News
West Oxfordshire Local Plan consultation – what it means for Charlbury
West Oxfordshire District Council (WODC) is currently consulting on its Preferred Spatial Options as part of the early stages of updating the West Oxfordshire Local Plan. Two areas in Charlbury have been included as possible future development sites at this stage:
- Land between Jeffersons’ Piece and Hundley Way
- Land to the rear of Hydac
A number of residents have asked whether this means planning applications have been submitted. To be clear: there are no planning applications for either site at the moment. These are simply draft options within the consultation, and WODC is asking for feedback before making any decisions.
Because the consultation is being run by WODC, the Town Council is not making any decisions on the proposals. The Town Council meeting on Wednesday 19 November (Corner House) will not be discussing these sites.
If you would like to comment, there are several ways to do so:
Best way to have your say
WODC is holding a series of drop-in events where you can view the plans, speak directly to the Planning Policy team, and share your thoughts. You do not need to book – just turn up.
Drop-ins this week
Witney – The Corn Exchange
Tuesday 18 November, 5–8pm
Long Hanborough – Recreation Hall
Thursday 20 November, 4–7pm
Further event dates
Date Location & Venue Time
Tuesday 25 November Brize Norton – Elderbank Hall Extension 4–7pm
Wednesday 26 November Bampton – Village Hall 4–7pm
Tuesday 2 December Milton Under Wychwood – Village Hall 4.30–7.30pm
Tuesday 9 December Standlake – Village Hall 4–7pm
You can also read the consultation documents and submit comments online via WODC’s consultation platform. The full exhibition boards are available here:
www.westoxon.gov.uk/media/lsipohqp/exhibition-boards-preferred-spatial-options.pdf
If you are unable to attend in person and have accessibility needs or questions, WODC’s Planning Policy team can assist via planning.consultation@westoxon.gov.uk
Town Council planning meeting
The Town Council will hold a Planning Committee meeting on Monday 24 November at the Memorial Hall, where members of the public may speak during the usual public participation session. However, this is not a formal decision on the sites – it will only be an opportunity for the Council to consider whether to submit a response to WODC’s consultation.
Lisa Wilkinson ·
Mon 17 Nov, 15:09 · Link
An invitation to be part of Southill’s energy transition
It is now over 9 years since the Southill Solar farm was installed and commissioned, generating sufficient energy to supply the needs of most of the homes in Charlbury, Finstock & Fawler.
We wanted to update you on some exciting developments at Southill Community Energy. We are delighted to have been awarded a Community Energy Fund (CEF) government grant of £40,000 to carry out a feasibility study exploring local supply of energy. Thanks to a change in the regulations governing the energy market, it is now possible to supply electricity directly to customers who register with a local energy club. The concept is simple:
* Locally-generated renewable energy made available to local residents and businesses
* Discounted (more affordable) energy for customers
* Better revenue from electricity sales for Southill Community Energy
* More surplus funds available for community benefit
In order to achieve this we need to conduct an analysis of the energy demands (and generation, if you have solar panels, for example) of individual home types and businesses within the local network. We can then model the profile of your demand to see how it correlates with energy output at Southill solar farm. We have partnered with appropriate specialists to carry out this technical work, led by Iquira.ai who will carry out the modelling, Sharenergy who will look at storage and generation options and Low Carbon Hook Norton who have already paved the way for this kind of study.
If you support these objectives and would like to be involved please let us know by 21st November, responding to tim.crisp@southillcommunityenergy.co.uk
Alternatively, you can move straight to the next stage…. Obtaining your energy data is easily arranged by using an app called Bright which provides access to the data from all the smart meters in the country.
Once downloaded, you will be able to see your half-hour, daily, weekly and monthly energy demands. When you’ve done that, we’ll explain how you can share your data with Iquira.
Welcome to our energy club!
Tim Crisp and Liz Reason
Directors
Tim Crisp ·
Mon 17 Nov, 10:25 · Link
Latest planning applications to West Oxfordshire District Council
The following planning applications have recently been lodged. Click on the address to see full details at the WODC website.
- Appletrees Thames Street Charlbury
Erection of rear extension, and relocation of entryway to front elevation with alterations to front external appearance. Demolition of existing side extensions and greenhouse, removal of 2 trees, and associated works
WODC reference: 25/02630/HHD - Wed 05 Nov 2025 - Under consideration
Mon 17 Nov, 06:15 · Link
Christmas Trees lighting up Charlbury
Charlbury is getting ready to be decorated for Christmas with Christmas trees with sparkling lights which will light up the town.
