Climate Adaptation in Conservation Areas
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The public meeting held on 26th January in Lady Margaret Hall was well attended (75 people) and gave a useful overview of what current planning regulations allow or prohibit in conservation areas and elsewhere, and what the council is doing to aid the introduction of electric vehicles in Oxford. The presentation, given by 4 council employees can be viewed below or downloaded.
We are very grateful to Bart Ashton, LMH Domestic Bursar, for his help in hosting and recording the meeting for us, and to the four speakers.
The recording of the meeting can be viewed here:
Public Meeting: Climate Adaptation In Conservation Areas
Wednesday 26th January 2022 at 7.30 p.m.
Simpkins Lee Lecture Room , Lady Margaret Hall, Norham Gardens.
A panel discussion on adapting houses and pavements without breaching planning and highways regulations. Topics will include solar panels, heat pumps and Electric Vehicle charging facilities.
Panellists will include:
Rob Fowler, Development Management Team Leader, Oxford City Planning Dept
Clare Golden, Team Leader of Urban Design and Heritage, Oxford City Council
Sarah Hassenpflug / Vikki Robins, Sustainable City Project Managers, Oxford City Council
Elizabeth Bohun, Lead Technologist, EV integration, Oxfordshire County Council
Ample time for questions.
The meeting will also be recorded and made available via this website.
Because of the change to a larger venue to accommodate the anticipated level of interest we regret we will be unable to provide refreshments
The College’s Covid prevention measures remain in effect. They are:
- Do not come if you have any symptoms
- Please take a lateral flow device test within 24 hours of attending
- Face coverings are expected indoors unless you are exempt
- Hand sanitiser is made available, please use it.
For further details, contact James Fry, Chair SMAS, at cllrjfry@oxford.gov.uk,
St Margaret’s Area Society Lecture and AGM 2021
ST MARGARET’S AREA SOCIETY
LECTURE & AGM 2021: EXPERIENCING OXFORD
On Tuesday, 2 November, beginning with Lecture at 7.45 p.m., in the St Margaret’s Institute, 30 Polstead Road OX2 6TN (doors open 07.30)
Ian Davis lived at 97 Kingston Road from 1971-2008 and published Experiencing Oxford in 2020. The book contains reminiscences of our area of North Oxford. His presentation will be based on the theme of the book that has already sold over 850 copies.
Sir Barry Cunliffe, local resident and one of Britain’s leading archaeologists writes:
‘Experiencing Oxford’ is an outstanding book – a sheer delight to have, to dip into and to immerse oneself in. It works at so many levels. The illustrations, a great many of them paintings by the author, balanced by his photographs, give a unique view of the city from its great buildings to its quirky corners. We see it through the eyes of an artist and architect – the colours, the spaces and the volumes – in a way in which Oxford has never before been presented. ….Davis has given us this book to share his love, deep knowledge and perceptive vision of his city.
During the evening there will be an opportunity to buy signed copies of the book, as well as limited edition prints and notecards of Ian’s watercolours from the book.
Professor Ian Davis was a professor of architecture at Oxford Brookes for many years, and an international expert on disaster management. He is also a talented artist. He is now a visiting professor at Kyoto, Lund and Oxford Brookes Universities, and at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Europe.
TIMETABLE
19:30 Doors open
19:45 Welcome by the Chair and Lecture ‘Experiencing Oxford’.
20:55 Interval for tea, coffee and biscuits, during which Ian Davis’ book, prints and pictures will be available.
21:15 or so SMAS AGM 2021
AGENDA
- Introductions
- Annual Report of the Committee
- Financial Report & Accounts
- Questions and comments on items 2 & 3.
- Election of the Hon. Treasurer and Committee members.
- Any other business including questions.
REPORT ON THE YEAR’S ACTIVITIES 2019-21
- The full committee met several times during the year in person and on-line but COVID restricted our vigour. Florence Rossignol left the committee and Geoffrey Croome, so important in organising the Planning Sub-Committee, retired though illness. Thanks to both.
