An application has been submitted to Cherwell District Council, the planning authority, to change the use of a three-bedroom detached dwelling in Kingsclere Road to an eight-bed with ensuite HMO.

The current home, which is thought to have been constructed in around the 1960s as a private house, currently has two off street parking spaces, two reception rooms, a kitchen and a bathroom.

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To accommodate the increase of bedrooms, an existing single storey flat roofed garage to the side of the property is planned to be demolished.

In its place will be a new part single storey and part two storey extension to the side and rear of the property.

Ground floor plan of the newly proposed 8-bedroom HMO in Bicester (Image: JMD Architects)

This will partly house the new rooms, which all measure more than 14m square excluding the ensuite, and an open plan communal kitchen, dining and living room, measuring around 28m square.

There is also provision for 10 covered Sheffield type bicycle stands to the rear of the property.

First floor plan of the newly proposed 8-bedroom HMO in Bicester (Image: JMD Arcjotects)

In the design and access statement, submitted by JMD Architects on behalf of the applicant, it said there is a “real need for quality rooms with ensuites in shared houses for younger single professionals who are working in the own and beyond and are unable to afford the rent for larger flats and houses.”

The planning authority has until May 26 to make a decision.

Cartesien, owned by Geri Horner and her husband, former racing driver Christian Horner, will compete in the Edgcote Gold Cup Mixed Open at the Bicester with Whaddon Chase Hunt Point-to-Point on April 12.

The race takes place at Edgcote Racecourse, near Banbury.

Maxine Filby, who trains Cartesien from the Horners’ stables at Marston St Lawrence, said: “We decided to run him at Edgcote as it is so local. They did a really good job with the ground last year.

“We still don’t know what we have got. He could have been flattered at Guilsborough.

“I would be thrilled if he runs a good race and comes back in one piece.”

The six-year-old gelding made a winning start in the UK last month at Guilsborough, ridden by Gina Andrews.

He will line up in the Edgcote Gold Cup Mixed Open, sponsored by Spratt Endicott.

Sixty-two entries have been received for the six-race card, with Clerk of the Course Graham Tawell confirming that watering will be undertaken as needed to ensure good ground.

Other races of interest include the Tattersalls Cheltenham, GB Pointing Bonus, Young Horse Maiden Series Four & Five Year Old Race over 2m 5f, which features a promising line-up of young horses.

Francesca Poste is set to debut Rum N Reggae, with husband Charlie Poste optimistic about the horse’s chances.

Mr Poste said: “His schooling and work has been good.

“He is by an exciting young sire in Crystal Ocean, so it’s fingers crossed.”

Last year’s meeting saw emotional scenes after Glancing Hill’s maiden win, just days after the passing of owner Bridget Gatehouse.

Charlie Poste said: “We lost Bridget, the vet who owned him, a year ago today (Tuesday).

“She hunted him all year with the Bicester, so it would be quite poignant if he runs there and wins that race.”

The event offers a full day of family entertainment, including a hound parade, dog show, falconry, children’s activities, a bouncy castle, and live music after racing from country singer Paul Adams.

Gates open at 11am. Admission is £15 per person in advance via the Edgcote Races website or £20 on the gate, which includes a racecard. Under-15s go free.

Premium parking in the front two rows is available for £50.

Edgcote Racecourse is located approximately six miles northeast of Banbury, near the A361.

Visitors are advised to exit the M40 at junction 11 and follow the A361 to Wardington before turning right at the Hare & Hounds pub for the most direct route.

The historic venue ranked seventh in a new list of top registry office locations for 2026 ceremonies, compiled by chauffeur service SIXT ride using data from TikTok, Instagram, and Google.

The findings highlight the growing demand for intimate weddings with fewer than 50 guests, a trend fuelled by celebrity examples.

Social media searches for ‘how much is a registry office wedding UK’ have risen by 1,200 per cent in the past year, and ‘registry office wedding package’ searches are up 967 per cent.

Leading the rankings is Chelsea Old Town Hall in London, which received the highest number of Google searches.

Chelsea was followed by The Old Marylebone Town Hall and Islington Town Hall, which also saw strong interest.

Other venues in the top 10 include Manchester Town Hall, Hackney Town Hall, and Cheltenham Town Hall, with Orleans House Gallery in Twickenham also making the list.

Sheffield Town Hall and Brangwyn Hall in Swansea were tied in ninth place.

The trend towards smaller, more personal ceremonies appears to be shaping wedding choices for the coming years.

Celebrities such as Charli XCX and Made in Chelsea’s Sophie Habboo and Jamie Laing have helped fuel the rise in popularity of registry office weddings.