Out& About
apers.co.uk www.taylornewsp Thursday, October
r 1, 2017 26 - Wednesday, Novembe
Your guide for your leisure time in & around Oxfordshire
Hauntingly good fun at Oxford Castle Join in the Spoo ky Scavenger Hun t
GROUP Didcot, Wallingford, Thame & Henley-on-Thames Thursday, October 26 - Wednesday, November 1, 2017
oxfordshireguardian.co.uk
Tears and joy over decisions on new homes
s. To view property sed courtesy of Waller This property showca
Westgate open for business & more to come
Page 5
details, see inside.
Long live Cornbury ! Popular festival returns
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Wildlife park welcomes 11st baby Alan
Pages 6&7
Pages 12&13
‘An unacceptable burden’ Plans for 502 homes put on hold as concerns raised over infrastructure By Eva Astreinidou
A DECISION on controversial plans to build 502 homes in Wallingford has been delayed. The proposals to build the homes on land north of the Wallingford bypass have been criticised by neighbours and local officials who say the plans will ruin the town’s historic setting and burden the local infrastructure. South Oxfordshire District Council has deferred the decision on the plans following a request for a site visit last week by the planning committee. Wallingford resident Andrew Millar is opposed to the plans. He said: “I object most strongly to this application, which has been made several times previously and, correctly, rejected. This repeated application cannot be allowed to succeed. “Five hundred houses is more than previously recommended and will overflow the capacity of the historic market town of Wallingford. “This is far too much far too quickly and the council has a responsibility to think clearly and act decisively in the interests of the town’s residents.” Fellow opponent Graham Wren said: “[The] town centre already struggles to cope with existing traffic flows and has insufficient parking to meet the needs of shoppers. Traffic generated by the new development will result in gridlock in the town centre.”
He added that Wallingford medical practice would be unable to cope with the additional patients generated by the proposed development. Wallingford councillor Lynda Atkins agreed saying the plans would place ‘an unacceptable burden on the town’s infrastructure’. “SODC are saying that we will need to have an additional 295 homes in the town in the latest draft of the Local Plan so this is for far more than needed, and we are just not set up to cope with that. “Just one example is the impact on our sewage system, which Thames Water has said may not cope with this number of new homes. “It is an issue which has caused considerable problems in some parts of the town in the past, and it is an essential issue which, when things go wrong, is very distressing for those affected. There are many other areas, including secondary schooling, where there is simply no capacity in place.” The meeting to consider this application will now be held on November 8. The plans submitted in January by developer Kemp&Kemp, who were acquired by Carter Jonas in July, are recommended for approval by SODC planning officers, much to the surprise of residents. Kemp&Kemp were unavailable for comment.
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Call now to book your FR EE e timschool ate Warriors given warm welcomesat From Kenya to Didcot for Masai warriors who entertained at Aureus School at Great Western Park
PUPILS in Didcot had the chance to find out more about life in Africa with a lively performance from Masai warriors. The Osiligi troupe put on a show for students at Aureus School at Great Western Park. The Osiligi Masai Warriors brought their unique form of
entertainment, including the world-famous Masai jumping. The seven-piece group comes from the village of Oleopolos and surrounding communities in southern Kenya, around 30 miles south of Nairobi. Members have been holding an annual tour of the UK since 2003.
The troupe raises awareness of the Masai culture on its visits, raising money for their families and the wider community. Since 2003 a new clinic, orphanage, church/community centre and fresh water have all been achieved as a direct result of the tour.
The Oxfordshire Guardian has more printed copies than any other newspaper in the county
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