Bill Manville reaffirmed his pledge to be Minutes Secretary and maintain our website: (www.stmargaretsareasociety.wordpress.com) - The planning sub-committee met many times during the period. It arranged a meeting with the Head of Oxford Planning services and the City Conservation Officer to promote the North Oxford Victorian Suburb Conservation Area (NOVSCA). We surveyed every planning application within the area and commented on many of them. There were several successful objections, particularly to inappropriate extensions. It also provided advice to many householders.
- It continued to circulate its leaflet about Front Gardens in the NOVSCA, produced in consultation with the City Council, to new householders.
- SMAS was represented on the Oxford Canal Partnership where it raised the issue of diesel pollution for canal-side residents from stationary canal boats, and on the Port Meadow Management Committee.
- Several SMAS members were active in the Friends of Aristotle Lane Rec.
Current Committee: Chair James Fry (554001): Minutes Secretary Bill Manville (558626); Treasurer Virginia Ross (553195); Tim King (515453); Stephen Eeley (554977);Ellis Lloyd-Payne, Jonathan Patrick; Maggie Farrar (554757); James Wyman.
Nominations for 2021-22 in writing to the Chair, James Fry, at 7 Rawlinson Road by Saturday 23rdOctober. (All nominations must have the prior consent of the nominee.)
The St Margaret’s Area Society is a voluntary amenity society, an apolitical organisation which has been influential in planning matters in the area since 1971. It covers the area from the Banbury Road to the railway line, and from the original line of Frenchay Road and Rawlinson Road to the southern ends of Warnborough, Kingston, and Southmoor Roads. It aims to bring together opinions from the whole neighbourhood, to protect and improve the area and to promote social cohesion. Anyone is welcome to attend the AGM but only local residents can vote. Please contact us if you have a local planning problem or wish to express an opinion.
The Society would welcome donations towards the costs of this AGM.
“Experiencing Oxford” by Ian Davis – virtual book launch
St Margaret’s Area Society, Oxford
Invites you to the Virtual Book Launch of
Experiencing Oxford by Ian Davis
Saturday, 27 June 2020, 5 pm
in Zoom (link to be confirmed upon RSVP)
| Please join Ian Davis (ianrobertdavis.com) as he introduces Experiencing Oxford, his newly published book that collates 50 years of work into a visual tour of the city. |
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| About Experiencing Oxford: During Ian’s time in Oxford, he has developed an interest in watercolour painting, writing, and lecturing about Oxford, its rich architecture, and its landscape. Experiencing Oxford brings together articles, paintings, and drawings that span almost fifty years and allows the reader to appreciate over one hundred of Ian’s narrated compositions. About the Author: Ian Davis, an architect, was in practice for twelve years in the UK and USA before spending twenty years lecturing in the School of Architecture in Oxford Brookes University. Since the 1970s Ian has advised the United Nations and governments on humanitarian shelter following disasters and on disaster risk management in over 45 countries. Currently, Ian is a visiting professor at Kyoto, Lund and Oxford Brookes Universities and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Europe. |
RSVP: To attend this free event, please complete this form. Within 48 hours of receiving your registration, you will receive confirmation of your booking via email. If you have difficulties completing this form, please contact Corinne Morgan: corinne.morgan.13@gmail.com. If you cannot attend the event but would like to be notified when the recorded event is online, please complete this form. Purchasing your own copy of Experiencing Oxford: If you would like to purchase a copy of Experiencing Oxford, the simplest way is to visit Ian’s website here. Alternatively, you can email Ian at ian.robert.davis@gmail.com with your name, address and number of books requested. The book is currently retailing for £25, plus postage of £5 for UK delivery |
| This book launch was originally scheduled to be at the St Margaret’s Area Society 2020 AGM. When we are once again able to meet safely, SMAS will hold its AGM featuring Ian Davis talking about Experiencing Oxford |
SMAS AGM Postponed
The St Margaret’s Area Society’s AGM which was planned for Friday 24th April, and the preceding talk on Experiencing Oxford by Ian Davis, have been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. It will be re-arranged when circumstances permit
Notes from Public Meeting with Thames Valley Police 13th March 2020
Notes from St Margaret’s Area Society Meeting with Thames Valley Police
H B Allen Centre, Banbury Rd. 13th March 2020. 19:30
The meeting, organised by James Fry was attended by about 25 local residents.
