Windrush Place Update: Deer Park Road Upgrade, Local Centre & Pavilion

Good Afternoon All

Today I have received many updates regarding Windrush Place, and like you once you have read this, I am incredibly frustrated, upset and angry.

For too long, all of us have been let down by West Oxfordshire District Council, Oxfordshire County Council and the consortium of developers.  Today’s updates just exemplifies this.

Crossings Update on the Deer Park Road:  Oxfordshire County Council

This morning I attended a Localities Meeting where Officers provided quarterly updates on developments in Witney and West Oxfordshire.

The lead Officers responsible for the two crossings on Deer Park Road provided an update that was both shocking and concerning. One year after being informed that the crossings would be installed by April 26, it was revealed that the contractor has not yet been selected.

The reason for this delay is a significant example of the bureaucratic challenges faced by local government in the UK. Legal, procurement and insurance teams are reportedly disputing liability, which is a valid reason to delay the construction and delivery of two pedestrian crossings that would enhance the safety of thousands of people.

Furthermore, the Officers on this scheme propose undertaking a Direct Award. This involves awarding a supplier without competition via an approved Framework. This ensures that a supplier has the necessary experience and expertise in undertaking similar work and provides a straightforward process for the supplier to be awarded a contract. As a Public Procurement Professional in my full-time role, this is compliant and a welcome approach. However, it is concerning that there are Senior Officers in the Council who may not approve of this at a Procurement and Commercial Board due to internal disputes - this just is not good enough.

This afternoon I’ve written to senior officers including the Chief Executive Director of Highways and Director of Finance urgently requesting a review of this project. Therefore, it’s essential that whatever internal governance board required, approves the new business case, so the direct award can proceed and the final design and construction can be completed as soon as possible.  We’ve been ignored by the Council for far too long and it’s crucial we’re heard.  

Only internal OCC processes prevent the construction of our crossings.

Local Centre, Pavilion and Centenary Way Update

Last week I mentioned that I was waiting to hear back about an update on the local centre and pavilion.  This afternoon I have received an update from Nigel, and it true consortium fashion, the response was fairly generic.  However, some key points:

• The contract with Sainsbury’s is signed.  Dependent on how long it takes Sainsbury’s to fit out the shop, they should be moved in come October

• There are negotiations for the other two retail units.  One coffee shop and one vets - I am not being provided the names of those companies

• The construction of the pavilion is complete.  However, the installation of the electric meter has not taken place.  Once this is done, it will be handed over to Witney Town Council - both Witney Town Council and TetraTech are chasing the contractor

• The football pitches are Football Association compliant.  However, it will be down to Witney Town Council and West Oxfordshire District Council to deem them fit for use

• The rest of Centenary Way is due to be finished in November.  This is after the local centre and flats are occupied.  During this time, the remedial works as described in my message yesterday (1st June) will take place

This is an AI image. Sainsbury's Local will look different.

Here is the full email response I received from Nigel for full transparency:

“Hi Thomas

Following an extensive marketing period, we have recently exchanged contracts with Sainsbury’s and expect to hand the building over to them in the coming months, allowing them to fit it out and open as quickly as possible.

Vistry believed there would have been a lot more interest in the retail units and we will work in partnership with the tenants to ensure the retails space are designed for their specific needs.

The Sainsburys unit is being built line with the H&S occupation strategy of the local centre.

Further updates below;

• The current build programme shows the all the retail units being completed in October. The remaining retail units are not currently contracted, but negotiations are progressing well with a potential Vets practice and coffee shop

• The Sports Pavilion construction has been fully completed - however there is an ongoing delay from the council side for the installation of the electric meter. The consortium project managers, and the council have been chasing their supplier, however we are currently only being informed that a date is being scheduled, we do not have a fixed date for this yet. Therefore, this is causing a lack of electric in the Pavilion, holding back the snagging process and the PC and overall handover process. We are currently looking at the possibility of having a generator, so Savvy can go ahead and commence with the snagging

• The sports pitches, these will be handed over at the same time as the Pavilion, therefore we are waiting for the electric element to be completed there. In the meantime, the sports pitch is continuing to be maintained so it will be in great condition for handover.

• Centenary Way is due to be completed in November by the consortium contractor.”

Going Forwards

We all know we have been let down by Vistry and the Consortium, which is why I have written to Vistry and TetraTech demanding detailed explanations and compensation in the form of community grants, for the benefit of Windrush Place, due to the lack of delays in our local infrastructure.

As you can see, I am doing all I can to get these authorities to press ahead with these developments, but it really feels like you’re banging your head against a brick wall at times.