Newsletters
Late July 2026
Public Consultation on Walton Manor Conservation Area Appraisal |
The City Council is currently undertaking a Conservation Area Appraisal for Walton Manor Conservation Area (see above). This was designated in 1975 in recognition of its special architectural and historic qualities, including its early suburban development, intimate scale and distinctive streets and buildings. Although Walton Manor was designated as a Conservation Area over 50 years ago, it has not previously had a comprehensive up to date appraisal. Since designation, the area has experienced change (positive and negative) and development pressure and there is also increasing demand for guidance on sensitive energy - efficiency measures. This appraisal aims to identify the key features of Walton Manor which contribute to its special interest and to provide a clear evidence base to help manage change, support high quality proposals and enhance the area. Once adopted, the appraisal will serve as an important guide and will be used in planning decisions affecting the area. The appraisal will also form part of the City's wider heritage evidence base, informing the Local Plan as well as future policies and guidance. Council officers have prepared a draft Walton Manor Conservation Area Appraisal, drawing on archival research, policy and guidance, detailed fieldwork and engagement with local stakeholders including Walton Manor Residents' Association. They would now like to invite you to give your views on the Draft Area Appraisal. Public Consultation An 8 week consultation is now open on the proposal. The purpose of this consultation is to gather view and feedback on the Plan which will then be analysed and fed into the final document. The consultation runs from 14th July to 8th September 2026. The draft appraisal and a feedback survey can be found here. Alternatively you can feedback any comments on the Draft Appraisal via email, contacting heritage@oxford.gov.uk with the subject "Walton Manor Conservation Area Appraisal". There will be an in-person event on Saturday 22nd August 2026 from 10am-2pm at North Parade Market. This session is an opportunity to meet the team undertaking the appraisal and to ask questions about the project or for assistance about how to make comments. A paper copy of the Appraisal will be made available at Oxford Town Hall and paper copies of the consultation can be provided on request. |
Local Government Re-organisation plans announced
This week, the government confirmed that Oxfordshire and West Berkshire will move to three new councils in 2028, bringing together current county, city and district services.
They are reorganising local government across England by replacing county, city and district councils with unitary councils. A unitary council is responsible for all local council services – such as housing, planning, recycling, roads and social care – in each area, rather than responsibilities being split between county and city/district councils. The aim is to make services simpler, clearer and better value for residents.
The three new councils are as follows:
- Greater Oxford Council – covering Oxford and its immediate surroundings
- Northern Oxfordshire Council – covering most of the existing Cherwell and West Oxfordshire districts
- Ridgeway Council – covering most of the existing South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse districts combined with West Berkshire
For now, nothing changes. Our current council services will continue as normal and you can continue to contact the existing council in the usual way. The new councils will be created from 1 April 2028 with elections for them in May 2027.
The full details of the three-unitary proposal can be found on www.3councils.org
(Following the announcement, please note the site is very busy.)
Dates for your diary... |
Interested in installing Solar PV and batteries? - Join Oxford Low Carbon North on 21st July from 7pm at the Woodstock Road Baptist Church for an information evening. The council is sending two planning officers to explain how residents can navigate planning permission and to reassure people that it is possible to install solar equipment even in a Conservation Area. Our next Meet The Neighbours event will take place on Wednesday 23rd September. This time we will be at The Victoria on Walton Street. Please join us from 5.30pm And one final request... In addition to our newsletters and website, we are happy to send information of wide interest to a representative of any local road based WhatsApp Group or Email Group. We don't have a full list for the whole of Walton Manor so please let us know if you would like us to share information with you so it can be added to your group. The best way to do that is to email us with details of the person to contact and either an email address or mobile number. Thanks! |
Best wishes
WMRA Committee
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