CLP

HELP NEEDED TO SECURE STRATTON’S FUTURE

A CLP (Community Led Plan) group was set up three years ago to help organise events and establish views and attitudes of local people. This led to a parish wide survey in early 2015 which was completed by over 55% of households, the results of which  can be view here SA Survey results .

During this time the Parish Council registered an interest with the District Council to develop a Neighbourhood Plan. A Neighbourhood Plan is a legal document that sets out what development the people who live in an area want or do not want to take place. Once adopted, following a formal referendum, planning officers are required by law to work within the requirements of the Neighbourhood Plan.

Last year Cherwell’s Plan for 2011-31 was approved. It gave clear guidance that no new development was to take place in Stratton Audley except for agricultural conversions and property extensions.   However, changes in the law as to what classifies as green belt or brown field’s sites might alter the Cherwell Plan and ultimately have a knock on effect within the village.   For this reason Stratton Audley Parish Council have resolved to develop a Neighbourhood Plan to ensure that the wishes of the village are respected in future planning applications.

Jon Hill, who is facilitating the development of the Plan, is assembling a group of interested residents to hold discussions with key stakeholder groups within the Parish, including householders, children, the Church, the Hunt, landowners, and local businesses with a view to having an outline of a 10-15 year vision for the whole village to discuss at the Annual Open meeting of the Parish in May.  It is expected that the referendum would follow in 2017.

Help is required to take the ideas and feedback from the recent survey, consult with the stakeholders and come up with the draft vision. If you are interested in helping then please contact the team on strattonplan@gmail.com or drop a note into Pound House with your name and number and Jon will contact you.

This event is a must date for your diary and we are looking forward to welcoming many people from the surrounding area and villages in the Shelswell Benefice to what will hopefully become an annual event.  This will be a family day with free entrance for all.

We will be closing Church Street between the Red Lion Pub and the Church of St Mary and St Edburga for the duration of the event, which takes place between 11am-6pm.  We are planning to have some 30 food stall holders and live music throughout the day with a mixture of Country, 60’s revival and two permanences from the well known Bletchingdon Brass Band. There’ll be pub food, a mini beer event plus a hog roast in the street and tea and cakes in the church.  Activities for children such as a bouncy castle, and a professional face painter sponsored by Bicester Village, a tombola and a major prize draw is being planned to entertain all the family throughout the day.

The event will raise money for the church porch restoration fund, since the church importantly acts as our village hall, together with nominated local charities.   We already have support from a number of local businesses including funding from Finders Keeper, Thomas Merrifield and Bicester Heritage and would be interested to hear from anyone else who’d like to participate, as a food stall holder (£25 per pitch), or by giving an item for the tombola or prize draw or simply by volunteering some time or other help.

Contact Sarah on 07971 437485 or email safoodfest@gmail.com

PLEASE HELP MAKE THIS DAY A DAY TO REMEMBER.

Thanks to everyone who helped make the road sweepers job much easier on Tuesday by moving their cars. Again we only had a few left on the road, this time in Bicester Road. Bosses from Cherwell District Council paid us a visit to witness the impressive scene and we can be regarded as an example to all other villages as an illustration of effective street cleaning. So thanks also to CDC and driver Harry. Well done everyone!

 Done!