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 #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.

Headington Headlines #123

Here’s my weekly round-up of local news for 29 July – 4 August.

Residents in John Snow Place, which was one of the places targeted in a police drugs raid last week, have set up a neighbourhood watch scheme.

In a road safety check in Headington on Tuesday morning @tvprp stopped a driver who was using a mobile phone and found he had no licence or insurance – and promptly seized the car.

Quarry & Risinghurst Labour Councillors @delia_sinclair and @LaurencepBaxter have a facebook page.

A company called “Headington Food and Wine” has applied for an alcohol licence at the shop that trades as Keraleeyam Stores on the London Road. It’s not clear if it’s the same operation or not. The application is for off-sales only, from 0800 to 2130.

Oxfordshire County Council announced their plans for road improvements to cater for the new Barton West development. The most significant changes will be the new bus and cycle crossing of the A40 and replacment of the double mini roundabouts on Cherwell Drive with traffic lights.

[Updated 11:30 05/08/2013] @Robin_Peake, part of the @ThriveBarton team, is exploring the possibility of setting up a credit union in Barton. He tells me this is a personal initiative, not a ThriveBarton project.

Table-tennis promotional organisation Ping! @ping_tweets put on an everyone-join-in table-tennis event in Bury Knowle Park on Saturday. [Ping! is produced by Sing London and is delivered in partnership with the English Table Tennis Association and supported by National Lottery investment from Sport England.]

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

  • Plans for the new Barton estate now available
  • Supermarkets in Headington
  • Environmental noise – new Sainsbury store
  • Workshop next week
  • New all weather Cricket Pitch in Margaret Road playing field
  • Disorderly conduct?
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.