PLANS to create a caravan site for four gypsy families have been refused by councillors. The proposals were put forward after the families felt it was unsafe to live at The Beeches caravan park, Chipping Norton. West Oxfordshire District Council’s (WODC) upland area planning sub-committee met on Monday to decide whether to change the use of land in Over Norton Road, also in Chipping Norton. The site lies in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) with councillors discussing that and the safety of the families. WODC officer Kim Smith recommended the application be refused. She said at the meeting: “The families previously lived on The Beeches caravan park until very recently, but due to overcrowding on the site, there is insufficient space for the family to grow, and for various other reasons, they consider it is no longer safe for the family to continue to reside on the site.
The Welch Way counter joins those in Bicester and Kidlington which will shut from August 30. These counters have been closed since March 2020 due to Covid-19, with the exception of Kidlington which reopened following an initial closure. Prior to the pandemic, the Witney front counter was open from 10am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Commenting on the changes, which were subject to a public consultation, Thames Valley Police (TVP) said: “Thames Valley Police is adapting to the different ways people now wish to make contact with us to ensure we continue to meet the changing needs of the diverse communities we serve.
Thames Valley Police to close front counters at stations thisisoxfordshire.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thisisoxfordshire.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
In June, plans to build 214 new homes were refused by West Oxfordshire District Council (WODC). The applicant, Partner Construction, has now come back with new proposals for the vacant site, south of Milestone Road in Carterton. Documents say all 200 homes will be affordable, made up of social rented housing (41.5 per cent), shared ownership (27.5 per cent), affordable rent (25 per cent) and rent to buy (six per cent). Previous concerns related to the layout of the development, including consideration of parking, and requirement for open space and a play area. A planning statement prepared by the agent, Williams Gallagher, reads: “Following the refusal of the previous application, the applicant has undertaken further consultation with the local planning authority and Oxfordshire County Council as highway and education authorities, and as ecology advisor.”