The Week In - Issue 715 - 2nd February 2022

THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset

2nd February 2022

Issue 715

FREE

Read by more than 40,000 people each week

Plans for solar farm on 60-acre site near Marksbury A planning application has been lodged with Bath & North East Somerset Council for a 60-acre solar farm on Green Belt land between Marksbury and Farmborough.

Renewable Connections Developments Ltd are behind the Marksbury Plain Solar Farm scheme, which they say would provide a clean, renewable and sustainable form of electricity for 40 years.

Planning permission is sought for the 15 megawatt (MW) ground-mounted solar farm on what is currently agricultural land crossed by two public rights of way.

The plans also include a substation compound, cable trench, inverters, a transformer station, internal access track, landscaping, biodiversity measures, a permissive footpath, security fencing, access improvements and other infrastructure on fields to the south of the A368 and west of the A39.

Immediately to the west of the site is Wilmington Farm Solar Array, which is described as small scale. There is also the 2.3MW Chelwood Solar Farm which lies further to the west.

The developers say the construction phase of the Marksbury

Plain Solar Farm would take up to six months and involve up to 400 deliveries to site, on average around three HGV deliveries to the site per day. They say it would make a “meaningful contribution” to B&NES Council's 2030 carbon neutral target.

They say: “Due to the benign appearance of the scheme, together with its rural location and proposed landscape enhancements, the development proposal will not have an unacceptable adverse impact on the visual amenity value or character of the local or the wider countryside by way of its siting, scale, form, massing or appearance.”

The planning application says that at the end of decommissioning following the 40-year generation period, the temporary permissive footpath would be removed.

The planning reference is 21/04881/FUL. There is also a separate planning application for the installation of around 2.8km of underground cable between Marksbury Plain Solar Farm and the electricity network at land south east of Castle Farm. This would take about five weeks to lay, say the developers.

The site is close to an existing solar farm which can be seen in the distance

The planning reference for that is 21/05642/FUL. Public consultation on both applications runs until 3rd March.

Woman dies following collision in Downend

A woman injured in a collision in Chestnut Road in Downend on Friday at about 9.50am later died in hospital from her injuries. Avon & Somerset Police said: “Our thoughts are with her relatives, who are being supported by a specially-trained family liaison officer.

“The woman was on foot when she was involved in a collision with a van, as the driver pulled into an off-road parking area.

“We need to hear from you if you saw or have any dash cam footage of the collision, or of the van or the woman, who was wearing a pink coat, in the moments beforehand. If you can help please call 101 and give the reference 5222022479.”

Part of the land earmarked for a solar farm

Also in this week’s issue

Council not at fault over concrete silos . . . page 4

More concern over bus services . . . page 6

Minister’s pledge over delayed school opening . . . page 11

Keynsham man guilty of rape . . . page 12

Plans for ‘sandwiched’ housing development spark concerns B&NES Council’s conservation expert has raised an

The land is in the Keynsham Conservation Area

objection to plans to build seven homes on land between a

and accessed from next to No 56 Bath Hill.

row of historic cottages in Keynsham and a council car

The council’s conservation officer says the

park.

proposed development fails to preserve or

As we reported in Issue 712, Asquare Properties Ltd have

enhance the conservation area and would

plans to develop land they describe as “sandwiched between

harmfully affect the setting of the Grade II listed

the rear boundaries of the listed ‘Tenhouses’ terraces along

buildings. The officer adds that the development

Bath Hill and Bath Hill East Car Park”.

would be cramped and the proposed homes

Three four-bed houses, three one-bed flats and one two-bed

would have an overbearing presence.

flat over a garage are proposed on what is described as a

Posters have been put in windows of the

brownfield site.

cottages saying: ‘We say No to the Bath Hill Sandwich’.

Comments lodged with the council by local residents include: “It doesn't look as though there will be no room to swing a cat in the

2

Bath Hill

proposed properties. Surely the site is too small

Concern has also been raised about the damage that could be

to accommodate so many buildings. The three-storey houses

caused to the listed cottages by the levelling and building work

will surely be an unsightly view for the people who live in the

carried out during construction.

cottages alongside the main road.”

The presence of protected bats on the site has also been

Cllr Andy Wait and local residents have also flagged up

flagged up.

concerns including about the access. One objector said: “The

The application reference is 21/05120/FUL and the deadline

proposed entrance/access to this land is directly on top of a

for comments is tomorrow (3rd February). Cllr Wait has asked

busy four-way junction which has near misses and accidents

for the proposals to be called in to be heard by the planning

from large amounts of traffic on a regular basis.”

committee.

The Week in • Wednesday 2nd February 2022

Council responds to planning row – as councillor stands by her comments South Gloucestershire Council has issued a statement following our story in last

would result in the loss of best agricultural land; that it is a speculative proposal for land

“The Executive Member has a role in ensuring that the council’s planning policies

week’s issue about the handling of a planning application for a major new

beyond the defined settlement boundary of Thornbury; it would cause harm to listed buildings; and the lack of a Section 106 legal

are kept up to date and are delivered. It is appropriate for the Executive Member to be updated and understand the implications of

agreement.

