Bypass plan for potential new town dropped
Homes England wants to build 3,400 homes at Chalgrove Airfield, Oxfordshire, and previously proposed building two bypasses, one through Cuxham and another through Stadhampton and Chiselhampton.
It still plans to build the latter but has dropped the proposal for Cuxham and wants to use traffic calming measures and a bike path there instead.
Many residents are opposed to the homes plan, as are South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC) and Chalgrove Parish Council, which said the plan would be "unsustainable due to its isolated location".
There are about 1,200 homes in Chalgrove currently and community events were held for residents about the project in April 2024.
The airfield has been used for decades by ejector seat maker Martin-Baker, which has a lease on the site until 2063. The firm has said it will not move willingly.
Homes England pulled an earlier plan in 2021 and concerns about the development and the proximity to the airfield's runway were previously raised by the Civil Aviation Authority and residents.
In documents shared by SODC, Homes England had previously planned to submit three planning applications for the development.
They would have included homes at the airfield and for its northern runway and two others for the bypasses.
Four are now planned. They would include an outline planning application for the airfield's main site, another for a realigned northern runway, one for the Stadhampton and Chiselhampton bypass and another for the Cuxham travel route.
Other proposals for traffic calming along the B480 and A329 within Stadhampton and Chiselhampton and the B480 through Cuxham are proposed but how "is yet to be determined", SODC said.
You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Spending on new market town plan nears £14m
Shapps denies lobbying against houses on airfields
Plan for new market town on airfield filed
Airfield objections derail housing plan
South Oxfordshire District Council
Homes England
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
12 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Sky News Signals End Of Era By Canceling Dedicated Business Show
Sky News is shutting up shop on its dedicated business show after more than a decade. Employees at the Comcast-owned network were told on Monday that Business Live will not return later this year as Sky News pivots to premium digital content under its '2030' strategy. More from Deadline MSNBC To Change Name To MS NOW As Part Of Split With Comcast NBC News Names Deputy D.C. Bureau Chief; MSNBC Makes Additional Washington Hires Epic Universe, 'How To Train Your Dragon' Buoy Comcast Q2 As Company Posts Gain On Sale Of Hulu Stake In an internal email seen by Deadline, Jonathan Levy, Sky News' managing director and executive editor, said: 'Business and economics content will continue to feature prominently in our flagship TV shows and rolling breaking & live news coverage. 'We have spoken directly with those affected by this change and I want to thank them for their dedication to Business Live over the years.' Levy did not elaborate on whether there would be job losses as part of the decision. A Sky News spokeswoman declined to comment further. Business Live was previously known as Ian King Live until the presenter exited last year. The show first launched in 2014, but Sky News' dedicated business output goes back further to Jeff Randall Live, which launched in 2007. Best of Deadline Everything We Know About 'Gen V' Season 2 So Far 2025-26 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Emmys, Oscars, Grammys & More 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery
Yahoo
13 minutes ago
- Yahoo
London councils will be ‘unable to provide basic services' after government funding shake-up, warn businesses
Government reforms to the way councils are funded could leave London's town halls hundreds of millions of pounds worse off, risking core services and undermining the capital's competitiveness, business leaders have warned. BusinessLDN – which represents more than 170 of the city's largest employers – urged ministers to ensure that the proposed Fair Funding Review takes into account the city's higher living costs and areas of deprivation. Analysis by umbrella group London Councils suggests boroughs will receive £700 million less than they would under current funding arrangements if the reforms go ahead. BusinessLDN said the capital's councils had already seen spending power 'squeezed significantly' since 2010. For example, Camden Council has experienced a 13% fall in real terms over that period, despite increasing council tax. In a letter to Local Government Minister Jim McMahon, Chief Executive of Business LDN John Dickie warned that under the latest funding formula proposals, other inner London town halls could see further cuts of 11–12% in real terms over the next three years, even if they raise council tax to the maximum level permitted level. 'It would be deeply concerning if local authorities in the city were left without the resources they need to provide the basic services that their residents and businesses rely upon,' Mr Dickie said. 'This would undermine the perception of London as an attractive place to live, work and invest – and in turn, jeopardise the Government's growth mission and the ambition for the UK to be the most rapidly growing country in the G7. 'We urge you to ensure that the Fair Funding Review 2.0 takes these factors into account and delivers a reformed system that works for London and the whole UK.' He highlighted rising pressures on social care, special educational needs, and homelessness, alongside London housing costs that are among the highest in the country. Despite the capital's relatively high average incomes, one in four households lives in poverty once housing costs are considered, Mr Dickie added. BusinessLDN said cuts to services such as planning, environmental management and street cleaning could damage the city's ability to attract investment. The government has said it wants to 'strengthen and simplify' town hall budgets and bring 'an end to wasteful, competitive bidding for funding pots and move towards multi-year financial settlements that give local leaders the certainty and stability they need to plan for the future'. But London Councils has challenged the plans. The group is 'gravely concerned' about what it describes as unevidenced proposals that had not been properly road-tested. Claire Holland, the chair of London Councils, said: 'This would have major implications for our most vulnerable groups of residents: London has the highest rate of poverty in the country once housing costs are factored in, and one in 50 Londoners is homeless and living in temporary accommodation.'
