10 years ago

PLANS for up to 130 homes on a field between Henley and Harpsden have been scaled back following public consultation. Bloor Homes says it is now looking to build only 60 houses on the northern half of Lucy’s Farm, off Gillotts Lane and Blandy Road, Henley. About 200 residents attended the company’s exhibition at the River and Rowing Museum last month. Bloor says many people asked for a reduction in the original target of homes.

The Mayor of Henley saved the day with an impromptu sing-a-long at his annual Christmas party for the elderly. Martin Akehurst took to the stage after the Valley Road Primary School choir pulled out just hours before Tuesday’s celebration at the town hall. With his wife Glynnis at the piano, the retired actor led renditions of Happiness by Ken Dodd and The Gas Man Cometh by Flanders and Swan.

A man has lost an appeal against a decision to ban a children’s climbing frame from his garden. John Goldader was refused retrospective planning permission for the wooden equipment at his home in Greys Road by South Oxfordshire District Council. The council said it was “disruptive” to the street scene.