Fire-hit Oxfordshire councils to move into temporary HQ

All staff will move into Milton Park in Abingdon from the end of May

Two authorities whose offices were destroyed by a major fire have found new premises.

South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse offices in Crowmarsh Gifford were 85% gutted by a fire on 15 January.

Half of the staff have been at a temporary base at Abbey House in Abingdon, with the rest working from home. All will move into 135 Milton Park near Didcot from the end of May.

A permanent base for the councils is still yet to be found.

John Cotton, leader of South Oxfordshire District Council, said: "Once the move is out of the way I'm looking forward to cracking on with finding a permanent home for the council."

An assessment is being carried out on the previous building to see if repairs are viable.

If the project is not cost-effective, the councils say they will look elsewhere.

Staff have been working from other buildings or from home since the offices were damaged in the fire

A blaze destroyed 85% of the buildings in Crowmarsh Gifford on 15 January

Matthew Barber, leader of the Vale of White Horse District Council, said: "The last couple of months have been quite tough for everybody, but once we've moved our staff will be able to settle down and work much more effectively.

"Milton Park ticks all the boxes in terms of location and facilities and I'm sure it will serve us well over the coming years."

As well as the offices, two other fires were started at an undertaker's business and a thatched cottage on the same morning.

Andrew Main, 47, is due at Oxford Crown Court on 10 April charged with arson.

Mr Main, of Rokemarsh Farm, Rokemarsh, has been charged with two counts of arson with intent to endanger life and two of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered.