Your guide for your
Witney, Carterton and villages Thursday, April 26 - Wednesday, May 2, 2018
Lucky Lucy needs a home after operation
GROUP oxfordshireguardian.co.uk
Weekly leisure guide for in and around Oxford
Out& About around Oxfordsh
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Dara’s back doing what he does best
A thoroughly great show Meet modern Millie at The New Theatre
Fundraising in friend’s name to help foxes
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Runners elated, but many vow ‘never again’ Pages 12&13
Action group ‘very happy’ at move to order hands off land By George Welch
THERE were ‘tears of joy and relief’ as jubilant campaigners celebrated the rejection of a controversial housing development in Long Hanborough. Oxford-based developers Cantay Estates wanted to build 94 homes on the former gravel pit to the west of Church Road. Planning chiefs at West Oxfordshire District Council refused the contentious application in November 2016 and now, following an appeal by Cantay, a government inspector has thrown the ‘harmful’ proposals out. Giles Hughes, head of planning and strategic housing at WODC, said: “We are really pleased that the planning inspectorate has supported our original decision. “While we recognise the need for new homes in the district, it should not be at the expense of the character and appearance of our villages and the area in general.” District councillor Colin Dingwall, who led the campaign against the development, said he was ‘delighted’ the appeal, which if successful would have resulted in homes being built on a site of special scientific importance, was thrown out. He added: “I trust this damning rejection will protect the land from any future speculative applications or appeals to the Secretary of State.
“There were tears of joy and relief when I gave residents the good news that the appeal had been refused.” A spokesperson for the Hands Off Hanborough Action Group added that they are ‘very happy’ at the decision as the village has taken a ‘significantly disproportionate’ amount of new housing. WODC has spent £500,000 fighting appeals on behalf of west Oxfordshire residents. So far in Hanborough one has been won but two have been lost – both located to the south of the A4095 – totalling around 300 homes. Government planning inspector Paul Jackson said the Church Road homes would have a “conspicuous harmful impact on the character and appearance of the area and the countryside”. Justifying his decision, he added: “The harmful effects would be experienced for the long-term and cannot be effectively mitigated. The adverse impacts of granting planning permission in this case would significantly outweigh the benefits.” Hanborough county councillor Liam Walker said the inspector’s ruling is ‘good news’ for the community. The ‘distressing’ period of speculative developments could soon be over as WODC’s local plan, which plans out development across the district until 2031, was deemed as ‘sound’ earlier this year and is close to being adopted. Cantay Homes was contacted for comment.
Award winner: Apprentice/Learner of the Year Tracey Law from Cedar Court care home, Witney picks up her award
Tracey rewarded for her great example A WITNEY care home worker has scooped top prize at a gala ceremony in Hertfordshire picking up an Apprentice/Learner of the Year award. Tracey Law, from Cedar Court care home in Witney, was considered by judges to be a
fantastic example of someone who is passionate about learning and development. Tracey completed a Level 3 Diploma in Care and is currently participating in the Group’s Health Care Practitioner Programme. The inaugural Healthcare
Homes Group Star Awards were launched to recognise residential carers, domiciliary carers and staff that go above and beyond. Helen Gidlow, the group’s chief operating officer, said Tracey “very much deserved to win this award”.
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