Oxford Botanic Garden is remaining open during the coronavirus lockdown with visitors being asked to book in advance. There is plenty of room in the garden for social distancing as staff at the attraction off High Street look forward to a special anniversary. The botanic garden was founded 400 years ago in 1621 as a physic garden growing plants for medical research.
Felix Crombie-Moore with mum Hester for an under-fives tour in 2017 Picture: Jon Lewis In 2013, anticipating the 400th milestone, botanic garden staff began a 400-week countdown from November 24. They announced they would tweet a picture of a different plant every week and publish it on their website – the plants being relevant to the season.
To see the proposals in full, go to the planning portal at oxford.gov.uk
Homeless accommodation A student accommodation block on Cowley Road could be transformed into supported living accommodation for the homeless. The application by A2 Dominion was made on January 6, retrospectively, as the use has already started. Using Canterbury House as temporary accommodation for the homeless is being paid for by Oxford City Council as part of its plan to get rough sleepers in off the streets during the pandemic. A public comment said the council should have communicated its plans to the community better, the other disagrees with housing 76 homeless people in one location and says accommodation should have been spread across the city.