Kirtlington

Kirtlington in the heart of Oxfordshire

Alex Charlesworth

Kirtlington Hedgehog Street

Kirtlington Hedgehog Street is connecting gardens in the village to give hedgehogs enough space to breed and to help keep them off the roads. This is part of the national Hedgehog Street campaign. To learn more see this article that was published in the national press.

  • 60 properties in the village are connected
  • c. 16 acres of gardens are included
  • The village pub, school and church are all connected.

The national Hedgehog Street organisation has told KWACS that Kirtlington has one of the biggest volunteer-run Hedgehog Streets in the country!  See the map in green.  To join, please make sure hedgehogs can pass from your garden to your neighbours’ gardens.  All it needs is a CD sized hole in your fence or wall.

In Spring 2020, there was a rapid and significant decline in Kirtlington’s hedgehog population.  We have written up the evidence for the decline which is very clear and the possible reasons for it.  Click here for that article and here for another article by Professor Patrick Doncaster who researched into hedgehogs in Kirtlington Park in 1992. Click here for coverage of the loss of our hedgehogs on local BBC news.

KWACS is delighted, whenever possible, to support other communities who would like to set up their own hedgehog street.  In particular, click here if you are interested in receiving a lecture about what we have done in Kirtlington.  This is given either in person or via Zoom by the brother of the KWACS committee member who leads our hedgehog work.  He is a wildlife photographer, film maker and public speaker.  In addition, visitors are welcome to come to Kirtlington to see in person what we have done.

DONATIONS

If you would like to support our work, please click on DONATIONS above.  That will take you to our on-line giving page for the KWACS Hedge Fund.

All donations will go directly to enlarging Kirtlington Hedgehog Street or supporting other communities start their own hedgehog street.



As hedgehogs have yet to evolve the ability to fly, where there is a ground difference between gardens we have to resort to innovative structures like this stone staircase and oak ramp:

As part of the project, we use foot print recording tunnels and camera traps to check on the presence of hedgehogs. A camera trap video of a hedgehog on the ramp posted to KWACS’ X (formerly Twitter) feed went viral with over 33,000 views!

John Howell MP – COVID-19

Dear All

I am making contact via all Town and Parish Councils and Parish Meetings in the constituency in the light of the national situation due to COVID-19.

I know that you are all working hard on your own community response to the situation and thank you for all that you are doing on this. With much negative news in the media it is so encouraging to know that on the ground people are working together to support one another.

As the situation unfolds more and more questions are being asked as the implications for different people, different groups, and different businesses come to light. As new questions arise please do feel free to email me with the concerns (contact link below). If you are asking the questions it is quite likely that others are asking them too. I may not be able to get immediate replies for you, but I can do my best to make sure that your questions are raised with those who can provide an answer.

I fully appreciate the alarm that this situation is causing for many. I share with others the concern at the fake news circulating together with the part that social media can play in inducing fear and panic. All of the information that is available from Government is in the public domain, MPs are not privy to other information. The two key links for up to date information are:

On the Government website at https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response

On the NHS website at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Anyone can sign up for email alerts when there is any new information at this link: https://www.gov.uk/email-signup/confirm?link=%2Fgovernment%2Ftopical-events%2Fcoronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response

With thanks again and my best wishes

John

John Howell OBE MP FSA
Member of Parliament for the Henley Constituency

Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Nigeria | Member of the Council of Europe | Deputy Chairman Industry and Parliament Trust | Government Neighbourhood Planning Champion | Chairman Communities and Local Government Conservative Backbench Committee

House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA

To find out more about my work and to sign up to my email newsletter visit www.johnhowell.org.uk

Kirtlington Park festival License Application. Comments deadline 31st Dec

The Parish Council has been notified by Cherwell District Council’s Licensing Department, via our representing Councillor at CDC, of an application made by Kirtlington Park to hold a major public event on the grounds next summer. While the Parish Council had not been contacted prior to the date of application (and publishing in Bicester Advertiser), we have since reached out to the Park Management and pending an opportunity to meet, have invited them to outline their proposals at the next Parish Council Meeting on the 14th January 2020 (which is of course open to public attendance).  From the information we have received so far, this is proposed to be a major festival, primarily culturally-centred on socio-political and economic debate but with an element of live music,  of a similar scale to events held in Charlbury (Wilderness) and Great Tew (Cornbury) with the associated considerations, with the Licensing Dept. advising that the proposal is for a large festival including music and drama, and the sale of alcohol to take place over a Friday to Monday in the summer with up to 15,000 people anticipated over that 4-day period (i.e. not 15,000 each day), and intended to be repeated annually over the next 5 years. The proposed location covers a large part of the Kirtlington Park estate, and there will be provision for camping.

There are arguably many points for and against such an event to be held in Kirtlington and as the Parish Council would prefer to give proper consideration to any proposals of this scale, taking into account local views although we understand the village as a whole is largely unaware of the proposals, we feel it is important to advise parishioners of the means of – and deadline for – making comments on the application to the District Council, should anyone wish to.

It is important to note that any comment (concern or objection) raised to CDC must relate to the Licensing Objectives (such as the prevention of public nuisance such as noise levels, ensuring public safety e.g. traffic management, and ensuring the protection of children) to be valid, and also that the Park Management and Event Organisers have a Draft Management Plan in place (though not currently in the public domain, it is hoped these details would be shared no later than the next KPC Meeting), and that any such event – if granted permission – would be subject to a Safety Advisory Group (SAG) due to the scale, with that SAG to include the District Council’s Licensing Dept, Environmental Protection, Thames Valley Police, etc.

