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Delay hits councils' new HQ plan

SODC A CGI image of the planned new four-storey building, surrounded by several trees and other shrubbery. There are five parked cars outside the buildingSODC
The two councils could use the new complex in Didcot

Two councils' plans to share a new multi-million pound HQ after a previous one was burned down in an arson attack have been hit by delays.

South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC) wants to build the new complex opposite Didcot Parkway train station after its last permanent one, in Crowmarsh Gifford, was destroyed by fire in 2015.

SODC and Vale of White Horse District Council, which share staff, would use the building as their respective headquarters.

But SODC said resolving highways issues has “taken longer than planned” and that amended documents could be submitted later this month.

The project was formally submitted for planning permission in August 2023, with SODC previously hoping that it would be decided by 31 May.

The council has not said publicly what it expects the project to cost.

Reuters A clearly fire-damaged HQ building in Crowmarsh Gifford after the fire in January 2015. The shell of the building remains badly burned and most of the glass has smashed or shattered. In the centre of the picture is a pair of doors, with metal door handles. They have no glass inside them, aside from a charred black pane in the bottom right of the two. The other side of the building is left open, so you can see grass and/or a hedge, but it is blurred. It is unclear if that is fire damaged or if a door has been openedReuters
Andrew Main drove a car filled with gas canisters into the Crowmarsh Gifford HQ in 2015

“The development of the new office accommodation at Didcot Gateway is currently progressing through the planning process," an SODC spokesperson said.

"Discussion with statutory consultees regarding highways matters has taken longer than planned - however we anticipate being able to submit an amended planning pack later this month.”

SODC and Vale staff have been based at the latter's Abbey House in Abingdon since 2022.

Andrew Main, from Rokemarsh, near Wallingford, admitted burning the council house down and setting an undertakers and a thatched cottage alight in January 2015.

He was detained in a mental health unit in May 2015.

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