Our article also highlighted a statement

any speculative proposals coming forward which are of a strategic scale, and which may

prepared as part of the developers’ appeal which says that last year despite the “clear

have an impact on current or future planning policy delivery.

steer that in the professional judgement of officers, the planning balance weighed in

“The Executive Member has no role in the determination of planning applications, but

favour (of) granting planning permission, officers were evidently asked by elected members to revisit elements of the application prior to planning committee”.

South Gloucestershire Council issued a statement this week which said: “We received a planning application for land west of Park Farm, Butt Lane, Thornbury, in 2018.

This was a speculative planning proposal, which means that the site was not identified as being allocated for development in our Core Strategy.

“The suggestion that a report had been published recommending the approval of the application in question is incorrect. The only officer report that has been prepared in relation to this application was during December 2021 and January 2022, following the submission of an appeal by the developer after the 13-week determination period had elapsed.

“With applications of this nature, careful consideration is given to whether any adverse impacts of the scheme are outweighed by the

like any other member of the council could choose to make his views known as part of the planning process, to officers or the planning committee ahead of any decision being taken.”

The council also noted that at the time the briefing was given the officer assessment was not fully completed, “but officers were working on the basis that if possible, any remaining issues would be overcome such that it could be possible to recommend approval”. This assessment was also based within the context of the council’s five-year housing supply “which at that point was

development.

The council has challenged the suggestion that a report was published last year recommending approval of the application by Barwood Development Securities Ltd and the North West Thornbury Landowner Consortium for almost 600 homes, a new school, shops and improvements to Junction 14 of the M5.

Our article was based on comments made at the strategic sites delivery committee on 20th January by Hanham councillor June Bamford, and extracts from a statement from the developers who are appealing against the council’s non-determination of the scheme.

A public inquiry starts next month.

Cllr Bamford told the meeting of her “very serious issues” with the planning application and the process it had gone through since being scheduled to be presented to the committee on 29th April last year. She said a “highly experienced and professional planning officer” had worked with the developers on the application for two years to achieve the best outcome for the local community before making her recommendation to the committee. She added that the officer’s report and recommendation for approval had then “mysteriously disappeared”.

As we reported, another council planning officer was appointed to give a “fresh analysis”, taking into account the council having more than a five-year supply of housing for the district. Although the final decision on whether permission can be granted will rest with a planning inspector, the council officer’s recommendation that the scheme be refused was endorsed by a majority of members of the strategic sites delivery committee last month and will form the basis of the council’s case at appeal.

The grounds for refusal are that the council has a healthy land supply and the scheme

June Bamford

suggesting that an additional boost to supply might be beneficial”. The council now has a land supply of more than six years.

Cllr Bamford this week told The Week In that she stood by everything she said at the meeting on 20th January, adding: “The facts speak for themselves.”

benefit of bringing new housing forward, and this can take time to ensure all factors are examined before a recommendation is presented to the planning committee.

“In May 2021, a briefing note was prepared for the Executive Member which is standard practice with matters relating to strategic scale housing applications such as this which contravene council policy. Following that briefing the Executive Member made no directions as to how the application should be assessed by officers or determined by the planning committee.

Bar plan withdrawn A retrospective planning application lodged by pub chain Young’s for an outside bar in a shepherd’s hut at The Chequers at Hanham Mills was withdrawn last week.

The Week in • Wednesday 2nd February 2022

3

Ombudsman clears council in 4Concrete planning row The Ombudsman has cleared Bath &

behalf and for several neighbours that the

complains about the way the council

visits and other evidence that there was only

North East Somerset Council of fault in the planning row over a concrete firm in

council failed to properly notify residents about a planning application for two silos

responded to complaints about the matter.

“Mr C says because of the council’s fault,

one silo which was replaced by two silos. I do not consider this error in the report

Keynsham.

The council has come under fire from local residents and the town council for its

containing materials used in concrete production or properly consider the

residents missed the opportunity to comment on the planning application and suffer a

drafting can reasonably be said to have affected the outcome.”

application.

“In particular, Mr C says the council wrongly

significant and damaging impact on their residential amenity from excessive noise,

The report continues: “Residents subsequently raised concerns about the

decided the application site benefitted from a particular planning use and so the application

dust, light and heavy goods vehicle traffic.”

The report says: “Mr C says the description

previous planning use of the site. The council confirmed the application it received was for

did not present a material change of use. Mr C also complains the council failed to take effective action in response to residents’ reports of nuisance from noise, dust and light as well as breaches of planning control and the environmental permit. Mr C further

of the proposals did not adequately reflect the development as it only referred to the erection of two silos rather than providing details of their intended use in concrete production.

“I do not consider there was any fault by the council in terms of its publicity for the application. This was a retrospective application for the erection of two silos. The council did not consider this was a change of use and so it was not required to add anything further to the description. In essence the unauthorised development in the

replacement silos rather than seeking a material change of use of the site. The council considered the site had established B2 General Industrial use and the previous use of the site as a stonemasons yard was within that use class. The council accepted the characteristics and nature of the current use was different to the previous use but it did not require additional permission. The council has provided details of how it assessed the planning use of the site and provided cogent reasons for its decision.

“I consider the council had enough relevant

16,000 copies are distributed through retail outlets, libraries, pubs, community centres each week.