They were addressed by Sgt Andy Poole who was accompanied by two of his PCSOs: Claire Bonneville and Chris Malin.
Andy’s team covers all of North Oxford, from St Giles north as well as Botley Rd and Abingdon Rd areas. Other teams cover the city centre and east Oxford.
There are typically 11 to 14 police active in Oxford at any time and a similar number of PCSOs. Rises to 30 to 35 in total on Friday and Saturday nights.
Changes in crime levels from 2 years ago to last year [calendar years?]:
Thames Valley overall +4%
Andy’s area -1%
Burglary -59% (= 67 crimes)
due to offenders being imprisoned and monitored after coming out
Bike theft +10% (=15 crimes)
mostly unsecured bikes or using cheap locks
Shed break-ins down by 3
Drugs offences +25% (=6 crimes)
Street robberies -40% (=4 crimes)
Thefts from person Up a bit
Watch out for Romanians who steal phones
Thefts from motor vehicles +99 offences
Be aware of the ease of opening some keyless cars
Consider buying a Faraday pouch to keep your key in or keeping it out of range of the car
Thefts of motor vehicles Up a bit
Crime reports are welcomed. 101 can be slow (“awful”).
Website could be quicker and easier www.ThamesValley.police.uk
Some types of report are better sent to other agencies:
Cold callers Trading Standards if they are selling without a licence.
This is on Oxfordshire County Council website under Doorstep Crime
Parking To police if dangerous or obstructing driveway.
To NSL otherwise (via Oxfordshire County Council website under Illegally Parked Vehicles)
Graffiti City Council (via ODS) will clean graffiti from private property free
Drug paraphernalia City Council will remove, via Streetscene
Crime prevention suggestions:
- Neighbourhood Watch
- Sign up for Thames Valley Alert (emails about local crimes)
- Ring doorbells – combined bell and wifi connected TV camera which records movement outside the door and can communicate with your phone etc. Quite cheap and easy to fit.
- Car dashcams to get evidence in case of road accidents
Responses to questions
- Patrols at night in Cornmarket: regularly patrolled, particularly concerned with drug problems around McDonalds (which removed its door staff) and in Westgate.
- Bicycle riding in Cornmarket and Queen St: when resources permit TVP will stop the rider and educate them, but the moving student population means it will always happen
- Cycles without lights: police educate students during their induction and offer cheap lights at £5 in place of a more expensive £50 fine
- Noisy motorbikes: report it, especially if you have the registration details
- Begging: one sergeant works to stop aggressive begging. There are Romanian professional beggars / shoplifters. One girl was deported for begging in Summertown
- Big Issue sellers: generally reputable and trying hard
- CCTV cameras: OK if within your own property boundary or just outside to cover car park space.
- Drugs: A separate group under Andy dedicated to dealing with drug dealers.
Follow users to find the dealers (usually 14-18 wearing hoods and with bags slung over their chests). Please report any sightings. - Speeding: Local community can set up a speed recorder to gather data. These are cheap, maybe only £100 or so.
The officers were thanked for their time and information.
Meeting closed at 20:30 and adjourned for coffee and biscuits.
