Cholsey Parish Council

20/05/2026

White Cross Farm Gravel Extraction – Appeal Decision

We want to update residents on this week’s news regarding the White Cross Farm planning appeal.

The national Planning Inspector has allowed London Rock’s appeal, meaning sand and gravel extraction next to the Thames will now go ahead for around 5–6 years, followed by restoration.

Cholsey Parish Council is very disappointed by this outcome. We have consistently objected to the proposal, and our community came together in an extraordinary way to challenge both the application and the appeal. Our dedicated Rule 6 team, supported by local experts, played a major role at July’s Public Inquiry. Residents wrote letters, spoke at the Inquiry, joined protests, displayed banners, contributed to news coverage, and over two thousand people signed the public petition. We are deeply grateful for everyone’s efforts.

We know that our concerns were heard - about tranquillity, views from the Thames Path, dust, noise, ecology and flood risk. The Inspector accepted that there will be noticeable short‑term impacts, but concluded that these are temporary and reversible, and that requirements for Oxfordshire’s sand and gravel supply outweigh the harm.

The permission includes a wide range of strict conditions that London Rock must comply with throughout the life of the site. We will continue to scrutinise these closely and ensure the community’s voice is heard as the works move forward.

14/05/2026

Don't forget to respond to the informal consultation on street parking in Cholsey - deadline for this stage: 22nd May!

We are writing to residents to gather feedback on potential parking measures in Cholsey, which are being considered in response to complaints and a petition to the Parish Council concerning parking from local residents living in the Station parking area. Officers at the

01/05/2026

📢 Advanced notice of Temporary Road Closure: A417 from Blewbury to Streatley (received from the County Council)

When? 19th to 23rd May 2026 (est.)
What? Surface dressing works

Access will be maintained for emergency service vehicles and for those frontages within the closure area, subject to the progress of the works and liaison with the works supervisor.

Further information regarding the works may be obtained by contacting Tim Belton-M Group on email timothy.belton@mgroupltd.com or call Oxfordshire County Council on 0345 310 11 11.

28/04/2026

🅿️ Have Your Say on Street Parking in Cholsey!

We have an important opportunity for residents to share their views on street parking in Cholsey.

📅 Please respond by 22nd May to an informal consultation being run by Oxfordshire County Council (OCC). This is a key first step toward a potential formal consultation in the future, and will give OCC a real snapshot of the parking situation here in Cholsey - helping them consider a range of options, which could include a residents' parking scheme.

👉 Respond here: https://letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cholsey_stationparking_informal2026
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A little background...
Over recent months, the Parish Council has been in contact with OCC officers about the ongoing challenges with street parking in Cholsey, particularly around the Station area. A petition created by residents has also gathered around 150 signatures.

You may remember that parking arrangements were reviewed and updated in 2025, including the removal of single yellow lines on Station Road. This was done in response to concerns from residents who didn't have off-street parking and were receiving parking tickets because they couldn't move their cars mid-day. A small residents-only parking zone was suggested by residents at the time, but OCC felt this wasn't viable - and it's not a simple fix, as it can risk simply moving the problem elsewhere.

The good news is that earlier in 2026, OCC confirmed that funding is available in the new financial year budget to investigate - and potentially implement - further parking changes in Cholsey.

This informal consultation is the next step in that process. Your views really do matter, and we're very grateful for every response. Thank you.

We are writing to residents to gather feedback on potential parking measures in Cholsey, which are being considered in response to complaints and a petition to the Parish Council concerning parking from local residents living in the Station parking area. Officers at the

27/04/2026

Your Parish Councillors are all Cholsey residents who care deeply about our village and want to make a positive difference. We currently have 10 of our 13 seats filled - and we’d love to welcome more people onto the Council.
If you’re interested in getting involved, we’d be delighted to hear from you. No previous experience is needed; full training and ongoing support are provided.

We’re a busy, proactive Parish Council working on a wide range of services and projects for the community. Councillors are well supported by our officer team, who are also all Cholsey residents.
At our April meeting we discussed next steps for a potential skatepark extension, an all weather Rec path, caring for Cholsey Brook, the Community Allotment, a street parking consultation, and several significant planning applications. Other active projects include developing a new Neighbourhood Plan, launching a new website and communications plan, continuing to campaign for Station improvements, and progressing the transfer of the Cholsey Meadows play area.