Verified pick-up rate of 97%.

retrospective application that required planning permission was the two silos as ‘operational’ development. The decision for the council was whether the silo structures as positioned should or should not obtain planning permission.

“Based on the information provided, I am satisfied the council met the statutory publicity requirements and the requirements of its Statement of Community Involvement for the application.”

information to reach its decision about the planning use of the site and I have seen no evidence of fault in the way it reached this decision. It is appreciated that residents dispute the council’s assessment but in the absence of fault, this is a decision the council is entitled to reach.”

The investigator says the council provided evidence that it has responded to residents’ reports of both nuisance and planning breaches and taken action. “The council has

The Week In Community Ltd, 8 Temple Court, Keynsham. BS31 1HA

The investigator said the council had already accepted that the report wrongly referred to

provided cogent reasons where it has delayed or not taken action. It is appreciated that

0117 986 0381 www.theweekin.co.uk

the two silos replacing two previously existing silos on the site when there had only

residents would have preferred the council to take different action but I have seen no

been one such silo. “The council says the case officer was aware from previous site

evidence of a failure to respond or undue delay that would constitute fault by the

handling of the initial planning application by 4Concrete for two silos at Old Station Yard in Avon Mill Lane that were permitted retrospectively in January 2020, and for failing to take effective action over reports of nuisance and breaches of planning control.

The investigator’s decision on behalf of the Ombudsman said: “The complainant, whom I shall refer to as Mr C, complains on his own

THE WEEK IN Barrs Court, Bitton, Brislington, Cadbury Heath, Compton Dando, Corston, Downend, Emersons Green, Fishponds, Hanham, Hillfields, Keynsham, Kingswood, Longwell Green, Mangotsfield, Marksbury, North Common, Oldland Common, Pucklechurch, Saltford, Staple Hill, Stockwood, St George, Warmley, Whitchurch, Wick, Willsbridge.

ISSN: 2052-9767 Publisher Editor Contributors

Stephen Rodgers admin@theweekin.co.uk Becky Feather 07403 273967 Christine Rogers

Advertising

Tracy Broderick 0117 986 0381 sales.theweekin@gmail.com @theweekineditor

No material in this publication, nor its associated website (www.theweekin.co.uk) may be reproduced without the written permission of The Week In. All rights reserved.

The Week In is regulated by IMPRESS: The Independent Monitor for the Press CIC. As such, we adhere to the IMPRESS complaints procedure. A copy of this procedure can be found on our website or can be sent upon written request to the address above.

4

The Week in • Wednesday 2nd February 2022

of fault

245 drink or drug-driving arrests Avon & Somerset Police made 245 arrests during the largest operation

council.

“This is clearly an ongoing issue for local residents and I would expect the council to ensure it provides regular updates going forward about both its action relating to breaches of planning control and nuisance.”

The report can be read https://tinyurl.com/3h4dumyw

in

full

online

at

Firm lodges appeal

carried out in recent years as part of December’s National Police Chiefs’ Council Winter Drink and Drug Driving Operation.

One in three fatal collisions on the roads of Avon and Somerset in the last year have involved drink or drugs as a contributory factor.

Of the December arrests, 221 were

4Concrete has recently lodged an appeal to the Secretary of

drink-related offences and 39 related to

State following the refusal last August by B&NES Council’s planning committee of a revised and partially retrospective

drug use. A further 12 people were

application for barriers to reduce noise and dust at the site in Avon Mill Lane.

New Year’s Day - nine between

Council officers had recommended approval of the fencing to allow 4Concrete to start filling concrete mixing vehicles an hour earlier on weekdays (at 6.30am) and to finish an hour later (at 6.30pm) once the fences had proved to be effective.

4Concrete’s agent said that the fencing, once complete, would be equally effective as more costly plans that had been approved by the council the previous November.

But councillors on the planning committee voted against the latest application on the grounds that extended operating hours would result in significant harm to the amenities of nearby local residents by reason of increased noise, traffic and disturbance.

relating to drink and four to drugs.

The Week in • Wednesday 2nd February 2022

arrested for drink or drug-driving on midnight and 4.30am with 11 arrests The 25 to 34-year-old age group

provided positive breath tests and four

The December drink/drug arrest figures

accounted for almost a third (82) of

positive drug wipes were obtained. A

exceed the 191 arrests of December

arrests, followed by 25 to 44-year-olds

further 69 other road related offences

2020 and 221 arrests of December 2019

(62 arrests). Under 25s accounted for 47

were also detected.

and is the second highest monthly arrest

arrests.

Drivers

Officers stopped and educated more

imprisonment, an unlimited fine and a

January 2018 (the highest being July

than 2,000 drivers about drink/drug-

substantial driving ban if they are caught

2020 when 247 arrests were made). The

driving in 55 roadside stop checks

driving while above the legal limit.

39 drug-drive arrests is lower than the

across the month, the locations of which

Anyone who causes a death while drink

45 recorded in the same period in 2020,

were based on information received

or drug-driving faces up to 14 years’

but up on the 31 drug arrests of

from the public. As a result, 13 people

imprisonment.

