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Witney, Carterton and Chipping Norton GROUP Thursday, January 11 - Wednesday, January 17, 2018
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Deck proposal for car park to meet need for growing spaces By George Welch WITNEY’S Woolgate car park could become decked as the district council hunts for 600 more parking spots. West Oxfordshire District Council’s cabinet were due to discuss whether to invest in a feasibility study on expanding the car park upwards at a meeting last night. However, any investment does not guarantee that a viable scheme will be identified, and the council has made no decision on the size of any car park or number of spaces at this stage. The cabinet was expected to consider whether it wishes to join forces with USS (Universities Superannuation Scheme Ltd), the Woolgate Centre’s leasehold company, to look into adding a deck to part of the existing car park. Cllr James Mills, WODC leader, said: “A decked car park could meet, in part, the town’s future parking needs as set out in our parking strategy, and it would support an extension to retail units. “However, it will require investment to fund scheme drawings and undertake feasibility studies regarding town planning, traffic, highways and commercial viability.” Woolgate car park, located next to Waitrose and Next, is the town’s largest car park, accommodating 780
vehicles across seven zones. The council identified the need for 600 off-street spaces by 2031 due to the planned development of 4,587 new homes in the town. This represents a 31 per cent increase in the number of homes, as well as an increase in jobs in the town and a reduction in on-street parking. Cllr Mills stressed the proposal “is simply a consideration as to whether such a development is a feasible option for delivering additional parking”, adding: “We would, of course, also need to look at the funding options available.” An added complication is that the site sits within a conservation area and flood zone and any potential impacts on traffic and residents need to be explored. Adding an extra deck to an existing car park has been long been discussed by councillors and Cllr Duncan Enright has emphasised that Woodford Way car park, behind Witney Community Hospital, also needs to be part of the broader plan. On the potential decking of Woolgate car park, the Labour leader said: “I can’t see any harm in discussing it – we certainly need more parking and that place gets absolutely rammed on busy days.” If a feasible scheme were found, the next stage would be preparation of a planning application.
From left, Alicia Ross-Vergara, Georgia Juckes, Hettie Gardner, English teacher Miss Miller and Luke Briggs
Students talk their way to debating prize A GROUP of sixth form students talked their way to victory in a debating competition. Sixth Form students Georgia Juckes, Alicia Ross-Vergara, Hettie Gardner and Luke Briggs won the first Democracy Challenge event held at the West Oxfordshire District Council offices in Witney. The students from Chipping
Norton School were challenged to debate topics such as “West Oxfordshire is a better place to live than London” and “Lifting the ban on new grammar schools”. The judging panel was comprised of Witney MP Robert Courts, Conservative Peer Lord Robert Hayward and retired judge Charles Harris QC.
Mr Courts said: “Chipping Norton School were well deserved winners, but they were pushed hard. Everyone who participated made some really excellent and thought-provoking contributions.” As well as receiving a trophy, the students have been invited by Mr Courts to visit both Houses of Parliament to watch live debates.
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