The order forms were delivered last week to properties with brackets. If anyone did not receive a form please accept our apologies. Tim Widdows at No. 5 Market Street has some spare forms.
A big thank you to the early birds who have already returned their forms to Tim at No 5.
And a gentle reminder, if you have yet to return your form, that the deadline for return is Monday 24th November.
Janet Burroughs, Charlbury Christmas Trees.
Janet Burroughs ·
Thu 13 Nov, 15:27 · Link
Friday Coffee Club at Charlbury Community Centre
Did you know that every Friday morning at 10.30am, a bunch of friendly, retired community members get together for tea or coffee and a chat in our warm, comfortable Community Centre Café? Our long-standing participants would love to welcome some newcomers to their 'Friday morning Youth Club'! You'll be assured of a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, hot drinks are priced at a very reasonable £1.50 and there is always a variety of locally baked sweet or savoury treats. Why not combine it with your next library visit or trip to the Co-op? Hope to see you soon.
daniela jenkins ·
Thu 13 Nov, 11:49 · Link
Announcing our BAKE-OFF contestants!
📢Announcing our Bakers!
The competition will be tough for our first ever Bake-Off this Saturday!
💥Eileen Hipgrave
💥Vanessa Heywood
💥Naomi Coleman
The 3 super-talented, deeply-passionate, joy-filled contestants will compete on Saturday at 4pm on 3 distinct challenges.
Come along and cheer them on!
💡This year's theme is
2075: A TEATIME ODYSSEY
The bakers are asked to imagine what the traditional afternoon tea will be like in 50 years' time.
More info on the theme and the specific challenges coming very soon!
🎟️Get your tickets here https://charlbury-bakeoff.eventbrite.com
Stav Kounadea ·
Mon 10 Nov, 19:47 · Link
Christmas Shoebox Appeal Update
Many thanks to all who took part in this year’s Shoebox Appeal. In all, sixty four boxes were collected, which will be distributed to needy children and families across Eastern Europe. Special thanks to all the creative people who used their sewing and knitting skills to make additional gifts of blankets, teddies, scarves and mittens to accompany the boxes.
Joan Belshaw
Christine Pearce ·
Mon 10 Nov, 19:39 · Link
Latest planning applications to West Oxfordshire District Council
The following planning applications have recently been lodged. Click on the address to see full details at the WODC website.
- 6 Hill Close Charlbury
T1 - Mountain ash - Reduce height and spread by 2 metres to form more compact shape. Crown raise to 3 metres
WODC reference: 25/02738/TCA - Thu 06 Nov 2025 - Under consideration
- Land North Of Woodstock Road Charlbury Oxfordshire
Discharge of condition 21 (archaeological written scheme of Investigation) of planning permission 24/02171/FUL.
WODC reference: 25/02709/CND - Tue 04 Nov 2025 - Under consideration
- Ivy House Church Lane Charlbury
Discharge of conditions 8 (external lighting), 9 (bat and bird features) and 10 (surface water drainage scheme) of planning permission 25/00881/HHD.
WODC reference: 25/02717/CND - Tue 04 Nov 2025 - Under consideration
Mon 10 Nov, 06:15 · Link
Do you need financial help with gifts this Christmas?
The Christmas Tree Festival are kindly supporting Cornerstone with the Giving Tree initiative again the Christmas. Everyone will have the opportunity to support us by buying gifts for children in Charlbury who otherwise might not get gifts this Christmas. Information will be on the website on how to be involved.
If you are a family that will struggle this Christmas as money is suddenly tight, would you consider getting in touch with Cornerstone so that we can help. All support is kept confidential.
You can contact Cornerstone on cornerstone@charlburychurch.uk or pop into Cornerstone at the Corner House and speak to one of our volunteers.
Jo Paton, Cornerstone Manager
St Marys and All Saints ·
Fri 7 Nov, 09:25 · Link
Charity Christmas Card Sale Saturday 10am-12noon
This Saturday sees the 2025 charity Christmas card sale in the Memorial Hall. This year we have nine different charities taking part, some national like Amnesty, others very local like the Lawrence Home Nursing Trust which has benefited so many residents of Charlbury.
Cards are also being sold to raise funds to support the residents of Slatyne in Ukraine which has been badly bombed in the war with Russia.
As well as cards, there will be an enticing range of small gifts to buy, from knitted snowmen to advent calendars and bric-brac. There will also be a raffle, many of the prizes generously donated by Charlbury businesses. Do come along to support the sale.
Saturday 8th November, Memorial Hall, 10am to 12 noon.
Judy Dod ·
Thu 6 Nov, 15:22 · Link