December 2019.

risk

up

to

six

months’

total

for

drink/drug-driving

since

5

Regional authority cooperation, help for buses and A spirit of cooperation seemed to pervade

respective leaders Kevin Guy, Marvin Rees

England would be the best way to persuade

spending funds already allocated to the West

Bath Guildhall as the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) held its

and Toby Savage boycotting one meeting last autumn and a lengthy adjournment at

Government to invest in the region.

Although the lengthy agenda was heavily

of England, particularly with just eight years left to reach WECA’s climate emergency

latest committee meeting.

Since Dan Norris was elected Metro Mayor

December’s meeting in Keynsham while the four leaders retired to air their differences in private.

loaded with procedural matters surrounding budget allocations, the WECA committee also approved key spending commitments of

aims.

Although the committee meeting had another unscheduled adjournment for the Metro

But last Friday in Bath, the body language was significantly different, almost as if the

several million pounds to aid transport infrastructure, education, employment and

Mayor and council leaders to continue discussions behind closed doors, this time the

realisation had dawned that a united approach to the issues facing residents in the West of

environmental measures. Indeed there was even a sense of urgency to get on and start

reason was positive. One amendment to 2022/23 budget proposals could actually

last May, it is fair to say that relations between him and the council leaders of Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire who sit on the committee have not been easy. This included the

Transport schemes to go ahead and more help for the buses Spending on major transport schemes including the A4 between Bristol and Bath was approved as more flesh was applied to the bones of WECA’s half-a-billion pound funding grant from the Government.

Last year, we reported that the region had received approval of its City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) for £540m. The next stage, as Mayor Norris stressed at the meeting, was to show the Government how the money will be spent before asking for any more.

Accordingly, the committee approved a raft

of transport infrastructure projects including more than £100m on the Bristol to Bath Sustainable Transport Corridor. With a further 20% contribution for local councils, the scheme is divided into three sections: the segregated routes from Bristol to Brislington, Keynsham to Bath and the Hicks Gate transport hub.

Other ‘corridor’ schemes include the Somer Valley to Bristol and Bath and Stockwood to Cribbs Causeway while the metrobus Hengrove extension, improvements to the Bristol and Bath Railway Path and Liveable

More funding for regional recovery

6

A £5m Regional Recovery Fund will local

sustainability of local high streets.

people and businesses tackle the ongoing

The funding comes in addition to measures

impact of the pandemic. The three main

previously taken by the regional authority

objectives will be to help people overcome

since autumn 2020 which have seen almost

barriers to jobs and training, help businesses

£12m spent on supporting creative and

and their supply chains adapt to the new

hospitality

economic landscape and support the future

development and high streets renewal.

businesses,

digital

skills

Neighbourhood schemes in all three local authorities also received funding allocations for the next stage of development.

On the vexed question of local bus services, there was a dire warning from transport campaigner and Bus Users UK representative David Redgewell. Addressing the committee, he said that local transport companies were in a dire position with a predicted 30% shortfall in funding and the prospect of further service cuts if no more money is forthcoming after 31st March. He urged the Metro Mayor and council leaders to unite in the call to Transport Minister Grant Shapps to continue support for bus companies in the light of the pandemic.

But there was one bit of good news. In one of the lengthy procedural matters, the committee agreed a request from South Gloucestershire leader Toby Savage to divert some extra funding towards local bus services. An amendment was agreed to one of the budget proposals which will divert £384,000 from a reserve fund to provide oneoff financial support in the next financial year for bus routes in rural areas and communities not well served by public transport.

Asked after the meeting whether that meant the 18 bus could be reinstated. Toby Savage said not directly, but the fund could provide the means for a service between the areas affected by its withdrawal.

The Week in • Wednesday 2nd February 2022

d a pay rise for the Mayor Graffiti vandals under fire result in more money being available for threatened or withdrawn bus services like the 18 and 37, and what could well have been a

Graffiti vandals who daubed their tags on

contacted Western Power who were due to

the substation behind the Alec Large

come out this week to clean it off:

very contentious issue given the history of the committee was quickly resolved – giving

Memorial Park n Mangotsfield have been

“They have told me that they have 1,000

condemned by a local councillor.

substations in the Bristol and South Glos

Exasperated Michael Bell said most of the

area and the majority have had graffiti

telecoms cabinets at the side of pavements

scrawled or sprayed on them in the past few

and roads in Mangotsfield have received

years,” he said.

similar treatment and Staple Hill shopfronts

“Perhaps the ‘secret band of taggers’ can

were targeted last year. Cllr Bell said he has

explain to the rest of us why they do it.”

the Metro Mayor a pay rise!

Mayor’s pay to rise The last item on the agenda was a report

attract an allowance mid-way between the

from the Independent Remuneration Panel

that of an MP and the comparable role of

into the salary of the Regional Mayor.

the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough that

Mayor - £88,766. However, to arrive at that

responsibility of the Regional Mayor lay

point, the allowance would be increased

somewhere between that of an MP and a

from the current £67,000 by £5,000

Minister but that the current allowance was

increments over each of the next four years.

considerably less (the Mayor’s current

At the same time, the allowance currently

allowance is £67,000 compared to almost

paid for the role of deputy mayor, which

£82,000 for an MP). The combined

had been agreed under the previous

authority

and

administration, would be scrapped. Mayor

Peterborough was considered the closest in

Norris had already indicated that he

size to the West of England and the

intended to handle all responsibilities

allowance of the mayor there will rise to

himself.

