpath 313 2 10

In the interests of public safety it will be necessary for Oxfordshire County Council to temporarily close footpath 313/2/ due to an unsafe bridge structure public safety reasons.  

A temporary Emergency Notice is being made to implement the temporary closure and will operate from 16 December 2024. 

The anticipated completion date is 5 January 2025, 24 hours per day.

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. 
A single Temporary Emergency Notice can last for 21 consecutive days maximum.

Tree image

CANCELLED: Tree lighting on Cuckamus Green – 7th December

The Parish Council is very sorry to inform you that we will have to cancel tomorrow’s tree lighting due to the predicted stormy weather.  We had much discussion around this, but in the interest of safety, felt this was the best course of action.

The tree will be lit over the weekend and will remain lit in the evenings throughout the festive period.

We hope you enjoy the tree despite the lack of event and we will revisit this for next year.

Thank you in advance for your understanding.

Funeral of Patrick Power

Patrick Power served King and Country in the latter stages of WW2  in the army and then in the Thames Valley Police. After he retired from policing, he worked for many years as the secretary to the National Federation of Builders until he retired. 

But he then took on the role of Clerk to the North Leigh Parish Council and served the community in that role for 26 years until he stood down in 2011.

 He knew exactly what was going on round the parish and who most people were – his police training showed along with his close attention to detail! 

He would regularly walk round the village and spot things that needed dealing with before they became a problem.

Patrick and Diana, his wife, were for many years stalwarts of village life in North Leigh – involved in many organisations and activities of our community – not least the funding and building of the new Memorial Hall.

Patrick lived to a grand old age and will be much missed by all those who knew him. As they say, they don’t make many people like him any more – a true gentleman in every way and someone who was committed to serving his community.

Anyone wanting to pay their respects might like to attend his funeral at 2pm on Friday 22nd November at St Mary’s.

Zip wire at the Children’s Playground on Park Road

The Parish Council has had an inspection carried out of the Children’s Playground on Park Road and the zip wire is in need of repair so is therefore temporarily out of action.

Replacement parts are on order and the Council will make residents aware via our Facebook page, the website and our mailing list when the repairs are complete.

The Council takes the safety of those using the playground very seriously and thanks you in advance for cooperation and patience.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Clerk via email: parishclerk@northleighparishcouncil.gov.uk or phone 07796 039496.

Rural Crime Poster

Your Voice Matters in Tackling Rural Crime!

The Rural Crime Partnership is committed to addressing all types of rural crime and anti-social behaviour. Currently, they are focused on preventing the theft of farm machinery, tools, and livestock, and tackling fly-tipping.

However, they recognise that rural crime is a much broader issue, and your priorities and insights are crucial in shaping our approach to these challenges.

By participating in this survey, you will help them identify the key challenges and opportunities in our region.

If you live or work in West Oxfordshire, South Oxfordshire, or the Vale of White Horse, your feedback is vital in shaping our future initiatives and making a meaningful difference in our communities.

To complete the survey, click here: Rural Crime Survey

Click here to learn more about the Rural Crime Partnership.

School placement 2025 poster

Primary school places – 2025

As part of the application process for Reception entry to infant and primary school, Oxfordshire County Council is advertising the need for parents and carers of children born between 1 September 2020 and 31 August 2021 to apply for a school place.

Any questions should be directed to the primary application web page which has all the information needed plus a link to the online application form: www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/primaryadmissions

The School Admissions Team can be contacted direct on 0345 241 2487 or at admissions.schools@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Applications for Reception can be submitted from 4 November; and the deadline for receipt of completed school applications for Reception is 15 January 2025.