The new play area at Ashurst Way is proving to be really well-used. Local kids were consulted, as were pupils at Rose Hill Primary School.
Rose Hill Labour Councillor Ed Turner said he welcomed the extra money, which he and Cllr Bill Buckingham had been arguing for over a period of many months.
Extra fencing and a gate has also been erected to try to stop motorbikes getting onto the Rec. Antonia Bance, Labour's Rose Hill organiser, said: "While we'll never be able to get rid of the bikes completely, this should help, and I hope the police and wardens will also be on the look-out."
Rumours are rife that Oxfordshire County Council, after years of complaints and numerous letters from local residents, that Ashurst Way will be resurfaced. Local councillor Ed Turner said: "I'm glad they're going to do it, and only hope they will do the job properly, rather than the usual sort of job that comes unstuck again in a matter of months".
Oxford Citizens Housing Association are currently advertising for builders to construct the replacement units for the Orlit houses on Rose Hill, as well as a high-quality sheltered housing scheme for older people from our area.
Antonia Bance, Rose Hill Labour organiser, said: "The constant delays have been a total menace for everyone on the estate - the uncertainty about what was happening is the worst thing. But let's hope work can start soon".
Councillors approved the planning application some months ago, and it included a contribution of over £450,000 for improving local facilities. Discussions about improvements to the youth club and community centre are already underway.
Local councillor Ed Turner said: "I think the whole estate needs to benefit from this programme of redevelopment, and we also need to get rid of the blight of permanently empty houses left standing, attracting vandalism and crime."
Two plans for phone masts, one by Humphris garage and one on the village green by Rose Hill parade itself, have been refused after numerous local residents campaigned, supported by their local councillors.
Local Labour organiser Antonia Bance (who lives in Courtland Road and uses the shops regularly) says: "I know the masts have to go somewhere, but such a prominent location, ruining the village green, was completely unacceptable". In the case of the mast on the green, planning officers agreed with councillors to refuse the application without the need for a meeting, while the mast by Humphris was refused by councillors at the local Area Committee.
Local people are speculating what is going to happen next with the King of Prussia site. The Co-op has apparently bought the site, with possibilities including an expanded supermarket and residential units.
Local councillor Ed Turner said: "Whatever happens to the site, I hope they can do something about the crazy situation with parking at the parade. Currently there is a real problem with cars dangerously parking and manoeuvring - we need some extra parking bays."
The local area committee has agreed two fund some extra bays - unfortunately work was delayed while the county council took some six months to respond to the request for its agreement.
Some local residents have got up a petition to call for traffic calming in Westbury Crescent and Church Hill Road. The roads have long had a problem with 'rat running', and many people think it's time to do something about it.
Local councillor Ed Turner said: "I'm interested to hear what local people think, and have already taken the issue up with the county council, who I hope will hold a public meeting soon".
What do you think? Contact Antonia Bance, local Labour organiser, on antonia@antoniabance.org.ukand let us know!
Local councillor Ed Turner was very distressed to hear about a number of people, many apparently not from our area, causing considerable crime and distress at the lock, and to local residents. When informed, he contacted the police who agreed to increase the number of patrols. Labour councillors in Oxford have also expanded the patch of local 'street wardens' cover Iffley.
While some of the problems appear to have died down, Ed is pushing for an enhanced presence, particularly in the summer months. He said: "It isn't fair for a few people to wreck the enjoyment of so many of such a wonderful part of our city".
Local councillor Ed Turner met early in the morning with officials from Oxford City Council's parks and cleansing departments, to try to improve the state of the picnic area at Woodhouse Way, which had recently become a real mess, with holes being dug, apparently for cyclists to play on, and numerous cans of strong lager being left about. Let's hope things can be kept up a bit!
Many local people were shocked that the decision of Labour councillors at the South East Area Committee was 'called in' by four North Oxford Liberal Democrats and then overturned at a later committee. This granted outline planning permission for a totally inappropriate residential development, which would add massive traffic pressures on Bears Hedge, as well as remove some of the parking.
Local Labour organiser Antonia Bance said: "I'm still hoping something can be done, perhaps by enforcing a covenant preventing building on this land. I understand there will be another chance for comment at the detailed planning stage, and would encourage anyone concerned to write in with comments.