£97,500 in April.

The recommendations were accepted by the

The panel recommended that the West of

committee, with only South Gloucestershire

England Regional Mayor position should

Council leader Toby Savage voting against.

Its

primary

conclusions

of

were

Cambridgeshire

Advertising feature

Taking the hassle out of home improvement Boost your kerb appeal today with one

professionals, every Garolla roller shutter

quick and easy purchase from Garolla.

garage door is created with your home in

The nation’s largest roller garage door

mind. Increasing your thermal efficiency,

installers, Garolla specialise in creating

safety and security, these garage doors are

beautiful, bespoke garage doors that

an invaluable addition to any home and

can

allow you to sleep easier at night.

truly

transform

your

home’s

exterior. And with local installers across the

Available in a range of 21 stunningly

country, it couldn’t be easier to update your

vibrant shades and two different slat sizes,

home.

you can design the perfect accompaniment

Hand-crafted

by

highly

skilled

to your home’s style and architecture.

The Week in • Wednesday 2nd February 2022

7

LETTERS Disgusting habit of some Keynsham residents

Does First have a public relations department?

Dear Editor

their drivers have told me First in Bristol alone

As the work on the High Street comes to an end

are currently somewhere in the region of 100

the disgusting behaviour of some Keynsham

drivers short of what they need. I am sure the

residents is being revealed.

reasons are many and various for this. If this

The new paving has already been defaced by

could somehow be shared with passengers by

small to large white splodges. Not bird

First, the people who actually pay all First

droppings or algae growth but spat-out chewing

employees’ salaries, instead of massively

gum! I have no idea how to tackle this problem

inconveniencing

but hope that you, as a newspaper, could raise

explanation, perhaps they might actually

awareness and encourage those people who spit

understand

out gum (or discreetly drop it) to behave in what

inconvenienced, and, who knows, actually be

is quite simply a more civilised manner.

sympathetic?

M Hunter

I recently spent a week in the very fine city of

Resident of Albert Road, Keynsham

Durham, similar I would say to Bristol in some

Suffer the passengers Dear Editor First Group have just raised their fares across the board by an above inflation rate, I would estimate overall in the upper range of 5-10%.

Everyone knows about increasing pressure on costs but the plain fact of the matter is that that increase is despite a very significantly degraded service on the No 349. In the last year or so they have been (it continues in 2022) frequently taken off, wholly without explanation; at points in the last year I would say that on occasions the service has been reduced to one, not two, an hour, as timetabled. It really has been that bad.

Several times I have bought a day ticket to commute to Bristol and breaking my journey in Keynsham on the way back, the bus has not turned up and I have ended up walking. I actually paid for the trip back. I am now therefore being asked to pay more for less?

Costs are going up, sure, but if First Group are pulling buses off the 349 route (I understand each one operationally costs about £100 to run), aren’t they also making very significant savings on operational costs (fuel, for example) by pulling buses? As well as a massive saving on not paying a large deficit of drivers? I would hazard a guess that saving goes to its shareholders, not its customers.

8

If it does, I would guess it serves its shareholders, not its passengers. A number of

why

them they

wholly are

without being

so

many ways. I do most envy the efficiency of their public transport system. They have two main bus providers in the city, Stagecoach and Go-Ahead. They actually have to compete for passengers. You can go practically anywhere in Durham for a £1 flat fare after 6pm. The buses are all very well used – why would you use a car to access the centre when you have a good, reliable and very good value service in and out?

First do actually run a flat fare system on occasion for a two-week period before Christmas and seem to think they are being very generous for doing it. In Durham it applies all year round. Go-Ahead’s share price, by the way, is between £6-7 per share, a profitable and wellrun company. First’s, by comparison, even with a de facto monopoly in a major city like Bristol, struggles to stay above £1 per share. Perhaps the problem is with First’s management, complacent but not agile like Go-Ahead, because they do not have to compete with other operators for

Ofsted highlights need for improvements at junior school Ofsted says Chandag Junior School in Keynsham requires improvement

try hard to live by Chandag’s values of ‘respect, resilience and responsibility’.

although the inspectors who carried out a two-day visit also found much to

Staff build strong relationships with pupils and safeguarding is said to be effective.

The report also praises the support,

praise.

The education watchdog applauded the “ambitious” curriculum introduced by Futura Learning Partnership, the academy trust that runs the 251-pupil school, but also flagged up that leaders and teachers have not implemented the plans well enough to meet all pupils’ needs.

Ofsted also said that some pupils with special educational needs do not achieve as well as they should, and that some staff lack the knowledge and skills to teach phonics effectively.

While the categories of quality of education, and leadership and management, are both rated as ‘requires improvement’, the other two categories behaviour and attitudes of pupils and their personal development - are rated as Good.

The inspectors’ report highlights that school leaders have raised expectations of what pupils are capable of, especially in English and mathematics. The report also says that pupils are polite and friendly and

ambition and commitment provided by trust leaders, trustees and governors.

