Headington Headlines #131

Here’s my weekly round-up of local news for 23 – 29 September.

As expected, the East Area Planning Committee approved the outline plans for the Barton West development at their meeting on Tuesday evening.

New ‘Cyclists Dismount’ bollards have been installed at each end of the footpath connecting Parry Close and Purcell Road in Marston.

As Morrison’s opening edged ever nearer a notice appeared advertising for staff. You can apply online but hurry, the closing date is the end of the month.

There’s a possibility Wood Farm and Lye Valley might become a new controlled parking Zone.

The Barton Young Achievers Awards dinner was held on Saturday. Reports from, among others, @VanCllrvcoulter @SharonDirckx @ThriveBarton and @Robin_Peake were unanimous in their praise.

Active topics on the Headington & Marston e-democracy forum this week:

  • Bus Users’ Forum Tue 15 Oct
  • Quarry Gate pub
  • County Council service changes
  • New Headington bus routes
  • Betting Shop Licenses
I try to cover news from the OX3 postcode in Headington and out as far as Barton, Sandhills and Risinghurst (see map). To feed into next week’s summary you can comment on this article, or tweet either with the hashtag #ox3 or @mentioning @TonyOX3.

Headington Headlines #130

Here’s my weekly round-up of local news for 16 – 22 September.

A VW campervan parked at the Shotover car park was broken into on Sunday last week (15 Sept). A handbag, purse and iPhone were stolen.

The concession by which hospital workers have been able to park free at Thornhill and Water Eaton P&Rs is ending. They will have to pay £2 a day (up to 11 hours) or £4 for a longer stay. The changes were agreed by Oxfordshire County Council who operate these two sites and will start in mid-November.

The new bus services connecting the Headington hospitals and campuses with Thornhill and Water Eaton P&Rs and Kidlington start today (Monday 23 Sept). Oxfordshire CC announcement | Blog article.

A car parked on a driveway in The Ridings was broken into early last Sunday morning (15 Sept). An iPod and golf clubs were stolen. Later that morning a thief smashed the window of a car in Old Road and took a handbag, sunglasses, and a mobile phone.

A lorry hit some scaffolding in Bateman Street on Thursday. The scaffolding collapsed and blocked the road.

The C S Lewis festival @CSLewisJubilee commemorating the 50th anniversary of the writer’s death took place over the weekend. Here’s a sample.

A man from Barton has appeared in court charged with two burglaries in Headington (Windmill Road and Girdlestone Road) earlier this month. He was remanded in custody until 1 Novemeber.

From today (Monday) Headington Co-op is offering a 10% discount to NUS members.

My favourite Headington-related tweet of the week:

Active topics on the Headington & Marston e-democracy forum this week:

  • Proposed Changes to Green Road Roundabout
  • Thornhill Park and Ride Expansion Plans
  • Some Concerns about Headington
  • Quarry Gate pub
I try to cover news from the OX3 postcode in Headington and out as far as Barton, Sandhills and Risinghurst (see map). To feed into next week’s summary you can comment on this article, or tweet either with the hashtag #ox3 or @mentioning @TonyOX3.

Headington Headlines #129

Here’s my weekly round-up of local news for 9 – 15 September.

Details emerged in The Oxford Mail of the £16.6m contribution the Barton West developers (Grosvenor Estates and Oxford City) will make to infrastructure projects supporting the development. The City’s East Area Planning Committee held a public Q&A session devoted to Barton West on Thursday.

Unease over what is seen as an imminent invasion of big-chain supermarkets into Headington continued to grow as it became clear that both @OxFurniture and its next-door neighbour @UpandRunningUK have been given notice to quit. Oxford Furniture is hoping to find alternative premises in Headington. Up & Running say they will continue trading in Headington but as yet have not said where – if they know themselves yet. There are rumours that Oxfam might be bought out too despite their longer lease and recent refurbishment. If so that would make a row of three shops available.

The Fairview Inn is back on the open market. It has been declared an Asset of Community Value but locals have faied to raise the money to buy it which this would have allowed them to do. Read the back story here.

The newly upgraded cycle path from Edgeway Road to Croft Road has opened. Picture c/o @HeadingtonNews.

Active topics on the Headington & Marston e-democracy forum this week:

  • Supermarkets in Headington
  • Proposed Changes to Green Road Roundabout
I try to cover news from the OX3 postcode in Headington and out as far as Barton, Sandhills and Risinghurst (see map). To feed into next week’s summary you can comment on this article, or tweet either with the hashtag #ox3 or @mentioning @TonyOX3.