Olivia Churchill
Latest news and stories
-
Home Office asylum plans for MOD Bicester spark consultation and planning concerns
Plans to accommodate up to 1,250 asylum seekers at MOD Bicester have prompted criticism from local leaders, who say the proposal was announced without consultation and have questioned how the Home Office intends to secure planning permission.
-
Grove CE Primary School set for £9.5m expansion to create new pupil places
The expansion of Grove CE Primary School is set to create space for 105 additional pupils and a new 39-place nursery, helping meet growing demand for school places driven by housing development in north Grove.
-
Global fashion brand Bershka to open first Oxfordshire store at Westgate Oxford
Global fashion brand Bershka is set to open its first Oxfordshire store at Westgate Oxford later this year, taking over a prominent Upper Ground floor unit formerly occupied by River Island.
-
Major milestone as 38–40 George Street redevelopment moves into construction phase
The regeneration of 38–40 George Street has reached a key milestone as Marick Real Estate appoints Watkin Jones Group to deliver the new 145-unit Wilde Oxford aparthotel, alongside a 400m² community space developed with Makespace Oxfordshire.
-
Cokethorpe pupils join national Big Paddle Clean Up to restore Oxfordshire waterways
Pupils from Cokethorpe School joined canoeists and kayakers in a large-scale environmental effort as part of Paddle UK’s Big Paddle Clean Up, collecting litter across 20km of Oxfordshire waterways including the River Thames, River Windrush and Farmoor Reservoir.
-
High Lodge Farm launches Little Explorers woodland play sessions for young children this summer
High Lodge Farm near Abingdon is launching Little Explorers, a new woodland play experience for children under seven, featuring mud kitchens, water play, nature walks and outdoor adventures throughout the summer holidays.
-
Giffords Circus returns to Oxfordshire with Waterfield, its most ambitious show yet
Giffords Circus is back in Oxfordshire this summer with Waterfield, a spectacular new production inspired by the wildlife and charm of the English countryside, touring Stonor Park and Barrington until 20 July.
-
Heat-health Alerts in force as Oxford faces severe weather disruption this week
UK Health Security Agency and the Met Office Heat-health Alerts are in place until Friday 26 June at 11.00pm. Residents are being urged to take precautions with service changes, cooling centres, safety advice and disruption to waste collections and public services across the city.
-
County council to review speed limits on 60 rural roads in push for safer travel
Oxfordshire County Council will review speed limits on around 60 rural A and B roads as part of its Vision Zero strategy, aiming to improve safety and reduce serious collisions across the county’s network over the next year.
-
Oxfordshire honours Armed Forces community with County Hall flag-raising ceremony
Military personnel, civic dignitaries and community leaders gathered at County Hall in Oxford as Oxfordshire County Council raised the Armed Forces Day flag, recognising the service and sacrifice of the county’s Armed Forces community ahead of national celebrations later this week.
-
Oxfordshire fire and rescue crews launch wildfire prevention advice
Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service is urging residents to take extra care during dry weather after attending a series of major wildfires in recent years, with safety advice issued to help prevent potentially devastating blazes.
-
Thames Valley leaders furious after plans to create powerful regional Strategic Authority collapse
Thames Valley leaders are furious after plans for a regional Strategic Authority collapsed, blaming Oxfordshire’s Liberal Democrat leadership for withdrawing support and derailing a once-in-a-generation devolution deal across Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Swindon.
-
Frieze Farm development raises fresh questions over North Oxford fire station plans
A proposed fire station allocation within the £900m Frieze Farm “innovation district” near Peartree Roundabout has reignited concerns over paused plans to close Rewley Road and Kidlington fire stations, prompting warnings that emergency cover in north Oxford could still be reduced.
-
Thames Valley mayoral authority plans unravel as Oxfordshire’s Lib Dem leadership withdraws support
Oxfordshire’s withdrawal of support has collapsed plans for a Thames Valley mayoral authority, putting the devolution project across Berkshire and Swindon in doubt and casting uncertainty over future governance and investment plans.
-
Oxfordshire villages see 60mph speed limits cut to 20mph amid safety fears over rising traffic
Four rural roads in Oxfordshire, including routes through Fordwells and Asthall Leigh, will see speed limits reduced from 60mph to 20mph following safety concerns raised by residents about rising traffic volumes and the risk posed to pedestrians and cyclists.
-
County Council approves £306k funding for 127-strong CAG Oxfordshire network
Oxfordshire County Council has approved £306,200 in funding for Community Action Groups Oxfordshire, enabling its network of 127 local groups to continue delivering environmental, social and community projects across the county for another year.