Merger plans This week Andrea Arlidge, chief executive of Futura Learning Partnership, said Ofsted had recognised the strong progress that had been made at Chandag Junior School since the last validated national test results in 2019.

“As a trust, we were already working with the school on the areas for improvement identified by the inspectors - variation between subjects, more imprecise targets for some pupils, and training in phonics teaching - and we are confident that progress will continue to be made on all of them.

“Meanwhile, we are pleased that Ofsted has recognised that Chandag Junior School is an inclusive school where children feel safe, behave well, and have many opportunities to develop as wellrounded individuals.”

passengers. There is another way, First - and Durham shows it. Until then, suffer the passengers.

How I would welcome Abus back. Some of their buses were old but if one didn’t turn up, you did at least know it had very probably broken down.

They knew and understood what service was.

First in my view are not that bothered.

Lionel Hutt, Keynsham

Bin fire ‘deliberate’ Crews from Kingswood fire station were called to reports of a bin fire in Stephens Drive in Barrs Court on the evening of Sunday 23rd January.

The cause of the fire is thought to be deliberate and the police have been informed.

The Week in • Wednesday 2nd February 2022

New bereavement support service Keynsham councillor Alan Hale is starting a bereavement support group in the town from this month.

The first meeting takes place on Monday 28th February (2pm-4pm) at Keynsham Baptist Church Hall and subsequent meetings will be on the fourth Monday of each month.

Attendance is free of charge. The initiative emanates from a thread on a local Facebook group where contributors highlighted a lack of such a group and Cllr Hale has funded the cost of running the meetings through Bath & North East Somerset Council’s councillor enablement fund.

He said: "Bereavement is a very lonely place for lots of people following the loss of a loved one. Sadly, friends or

colleagues often fight shy of talking to the person about the loved one that has passed away, when that bereaved person would want to talk about the

Ongoing success for swimming club as it celebrates 60 years

Soundwell Swimming Club is celebrating its 60th

loved one.

“My aim is to establish somewhere that

anniversary this year.

2021 finished on a high for the club, which is based at

bereaved people will feel comfortable coming to for an hour or two and over

Kingswood Leisure Centre, when five of its members made it through to the finals of the British Winter

coffee or tea chat with volunteers or indeed other bereaved people and share

Championships. This year looks like it is going in the same direction. Already two swimmers have qualified for the national championships in April and another has

their pain or problems."

If there is demand, then the group will meet on additional days and more

been selected to represent the South West at the National Schools Gala. The club, which has more than

volunteers are also welcome. Cllr Hale said: “No qualifications are necessary, just an ability to be a good listener and to have and express empathy with the bereaved client."

Anyone interested in volunteering can

200 members, was forced to go online during lockdown with Zoom workout sessions being provided Alan Hale

contact Alan Hale on 07776 493221 or at bereavementkeynsham@gmail.com

Keep in touch, let us know what you think, send us your news www.facebook.com/theweekin

Sudoku 1-Easy

by head coach Jon Wills.

As well as competitive squads, the club has a swim academy, providing swimming lessons to youngsters, with a feeder system through to its competitive squads for children who want to continue their swimming.

For further information email HeadCoach@Soundwellswim.org.uk (squad trials) or learntoswim@soundwellswim.org.uk (swimming lessons).

SUNDAY CHEMISTS

2 -Hard

Sunday 6th February

Boots, Gallagher Retail Park, Longwell Green (10.30am-4pm) Asda, Longwell Green (10am-4pm) Boots, Emersons Green Retail Park (10.30am-4.30pm) Sainsbury’s, Emersons Green Retail Park (9.30am-4.30pm) Stockwood Pharmacy, 78 Hollway Road, BS14 8PG (9am-7pm) Keynsham Pharmacy, 15 Station Road, BS31 2BH (10am-4pm) Tesco, Callington Road, Brislington (10am to 4pm) Morrisons, 688-718 Fishponds Road, Fishponds (10am-4pm) Boots, Avonmeads Retail Park, St Philips Causeway (11am-5pm)

The Week in • Wednesday 2nd February 2022

9

Search is on for ‘Protect Green Belt missing pub sign from overdevelopment’ Do any of our readers know what happened to Warmley’s old Station Master pub sign?

Warmley Signal Box and Community Garden Group and Siston Parish Council are looking to apply for funding to have it restored as part of the Midland Railway local heritage.

After the High Street pub closed, the building became the Bollywood Spice Indian restaurant. In turn that closed and permission to redevelop the site for housing and offices was won on appeal in 2015. The work has yet to be completed.

Warmley Signal Box and Community Garden Group say they have been in touch with the developer of the pub site to no avail in their hunt for the sign. However, they have been advised that it was lying on the side of the road for some time so it may have been removed from its post, or fell down.

“We think the Bollywood Spice sign was pasted or painted over the original and wondered whether anyone in the community had any idea where it may have gone. It may have been thrown into a skip. We, of course, are keen to locate the original but if that's not possible, we may be able to obtain funding

Keynsham East councillors Andy Wait and Hal MacFie have set up a petition

brownfield sites in collaboration with the West of England Combined Authority, as

amid concerns about the threat to the Green Belt from overdevelopment.

proposed by the Prime Minister on 6th October 2021.”