Ed is very concerned about the state of several pavements and roads in Iffley village. It took years - and an accident - to get a large pothole outside Villiers Court repaired. But if you find a pothole and contact Ed on 426091, he will do his best to help.
Ed Turner and local residents' association chair Vim Rodrigo showed a representative of the County Council street-lighting department around the Rose Hill estate, asking for improvements to the lighting, especially in a number of alleyways.
On Rose Hill, the new houses to replace the two derelict Orlit homes on Nowell Road have finally been tenanted. Labour councillor Ed Turner welcomed the new houses, but said that far more investment in housing on the estate was needed. "People have the right to a decent home. The money needed to improve houses, or replace them where necessary, needs to come to Rose Hill." One of the first housing improvements will be the building of a new block for older people, to replace Stephen Field House. In the meantime, council tenants can ring Oxford Building Solutions free on 0800 227 676 to request repairs. If people have problems, ring Ed on 426091 and he will chase them up.
The new neighbourhood nursery was opened by Andrew Smith MP, and will increase the availability of affordable childcare to local people. The Co-op, who run the nursery, also paid for improvements to the Street Sports site at Rose Hill recreation ground.
Labour councillor Ed Turner welcomed the new nursery. He said "This is more good news for parents on the estate. Along with Sure Start, the early years are catered for much better than has been the case before. What is now needed is for better facilities for teenagers - although the youth club does a great job, a bigger facility is definitely needed.
Numerous people have contacted their local councillors to express concern about highway safety in Church Way. In particular at the bend by the Prince of Wales, there is a real worry about a collision occurring, through unsighted vehicles going too fast.
Labour councillor Ed Turner backs the Friends of Iffley Village's call for a 20 mph speed limit on the road, and is disappointed that the Tory & Lib-Dem controlled county council refuses to act.
Ed said "This would cost virtually nothing - and could help prevent an accident."
Several local people have contacted their local councillors to ask about a smell, apparently from the paint spraying operation at Humphris garage. Local councillor Ed Turner asked the council's environmental health department to investigate, and they are actively monitoring fumes around the garage. He said "It is simply unacceptable for a local business to make it impossible for residents to enjoy sitting in their gardens. If the only way of stopping the smell is for paint-spraying to cease, residents have my assurance that I will do anything in my power to try to make that happen. In the meantime, anyone who smells anything from the garage can ring Environmental Health on 252380, as any information will help".
Oxford is becoming a desperately expensive city, and many local people find their children are unable to afford anywhere in the city to live. The Labour Party in Oxford wants to see the expansion of the city, with the building of new houses south of Greater Leys, to help meet the desperate housing need. At the same time, there are an increasing number of planning applications to 'intensify' use of land - either knocking down houses and building flats, or extending and converting houses to flats.
Local councillor Ed Turner persuaded his colleagues on the local Area Committee to turn down several such applications, arguing that they would reduce the availability of family accommodation, and lead to an imbalance between houses and flats. He believes that new developments in the area must be in keeping with what is already there - and what makes Iffley and its surroundings such a special place to live.
The street wardens have now been in place for over a year, and have reported numerous abandoned cars, bits of rubbish, and helped residents of Rose Hill with a lot of issues. Their operation is now being reviewed. Ed has argued that they must remain on the estate, but would like to see their hours of work extended until later in the evening.
Labour councillor Ed Turner accompanied a group of young people from Rose Hill to Oxford's twin city, Bonn, taking a week off work. A good time was had by all!
The next meeting of the Rose Hill Residents and Tenants Association will be on Tuesday 11th May at the Rose Hill Community Centre. It is a very useful meeting open to anyone who lives on the Rose Hill estate.
The next meeting of the South East Area Committee is on 10th May, at 6pm, in Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre.
Friends of Iffley Village has its Annual General Meeting on 23rd April in Iffley Church Hall. It is of interest to anyone living in Iffley Village.
Villiers Area neighbourhood watch, which looks after crime and other well-being issues on the road Rose Hill and surroundings, next meets on Tuesday 22nd June at 7pm, in the lounge at Singletree.
