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Oxfordshire 200-home farmland plan amid fears for village

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Developers, Mac Mic Strategic Land Ltd, have applied to West Oxfordshire District Council seeking permission for houses and a shop on 11.78 ha of land near Standlake just outside Witney.

The parish of Standlake, which also includes Brighthampton village, has a population of less than 1,600 people.

The proposed development site (Image: edge Urban Design/WODC planning portal)

Ahead of planning application submission, developers requested feedback on plans from residents, which it referenced in its proposals.

Statements included, “it will completely alter the pleasant character of the existing village” and “Standlake will lose its village status”.

The plans said: “The overriding vision for the site is to create a high quality landscape-led place that integrates with the existing landscape and context of Standlake to deliver a sustainable addition to the village for up to 200 dwellings, in addition to a small local convenience store.”

A map of the planned development (Image: edge Urban Design/WODC planning portal)

Previously, in 2018, a 100-home development was refused for the site amid sustainability concerns and fears about increased car use.

Recent feedback included fear for “safety issues” and increased traffic at A-road junctions creating “particular risks near the primary school”.

Further concerns were raised over the loss of green space and impact on “wildlife and birds”.

The plans said: “Sewage, drainage and flooding were the most commonly mentioned concerns throughout the feedback received.

“Most respondents highlighted concerns about the capacity of local sewage infrastructure and the impact of the development on local flooding.

“Many expressed existing issues with Thames Water and that they’d like to see improvements to this infrastructure before any development takes place.”

This comes amid reports of tankers regularly being deployed to pump excess wastewater for disposal during periods of heavy rainfall.

The planned development would partly overlook a lake, and is close to the River Windrush.

A resident said: “The proposed location is regularly flooded in periods of heavy rain and additional building will be likely to be detrimental to the existing inadequate water courses and add to the flood risk for the proposed development and other Standlake properties throughout the village.”

The proposals say the development location is not likely to flood.

Describing the planned homes, it said: “The proposal can provide a variety of housing types and tenures which increases local housing choice and need within the area.

“The convenience store is proposed near the southern access point on The Downs, providing community facilities to new and existing residents.”

It adds: “The scheme also proposes a high-quality network of green spaces, including soft and native landscaping, areas of wildflower planting and attenuation features.”





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Jeremy Clarkson among famous men backing cancer treatment

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English actor and broadcaster Peter Duncan, 72, who has written and directed pantomimes for Oxford Playhouse, is urging health authorities to approve focal therapy more broadly across the UK.

Mr Duncan, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2019, called the treatment “life-changing” after it successfully targeted the cancerous part of his prostate with minimal side effects.

Jeremy Clarkson is some of a few famous faces who have received focal therapy for prostate cancer (Image: PA)

Other public figures who have received focal therapy include Jeremy Clarkson and former prime minister Lord David Cameron.

Mr Duncan said: “I was originally offered a radical prostatectomy which would have removed the whole prostate, but I was lucky enough to be treated with focal therapy which was better for me and a less invasive option.

“It was a complete success, and I’ve only experienced very minor after-effects, allowing me to continue with my life as before.”

The treatment is backed by Prostate Cancer UK, which is urging the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) to review and approve the treatment for wider use on the NHS.

Peter Duncan received prostate cancer therapy accessed by Jeremy Clarkson (Image: Alistair Wilson)

Amy Rylance, director of health services, equity and improvement at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “Without a timeline from Nice, we simply don’t know how long men will have to wait for approval on the NHS.”

A recent report from Imperial College London found focal therapy is as effective as radiotherapy or surgery but carries a much lower risk of incontinence or erectile dysfunction.

One in eight men in the UK will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.





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Criminal broke into Oxford home and slept in owner’s bed, court hears

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Richie Reeves broke into the home in Westminster Way on January 12 this year.

Oxford Crown Court heard how the 33-year-old, of Bristow Close, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, spent the night there and then stole some pants and socks before leaving.

As well as this, Reeves was sentenced, on August 6, for stealing bank cards in various locations and then using them to buy things for himself.

Reeves stole a bank card, wallet and cash belonging to John Keen in Oxford on January 17.

READ MORE: Oxford University student from China found dead at accommodation

Richie Reeves (Image: TVP)

He also stole bank cards belonging to Gordon Boland and Aya Zemzam in Milton Keynes in April.

Using the bank cards, the total he spent was £586.87.

Judge Maria Lamb said: “You broke into a young man’s home. You slept in his bed and helped yourself to his belongings.

“The feeling of intrusion to that young man must have been very significant. You were a rough sleeper and entrenched in substance misuse.

“You are now beginning to realise the impact of your offending on other people. It has had an enduring impact. You are now seeking to turn things around.”

Reeves was jailed for a total of 16 months.

The judge added: “I hope you build on the work you are doing already.”





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Second weapon unveiled by police to combat e-scooters and e-bikes

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It was reported earlier this week that Southampton’s officers had started using DeterTech’s SmartTag spray.

This can be fired from a handheld canister over distances of up to 10 metres, coating riders, clothing and bikes with an invisible marker.

READ MORE: Tips will no longer accept these items as new £15 charge introduced

The spray is only detectable under ultraviolet light and carries a unique forensic code linked to the specific canister used, allowing investigators to match a suspect to a particular incident weeks or even months later.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary says the technology gives officers a safer tactical option when dealing with motorcycles, e‑bikes and e‑scooters being used in crime or anti‑social behaviour, reducing the need for risky pursuits or close confrontation.

The move comes amid growing complaints about riders using powered two‑wheelers on pavements and in public spaces, and follows similar trials by Dorset Police and other forces to tag offenders rather than chasing them through busy streets.

READ MORE: Oxfordshire shop to permanently close with all products now £1

Thames Valley Police has told this newspaper this week that a second spray is being used in Oxfordshire and across the region.

The DNA tagging spray from SelectaDNA acts in a similar way and is also being used to combat e-bikes and e-scooters.

TVP, which covers Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, has already seized more than 100 illegal machines in recent operations and warned that privately owned e‑scooters used on public roads risk fines, penalty points and confiscation.





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