We’re keen to involve people of all ages, backgrounds and experiences who want to help shape the future of our wonderful village.
To find out more, please get in touch at clerk@cholseyparishcouncil.gov.uk or call 01491 652255.

27/04/2026

A big thank you to all involved in the latest community litter pick run by our Environmental Coordinator 💚

Thank you to all those who attended the litter pick on Saturday. The general consensus is that there is less litter and our village is cleaner than it has been 👏👏👏, so maybe the litter picks, plus the quiet army of weekly litter pickers only occasionally seen, are having a positive effect. There were definitely some hotspots of litter around the village so thank you to all those who spotted and cleared those areas. A BIG thank you to Heather's Café Cholsey who opened specially and provided refreshments and a place to wash hands. The next one will be in the autumn and we look forward to seeing you then.

Cholsey Parish Council Cholsey Pavilion

27/04/2026

At the April Parish Council meeting, Councillors gave the go ahead for a topographical survey to be carried out on the Recreation Ground - in preparation for submitting a planning application for a potential all-weather path. You may see our surveyor out and about on the Rec early this week!

21/04/2026

There are free weekly sessions being held at the Community Allotment in Cholsey. Pop along to see the space, do some jobs, learn about growing or simply enjoy a chat and a piece of cake!
Every Wednesday, 10am-12

02/04/2026

Pavilion & Recreation Ground Car Park – please read

Cholsey’s Pavilion is a busy, well-used facility, hosting community events, private bookings, and a range of regular users. It is home to the Community Library, Complementary Health Centre, Cholsey Volunteers, Happy Hub, the Parish Council.

We are also lucky to have a large Recreation Ground, home to football and tennis clubs, occasional village events, and appreciated by recreational users in many ways.

These community facilities all share a car park of around 50 spaces. We know this can cause frustration at busy times, especially on Saturday mornings.

The car park is for all Pavilion and Recreation Ground users (until full) – no group has priority.

If you can, please walk, cycle or lift share. If you do need to park, please:
• Park considerately, alongside already parked cars especially on busy days
• Leave disabled bays for those who need them
• Keep the entrance clear for emergency access

Thank you for your support – it’s great to see these facilities so well used.

Cholsey Pavilion Trust & Cholsey Parish Council
Cholsey Pavilion

01/04/2026

The Parish Council has recently been made aware of an upsetting incident involving a parent and young child playing with a balance bike at the skatepark. Another member of the public challenged them and stated that the skatepark was “only for skateboarders”.
The parent was also left with the impression that this individual was speaking on behalf of the Parish Council or a skatepark committee.

To avoid any confusion, we want to restate the Council’s long standing position:
The skatepark is an inclusive facility for all ages, all abilities and all wheeled users - including skateboards, scooters and bikes - with the exception of motorised vehicles.

This has been the intention since the skatepark was first designed, and it remains the case today. There is a requirement that children under 8 are supervised by an adult, which was clearly happening in this instance.

We are concerned that a member of the public felt able to challenge a skatepark user in this way and to present themselves as speaking with authority. This does not reflect Parish Council policy or approach.

Our aim is for the skatepark to remain a welcoming, shared space for everyone. Thank you to all who use it considerately and help keep it a positive place for the whole community.

EDIT for clarity (1st April): The member of the public who challenged the parent and child was walking their dog in the Recreation Ground at the time, and not actively using the skatepark for recreation themselves

30/03/2026

Unfortunately, due to health and safety concerns, the Cholsey Meadows developer, Vistry, will be fencing off a section of play equipment at the Cholsey Meadows play area. The Parish Council has been informed that this is expected to take place today (30th March) or tomorrow.

Despite our continued and repeated efforts, the play area at Cholsey Meadows remains under the ownership and management of Vistry. Last year, the District Council identified a significant planning issue that must be resolved by the developer before the site can be formally transferred.

In the meantime, we have been regularly following up to request that repairs are carried out. Vistry had previously advised that these would be completed by the original installer two weeks ago; however, this has not yet taken place, and we continue to pursue this matter.

We are very disappointed and frustrated that the situation has reached the point where play equipment now needs to be fenced off.