The Save the Keynsham East Green Belt petition has so far been signed by more

Cllr Wait added: “As discussions turn to a new Local Plan and, potentially, even

than 100 people.

The petition says: “Keynsham residents

more house-building in the area, I have set up an online petition to gauge public

are appalled at the wholesale attack on our Green Belt and urge B&NES planning department to look for developments on

opinion about this issue.”

The petition is at https://tinyurl.com/26fsfmvt

Plans for a new park in Cadbury Heath to have a replica made.”

Anyone who has any more photographs of how the sign looked, or any other useful information is encouraged to get in touch.

Contact The Week In and we will pass on the details.

Alan Bryant, curator of Kingswood Heritage Museum, which is in Warmley, has offered a temporary home for the sign if it can be traced.

Crossword

There are plans to create a “brand new park” in Cadbury Heath to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

However, the location of the park, for which £500,000 is being set aside in South Gloucestershire Council’s budget for the coming year, has yet to be confirmed.

The Conservative administration says that “an existing open space” will be transformed to mark Her Majesty’s 70

ACROSS

DOWN

1. Small skewer (9)

2. Hair curler (6)

9. Infuse (6)

3. Biscuit (6)

10. As well (4)

4. Mass flight (6)

11. Ended (4)

5. Bound (4)

12. Give (6)

6. On the way (2,5)

13. Grave (7)

7. Sicilian volcano (4)

16. Faithful (4)

8. Ship's flag (4,5)

17. Close (4)

13. Metallic element (9)

18. Bishop's diocese (3)

14. Govern (4)

20. Mineral (3)

18. Legal action (4)

21. Bard (4)

19. Splash (7)

23. Morass (4)

22. Dozen (6)

25. Jumper (7)

23. Feeding trough (6)

26. Pantihose (6)

24. Take away (6)

29. Labour (4)

27. Blast of wind (4)

30. Virtuous (4)

28. Painful (4)

years on the throne.

As well as enhancing the site with landscaping, paths and planting, the new park will focus on the promotion of biodiversity and nature recovery in memory of the Duke of Edinburgh to celebrate his love for wildlife and nature.

The plans have been welcomed by local councillors and MP Chris Skidmore.

15. Footwear (5)

31. Irish province (6) 32. Practised (9)

10

The Week in • Wednesday 2nd February 2022

Education Secretary’s pledge over delayed Lyde Green Secondary School South Gloucestershire MPs Luke Hall and Chris Skidmore have met Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi to secure assurances that the development of Lyde Green Secondary School will continue to receive support.

The meeting follows the announcement, which we featured on our front page last week, that timescales for the completion and delivery of the new secondary school, which will be run by Olympus Academy Trust, are being impacted due to the pandemic and complications with the construction of the new school.

Together with the leader of South Gloucestershire Council Cllr Toby Savage and Cllr Erica Williams, the Cabinet member for Education, Skills & Employment, the MPs secured a meeting with Mr Zahawi to discuss the challenges

EV charging plans Saltford Motors have submitted plans to Bath & North East Somerset Council to install four electric vehicle charging points behind 489 Bath Road following the demolition of a derelict building.

The planning reference is 22/00070/FUL

The Week in • Wednesday 2nd February 2022

facing the project and what further support the Department for Education could offer.

The original plan was to deliver temporary accommodation at Winterbourne Academy from this coming September whilst the build of the new school took place. But parents were given just days to review their children’s school preferences for the upcoming academic year.

Mr Zahawi said: “I know how committed Luke and Chris are to delivering this new secondary school in South Gloucestershire and the Department for Education will continue to offer support to South Gloucestershire Council to achieve this. There is no obstacle that we cannot overcome and we will continue to support this vital project for the Lyde Green community.”

Following the meeting Erica Williams said: “We are continuing to work with the Regional Schools Commissioner’s Office and Olympus Academy Trust to finalise the plans and funding arrangements to deliver the school and every effort is being made so that we can confirm the earliest completion and opening date.”

Meanwhile the Labour group on South Gloucestershire says it is seeking answers from the Conservative-controlled council: “The Labour Group is particularly disappointed given they had a Children, Adults and Health briefing on

Nadhim Zahawi

Wednesday January 19, the day after the letter regarding Lyde Green’s delay was written, and yet were not told anything about it.”

Concerns about antisocial behaviour

An anonymous letter about anti-social behaviour problems in Keynsham town centre has been sent to the town council which resolved at its January meeting to raise the matter with the police at the next Keynsham Area Forum on 17th February to find out how they are dealing with this issue.

11

Keynsham man convicted Chasers nightclub closes of raping woman he met on dating website

into a new future.

“We ask for your understanding and support

regretfully “will not be reopening in the near future”.

On its Facebook page Chasers told its

in this matter.”

After being closed for 16 months because of COVID, the Regent Street club reopened last

A 59-year-old man from Keynsham has been found guilty of raping a woman he

Following the conviction, Detective Constable Jeremy Horner said: “I would

met on a dating website.

At Salisbury Crown Court last Thursday, the jury returned a unanimous verdict after

customers: “We will be working hard and investing in the building to offer a better

July when restrictions on the hospitality industry were lifted.

like to pay tribute to the victim in this case for her bravery in reporting this despicable

experience moving forward, this cannot happen overnight but will be a gradual move

At the time the club said it had worked really hard to give the club the facelift it needed.

an hour and a half of deliberation in the trial of Malcolm Compton, of Carpenters Lane.

