Akeman Park development

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019 strategic constraints plan for DASFurther to the earlier post on proposals for the development of South East Bicester, a planning application covering part of this area (referred to as Akeman Park) has now been submitted to CDC. This application is for the erection of giant warehouses on farmland bordering the A41 at the southern end of the Bicester 12 development area (see here for location plan). Outline details of this development, shown at an exhibition held in November, can be viewed here (13Mb file – may be slow to download).

Details of the major development at Bicester 12, a separate proposal for 1500 homes opposite the A41 by Langford Village and referred to as Wretchwick Green, were shown at an exhibition held in October and can be viewed here. The planning application for this development is still awaited, and further details will be posted on the LVCA website when available. Representatives of the Wretchwick Green developers attended an LVCA meeting in November and were receptive to concerns raised by the LVCA committee, together with District and Town councillors, about some details of the proposals.

Full details of the Akeman Park application can now be viewed on the CDC website. Go to the CDC Planning Applications webpage  and enter “15/02316/OUT” in the Search box; further details of the application can accessed via the “Documents” tab. The last date for submitting comments and objections to CDC is Monday 25th January.

Among opponents to this Warehouse development are LVCA committee members and Bicester Town councillors, who regard it as inappropriate for this site. These huge warehouses range in size from 100,000 sq ft of floor space to over 300,000 sq ft and because warehousing is increasingly automated employment potential is limited. More than 200 parking and docking spaces for HGV’s provide an indication of the additional traffic that could be using Bicester’s road network 24 hours each day.

Bicester Heritage Sunday Scramble

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Bicester HeritageBicester Heritage, which aquired Bicester Airfield from the MOD in 2013 to develop a business park dedicated to historic motoring and aviation, is holding a public event on 3rd January 2016. At this “Sunday Scramble”, visitors will be able to view classic cars, motorcycles and other vehicles and also see some of the restoration and other specialist businesses on site. This is an opportunity to see Bicester Gliding Centre in operation, and food and drink will be available from various catering outlets. For further information see the Bicester Heritage website.

Advance tickets can be obtained online. These are normally £5.00 each, but a 50% discount is available for local residents living in postcode districts OX26 and OX27. Adult (16+) tickets are £2.50 each (plus a booking service charge), and children under 16 are free when accompanied by an adult ticket holder. Parking is also free. Click here for the link to discounted ticket booking. Full-price tickets may be available at the gate on 3rd January, though this cannot be guaranteed if the event is sold out.

Langford Medical Practice

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Langford Med Practice (Dec 2015)A report published by the Care Quality Commission on 10th December shows that Langford Medical Practice received a “Good” rating in all the categories examined during an inspection carried out on 6th October 2015.

The practice has now been taken out of the special measures that were imposed following an earlier inspection in February 2015, which resulted in an overall rating of Inadequate. Although inspectors rated the practice Good for being caring and responsive, at that time they found that there was a lack of compliance with some of the required policies, procedures and record keeping. Following the report, the practice has worked hard to address all of the concerns raised and the Care Quality Commission now acknowledges that significant improvements have been made.

A summary of the new findings can be viewed here and the full report here. Details of the earlier inspection and report were posted on the LVCA website in May 2015.

Burglary in Turnstone Green

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Thames Valley Alert (Nov'15)Message sent via Thames Valley Alert on behalf of Thames Valley Police:

There was a burglary in Turnstone Green sometime between 17th and 23rd November, with entry gained by smashing patio doors.

If you saw anything suspicious or have any information that may help with police enquiries please telephone Bicester Neighbourhood  Police Team on 101. Alternatively if you have information that could help but wish to remain anonymous, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Future alert messages relevant to Langford residents will continue to be posted on the LVCA website, but if you wish to receive emails about these and other messages from Thames Valley Police you can register online at  https://www.thamesvalleyalert.co.uk/

Wretchwick Way / Peregrine Way junction

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Wretchwick Way junctionAt the LVCA AGM in September, Carole Hetherington and Richard Kingshott – key members of the Wretchwick Way/Peregrine Way subcommittee – spoke about the continuing campaign for safety improvements at the Langford junction. This has been the site of numerous accidents, including the death of a motorcyclist in September 2009 when he was hit by a car at this junction, and only last week there was a further collision involving a car and a motorcycle.

