Bloxham School currently have a request for minor changes to the main entrance and creation of additional parking and a drop-off/pick-up area.

You can see the plans at the Cherwell District Council website. The space in question is already sometimes used for parking when the school holds events.

The general area is one that is highlighted in the Bloxham Neighbourhood Plan as one of the iconic views experienced when entering the village.

It is also an area that frequently appears on school publicity and so it’s reasonable to assume the school itself will be keen to protect the overall impact.

The School has published a ‘masterplan’ for its development which is also available from the CDC site and the Parish Council have this matter on their current agenda.

As always planning decisions – which are made by CDC not the Parish Council – are a balance between protecting the quality of the local environment and ensuring local businesses and the  community mutually flourish.   Decisions need to show respect for the character of the village but also accommodate the fact that to remain successful independent public schools must constantly strive to adapt to the changing times. Interestingly, at least 17 public schools have been acquired in recent years by Chinese individuals or companies!