Yahoo
13 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Greater Manchester's rumoured winners and losers in £69bn deal
Greater Manchester's rumoured winners and losers in the government's next financial deal have been named. Manchester council could be a big winner under the government's new rules for how local authority funding is calculated, a report seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service says. However, the SIGOMA study says Wigan, Rochdale, and Trafford councils are all set to receive a smaller increase in 'core spending power' than the England average. READ MORE: 'We think we're allowed to park on the pavement' READ MORE: Children 'having meltdowns' after families turned away from summer breaks at Haven holiday park To see planning applications; traffic and road diversions and layout changes; and more, visit the Public Notices Portal HERE Core spending power measures the amount of cash town halls can spend on day-to-day services like road maintenance, adult social care, and bin collections through government grants, business rates, and council tax. The research suggests Manchester's core spending power will rise by 25.64pc, double the projected England average of 12.8pc. But Rochdale could see a lower-than-average increase of 10.62pc, Wigan is set to receive a 9.98pc rise, and Trafford is in line for 7.94pc. Report author SIGOMA is a pressure group comprising urban area councils in the north, midlands, and south coast. It calculated the figures based on information released by the government under its 'Fair Funding 2.0 proposals', which are set to shake-up how local authorities are funded The government says no final decisions have been made on the proposals and councils' cash settlements this year, with official funding packages usually confirmed in December. However, a Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said reform of the system is due: 'No final decisions have been made and these figures should be treated with caution. 'We will consult again through the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement later this year. 'We have already made over £69bn available this year to boost council finances, including over £3.5bn for Greater Manchester, and we will go further to reform the funding system to make it fit for the future.' Wigan, Trafford, and Rochdale councils told the LDRS they would 'make representations' to the government's 'fair funding 2.0' consultation, which closed last Friday (August 15). Trafford council leader Tom Ross said: 'We have made no secret about the significant ongoing financial challenges Trafford has faced after suffering cuts to our funding of almost £300m over the last 15 years. 'These historic funding cuts, rising cost pressures and an increase in the need for services especially among children's and adult social care, compounded by several years of council tax freezes, have meant it is becoming harder to deliver what our residents and businesses need while balancing the books. 'We will be providing a detailed response to the consultation and will continue to work closely with the government and our local MPs to secure a fair deal for Trafford and our residents.' A Wigan council spokesperson said: 'We welcome the review of funding for local authorities and will be making representations as part of the ongoing consultation process, which we hope will result in fair distribution of funds based on the needs of communities – ensuring local authorities can continue to deliver vital services and support to those who need us most. 'Wigan borough faces many ongoing challenges – including high levels of deprivation and health inequalities within our neighbourhoods – which, together with our partners, we are committed to addressing in line with our Progress with Unity missions.' And a Rochdale council spokesperson added: 'No final decisions around our settlement for the next financial year have been made and, as always, we will make any representations through the appropriate channels. We will be responding to the Fair Funding Consultation this week, and providing feedback on the proposed funding allocation methodology.' Manchester council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority declined to comment. SIGOMA's calculations: Area Increase in core spending power Manchester 25.64% Bolton 19.25% Bury 18.88% Oldham 18.88% Salford 14.99% Stockport 13.48% Tameside 13.31% England average 12.80% Rochdale 10.62% Wigan 9.98% Trafford 7.94%
