Oxford News
UK private school submits plans for major expansion
Two new padel tennis courts are being planned at Radley College near Abingdon under new proposals put to Vale of White Horse District Council.
Padel tennis is the fastest growing sport in the world right now, with figures from the Lawn Tennis Association showing more than 400,000 people were playing the sport in the UK last year.
Close to one million people in the UK play the sport now.
And with more than 760 pupils enrolled at the boarding school, the college is seeking to “enhance” its extracurricular offer with more recreational opportunities.
Radley College is set among 800 acres and the new courts would be made within the northern part of the campus within the athletic track.
READ MORE: 97 drivers caught speeding in two hours by speed camera
The site forms part of a wider complex of Radley College sports facilities, comprising a hockey pitch and athletics track, as well as the rowing tank, strength and conditioning building and tennis courts.
An agent for the college said on its behalf: “In principle, the development is considered to be appropriate given its location within an established educational and sporting campus.
“The provision of padel courts will enhance the college’s sporting and extracurricular offer which is an important consideration within the context of a full-time boarding community.
“As such, the proposals are considered to accord with national and local policy objectives in respect promoting good health, wellbeing and physical activity.”
As well as the courts, the college would also equip the courts with external enclosures, lighting, alterations to the astro pitch fence and enhancements to the natural habitat around.
Governing body England Athletics warned that access to the courts should be “carefully managed” with a risk assessment.
It said staff should be aware of the potential for wear and tear to the track caused by increased footfall when accessing the courts.
Radley College is a boarding school for pupils aged 13 to 18, and earlier this month it received international acclaim when it was included in the Spear’s Schools Index 2026, which named the 100 best private schools in the world.
At the beginning of May last year Radley College and Prep Schools Trust, which includes Cothill House and Chandlings Prep School, announced they were merging in one of the most significant mergers in the charitable independent schools sector.
Chandlings and Cothill, which educate boys and girls from two to 13, are located close to Radley College – one of three remaining full boarding schools for boys aged 13-18.
A decision on the padel courts will be made by Vale of White Horse District Council at a later date.
Joanne McNamara will take up the role by the end of November, joining from Oxford Properties, where she currently serves as executive vice-president.
Her appointment follows the announced departure of Simon Carter, who is leaving to join warehouse developer P3 Logistics Parks.
British Land chairman William Rucker said: “Joanne is one of Europe’s most respected real estate professionals.
“With her deep expertise of real estate, valuable experience in the world of private capital and a strong reputation for decisive leadership, she is exceptionally well placed to drive the business forward.”
Ms McNamara brings more than 20 years of experience in the real estate industry and joined Oxford Properties in 2010.
During her tenure, she oversaw significant investment and development transactions.
She said: “British Land is a business that I have always admired, with an impressive track record of delivering and managing best in class places across the UK and an expert team at its helm.
“I am very much looking forward to working with the board, executive committee and all of my new colleagues as we work together to build on what is already a fantastic platform for growth.”
Initially debuting back in 2021, Jeremy Clarkson’s farming documentary has found global success.
Fans all over the world have tuned in via Amazon’s streaming service to watch the former Top Gear and Grand Tour presenter’s agricultural adventures.
Set at his own Diddly Squat Farm in Oxfordshire, the series also covers his Cotswolds pub, The Farmer’s Dog, which opened in Asthall back in 2024.
READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson ‘parties in pub until 4.30am’ celebrating win
The start of series five is out tomorrow (Wednesday, June 3), with further episodes to follow in the weeks following.
Alongside the usual faces appearing in the episodes, the Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir will also star.
The group, made up of real farmers, was put together by Mr Clarkson last year to help advertise his alcohol brand, Hawkstone.
Sticking together, the group went on to compete in Britain’s Got Talent 2026, seeing them win the whole competition on Saturday night (May 30).
READ MORE: Urinal blocks are being stolen from Jeremy Clarkson’s Cotswolds pub
The Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir pipped drone act Celestial to first place, but Mr Clarkson has now revealed the runners-up will also be in the new Clarkson’s Farm.
On the social media site X, he said: “Amazingly, the drone guys are in series five of Clarkson’s Farm.”
Discussing what series five is about, an Amazon statement said: “Amid a government budget that sends the UK farming community into uproar, Jeremy decides some big changes are needed to make the farm run more smoothly.
“But while the farm tries to go high-tech, resulting in Kaleb’s first-ever trip abroad, even bigger developments are heading for Diddly Squat that are going to prove much more of a challenge.”
Since the former Grand Tour presenter invited cameras onto his 1,000-acre farm in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds, he has been praised for educating viewers about the British farming industry.
From the genuine financial and bureaucratic struggles to adjusting to climate change, the 66-year-old former Top Gear presenter and farm manager, Kaleb Cooper, 27, who is Clarkson’s trusted agricultural advisor, has also sparked a massive surge in young people joining agricultural groups.
READ MORE: TV legend’s home on sale amid ‘new chapter’ in life
In May 2024, Clarkson – also the host of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? –challenged government planning reforms, to allow more farmers to convert agricultural buildings into homes and shops.
In series five of Clarkson’s Farm, Clarkson has a major health scare and is instructed to take a step back from work on the farm. But with the farming community marching in protest of the government’s budget, this proves to be very difficult.
Clarkson also decides to welcome EasyCare sheep, a new breed which require minimal shepherding and veterinary care and even shed their own fleece in the summer, and upgrade Diddly Squat Farm with hi-tech gear, and takes a rather baffled Cooper on his first-ever trip abroad to see how it’s done.
Leaving robot tractors in charge, all is well for a while, until things turn dark, chaos erupts, and bad luck strikes from every direction.
The show’s first four episodes will debut globally on the streaming platform on Wednesday, June 4.
Episodes on Amazon Prime typically are released at either midnight or 1am – meaning there is not long to go.
And then two more episodes will be launched on June 10 followed by the final two another week later on June 17.
US – 12am PT / 3am ET
Canada – 12am PT / 3am ET
India – 12:30pm IST
Singapore – 3pm SGT
Australia – 6pm AEST
New Zealand – 8pm NZDT
-
Crime & Safety3 weeks agoWaitrose supermarkets across UK shut due to ‘critical error’
-
Crime & Safety3 weeks agoMan arrested in connection with rape in Oxfordshire town
-
Crime & Safety3 weeks agoBanbury woman jailed after lying to police about kidnapped children
-
Crime & Safety4 weeks agoHow to spend a day in Harpsden among UK’s poshest villages
-
Oxford Events3 weeks agoStage Watch: Somerset House enters the comedy arena with major new festival Laughterama
-
Crime & Safety3 weeks agoStrictly Come Dancing new hosts reportedly Emma Willis
-
Business & Technology4 weeks agoCBI posts 14% revenue rise as payment services grow
-
Crime & Safety3 weeks agoUK Hantavirus update as 22 ship passengers moved to hospital