Many local residents are concerned for their safety while waiting to turn right from Wretchwick Way into Peregrine Way because of the risk of oncoming vehicles overtaking or speeding along this 50mph stretch of road.

In past discussion with police and county councillors, a number of proposals put forward to improve safety have failed due to lack of available funding. Oxfordshire County Council does not consider Wretchwick Way a priority, though is currently looking for highway improvement funds from local developments at Gavray Drive and Wretchwick Green.

Current proposals for a Wretchwick Way traffic calming and road safety scheme include further improving the 50mph signs, which previously did not comply with required standards, and adding new road markings to Wretchwick Way approaching the junction from either direction to indicate that overtaking is not permitted. New junction splitter islands would help protect traffic waiting to turn right into Peregrine Way. Full details can be seen in the diagram here.

A recent Bicester Advertiser report on the Wretchwick Way campaign, featuring Carole and Richard, can be viewed here.

South East Bicester development – public exhibition

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Bicester 12 map (small)The farmland area adjacent to Langford Village, at the other side of Wretchwick Way, is shown in the Cherwell Local Plan as Bicester 12 – South East Bicester. This site of approximately 155 hectares is allocated for mixed-use development, with proposals for 1500 houses together with business and industrial buildings, primarily storage and distribution.

A map showing  the Bicester 12 area, together with further details from the Cherwell Local Plan (July 2015) can be seen here.

Wates Developments and Redrow Homes are consulting on these developments and a Public Exhibition will be held on Tuesday 20th October 2.00-pm-7.00pm and Wednesday 21st October 2.00pm-8.00pm at Unit 7, Crown Walk, Bicester. See also http://www.wretchwickgreen.co.uk/

Langford Community Orchard

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Apple Day (Oct 2015)Apple Day is being held at Langford Community Orchard from 2.00 – 4.00pm on Sunday 4th October. Activities include apple pressing, face painting, a scarecrow competition and bug hunting with the local wildlife trust. There is also a seed, plant and produce swap table, plus cakes and drinks. Entry is free.

Visitors will have an opportunity to sign a petition to have the orchard designated as a Local Green Space to protect the land from future development. Further details of this can be seen in the agenda and minutes of the June 2015 meeting of Bicester Town Council Environment Committee.

The orchard is located opposite Dunlin Court along the footpath running between Mallards Way and London Road (see map).

Theft from Vehicles

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Thames Valley Alert (Aug'15a)Message sent via Thames Valley Alert on behalf of Thames Valley Police:

Property was stolen from a number of vehicles in Bicester between 12th and 16th August; including a bag taken from a car in Dunnock Close around 9.00am on Friday 14th August.

If you saw anything suspicious in your area or have any information that may help with police enquiries please telephone Bicester Neighbourhood  Police Team on 101. Alternatively if you have information that could help but wish to remain anonymous, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Included with this report was a PDF file “Steer clear of car crime”, covering security tips for motorists, which can be viewed here.

Future alert messages relevant to Langford residents will continue to be posted on the LVCA website, but if you wish to receive emails about these and other messages from Thames Valley Police you can register online at  https://www.thamesvalleyalert.co.uk/

Theft from a Vehicle in Mallards Way

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Thames Valley Alert (Aug'15)Message sent via Thames Valley Alert on behalf of Thames Valley Police:

Sometime between 26th July and 9th August, number plates were stolen from a vehicle parked in Mallards Way.

Please alert neighbours and remain extra vigilant. If you saw anything suspicious in the area or have any information, please telephone Bicester Police Team on the non-emergency number 101 with information, or 999 for immediate police attention.  Alternatively, if you have information that could help but wish to remain anonymous, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Future alert messages relevant to Langford residents will continue to be posted on the LVCA website, but if you wish to receive emails about these and other messages from Thames Valley Police you can register online at  https://www.thamesvalleyalert.co.uk/