Low Carbon Oxford North meeting, Wed 3rd July at 7pm
Low Carbon Oxford North is holding a meeting this Wednesday 3rd July at 7pm at the Woodstock Road Baptist Church. You can get tickets here:
LCON says: “Our theme for this meeting is Cosy Homes Oxfordshire – the new local home energy efficiency retrofit service. Our headline speaker, Charlie Luxton, is an architectural designer and TV presenter who writes and speaks about the environment and sustainable architecture. His practice Charlie Luxton Design is based in North Oxfordshire and specialises in sustainable housing.
We will also hear from Russell Smith from the Cosy Homes Oxfordshire service and there will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions and find out more about the new service.
The meeting will be followed at 21.00 by our Annual General Meeting. All are welcome to stay for this, although only members can vote. If you are not yet a member, but live in our area, it is easy to join. Just visit our website for details.”
St Margaret’s Area Society Lecture and AGM 2019
ST MARGARET’S AREA SOCIETY
LECTURE & AGM 2019
On Wednesday 29th May, at 7.30 p.m., in the Maplethorpe Hall, St Hugh’s College, OX2 6LE (entrance from St Margaret’s Road), by kind permission of the Principal, followed by refreshments.
William Whyte
Professor Reverend William Whyte, Vice-President of St. John’s College, is the Chair of the Oxford Preservation Trust, and has kindly agreed to build on his very successful Civic Society talk,
Heaven might be something like North Oxford*
Followed by the AGM
Photos from the North Oxford Victorian Suburb Conservation Appraisal
* Professor Whyte’s reading list linked to his Civic Society talk is highly recommended. It is at https://www.oxcivicsoc.org.uk/prof-whytes-reading-list/
AGENDA FOR THE MEETING
7.30 p.m. Welcome by the Chair
7.40 p.m. Lecture, followed by questions
9.00 p.m. approx., tea, coffee and biscuits
9.15 p.m. AGM (See below for Current Committee Membership, Requests for nominations and Report on 2018-19 activities)
AGM AGENDA
- Introductions
- Annual Report of the Committee
- Financial Report and Accounts
- Questions and comments on items 2 & 3.
- Election of the Hon. Treasurer and Committee members.
- Any other business
ST MARGARET’S AREA SOCIETY
www.stmargaretsareasociety.wordpress.com
Please contact us if you have a local planning problem or you wish to express an opinion.
This Amenity Society was formed in 1971. It exists to protect and improve the area and to promote social cohesion. The Committee meets regularly.
SMAS submits comments to the City Council on planning matters, representing the views of residents in central North Oxford.
Committee 2018-19: Chair James Fry (554001); Treasurer Virginia Ross (553195); Minutes Secretary Bill Manville; Tim King (515453); Stephen Eeley (554977); Florence Rossignol (516858); Jonathan Patrick; Geoffrey Croome; Maggie Farrar; James Wyman.
Nominations for 2019-20 in writing to the Chair, James Fry, at 7 Rawlinson Road by Saturday 25th May. (All nominations must have the prior consent of the nominee.)
REPORT ON THE YEAR’S ACTIVITIES 2018-19
- The full committee met twice in 2018-19, but the planning sub-committee met many times during the year. It surveyed every planning application in the area and commented on many of them. There were several successful objections, particularly to inappropriate extensions. It also provided advice to many householders, and cooperated with other amenity societies in North Oxford.
- SMAS promoted local social events, including a public meeting with Thames Valley Police officers, September’s Oxford Canal Festival, which is sponsored by the Society, and a monthly Quiz at The Anchor, which raises money for the Canal Festival.
- It continued to distribute the very well received leaflet about Front Gardens in the Conservation Area, prepared in consultation with the City Council.
- SMAS was represented on the Oxford Canal Partnership and Tim King represented the society on the City’s Port Meadow Management Committee.
- Several SMAS members were active in the Friends of Aristotle Lane Recreation Ground and Friends of Burgess Field.
The Society would welcome donations towards the costs of this AGM.
Press coverage of the gardens leaflet
The Oxford Mail has covered the story behind the gardens leaflet produced by St Margaret’s Area Society.
You can read the story HERE.
St Margarets Area Society 