The council has removed illegal structures from several Oxford Road shops, ensuring compliance.
Oxford: The council’s planning enforcement team took action against some shops on Oxford Road. They served notices to the Oxford Road Supermarket, Lois Afro Shop, and Dreamztime last year. These notices asked the shops to remove unauthorized structures from their forecourts.
These structures were built without the right planning permissions. They went against the Town and Country Planning Order 2015. The council said these structures didn’t fit with the historic buildings nearby. They were made with the wrong materials and harmed the area’s character.
In November 2024, the Oxford Road Supermarket and Lois Afro Shop received planning contravention notices. They hadn’t followed the initial enforcement notices. Finally, in January, the owners took down the illegal structures.
Dreamztime followed the rules and removed its illegal structure in July. The council warned it would take similar actions against other unauthorized extensions. They advised shop owners to consult the council before making any changes.
A report from March 2020 highlighted issues in the Russell Street/Castle Hill Conservation Area. It noted that modern shop fronts and poor signage hurt the area’s traditional look and caused pedestrian flow problems.
The council is now looking into four more shopfronts on Oxford Road. These shops have received enforcement notices but haven’t complied yet. Councillor Micky Leng emphasized the importance of following planning rules to maintain the area’s character.
He advised checking with the council’s planning department before making any changes to shopfronts. This advice also applies to advertisements and signage, especially in conservation areas.
