Crime & Safety
MP and residents react as Bicester New Town loses status
Dorchester Living has built 1,200 of the planned 13,000 homes on the former RAF site near Bicester over 15 years, which is a £5 bn project.
Plans for 9,000 new homes at the site were dropped when the government cut its new towns list from twelve to seven earlier this week. However, plans could still go ahead if they are approved by Cherwell District Council.
Bicester MP, Calum Miller, said the decision highlights the need for more homes but warned growth must not strain already overstretched services.
“This decision should be a wake-up call”, he said, “We need more homes […] but growth cannot mean piling more pressure onto roads and services that are already overstretched.”
Considering other large local planning and infrastructure developments, he said a joined-up approach is obvious and the government should be clear about why it decided not to proceed with the site.
“Ministers must not kick this into the long grass”, he said, “They need to get to grips with the infrastructure gaps in our area and make sure future growth works for local communities, not against them.”
READ MORE: Bicester developers buy Cherwell council offices in Banbury
Heyford Park Community Action Group, said: “Residents of Heyford Park are keen to understand what this means for us as the settlement needs facilities, amenities and much needed infrastructure.
“Even though the new town was a frightening prospect for many, it was a potential solution to the continual silence, deflection and failures of the current company responsible for the village.
“Dorchester Living are struggling to create a healthy community here and we beg the authorities to step in and force Dorchester into action before they are given any further planning and growth options.
“Deliver what was promised for the current residents, before being given any permission to expand their fiefdom.”
Dorchester Living said it remains committed to working closely with the local community, statutory authorities, and the Government, which it says “shows clear support and recognition”.
It said: “Heyford Park has grown into a vibrant community with an exceptional range of amenities, far exceeding what is typically found in comparable developments.
“At the heart is our commitment to creating not just homes, but a truly thriving community. This is something we are immensely proud of, and it’s reflected in the genuine sense of belonging and pride shared by the majority of residents.
“There is a great deal more to come, and we look forward to continuing to enhance and grow this outstanding community.”
Government departments are reminding claimants to check their payment dates so they’re not caught off guard by early deposits over long weekends.
Child Benefit is normally paid on Mondays and Tuesdays, so anyone due a payment on Easter Monday should get it early.
“We always move payments forward when a bank holiday falls on the usual day, so people get their money in time,” a DWP spokesperson said.
Easter 2026: April payments moved forward
For many households, Easter will bring an early arrival of money.
Payments due April 6 2026 (including pensions, Universal Credit, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Child Benefit, and other DWP support) will instead arrive on April 2 2026.
HMRC and DWP explain that bank holidays mean banks are closed, so payments are brought forward to ensure claimants still have access to funds.
May and spring bank holidays
Other early payments this spring include:
- 4 May → 1 May (early May bank holiday)
- 25 May → 22 May (spring bank holiday)
This affects pensioners, Universal Credit recipients, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Child Benefit, and other regular payments.
Summer and autumn changes
Later in 2026, further adjustments apply depending on location:
- 3 August → 4 August (Scotland only)
- 4 August → 5 August (Scotland only)
- 31 August → 28 August (all UK)
- 28 December → 24 December
- 29 December → 30 December (Northern Ireland only)
Regional public holidays in Scotland (Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee) and Northern Ireland can also affect payment timing.
Why DWP payments change
The DWP and HMRC adjust schedules to ensure that:
- Claimants receive money before the bank closes
- There is no gap in essential support
- Payments arrive predictably despite long weekends
However, claimants should remember that after early payments, the next payment will follow the normal schedule, which may create a slightly longer gap between instalments.
Recommended reading:
How to check your payment
- Look at your bank statement – payments normally appear with references like “DWP Pension” or “HMRC Child Benefit”
- For those on Universal Credit, check the online account for exact payment dates
- If a payment seems late, check with your bank first, then contact the DWP or HMRC if necessary
“Knowing when payments will arrive helps households manage their budgets, especially around busy bank holiday weekends,” a DWP spokesperson said.
The 65-year-old former Top Gear and Grand Tour host is to guest star as the auctioneer at his local lido in Chipping Norton.
Mr Clarkson, a resident of Chadlington on his 1,000-acre farm Diddly Squat, has been a regular at Chipping Norton Lido for some years.
Last year, he helped raise £15,500 for the community-run swimming pool and the year prior it was £13,500 with Clarkson’s Farm co-star Kaleb Cooper’s promise of a personal tractor lesson in Mr Clarkson’s Lamborghini tractor the highest ticket of the night.
READ MORE: Judge rules ‘no chance of success’ in fight against congestion charge
The latest auction is to happen on Friday, May 8 at Chipping Norton Town Hall.
A spokesman for the auction said: “Catch him while you can – Jeremy Clarkson is returning for one last outing as auctioneer raising vital funds for The Lido.
“Our Auction of Promises will take place on Friday 8 May in Chipping Norton Town Hall and features a host of promises ranging from a clutch of Scotch eggs to the chance to see Jack Savoretti in concert and meet him backstage.
“Tickets are on sale now for what is always a highly entertaining night in a very good cause.”
Among previous items for sale was a conation from Blur bassist-turned-cheesemaker Alex James, who lives in nearby Kingham.
He donated a Blue Monday Cheese plus tickets to his food and music event The Big Feastival.
James Alder and Brendon Shamu were sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on Friday, March 27.
Alder, 21, of Limborough Road, Wantage, and Shamu, 27, of Field Gardens, Steventon, near Abingdon, were both charged with drug dealing offences in Abingdon between October 1 last year and January 23 this year.
READ MORE: Oxford – Photo released of dealer who hid drugs in deodorant can
Both men pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A drugs, namely crack cocaine and heroin.
Shamu also pleaded guilty to being in possession of criminal property, namely £8,795 in cash.
The court heard they were involved with a county drugs line called the Dior Line.
Shamu was jailed for a total of 49 months and Alder for three years.
Orders were made for the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs, paraphernalia, phones and cash.
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