BLOXHAM PARISH COUNCIL (MAY 2025)

Chairman & Vice-Chairman 2025/2026  – Councillor David Bunn was appointed as Chairman for 2025/2026 and Councillor Joanna Barton was appointed as Vice-Chairman for 2025/2026.

Saplings: 20 saplings have been offered to the Parish Council to be planted in the village. If the saplings are accepted, they will need to be watered to ensure that they do not die. Therefore, if residents can suggest suitable locations for planting and will also agree to water the saplings, please contact the Clerk.

Mailing List – The Parish Council has set up a mailing list to enable residents to be regularly updated on issues affecting the village. If you would like to be added to the mailing list, please visit the

Flooding: The Parish Council’s Working Group is continuing to try and find solutions to the flooding issues that occurred in the village, and details of the meetings are available on the Council’s website. Work has been carried out in liaison with the County Council, Environment Agency, and Thames Water. The County Council will be publishing its own report on the flooding in Bloxham in the next few weeks.

Footpath Warden – If any residents who regularly walk along the public rights of way, bridleways, etc. in the village would like to consider being the Parish Council’s Footpath Warden, we would very much like to hear from you. It is not a one-sided role; it will involve reporting any issues with the footpaths to the County Council so that they can address them with the landowner. If you would like to support the Parish Council in this role, please contact the Clerk

Planning – The application submitted by William Davis Homes for 130 houses on South Newington Road (opposite the David Tyrrell Recreation Ground) was approved by Cherwell District Council on 15 May 2025. The Parish Council addressed the Committee in objection to the application. The decision is incredibly disappointing to the Council and those who submitted an objection.

An application has also been submitted to Cherwell District Council by Ainscough Strategic Housing for 120 houses on land east of Barford Road. The planning reference is 25/001009/OUT, and comments can be submitted to Cherwell District Council via their Planning Portal

In respect of Gladman’s appeal, which was dismissed by the Planning Inspector for 60 houses in Quarry Close, this decision has been quashed by the High Court. Therefore, there will now be a new inquiry held later this year, possibly in August 2025. This offers the opportunity to renegotiate the Section 106 agreement, and the Parish Council will be seeking the maximum benefit for Bloxham, should the appeal be allowed.

Neighborhood Plan – The review of the plan is continuing to be worked on by the councilors, supported by the council’s consultants. It is hoped that a consultation on the proposed sites to be included in the plan will begin be – fore the summer.

Conservation Area Re-Appraisal – Cherwell District Council will be carrying out a review of the Bloxham Conservation Area, and the consultation period runs from May 6, 2025, to June 17, 2025. All residents are encouraged to make their comments. Please visit the Cherwell District Council website for more details on the re-appraisal

Drop-In and Chat – The next Drop-In and Chat sessions will be held on Saturday 14 June 2025, Saturday 12 July 2025, and Saturday 9 August 2025, and they are an opportunity for residents to bring issues to the attention of the Parish Council. Please come along to the Ex-Servicemen’s Hall from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (second Saturday of the month). If residents would like to suggest topics for future sessions, such as flooding, please contact the Clerk.

Parish Council Meetings at Jubilee Hall, small meeting room, 7:00 p.m.: 02.06.25, 07.07.25 & 04.08.25.   All residents welcome to attend!