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Oxfordshire weekly round-up: 9 October-15 October 2023

MOLA Bird's eye view of excavated Harwell catapultMOLA
The prototype catapult was unearthed at the site of a Harwell Science and Innovation Campus development

The excavation of an experimental catapult used to launch World War Two bomber planes was among our most read stories this week in Oxfordshire.

A variety of local issues featured on the BBC News website, BBC Radio Oxford and South Today.

We have picked five stories to keep you up to date.

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Abandoned WW2 catapult unearthed by archaeologists

MOLA Reconstruction of Harwell catapultMOLA
The project was abandoned without ever launching an aircraft

An experimental catapult designed to launch World War Two bomber planes into the sky has been excavated.

The prototype Royal Aircraft Establishment Mark III Catapult was unearthed at the site of a development at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire.

It was made to enable take-offs using shorter runways and so the planes could be loaded with more fuel.

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Radcliffe Camera daubed in anti-fossil fuel protest

Adam Grassly Just Stop Oil protest at Radcliffe CameraAdam Grassly
Just Stop Oil supporters daubed the building with its trademark orange paint

The Radcliffe Camera building in Oxford has been daubed in orange paint by environmental activists.

Oxford University said the main entrance and exit to the reading room were closed because of a Just Stop Oil protest on Tuesday.

The group said student supporters painted the building in protest at the government's plans to licence new oil and gas projects.

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Football club unveils designs for new stadium

OUFC CGI Oxford StadiumOUFC
Oxford United Football Club has unveiled new images of the proposed complex

Oxford United FC has unveiled what its new 16,000-capacity stadium could look like.

The club has released computer generated pictures of the proposed complex, which will include a 180-bed hotel, restaurant, conference centre and community plaza.

It is subject to planning permission from Cherwell District Council.

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Residents' anger as promised amenities fail to appear

West Oxfordshire Council Windrush Place, WitneyWest Oxfordshire Council
Hundreds of properties have been built on the estate but a site reserved for shops remains a wasteland

Residents at a housing development are planning legal action after they were promised local amenities that are yet to be built.

The Windrush Place estate in Witney has more than 1,000 homes but no shops or a community centre.

Developers Vistry, Persimmon and Bloor said they were "fully committed to fulfilling [their] obligations".

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Firms frustrated after 'no notice' bridge closure

Geograph/Shazz Goring and Streatley BridgeGeograph/Shazz
Goring and Streatley Bridge crosses the Thames and connects the two villages' high streets

Business owners have expressed frustration over the partial closure of a bridge connecting Oxfordshire and Berkshire.

Motorists will have to use an 11-mile (18km) diversion while Goring and Streatley Bridge is shut over half term for gas main repairs.

The company said the work was urgent and apologised for any inconvenience it would cause.

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