Headington Headlines #307

Your weekly round-up of local news for 27 February – 5 March.

After @TomBedford12 pointed out the problem with the new short cycle path on Old Road and on which I reported,  Cllr @RuthWilk sprang into action. Contractors Skanska were on the job on Monday making a dropped kerb.

What they have put in place is far from ideal, but we’re told it’s only temporary as the cycleway will be continued up Old Road in a later phase of Access to Headington.

Meanwhile the County announced that this phase of Access to Headington is ‘largely complete’. The next phase will start in The Slade, they say by ‘late March’. No details yet though. Whether this is before or after the bus lane work in Roosevelt Drive up to Churchill Drive isn’t clear.

On Wednesday this week the east Area Planning Committee will consider planning applications on:

  • The Jack Russell Pub – demolish and build flats – recommendation to agree;
  • The Ampleforth Arms – part demolition, part conversion to community pub – recommendation to agree;

The full agenda is here. Once again the application to develop on land next to the C S Lewis Nature Reserve is not on the agenda.

Southern Gas is working in Staunton Road replacing old metal gas pipes with modern PVC. Excavation is going on along one side of the street and connections to individual properties are to be disconnected for a while. Then they’ll need access to each property to test all gas appliances. Residents have raised concerns about possible damage to the Council-owned green space which is being used as a site storage depot. The number for enquiries is 0800 912 1700.

The Headington Neighbourhood Plan is up for final approval by the City Executive Board on Thursday 9 March. Assuming it gets the green light as expected, the way is clear for a local referendum on 4 May.

@HeadingtonNews reported that Temple Bookbinders is moving out of their Stephen Road premises to Yarnton.

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

  • Loss of trees in Headington Quarry
  • Reply re Headington quarry