News
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Banbury firm urges government to back raised loft boarding to cut energy bills
A Banbury business is urging the government to support raised loft boarding as part of efforts to improve home insulation, reduce heat loss and help households manage rising energy bills ahead of winter.
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Ridgeway Council plans paused as government orders review of Oxfordshire reorganisation
Plans for the new Ridgeway Council covering West Berkshire, South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse have been paused as the government reviews local government reorganisation across England.
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£14m Signal Yard development at Milton Park set for official launch
The £14m retail and hospitality destination at Milton Park will launch this month, bringing independent food, drink, health and leisure businesses together in a new social hub for workers, visitors and the wider Oxfordshire community.
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Witney-based Edgars planning consultancy under new leadership following management buyout
Witney-based planning and heritage consultancy Edgars has entered a new chapter following a management buyout led by Jon Westerman, who becomes managing director as the Witney-based business approaches its 20th anniversary.
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Botley West solar farm decision delayed again as government seeks more information
The government has delayed its decision on the controversial Botley West solar farm for a second time, giving ministers and interested parties until November to consider further information on the proposed 2,400-acre Oxfordshire development.
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Electric vehicle charging bays to replace parking spaces across Oxfordshire
New electric vehicle charging bays will replace regular parking spaces at 11 locations across Oxfordshire, after councillors approved the first sites under a £4m programme. Other proposals were deferred or rejected following concerns over parking, pavements and local access.
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Solar farm nearly 1.5 times the size of Blenheim Palace estate proposed across Vale of White Horse
A 2,800-acre solar farm nearly one and a half times the size of the Blenheim Palace estate has been proposed across the Vale of White Horse, with capacity to power up to 143,000 homes.
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Magdalen College School appoints new Master as it prepares for major change
Magdalen College School has appointed Alan Bird, Head of City of London School, as its next Master. He will succeed Helen Pike in August 2027 as the Oxford school enters a significant period of change, including its move towards becoming fully co-educational.
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Oxford Playhouse to stage Terence Rattigan’s rare play in 50th anniversary year
Oxford Playhouse will stage Terence Rattigan’s rarely performed In Praise of Love in 2027, marking 50 years since the playwright’s death and renewing the theatre’s commitment to in-house production.
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Bertie Park housing plans face fresh scrutiny as councillors prepare to review approval
Plans for 31 affordable homes on Bertie Park in Oxford will return to councillors next week, after the controversial development was called in for review. Residents opposing the scheme say the park is a vital community space, while the council points to Oxford’s pressing need for affordable housing.
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Oxfordshire approves first ‘quiet lane’ as police clash with transport chief
Oxfordshire has approved its first “quiet lane”, cutting the speed limit on Shepards Pit Lane in Stanton St John from 60mph to 20mph despite Thames Valley Police calling the scheme “highly inappropriate”.
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Five National Trust places offering free entry in Oxfordshire and beyond this September
Five National Trust properties across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire are taking part in Heritage Open Days this September, offering free entry, rare access, exhibitions, tours and archaeological discoveries.
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Bank holiday sewage dumping sparks warnings over Oxfordshire rivers
Raw sewage was discharged into rivers and streams across Oxfordshire over the bank holiday, prompting warnings about water quality, wildlife and public health as the county remains under drought conditions and a hosepipe ban.
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St Giles’ Fair: The road closures and traffic restrictions you need to know about
St Giles’ Fair returns to Oxford this September, with road closures and traffic restrictions in place across the city centre. Here’s what you need to know.
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Oxfordshire visitors are loyal, but many potential tourists still know little about the county
New research suggests Oxfordshire has a strong base of repeat visitors, with 83% saying they are likely to return. But the survey also highlights a challenge for the county’s visitor economy: many potential tourists know too little about what Oxfordshire has to offer.
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Viral dog sensation Viola Snow is coming to Blenheim Palace for DogFest
Viola Snow, the viral husky with millions of social-media followers, is heading to Blenheim Palace for DogFest in October, with two exclusive Meet & Greet sessions giving fans the chance to meet the internet-famous dog.