Our eight-year campaign against plans for a quarry near Longworth has been vindicated! At a meeting on 16 April attended by over 50 locals, Oxfordshire County Council’s Planning & Regulation Committee unanimously rejected the application by Hanson to extract 880,000 tonnes of soft sand from a 70-acre site adjacent to Pine Woods Road over an 11-year period.
The rejection was principally made on the grounds that the application is contrary to the Oxfordshire Minerals & Waste Local Plan (which favours extensions to existing sites over the establishment of new ones); there is currently no urgent need for additional sand reserves (which are currently calculated to stand at over 12 years); and the development would have an unnecessary adverse impact on the local environment and landscape.
A number of Councillors also voiced their concerns over the effect a quarry would have on road safety at the junction with the A420 – an issue that our campaign has consistently highlighted.
The failure of Hanson’s latest application follows the last-minute withdrawal of their previous version in November 2009, once it became apparent that it faced rejection.
Hanson’s last resort is now to appeal against this decision, which is likely to be a futile exercise, given that the application remains contrary to current planning policies.
Many thanks to everyone who has supported our campaign over the years – we couldn’t have achieved this result without you!

Richard Kenyon
On behalf of the Land not Sand Campaign

» Posted 19 April 2012 «

Can anyone recommend a good home from home boarding service for dogs near to Longworth? I need a holiday home for my very friendly (but big) dog. Any suggestions or recommendations welcome. Thank you very much.
» Posted 12 April 2012 by Anna Williams annaw1677@hotmail.com «

Hansons Application to Extract Sand from Pine Woods Road Site

We would appreciate a substantial village turnout at this key meeting, to voice your opposition to the latest version of the Hanson plan which will be up before the Planning Committee.

We will be laying on minibuses to take you there, which will leave from the Village Square at 1pm.

To book a place please contact Ellis Auckland on 821151 (up until 2 April) then Freda Stevenson on 820646 (after 2 April).

For those planning to travel under their own steam, the meeting is at County Hall and is scheduled for 2pm.

Please look out on this site for any last minute updates!

Richard Kenyon
On behalf of the Land not Sand Committee
» Posted 30 March 2012 «

This unique unusual 100ft tower is Faringdon’s icon and the last major folly to be built in England It sits on Folly Hill, within a charming 4 acre, circular woodland of splendid Scots Pine and broadleaf trees, some more than 200 years old. Check out the fantastic views over 5 counties and find out about the history of Folly Hill, Henry James Pye (of sing a song of sixpence fame), Oliver Cromwell and the very eccentric Lord Berners (the creator of the tower). Seek out the 24 black birds and giant willow pie, Cromwell’s cannon, the fairly useless bridge and more. Please do not feed the giraffes!! 10 minutes walk from Faringdon’s historic market place where refreshments are available, and 2 hours free parking. The tower is open from April to October on the first Sunday of the month, plus Bank holidays and is available for private openings. 11am-5pm Adults £2, 11-16s 50p, Under 11s free. The woodland is always open. The footpath starts from the Stanford Road. Nearest postcode is SN7 7AQ
www.faringdonfolly.org.uk Tel: 0845 475 8386
» Posted 4 March 2012 by enquiries@faringdonfolly.org.uk «

I run the closest Slimming World group to your village. My Group is on Wednesday night 7pm at Bampton Primary School, Bowling Green Close,male Bampton, All welcome, Come and have a cup of tea or coffee and see how friendly we are and loose weight at the same time.
» Posted 6 February 2012 by Call Mel Cable 07809175275 for further details «