Warriner School The Warriner School was last inspected by Ofsted in June 2007 and was judged to be Good. Under a new "lighter touch" regime, Ofsted inspect Good schools less often providing key metrics indicate continuing good progress. The school has now been advised by Ofsted that the school appears to be maintaining its Good status and there is no need for a formal inspection until 1 September 2011. Here is a link to the Ofsted letter.
Gallagher's "Public Consultation" Gallaghers are the developers who have persuaded Cherwell District Council to give planning permission for more than 1,000 houses, almost all of them in the Parish of Bodicote to the east of the Oxford Road.
I have now discovered, with the help of Bodicote Parish Council and largely by accident, that Gallaghers are holding a "Public Consultation" in the Banbury Castle Quay shopping centre on 16 to 18 July. Their failure to give any real notice is disgraceful and their decision to hold this in Banbury when the development impacts directly on Bodicote residents is deplorable. I am afraid we would have expected nothing better from this developer.
Bodicote Planning Application at 33 Oxford Road and behind nos 35 - 39 for 23 houses I am delighted to report that Cherwell District Council has Refused this application. Here is the planning officer's reason for the decision, taken under delegated powers:
The proposed removal of condition 20 would allow the development of 23 houses to the rear of 33-59 Oxford Road prior to the commencement of the Bankside application scheme under planning permission 05/01337/OUT. Development of the site prior to the commencement of 05/01337/OUT would not meet the requirements of Policy H10 of the Non Statutory Cherwell Local Plan in seeking a comprehensive scheme for the site and furthermore as a small independent development its development at the current time would be considered contrary to Local Plan Policy H13 falling outside the built up limits of Bodicote. In addition, the proposed 23 houses would place additional pressure on existing community facilities. Retaining In addition, without condition 20 there would be uncertainty in the delivery of community facilities secured under the outline planning permission for the Bankside [KRM: Bodicote to you and me!]application and therefore additional houses on the site to the rear of 33-59 Oxford Road would increase pressure on existing facilities and there would be little control to ensure new facilities are provided for further housing development.
Bloxham Grove Amenity Site I am pleased to report that Cherwell DC (whose site this is) have completed the provision of a base and pull in which has greatly improved this site and I hope will encourage residents to use it. See my Local Blog for a picture.
Bodicote Planning Application at 33 Oxford Road and behind nos 35 - 39 for 23 houses I nearly missed this one. Thanks to Ron Glynn for drawing it to my attention. An earlier Application for 23 houses has been approved but with a condition that development cannot start until the 1,000 houses in Bodicote behind Oxford Road are started. This application is to have this condition removed, enabling building of the 23 houses to start right away. The original approval was, in my view, another disgraceful failure on the part of Cherwell planners who have allowed an application that will join up Bodicote housing with the 1,000 houses behind which are a Banbury urban extension. So much for a policy of preventing coalescence between settlements! I hope the planners will say NO to this cheeky application. Click here for my repsonse.
An application for a Bodicote footpath diversion was heard today by the Planning & Regulation Committee. The owners of Bodicote Mill have long sought to move a footpath that crosses in front of their home to a location that enhances their privacy and security. There have been a number of local objections and the Committee was asked to decide whether to refer it to a planning inspector for determination or to refuse it. After some debate, the Committee voted to refer it to the Secretary of State for a planning inspector to determine. I have consistently supported this application. Some villagers were present today and opposed it. Here is a link to the committee report: http://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/content/public/Resources/hlpdownloads/PN/PN150210-12.doc
Bishop Loveday (C of E) Primary School has been given a Satisfactory grade in its recent Ofsted inspection. This is disappointing for a school which has enjoyed a good reputation. The report refers to considerable staff turnover including, of course, the long serving Headmistress. However, it talks positively in terms of "arresting a recent decline in teaching standards" and I am confident that the interim Headmaster has made great strides towards improvement and I am confident that the new, permanent Headmistress will continue this good work. Here is a link to the full Ofsted Report.
Christopher Rawlins (C of E) Primary School has been given a Good grade in its recent Ofsted inspection. Here is a link to the full Ofsted Report which makes good reading.