Developer of flood-ridden Oxfordshire estate to be struck off

Bower Mapson Limited, which built Buttercross Lane in Witney, is to be struck off the companies register and dissolved.

A statement on June 16 said: “The Registrar of Companies gives notice that, unless cause is shown to the contrary, the Company will be struck off the register and dissolved not less than 2 months from the date shown above.”

This follows an application authorised by director Pauline Mapson to dissolve the company and comes after this paper revealed that Bower Mapson owed a total of £434,164.

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In a summary of its financial statements up to March 31, 2024 – as published on Companies House – it said the firm owed £145 to trade creditors, £233,020 to other creditors and £200,999 to participating interests.

The document was filed on November 21, 2025, just days after Peter Mapson was officially removed as a director for the Swindon-based business.

Water being pumped away on Buttercross Lane (Image: Cllr Thomas Ashby)

Involved in a number of projects around Wiltshire and Oxfordshire, the developer was behind Buttercross Lane in Witney, which has had numerous problems with flooding.

This includes during the last winter, with one householder, who asked to remain anonymous, describing the situation as ‘appalling’.

The householder said: “I can’t leave my house today as I can’t drive my car through this.

Cllr Thomas Ashby on Buttercross Lane (Image: Cllr Thomas Ashby)

“This is the worst it’s ever been it’s appalling and the council think the solution is to send a deism lorry once on a while.

“It’s totally unacceptable – a failure of their adoption of road management and safety – I’m at a loss with what to do.”

Initially Oxfordshire County Council put in place low-level drainage tanks to provide interim relief but only a week or so ago a more permanent solution was announced.

Flooding on Buttercross Lane on November 10 (Image: Richard Wakefield)

The drainage improvements will be carried out from August 3 to August 28, with warning signs set to be installed at the junction of Station Lane and Buttercross Lane.

Buttercross Lane will be closed from its junction with Willowbank during the works.

In 2017 South Swindon MP Robert Buckland (centre) presented an award to MD Peter Mapson (right) (Image: NQ)

As she revealed the plans, Liz Leffman, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for highways construction and repair, hit out at the developer.

She said: “Residents have had to put up with flooding at this location for far too long due to a lack of proper maintenance by the developer prior to the road’s adoption by the council as highways authority.”

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It appears the work will come from the taxpayer’s pocket, which Conservative councillor Thomas Ashby is unhappy about.

He said: “While I am deeply disappointed that taxpayers are footing the bill for a development that should have included proper drainage from the start, I appreciate the council officers’ hard work in designing a robust fix.

“Thank you to the residents of Buttercross Lane and the entire Buttercross Estate for your continued patience while I worked hard behind the scenes to get this secured.”