The deadline for comments is 31st December, with the Application reference at CDC being 19/PRM1663/LAPRE1, and can be viewed at:

https://www.publicaccess.cherwell.gov.uk/online-applications/licencingApplicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=Q215T2EM0PG00

While the application is open for consultation it is not possible for the public to submit comments via the website – these should be emailed to the Department at licensing@cherwell-dc.gov.uk citing the application number, 19/PRM1663/LAPRE1, or just “Kirtlington Park festival” in the subject line.  Please note that the submission of an “objection” is a means of expressing any concerns, to ensure there are robust plans in place and that all aspects are thoroughly examined – not a device to stop such an application – which would then pass to a CDC Committee hearing, for that purpose. If no (valid) concerns are received before the deadline, the Licence must be automatically granted, per due process.

The Parish Council will update on any further information received, however any member of the public is  entitled to phone (01295 753744) or email the Licensing Dept with questions regarding information on location, scale, approximate date etc.

“GREAT WOLF” RESORTS APPEAL – COMMENTS DEADLINE FRIDAY 27TH NOVEMBER 2020

Kirtlington Parish Council has re-iterated its objection (of December 2019) to this proposal. The deadline for sending comments to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) is Friday 27th November 2020. You may email the PINS Case Officer direct, email alison.dyson@planninginspectorate.gov.uk. You must cite the PINS appeal reference, APP/C3105/W/20/3259189.

This link takes you to the application details on Cherwell District Council’s website –

https://planningregister.cherwell.gov.uk/Planning/Display/19/02550/F

To give an impression of size, the small building at the bottom (left of centre) is Bicester Country Club and Hotel
The size of this proposed development is vast

Mid-Cherwell Neighbourhood Plan – REFERENDUM. Thursday 21st March

Please vote in the REFERENDUM on the Adoption of the Plan. You can make a difference to our community.

Thursday 21st March, Kirtlington Village Hall,

7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The Notice of Referendum link is here

Voting on the Referendum will take place in the same way as any other local election.  Registered voters should receive their poll cards with the usual details this week.   The process is run by Cherwell District Council’s Democratic and Elections Team.

Cherwell District Council’s Neighbourhood Plan Referendum page can be seen here

The Plan documents can be seen here and there is a bound copy in the Village Shop.

Thames Water A4095 Oxford Road Closure on 29th Oct for Two Weeks

Sewer Repair by Hatch Way:  Oxford Road Closure w/c 29th October:  The Parish Council understands that Thames Water and OCC Highways are liaising closely with regard to the road closure arrangements and diversion signs, and that access will be maintained for residents only; given the location it seems unlikely that drivers will be able to breach the Road Closure notice via Troy Lane and so it is hoped the level of difficulty experienced in the summer will be avoided.  However at present the OCC Highways Road Closure notice is not available so we are not able to confirm the arrangements.  It is hoped the work will be completed within the 2 week period but the Parish Council accepts that Thames Water have to allow sufficient time for repairs to be carried out safely.

Please see a copy for Thames water’s letter here for further information.

Kirtlington Parish Council

Update on Thames Water sewer works opp Oxford Arms

Thames Water Residents Letter

The A4095 closed week commencing 9th July For Two Weeks

While acknowledging the frustration, delays and difficulties that the current closure of the A4095 has caused, the Parish Council would request that parishioners in particular be respectful of the residents of Troy Lane and refrain from using this route as means of circumventing the road closure – it is simply not suitable for the resultant two-way traffic that is inevitable when through-traffic that has ignored the multiple road closure signs sees residents transiting Troy Lane, and potentially could result in injury to pedestrians, damage to property and further congestion. The road closure is in force for all traffic using the A4095, and does not exempt parishioners on the basis of residency in the general village area;

The Temporary Traffic Order TTRO ref. T5788 specifies:

‘Access will be maintained for emergency service vehicles and for frontages within the closed section of road’ – i.e. those properties within Troy lane, only.

The current situation is far from satisfactory, however it should be remembered that this is a temporary situation and necessary to finally rectify the sewerage problems that have plagued areas of the village for many years – this in itself has taken a considerable amount of work before Thames Water would take responsibility for, and action on.

The Parish council has been in contact with both Thames Water and OCC Highways throughout the period leading up to these works, to request that the issue of Troy Lane through traffic be satisfactorily dealt with, and had been advised full closure was not possible due emergency service access – likewise ‘access only’ signage was advised as unsuitable, as encouraging the behaviour we have already seen.

Yesterday evening, the Oxfordshire County Councillor with responsibility for this Parish Council area – who has already been incredibly supporting of and instrumental in both the repairs to Church Lane, and the implementation of more effective Road Closure signage put in place during today – attended the monthly KPC meeting and has witnessed the issues first-hand. She will be following this up tomorrow to request that the OCC Highways lead make an urgent site visit to review the measures in place and / or required to best manage this situation, as it is acknowledged that the diversions are not marked clearly enough and measures to control Troy Lane access not sufficient.

Please be mindful that those drivers of through-traffic that have ignored signage to get as far as the closed section will inevitably follow local traffic if seen entering Troy Lane – please do not give them reason to follow.

While this remains a matter fully under the control and responsibility of OCC’s Highways Dept., the Parish Council will continue to liaise as effectively as possible – parishioners may of course contact OCC Highways direct via TTRORequests@Oxfordshire.gov.uk or Tel: 0345 310 11 11 quoting the TTRO reference above.

Thank you again for your patience during this period.

D.M. Richardson, KPC Chair