END OF AN ERA
The last vestiges of the old Parker Knoll factory are disappearing under the developer's bulldozers. Councillor John Grantham who worked on the site for many years was there this week on a sentimental trip with his camera. Other old PK hands who want to get a last glimpse of the place had better get a move on.

MORE DELAY FOR ENTERPRISE CENTRE

THIS ENTERPRISE CENTRE HAS BECOME A SCANDAL
Whats the latest excuse?

JAN 18th TO GINA BURROWS; I am writing to you as my representative on the Town Partnership. It was stated at the Town Council on Monday that an answer was expected at the Partnership Meeting yesterday about plans for the sale and development of the five acres of employment land at the Parker Knoll site. I am sure you are aware of how much interest and concern there is about this  issue in the town - particularly since we have been told on at least three  separate occasions over the last year that an answer was expected within the  next week or so. I  would like your reassurance that firm information about the employment land  was forthcoming and I would be grateful if we could be told what it was.   GERRY ALCOCK

JAN 18th TO GERRY ALCOCK: At last night's meeting Will reported that negotiations were still continuing between Wimpey and the potential buyer. They should have exchanged in December but a legal problem arose and now their anticipated exchange date is in February. This is hugely frustrating but is in the hands of two sets of lawyers. Those representing the Partnership in this and WODC are keeping the pressure on but there is a limit to what can be done to move it further any faster. It seems both parties are keen to complete but meanwhile this is immensely frustrating for us all and it is understood how the patience of some of the community is being tried.  I'm afraid this will not constitute 'firm information' but that is as firm as it gets at this point which is a shame. GINA BURROWS

Psst.....TESCO ARE COMING

A fellow councillor rang me up to tell me that he had heard from another councillor (who generally knows about these things) that there's a really strong rumour around town that Tesco have bought the 5 acres of employment land at the Parker Knoll site. Its not surprising that as the District Council Planners keep failing to deliver any definite news about what is happening the rumour mill will take over. This one started when a local business man who would rather like to set up a car showroom on London Road called in at the Wimpey Site Office to enquire when units would be available. No chance he was told. The employment land has been sold to Tesco. Its over three years since the original planning permission was given. This involved Wimpey having to produce a detailed marketing plan for industrial units on the 5 acres. We were told that marketing of the Wimpey houses could not proceed until this plan was all tied up. (hmmm) It now seems that the only marketing plan Wimpey ever had was to sell the land on to somebody else. We have  been told that any new owner would have to accept the plan for industrial units agreed with Wimpey. The story goes that there is an eager buyer but negotiations have been dragging on because of legal problems (see below). What the rumour mill now says is that Tesco have bought the land and will spend a year proving there is no demand for industrial units. Then the planning permission expires and Tesco will re-apply this time for "retail" use - which is perfectly OK. They will claim they are creating 100 jobs. They will probably also sweeten their application with an offer to build (or at least contribute a few million towards) a link road from London Road, through Tank Farm and the School to join up with Burford Road (the so-called Eastern By-Pass mentioned in the County Transport Review). There is then a huge quantity of land ready for residential in-filling between the new link road and the existing town boundary - owned by Oxfordshire County Council with options already sold to developers. The cash registers will be ringing out for everybody. Lovely jubbly. The first application for residential development at Tank Farm has already been made. Our town centre will end up like Stow - full of shops selling pots and casserole dishes. It is absolutely vital that we receive reassurance about these 5 acres of employment land as a matter of great urgency. We want the employment units which were promised - not a Tesco supermarket.

GREAT NEWS ABOUT THE 5 ACRES
OF EMPLOYMENT LAND AT PK

The Chipping Norton site will be marketed by Meeson Williams who recently produced a review of prospects for commercial property in Oxfordshire - including this encouraging forecast.....The trend for relocations to less well established business locations will continue. We believe that opportunities still exist in some of the the secondary rural and market towns which will continue to see an increase in occupier demand, such as Faringdon, Carterton, Wantage, Thame, Chipping Norton and Woodstock. All of these towns have the potential to provide a good business infrastructure.

Now that this ownership issue has been settled, it should at last be possible for an agreement to be reached about premises on the site for a new Enterprise Centre and for a proposal for grant funding to be submitted to SEERA. Congratulations to the West Oxfordshire planners for coming through with their side of the deal. Now its over to the Partnership to get cracking.