Crime & Safety
Oxford University College ‘transformation’ plans approved
Mansfield College wants to demolish its John Marsh Building and replace it with a new four-storey building with students’ rooms, academic spaces, a new porter’s lodge and a junior common room (JCR).
The plans were discussed at the Oxford City Council planning committee meeting on Tuesday, May 26.
There were no speakers against the proposals at the meeting, and it was unanimously approved.
Under the proposals, 104 bedrooms are to be demolished, and the new building would provide 174 bedrooms, meaning a net gain of 70 bedrooms.
Other improvements include adding a three-storey extension with a lift to the Champney’s building, allowing people with mobility issues to access the library by lift, while the bomb shelter at the side of the building would also be removed.
A two-storey mews building for plant and operational space would also be built.
There would also be a ‘pocket park’ where the enclosed parking area is, along with improved cycle parking and a reduction in car parking.
Thames Valley Police shared fears for “security of staff and students” due to three access points.
The force questioned “how they would be managed, with a lack of security and surveillance of the northern wedge bike store?”.
There was also a highways objection made.
Oxford Preservation Trust added concerns about the “scale and bulk of the replacement building”.
But, it also stated: “Pleased to see that the WW2 history of the college will be reflected in the proposed interpretation plaque – and that the outline of the bomb shelters will be marked and support the reinstatement of Champney’s corridor.”
Mansfield College said in its planning statement that the development “is not aimed at increasing student intake but simply to provide sufficient accommodation to meet its current needs”.
It rents 10 private properties with 89 rooms, with the College stating this would allow them to release these homes back into the market.
It added that the existing John Marsh Building, which was built in 1962, has poor Wi-Fi connection and is not well-insulated.
Helen Mountfield KC, principal of Mansfield College, said: “It is the most significant transformation of the College estate since it moved to central Oxford from Birmingham 140 years ago, and an important moment for Mansfield.
“The project will enable us to welcome more students to live and learn on site, create beautiful new spaces for study and community life, and build a more sustainable and accessible College for the future.
“Crucially, it allows us to do all of this while respecting and enhancing the historic character that makes Mansfield so special.”
Coldwater, which was filmed in Scotland, saw a middle-aged man move to a Scottish village while in the midst of an identity crisis.
Hollywood star Andrew Lincoln, who also played Rick Grimes in 11 seasons of the US horror drama The Walking Dead, played the main character, John.
Lincoln first found fame in BBC drama This Life and has since had starring roles in Teachers and classic film Love Actually.
Top 10 best British TV series
ITV drama Coldwater axed by broadcaster after one series
In the six-part crime thriller, John moved his family to the Scottish village of Coldwater to escape London.
After moving to the village, he befriends his new killer neighbour Tommy, who is harbouring horrifying secrets, unbeknownst to John.
His secrets lead to a series of unsettling events.
Ahead of the launch of the show, playwright David Ireland, said: “Coldwater started with a question I was asking myself, where do I want to live?
“The countryside or the city?
“Such an innocent beginning, but from it came this dark, funny, twisted thriller.
“I was delighted when Sister loved the script and thrilled when ITV decided to commission it.
“And I’m amazed we’ve managed to attract such a peerless cast, led by the formidable Andrew Lincoln.
“I hope viewers will find it intoxicating.”
The series also starred Ewen Bremner as Tommy, Indira Varma as John’s wife Fiona, and Eve Myles as Tommy’s wife Rebecca.
While ITV viewers were able to sit through the first series, there won’t be another as ITV confirms “there are currently no plans for a further series”.
An ITV spokesperson told Newsquest: “We’re hugely proud of Coldwater and everyone involved in making it.
“Whilst there are currently no plans for a further series, we loved bringing this story to screen.”
At the end of the series, viewers saw Tommy disappear, meaning John and his family were frightened as they didn’t know if or when he’d return, reports The Sun.
Almost 3.8 million viewers started watching the series, but viewing figures dropped to 1 million, the newspaper states.
The series was produced by Sister, which has produced Eric, This Is Going To Hurt and Chernobyl.
ITV’s head of drama, Polly Hill, who commissioned the show for the broadcaster, said she was “very excited” to see it on the small screen.
Ahead of the launch, she said: “David’s scripts are wonderful and original and have attracted an incredible cast led by Andrew Lincoln.
“It promises to be a really unmissable drama and I am delighted to be working with Jane Featherstone again and her brilliant team at Sister.”
