News
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Cherwell Council set for headquarters move to Castle Quay shopping centre
Cherwell District Council plans to move its new headquarters into the former BHS and Gap units within Banbury’s Castle Quay Shopping Centre, which it owns. This move aims to support a “thriving and vibrant town centre.”
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Construction completed on southwest section of Benson Relief Road
Residents and visitors in Benson are now benefitting from easier travel to the Cala housing development as construction work is complete on Oxfordshire County Council’s 250-metre-long section of the Benson Relief Road.
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Next set of homes at Wellington Gate gets go-ahead from Vale District Council
The Vale of White Horse District Council has granted planning approval for a Persimmon Homes Wessex scheme to build 152 high-quality homes as part of the five-star developer’s seventh development phase.
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Carrdus School to close in 2025 due to financial pressures
The impending closure has been attributed to increasing financial pressures, including the mid-academic year introduction of VAT on independent school fees, the loss of charitable business rates relief, and rising employers’ national insurance contributions.
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Oxfordshire restaurant The Sparsholt set to close before Christmas
The Sparsholt, a pub and restaurant nestled in the tiny Oxfordshire hamlet of Sparsholt near Wantage, is set to close its doors permanently just days before Christmas.
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Oxford United takes key step forward in new stadium plans with Cherwell Council
The extensive documentation relating to plans for the new stadium application covers matters including transport and ecology, with additional surveys being undertaken over the past six months.
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Teen driver jailed for causing death of three friends while under influence of laughing gas
A man who drove his car at dangerously high speeds while under the influence of nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, has been jailed for causing death by dangerous driving of three young men in Marcham in June 2023.
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Mixed reactions from Oxfordshire councillors on proposed local government reforms
Local leaders are divided over the government’s proposal to abolish district councils and establish large mayoral combined authorities. While some see benefits in efficiency and accountability, others warn it could and harm rural representation.
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Premium kitchen specialist Harvey Jones opens Bicester Village showroom
The 1,200 sq ft space features the heritage craftsmanship that Harvey Jones is known for, with high ceilings perfect for tall cabinetry, a pet parlour and a walk-in glass-walled pantry. Four large kitchens are displayed, including the Harvey Jones Original, Arbor, Hampton and the brand-new Slim Shaker.
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HIF1 and major infrastructure project for Didcot and surrounding areas given planning approval
Planning approval for the HIF1 Didcot and surrounding areas’ major infrastructure project was granted by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Angela Rayner, following a planning inspector’s report recommending that the scheme proceed to construction.
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Oxford City Council Leader responds to Government’s devolution white paper
Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council, has welcomed the Government’s proposal to introduce mayoral combined authorities at the regional level across England.
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Government unveils plans for local mayors for every region of England
The government has unveiled its English Devolution White Paper, introducing new powers for mayors aimed at driving growth, accelerating housebuilding, and improving transport.
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Battery technology specialists Agratas takes 23,000 sq ft premises at Milton Park
The scale-up business developing next-generation battery technologies – has signed nearly 23,000 sq ft of laboratory space in Science Vale UK – the cluster of innovation companies in Oxfordshire.
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Green light for The Oxford Trust’s Aspen Building to boost start-up laboratory space in Headington
Plans for The Oxford Trust’s Aspen Building, to be built at the Wood Centre for Innovation in Headington, have been resolved to be approved by Oxford City Council’s planning committee to provide science and tech companies with additional start-up and grow-on laboratory and office space.
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UK’s second largest publishing group doubles presence at Milton Park
The UK’s second largest book publishing group, Hachette UK, has announced a significant expansion of its Milton Park facilities in a move which doubles it’s presence at Milton Park and is expected to create up to 50 local job opportunities.
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Skyports and Bicester Motion break ground at UK’s first vertiport testbed
The vertiport will be a critical facility for testing electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) flight operations, ground infrastructure, and air traffic management to enable the next generation of electric, low-noise aviation in the UK