Crime & Safety
Chosley: Farm shop and cafe proposed for quarry site barns
Grundon Sand & Gravel Ltd has been extracting gravel from the New Barn Farm Quarry, south of the Wallingford bypass between Wallingford and Cholsey, since 2019.
A planning application has been submitted by the company for a collection of barns and buildings on farmlands nearby, Christie’s Farm, which are also owned by Grundon.
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It proposes the change of use and restoration of the buildings to create a farm shop, a cafe and restaurant, and artisan workspace and a space for the display and sale of artisan products.
The buildings include a grade II listed Threshing Barn dating to the 18th century, as well as a stables, an Atcost partially open-sided barn built in the 1960s, and the “derelict remains” of a former Cow Shed.
As the oldest and largest of the buildings, the scheme proposes conserving the Threshing Barn and transforming it into a farm shop, restaurant and cafe/coffee shop.
The timber frame of the building would be repaired and reclad, it would be divided internally with glass partitions, and the entrances would have new glass doors and entrance screens set behind timber doors replacing and matching the originals, kept permanently open.
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Lean-to structures at either end of the listed barn would be rebuilt with new insulation and glass screens and doors to the courtyards, with one end used as a cafe with outdoor seating and the other as a kitchen pass area, connected to the main barn with a glass corridor.
The Atcost Barn would become an artisan workshop with a new mezzanine space, and the stables converted into the site’s service building with an office, public toilets and storage.
Replacement buildings housing kitchens, a staff room and toilets would be built instead of the sheds between the stables and Threshing Barn which are “on the point of collapse”, and the Cow Shed would likewise be replaced.
The applicant said: “The proposed restoration and adaptive reuse of the agricultural buildings at Christie’s Farm represent a rare convergence of public, heritage, and economic value.
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“By breathing new life into the Grade II listed Threshing Barn, conserving the Stables, and sensitively integrating new structures, the scheme addresses longstanding concerns over disuse and poor repair while offering accessible, sustainable, and culturally enriching facilities for the wider community.”
The company added that the conservation-led proposal constitutes a ‘minor amendment’ to the restoration plan for New Barn Farm Quarry, which is set to be returned to agricultural land at the end of the quarry extraction scheme.
The application is open for consultation on the South Oxfordshire District Council website until May 7.
The incident occurred in the middle of the night at the junction of Queen Street and St Ebbes Street in Oxford, Sunday, March 22 at about 12.30am.
The victim, a man in his late teens, was ‘punched multiple times’ the offender, who then ran away down St Michaels Street.
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Police said the victim did not require hospital treatment.
Thames Valley Police are now appealing for a man they would like to speak to in connection with the assault and has released CCTV footage of the individual.
The image shows a young man with dark hair and facial hair wearing a black hoodie, grey jeans and sunglasses on his head.
Investigating officer PC Sophy Hewitt said: “We’re looking to identify the individual in this CCTV image, as we believe they may have information that could help our investigation.
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“If this person is you, or you recognise who this is, please get in touch with Thames Valley Police, either by making a report online or by calling us on 101, quoting reference 43260139864.
“Witnesses can also contact us via 101 or by calling the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
The corner of Queen Street and St Ebbe’s Street is next to Bonn Square, and the entrance to Oxford shopping centre the Westgate.
The Brasenose Arms in Station Road, Cropredy near Banbury hosts the annual Brasenose Fringe alongside Fairport’s Cropredy Convention, which is a separate entity.
This year’s event, expected to pull in 20,000 music lovers from across the county and beyond, will take place from Thursday, August 13 to Saturday, August 15.
However, acts are pulling out of the fringe festival over allegations that the pub is not paying staff properly.
In response, the pub said it is doing the best it can while cash flow is under “significant strain”.
Folk rock group TRADarrr has announced it will be looking to perform at a different venue than the Brasenose Arms this year in light of the controversies.
The band said in a statement that members made the decision “in the light of recent developments and comment”.
It added: “As a band we won’t be making any public comment on our reasons but we’re confident we’ve made the right decision.
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“Ticket holders have all been messaged and we’ll be going ahead with the gig.
“We’re looking at a couple of options and hope we can make an announcement very soon about where it will take place.
“In the meantime, refunds will be made to those people who want one – but we hope you’ll bear with us while we make arrangements and keep your bookings.
“Above all, we love our Fairport family and support any decisions made by fellow musicians trying to make a living and perform for their fans in these tricky times.
“Cropredy was one of the first festivals we played and our hearts firmly lie with the FC community who have shown us so much love over the last 11 years.”
Singer and bassist Miranda Sykes and the band Greenman Rising have also pulled out of performing at the pub, citing the controversies.
Folk duo Chris While & Julie Matthews added: “After becoming aware of information previously unknown to us, we have made the decision to withdraw from this year’s Brasenose Fringe Festival.
“We sincerely apologise to those who purchased tickets expecting to see us. This is not a decision we have taken lightly, but we believe it is the right one.”
Rebecca Ryan, director at the Brasenose Arms, said: “The pub has faced financial difficulties hampered by the closure of the canal last summer and the downturn in the hospitality trade due to the cost of living crisis.
“This has put a significant strain on our cash flow. We are doing our best to trade out of the situation.
“We have communicated with all who are owed monies and most have been very understanding for which we are grateful.
“We will continue to make payments to the parties moving forward.”
Fairport’s spokesman Gareth Williams said: “We are of course aware of the controversy regarding The Brasenose but, as you rightly say, the ‘Fringe’ is a separate entity to the festival itself and our reputation for supporting local charities etc in the village will I’m sure, remain intact.
“We are not in touch with The Brasenose and so cannot comment further.”
The Michelin-starred chef was born in Johnstone and grew up in Scotland until the age of nine, before moving to England with his family.
Mr Ramsay has since found worldwide success with an empire consisting of numerous TV Series and over 90 restaurants across the globe.
He previously spoke about his Oxfordshire links on the High Performance podcast, living in a Banbury council flat.
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Now, Bake Off 2023 winner Matty Edgell has claimed in an interview with Lottoland that he’d like to see Mr Ramsay replace Mr Hollywood on the show, should the former leave.
Mr Hollywood has been on the show since its original series on the BBC, and will once again be there in the next season alongside new judge and Oxford University graduate, Nigella Lawson.
He said: “I’ll go with Gordon Ramsay… but I don’t think I’d apply, I’d be too scared.
“I’m not sure he’d say yes to the job. He seems like a very busy man.”
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Reflecting on the topic more, Mr Edgell added: “I briefly met Gordon Ramsay in Ibiza when he was opening Hell’s Kitchen.
“I don’t think it has to be someone obvious like Gordon Ramsay, but he is a pastry chef, isn’t he, so could definitely do it.”
“It could also be someone that we’re not all familiar with.”
The comments come as Ramsay has just launched his new Netflix documentary series, offering a behind-the-scenes look at his life and career.
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