Where was Coldwater filmed?
Coldwater was filmed in various locations in Scotland, according to Glamour UK.
The show was filmed in locations around Glasgow, Dunlop, and beyond.
A funeral scene was filmed at Dunlop Kirk, with the wake shot at Edmonstone Hall.
Recommended reading:
Pollok Country Park in Glasgow features in scenes set in the woods.
Exterior shots of the houses were filmed in a South Lanarkshire town while interiors were shot on specially constructed sets.
John’s therapy sessions were filmed at a house overlooking Loch Lomond, designed to reflect his and Fiona’s dream of an idyllic Scottish lifestyle.
Filming also took place at The Lade Inn, which you can find on the edge of the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park, including night-time scenes in the pub’s car park.
What’s the best ITV drama you’ve watched? Tell us in the comments below.
Cherwell District Council has ordered the developer Vistry to submit the assessment for the Bicester proposal following a scoping application decision which highlighted concerns about traffic, wildlife and the loss of open countryside.
The plans, which include an 80-bed care home, a local centre and open space, sits on about 75ha of farmland and is parcelled between the A41, the Chiltern railway line and the Blackthron Road.
The site wraps around the Grade II listed Blackthorn Hill windmill and Mill House Farm, and it includes a Local Wildlife Site and land within a Conservation Target Area.
In a formal scoping opinion, the council stated the unallocated greenfield site has the potential for “significant environmental effects” and sets out what Vistry’s environmental statement must cover.
Topics include population and human health, biodiversity, land and soils, water, air quality, climate, heritage assets, transport and cumulative impacts with other major developments around Bicester and Upper Heyford.
The decision does not approve the scheme but sets a high evidential bar before any outline application can be decided.
Ambrosden Parish Council “strongly objects” to the proposal, citing its absence from any local plan allocation and fears over infrastructure, traffic and biodiversity.
Launton Parish Council raised concerns about extra pressure on the A41 roundabout, possible drainage impacts on Launton Brook and an already stretched sewerage network.
Councillors also question why a development of this scale does not clearly include a new school to absorb the likely rise in pupil numbers.
An environmental document for the early-stage plans also raised concerns about the damage to a “high archaeological potential” site.
A geological survey showed it lies on a landscape of rich Roman activity through anomalies including ring ditches, potential boundaries and kilns.
READ MORE: 1,000 Bicester homes could damage Roman site near A41
Environmental groups warn the scheme could damage a highly sensitive landscape of meadows and wildlife corridors.
The Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust says the site, which sits close to the Upper Ray reserves and several Local Wildlife Sites, risks severing an important chain of habitats.
It argues that, to avoid this, the northern part of the site should be retained as a substantial nature reserve, with between 34 and 42ha, roughly 40 per cent of the land, dedicated to wildlife and green space, delivering biodiversity net gain entirely on site.
Oxfordshire County Council says a full Transport Assessment must examine impacts on key A41 junctions and walking and cycling routes to schools and neighbouring developments.
Network Rail has lodged a holding objection over potential extra use of nearby level crossings and insists that no works proceed until rail safety and protection measures are agreed.
Dr Charles Archer of Welbeck Health Partners is urging people in Oxfordshire and beyond to take precautions during the high temperatures, with forecasts suggesting the mercury could reach up to 35°C.
Dr Archer said: “No one starts their day thinking about their skin in the same way they think about brushing their teeth, but it really should be part of the same routine.
“Applying SPF 30 every day should be non-negotiable, whether you are at home in Oxfordshire or abroad.
“Spending time outdoors is incredibly important for wellbeing, especially during periods like this when people naturally want to be outside more.
“But it has to be balanced with responsible sun behaviour and simple protective habits.”
The warning comes as Skin Cancer Prevention Week draws to a close, as dermatologists point to rising rates of skin cancer across the UK.
Dr Archer recommends daily use of a moisturising SPF 30 sunscreen, along with hats, UV-protection sunglasses, and lightweight, long-sleeved clothing.
He also advises avoiding peak midday sun and performing regular ‘fs’ twice a year to check for new or changing moles and lesions.
Dr Archer said these checks should include photographing skin changes with a smartphone to monitor for subtle developments.
He emphasised that good skin health also depends on hydration, sleep, and a balanced diet, especially foods rich in protein to support collagen and skin strength.
Dr Archer will join Welbeck Health Partners’ upcoming Oxford centre in Jordan Hill, set to open in 2026.
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