The plans for the proposed development at the site of Almond’s Farm, which is the Land West of Mill Lane, have now been approved (Oxford Mail Article: Oxford City Council: 80 new homes approved despite village traffic worries | Oxford Mail). The proposal is for up to 80 dwellings. This is in addition to the 160 dwellings that have been approved for development at Hill View Farm next to it. The land is owned by the city council and managed by Oxford City Housing Limited (find out more information here). To view the application and to have your say just follow the link to the city council planning site and enter the application number: 21/01217/FUL.

The Oxford Half Marathon will take place this year on Sunday 17th October 2021. This will mean that parts of Old Marston will be closed to traffic during the day. For more information go to their website: Oxford Half | Limelight Sports Club

Free Community Event open to all to held on Saturday 23rd October 2021 at the Church Hall in Elsfield Road from 10:00 to 13:00. There will be a range of ativities including Bread Making, Story Telling, Face Painting, Raffle, Refreshments, Games, Crafts, and more!

This is a small piece of land off Butt’s Lane next to Buswell Mobile Home Park. It was designated in the Local Plan for future development of 39 dwellings. There will be a public consultation before plans are submitted later this year.

The clerk has compiled a document of responses by both the council and local residents which you can download here.

Have your say on Oxfordshire’s future!

This is a proposed development of about 750 dwellings on land owned by Christ Church College on land north of Bayswater Brook in the greenbelt. Although outside the parish, it would impact greatly on the parish. The Parish Council is currently having meetings with the PR company representing the developer as a key local stakeholder. This is part of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035

• South Oxfordshire Local Plan – link
• South Oxfordshire Infrastructure Delivery Plan – link
• Bioabundance – a local pressure group opposed to the development – their website
• Detailed information on Headington website: Land North of Bayswater Brook (headington.org.uk)

To find and report road or street problems – please contact the county highways department. You can easily do this on-line by following this link: https://fixmystreet.oxfordshire.gov.uk/

Thames Valley Police have launched a campaign to show that you can report many crimes online instead of calling, taking pressure of the emergency call centres. To find out more just follow this link: Think before you dial | Thames Valley Police

The Parish Council looking to bring together local people who would be interested in creating a local Neighbourhood plan for Old Marston with a view to influencing future decisions related to planning in Old Marston. The City Council has started to consult on their proposed Oxford Plan 2040 and the County Council are looking at creating the Oxfordshire 2050 plan so there is a great need to have this in place. Download this document for more information.

Oxford City Council is embarking on the development a new Local Plan. The Local Plan 2040 will set out the planning strategy for meeting the needs of the city. It will set out where new homes, businesses and community facilities will be built to make Oxford a better place to live, work and visit. It will also look at how we can protect the things that make Oxford special such as open space, ecological habitat and areas of heritage. It will guide how development happens, helping to support the transition towards a zero carbon city, ensuring high quality design, being conscious of health and wellbeing, and addressing inequalities. This is an early opportunity to engage in the development of the Oxford Local Plan 2040 and your opportunity to help shape Oxford’s future. To find out more just go to their website: Oxford Local Plan 2040 | Oxford Local Plan 2040 | Oxford City Council.

In view of the proposed developments both within Old Marston and nearby, the parish council is looking at setting up a neighbourhood plan in response. You can find out more about neighbourhood plans here: ONPA – Oxfordshire Neighbourhood Plans Alliance