HMOs in OX3

TonyOX3

Oxford City Council operates a register of HMOs (houses in multiple occupancy) in the city. An HMO is defined as “a building or part of a building that is occupied by three or more people from two or more households (unrelated families) who share facilities such as a kitchen or bathroom, pay rent and it is their main place of residence.”1 The latest copy of the register (an Excel spreadsheet), dated  21 July 2017 is published on the Council’s website.

I have extracted the HMOs in the OX3 postcode area – there are 729 of them – and put them on a Google map.2 Explore at your leisure!

 

 The Council is currently consulting on the Preferred Options stage of the new Local Plan covering the period up to 2036. They are proposing a change in their planning policy on HMOs, arguing that purpose-built HMOs in the right locations could help the provision of affordable homes. If you are interested in this issue and the associated question of purpose-built student accommodation I strongly recommend you read the relevant sections of the Preferred Options document, i.e. paragraphs 3.52 and Option 19 on HMOs, and  3.53 – 3.67 and Option 20 on student accommodation, and send in your comments before the deadline of 25 August.

 

1. oxford_hmo_licensing_guide

2. A few premises with more than one HMO (e.g. a house with 2 flats) might only show as one marker on the map.

Headington Headlines #328

TonyOX3

Your weekly round-up of local news for 24 – 30 July.

Oxford City Council announced that construction of the Northway and Marston Flood Alleviation Scheme is complete, giving increased protection to 110 homes.

The closure of the Bullingdon Community Centre (see HH 326) has thrown local community groups out into the cold with nowhere to meet.

A blue plaque commemorating Edward Brooks VC was unveiled at 16 Windsor Street on Saturday. Read more here.

 

@TheSpiritofToad opened its doors to the public on Thursday, selling gin and vodka distilled on the premises. Other products will follow. Their website has been upgraded and includes a page where you can book tours (£20 & £50).

Inside the distillery
Inside the distillery
Photo: @HeadingtonNews

And their output has aleady reached as far as Eynsham!

The former ‘Cycling Tsar’ of London, Andrew Gilligan @MrAGilligan has been given a similar role advising Oxford, Cambridge and Milton Keynes on how to become more cycle-friendly. City leader Bob Price welcomed the appointment but as Oxford Civic Society noted, it’s the County that needs to take action.

@OxfordHealthNHS, which runs the Warneford Hospital, had its website hacked overnight on Tuesday/Wednesday. The site was quickly restored and the Trust says no patient data was compromised.

There are reports that the Swan School, the new Free School to be built in Marston on the site of the Harlow Centre, may stagger its opening hours in an attempt to reduce local traffic congestion. Locals reported in the Oxford Mail are sceptical. There’s more background and links to the story of this school in HH 305 and 306.

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

  • Headington Ward Focus meetings

Edward Brooks VC – Blue Plaque

TonyOX3

A blue plaque commemorating Edward Brooks VC was unveiled on Saturday 29 July 2017 at 16 Windsor Street in New Headington. Sgt-Major Brooks of the Ox and Bucks Light Infantry was awarded the VC in April 1917 for “most conspicuous bravery”. You can read his full story on the headington.org.uk website.

The ceremony was attended by about 80 people. Many family members were there together with civic dignitaries from Oxford and from his original home of Oakley in Buckinghamshire. His regiment (now part of  The Rifles) was also represented.

The Chairman of the Oxfordshire Blue Plaques Board, Prof Robert Evans, introduced the ceremony and Brigadier Nigel Mogg gave an account of Sgt-Major Brooks’ bravery. Buglers from the Regiment sounded the Last Post and Reveille. Brooks’ grandson Keith Brooks announced the ‘unveiling’ of the plaque, although no veil was in fact involved!

After the ceremony family and guests moved to the nearby Butcher’s Arms for refreshments.

Keith Brooks (grandson), Prof. Robert Evans & Brigadier Nigel Mogg 'unveil' the plaque
Keith Brooks (grandson), Prof. Robert Evans & Brigadier Nigel Mogg ‘unveil’ the plaque

 

Brooks family group outside 16 Windsor Street
Brooks family group outside 16 Windsor Street

 


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