Residents on the west side of Bloxham have continued to experience issues with the petrol station on South Newington Road owned by Motor Fuel Group (MFG).
In February 2018, MFG installed canopy lighting and a totem without the appropriate planning permission. After several attempts to submit retrospective planning applications were refused by Cherwell District Council, MFG was forced to remove the lights but issues with deliveries, anti-social behaviour, and noise from customers late into the night have continued.
Thanks to collective pressure from Bloxham Parish Council, Victoria Prentis MP, and local District Councillors Chris Heath, Andrew McHugh, and Mike Bishop, MFG agreed to voluntarily cease trading alcohol from 11pm till 7am for 8 weeks from 7 September. In addition, delivery curfews were put in place to minimise disruption to residents.
But with the voluntary arrangement on alcohol sales due to come to an end next week, Councillors are urging Motor Fuel Group to make it permanent.
Bloxham Councillor Chris Heath, who is also a resident in the village, said: “I was pleased that Motor Fuel Group agreed to voluntarily reduce their licencing hours but this should become a permanent arrangement. MFG have consistently shown little to no regard for our community but residents have seen a notable difference in the reduction of noise and anti-social behaviour since 7 September so I urge them to do the consideration thing and make permanent the change to alcohol sales. If this is not done voluntarily then my fellow Councillors and I will ask Cherwell District Council to undertake an urgent review of their licence, with a view to it being rescinded.”
