Oxfordshire weekly round-up: 16 March - 22 March 2024

Jeremy Clarkson has been at odds with West Oxfordshire District Council regarding plans for his farm

A story about Jeremy Clarkson's farm being discussed by MPs was among our most read this week in Oxfordshire.

A variety of local issues featured on the BBC News website, BBC Radio Oxford and South Today.

We have picked five stories to keep you up to date.

Litter pickers bag 25-year-old crisp packet

The packet features former football stars Michael Owen and Gary Lineker

A crisp packet from a quarter of a century ago has been unearthed during a litter pick.

Staff from social enterprise Better and West Oxfordshire District Council took to the streets of Witney, Oxfordshire, as part of the Great British Spring Clean.

One of the oldest items they discovered was a Walkers "Cheese and Owen" crisp packet from 1999, featuring former football stars Michael Owen and Gary Lineker.

Lidia Arciszewska, the council's environment lead, said it was "staggering" it had lasted so long.

Traffic ban at five schools given go-ahead

Roads outside the schools would be shut during drop-off and pick-up times on weekdays during term-time

A trial of traffic restrictions outside five schools in Oxfordshire has been approved by the county council.

The School Streets initiative sees roads closed at drop-off and pick-up times.

Four schools in Oxford and one in Didcot will adopt the scheme, following a decision by Oxfordshire County Council's cabinet member for transport at a meeting on Thursday.

The restrictions will last for 18 months from early April.

New hospital surgery hub to meet growing demand

Plans for the building at the John Radcliffe Hospital have been submitted to Oxford City Council

A hospital will build seven new operating theatres to help meet increasing demand.

The five-storey surgical hub, on a car park at the John Radcliffe Hospital, has been approved by planners at Oxford City Council.

The development will reduce parking spaces for hospital staff while creating more than 170 extra jobs, councillors were told.

The public benefits will outweigh any harm to the landscape, they heard.

Clarkson's Farm planning concerns discussed by MPs

Steve Barclay told MPs he was in "very advanced discussions" with Communities Secretary Michael Gove

The Environment Secretary has said he wants to make it easier for farmers to diversify after concerns were raised by TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson.

Steve Barclay told MPs he was in "very advanced discussions" with Communities Secretary Michael Gove on extending permitted development rights.

These allow certain changes to take place without planning applications.

Clarkson has been at odds with West Oxfordshire District Council regarding plans for his farm.

Couple receive 'too realistic' cake replica of dog

The birthday treat was made by The Cake Shop in the Oxford Covered Market

A couple was left howling after they received a cake replica of their beloved pet dog that was "too realistic" to eat.

Anna Railton and Chris Smowton, from Oxfordshire, ordered the edible version of their whippet Arthur as a joint birthday treat.

But when the life-sized delicacy arrived, the pair described it as "uncanny".

The icing-clad pooch was plated up to guests at their birthday party.

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