Witney Council defends games area project delays

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 29 Oct, 12:46 · Archive

Witney Town Council has issued a statement denying that delays to a planned multi-use games area at Deer Park are because it cannot decide on a location.

Witney Town Council has issued a statement addressing recent comments about delays to the West Witney Multi-Use Games Area, which is planned for Deer Park. A spokesperson denied suggestions that progress has been held up because the council cannot decide where to place the facility, saying such comments 'do not accurately reflect the position'.

The project has been in development since at least summer 2025, when Councillor Jane Doughty raised the issue at a West Oxfordshire District Council meeting. Tim Sumner, the executive member for leisure and Carterton area strategy, said he supported the proposal and confirmed that £180,000 from developer Section 106 funding had been allocated towards it.

According to the council, specifications for the games area are currently being developed by Witney Town Council with support from the West Oxfordshire District Council leisure team. The project is expected to go to procurement in the near future using a specialised procurement framework. However, over a year on from the initial proposal, construction has not yet begun. The council explained that the land is owned by West Oxfordshire District Council, which creates complexities related to Section 106 funding and procurement requirements.

How it is being reported

• Council statement after 'inaccurate' comments on Oxfordshire games areaAn Oxfordshire council has issued a statement after comments which "does not accurately reflect its position" on a new multi use games area.Oxford Mail · 29 Oct, 12:30
• Council statement after 'inaccurate' comments on Oxfordshire games areaAn Oxfordshire council has issued a statement after comments which "does not accurately reflect its position" on a new multi use games area.Oxfordshire Guardian · 29 Oct, 12:30

In this story: Witney Town Council · West Oxfordshire District Council · Witney · Deer Park · Jane Doughty · Tim Sumner

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