Crime & Safety
Rules Geri Halliwell and Christian Horner must obey amid win
The married Spice Girl and former F1 boss live at the Oxfordshire border with Northamptonshire and have been locked in a number of planning battles with neighbours.
Most recently this has been over plans for a horse walker at her stables.
The celebrity pair own a horse racing company called OMBI and have built new stables for 14 horses at their Oxfordshire pad.
READ MORE: Geri Halliwell and Christian Horner triumph over neighbours
The plans for the walker on land adjacent to their main home were met with anger by neighbours – with a number of objections registered with West Northamptonshire District Council.
However, planning official Forrest Childs approved the application on Thursday, March 26.
He said in his decision notice that development of this nature in the open countryside “can be acceptable in principle where it supports an existing rural enterprise and does not result in unacceptable harm to the character of the area”.
But, Mr Childs’ approval was subject to a number of conditions that the celebrity couple must obey for the horse walker to be legal.
He said: “The building shall be used for private equestrian and land management uses only and no commercial use, including riding lessons, tuition, livery or competitions shall take place at any time.”
In addition, he added that prior to it being built, full details of external lighting needed to be approved and said it was far enough away from neighbours not to cause issues.
On the complaints from neighbours, Mr Childs said: “The proposed horse walker is over 90m distant from the nearest neighbouring dwelling (The Old School House) and therefore, given it is smaller in form and scale, and more distant than the existing equestrian barn adjacent, there is considered to be no loss of light, privacy or outlook to neighbouring occupiers.”
The scheme is the latest in a number of planning rows between the couple and their neighbours.
They were recently given approval to keep a pergola that had been built without planning permission.
READ MORE: Easter beer and cider festival hosted at award-winning Oxfordshire pub
Last year they were also granted planning permission to build a second pool on the grounds despite fears that it would be a ‘blot on the landscape.’
In a statement on behalf of Geri and Christian Horner, a planning agent said the horse walker structure “will be largely screened from all angles once the existing new hedging matures”.
The applicant also referenced DEFRA’s code of practice for the welfare of horses.
The planning agent added: “It states that animals must be given freedom to exercise off the tether for a reasonable period at least once a day.
“The installation of the horse walker will ensure that this is possible.”
The woman, understood to be from Didcot, was one of 13 arrested on Tuesday morning, April 7 at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk.
Lakenheath Alliance For Peace protesters were at the site that morning continuing to demonstarte against the base being used by the US military for its war with Iran.
Suffolk Police’s spokesman said: “Officers arrived at the base soon after 6am following reports of protesters locking themselves to their own vehicles outside the main gate and gathering at two other entrances.”
He said the protest caused disruption to motorists with some of the surrounding roads closed to help officers assist with traffic management.
He added: “Suffolk Police has a duty to enforce the law without fear or favour and as it currently stands, not as it might be in the future. As such, where offences are believed to have occurred appropriate action will be taken.
READ MORE: Indian takeaway in liquidation after immigration raid cost it £280k
“Although, the High Court found the proscription of Palestine Action to be unlawful, it also confirmed that the impact of that judgement will not take effect until the government’s appeal has been considered.”
According to the Lakenheath Alliance for Peace, the Didcot woman said “we are here to interrupt business as usual, and to say in the name of humanity ‘STOP’” as she was arrested.
The alliance said she was one of 13 “peace protestors who used heavy-duty locks to attach themselves to a car, a large multi-coloured peace symbol and each other, completely blocking” the main gates of RAF Lakenheath.
Lakenheath Alliance for Peace organiser Peter Lux said that RAF bases needed to be held “accountable” when letting US planes take off.
He said that between 116 and 118 US fighter bombers have been seen departing the base in recent weeks by protesters.
“It’s definitely an RAF base, it’s sovereign territory, and so Britain is actually legally liable for what actually happens at that base,” said Mr Lux.
The blockade on Saturday is part of a six-day peace camp involving an around-the-clock vigil outside the gates of the base, ending on April 6.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson has said: “The US is our principal defence and security partner.
“We have given permission to the US to use British bases for specific and limited defensive operations – in collective self-defence of our regional allies and to protect British lives.
“Any proposed US operation from a base in the UK or UK territory is considered on a case-by-case basis.”
The incident occurred at Culham Lock yesterday (Monday, April 6) with initial reports suggesting police were on the scene from about 7.30am.
Manned police cordons were set up around all entry and exit points to Culham Lock car park, and eyewitnesses say at least four police cars or vans remained there for most of the day.
READ MORE: Wanted man found after alleged rape of 13-year-old girl
Blue tents were also set up by police in the car park, in the bottom left corner.
One person who lives in Culham said they saw the incident was ongoing in the car park at about 3.30pm.
They said: “The incident seemed to be located in the back half of the car park on the left side.
“There seemed to be a lot of locals stood around staring and the lock keeper was stood with his hands on his head.”
They also reported seeing a recovery van retrieving a black four-by-four from the scene. It is not yet known if this is related to the incident.
READ MORE: Oxford trains cancelled after dead body found on tracks
The eyewitness said all emergency vehicles had cleared from the scene by about 4.30pm on Monday.
Thames Valley Police has not yet provided a comment on this incident, despite multiple attempts by this newspaper.
Culham Lock is an historic waterway cut to the north of the River Thames, with a free car park which provides a popular walking route along the river and through villages like Culham and Sutton Courtenay.
The incident occurred in the middle of the night at the junction of Queen Street and St Ebbes Street in Oxford, Sunday, March 22 at about 12.30am.
The victim, a man in his late teens, was ‘punched multiple times’ the offender, who then ran away down St Michaels Street.
READ MORE: Reports of major police incident at Oxfordshire lock
Police said the victim did not require hospital treatment.
Thames Valley Police are now appealing for a man they would like to speak to in connection with the assault and has released CCTV footage of the individual.
The image shows a young man with dark hair and facial hair wearing a black hoodie, grey jeans and sunglasses on his head.
Investigating officer PC Sophy Hewitt said: “We’re looking to identify the individual in this CCTV image, as we believe they may have information that could help our investigation.
READ MORE: Wanted man found after alleged rape of 13-year-old girl
“If this person is you, or you recognise who this is, please get in touch with Thames Valley Police, either by making a report online or by calling us on 101, quoting reference 43260139864.
“Witnesses can also contact us via 101 or by calling the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
The corner of Queen Street and St Ebbe’s Street is next to Bonn Square, and the entrance to Oxford shopping centre the Westgate.
-
Oxford Events3 weeks agoMichelin Guide Oxfordshire Restaurants – The Oxford Magazine
-
Crime & Safety3 weeks agoOxford: ‘Next generation’ LimeBikes in city from today
-
Jobs & Careers3 weeks agoWhy Join Oxford | Oxford University Jobs
-
Jobs & Careers3 weeks agoExplore our Careers
-
Jobs & Careers3 weeks agoInternal Job Board for University vacancies
-
Oxford Events3 weeks agoOxford News and Events, What’s on in Oxford, Exhibitions
-
Student Life3 weeks agoThe independent cinema battling Oriel College to stay open
-
Crime & Safety3 weeks agoCrash partially blocks A40 and causes severe Oxfordshire traffic