The reception, held at the Oxfordshire base, brought together serving personnel, RAF representatives, and community leaders for a blend of ceremony and refined hospitality.

Guests gathered outside the Officers’ Mess as the Band of the RAF Regiment set the tone with a musical performance beneath the summer evening sky.

The ceremonial proceedings began with a display from the Ceremonial Flight, led by Flight Lieutenant Matt Thornton, followed by a General Salute.

Two 28 (AC) Squadron Chinook aircraft performed a low-level flypast, drawing all eyes skyward.

The event was attended by a range of dignitaries, including the Mayor of Wallingford, Vincent Cervoni, and representatives from parish and county councils, schools, and local organisations.

Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed drinks and canapés on the terrace before addresses from Station Commander Wing Commander Alice Tierney and Commander Air Wing Wing Commander Johnny Longland.

As the evening drew to a close, His Majesty’s Representative, the Deputy Lieutenant, departed, signalling the end of the formal proceedings.

The Officers’ Mess bell was rung at 8pm to mark the handover between the outgoing and incoming President of the Mess Committee – Squadron Leader Rawson to Squadron Leader Welch.

It also marked the final reception in service uniform for WO Evans.

The event was organised by a team led by Project Officer Flight Lieutenant Charles Ihe, whose attention to detail was widely praised.

As well as the homes, developer Obsidian Strategic also wants to build a special education needs school on the land to the north-eastern edge of the town.

The proposed development would be part of the Garden Town project, which will result in 15,050 homes and 20,000 high tech jobs delivered in the greater Didcot area.

The scheme was refused by South Oxfordshire District Council earlier this year.

The development attracted objections from 18 people, as well as Long Wittenham Parish Council, Didcot Town Council, Campaign to Protect Rural England Oxfordshire, Didcot Garden Town Team and Wittenham Against Over Development.

Objector Janet Haylett, of Westfield Road, previously said: “Over the past few years we have watched as Didcot has marched towards us with estates of Monopoly houses and already taken over a significant part of the parish.”

200-home site plan (Image: South Oxfordshire District Council)

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The planning officer’s report said: “Weighing against the development, it would permanently change the strong undeveloped rural character of the site, extending the town of Didcot east of Lady Grove Road into the parish of Long Wittenham.

“It would substantially reduce the gap between Didcot, Long Wittenham and the National Landscape, and would not protect and enhance the landscape, countryside and rural character.

“In conclusion, it is considered that the adverse impacts of the development would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits.

“The scheme therefore fails to represent sustainable development, and the material considerations outlined above do not justify making a decision other than in accordance with the development plan.”

The developer has now appealed the decision and the Planning Inspectorate will hold an inquiry on October 7 this year.

In the appeal’s documents, it said: “The appellant’s case is that the council cannot demonstrate a sufficient supply of deliverable housing land and that as such, the most important policies in the development plan for determining the application the subject of this appeal (i.e., those for the supply of land) are out-of-date; and that the appeal proposal represents sustainable development which should be acceptable in any event.

“The appeal proposals will deliver new market and affordable housing, which are much needed to help meet the strategic growth requirements of South Oxfordshire.

“The provision for a SEND school will also provide a clear benefit.

“The appeal proposals will further deliver significant environmental enhancement of the site and will demonstrably provide a biodiversity net gain to the area and an improved landscape edge to the north east of Didcot.

“The appeal proposals will deliver economic benefits for the area including the provision of new jobs both during the construction and operation of the development and also by way of increased levels of spending locally through the introduction of new households.”

The scheme, proposed by Admiral Homes for a site behind Cinnaminta Road in Oxford, is part of the city council’s £32m plan to increase its stock of housing for homeless families.

Oxford City Council is aiming to deliver up to 260 additional homes for people who need temporary accommodation over the next four years.

The plans have received no public comments in support or objection. 

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The planning statement, submitted in support of the proposal, said: “Temporary accommodation, such as herein proposed, supports people who would otherwise be homeless, and can happen for a range of reasons eg. including rising rents and relationship breakdowns.

“In light of all of the foregoing, that weighs heavily together in support of the proposal, then it is very much hoped that the proposal, as submitted, can be straightforwardly supported.”

If approved, the flats would become part of the council’s programme to take people out of hotel and B&B placements.

As of 2023, Oxford City Council had only 100 homes for temporary accommodation but plans to raise this number to 560 by 2029, including 100 homes already due to be delivered by 2026.

The council is currently housing more than 300 households in temporary accommodation, including about 145 in hotels and B&Bs.