The court had earlier heard how Compton

12

Legendary Kingswood nightclub announced at the weekend that it has closed its doors and

crime and supporting us in our subsequent investigation - during which she has shown real inner strength and dignity throughout.

had initially met his victim on the dating website in September 2020 and had been

“Compton, in carrying out this attack, showed a callous disregard for the physical and emotional damage that he inflicted on

communicating online for about a week before they agreed to meet in person.

Compton’s victim made it clear that she was seeking companionship and that she just wanted to be friends. But almost immediately after moving in, he began to pressure her into sexual activity and exercise controlling behaviour.

On 11th September 2020 Compton went on to rape her. His victim reported the offence to Wiltshire Police the following day.

his victim who was simply seeking companionship. He exercised controlling behaviour over her almost from the moment they met and decided to callously ignore her repeated requests to leave her alone in order to satisfy his own desire. “ Following the verdict, Judge Barnett warned Compton that he should expect a substantial sentence for his crime.

Compton is due to appear for sentencing before Winchester Crown Court on 18th March.

Heritage pub reveals refurbishment plans The Grade II listed New Inn on Bath Hill in Keynsham has unveiled alteration and refurbishment plans.

A planning application has been submitted to Bath & North East Somerset Council for internal alterations including an opening between the front and back rooms.

The pub says that in line with all commercial hospitality and leisure facilities, it needs to continually refresh and enhance its customer offer and

viable.

It says the proposed internal alterations and refurbishment works are considered to be sympathetic and modest and appropriate in nature and scale.

“This opening is required because, at present, customers have to go out of the building one end to get to the other bar from the other end. There will therefore be distinct benefits to customers through making this minor alteration.”

attraction

The planning reference is 22/00150/LBA.

to

remain

commercially

The Week in • Wednesday 2nd February 2022

Fundraising and hard work save mill pond Willsbridge Mill Commu-

The replacement pond had

nity Refresh (WMCR) say

been leaking and silting up

the mill pond at the

over the past few years

heritage site has been

affecting wildlife and plant

saved,

thanks

to

life. Enovert Community

and

hard

Trust gave a grant of more

fundraising

work by volunteers.

than £40,000 and an appeal

The pond, and the decking

launched by WMCR in June

that

last year raised more than

surrounds

it,

was

Situations Vacant

established in 1978, after the

£4,000

original mill pond broke its

donations, Work began at

banks in a great storm a

the beginning of January and

work quickly in the dormant

and wildlife.

decade before.

WMCR say they have had to

season so as not to affect the

“We have steps, pontoons

spawning and other life

and display signs to add and

cycles of the pond.

planting will commence in

There is lots more to do but

the spring but to get this

the pond has already been

finished so quickly sets us

dug, re-contoured, a new

up for great things in 2022.”

from

public

The pond as it was

liner has been put in and the water has been replaced.

To Rent

Fencing and paths around the

pond

have

been

completed.

WMCR say this is a huge milestone in their long-term aims for the mill: “To see this well-known and wellloved pond filled back up As it is now

with water means so much to our local residents, human

Win a family ticket to the Cartoon Circus All the fun of the circus comes to Hanham Community

surprises. There is even a performing piranha!

Centre on Thursday 24th February at 1.30pm with the

Here's your chance to win a family ticket for four. Simply

laughter-packed stage show ‘Cartoon Circus Live’ which

answer the following question:

combines the comedy of pantomime with the thrill of the circus.

The Cartoon Circus features Pom Pom the giant dancing panda. Which country do pandas come from?

The one-hour family show features some of Britain's funniest

Email your answer to: admin@theweekin.co.uk

clowns, traditional slapstick comedy, magic, illusions, the

Put ‘competition’ in the subject box and include your name

amazing girl in the spinning bottle, a huge giant dancing

and daytime telephone number with your answer.

polar bear, high flying diabolos, cartoon characters, plate

Good luck!

spinning, an acrobatic human slinky, puppets, prizes and

The Week in • Wednesday 2nd February 2022

13

Sudoku Solutions 1-Easy 4 9 1 7 5 3 6 8 2

2 3 6 8 4 1 7 5 9

8 7 5 9 6 2 4 1 3

1 6 7 4 3 5 9 2 8

Crossword Solution

2-Hard 5 8 9 2 1 7 3 6 4

3 2 4 6 8 9 5 7 1

9 5 8 1 7 4 2 3 6

6 4 3 5 2 8 1 9 7

7 1 2 3 9 6 8 4 5

Service Directory Aerials

Appliances

Architectural Services

Blinds

Boiler Service

Carpentry

Carpet Cleaning

Computers

Blinds

Driveways

Home Maintenance

Electrical

Garden Services

An advert like this costs

£21.00 + VAT

per insert Discounts are available for multiple bookings starting at 2 weeks

14

DEADLINE FOR PLACING DIRECTORY ADVERTS IS FRIDAY 4.30PM

The Week in • Wednesday 2nd February 2022

Service Directory Book a series of adverts and save even more

Locksmiths

Plumbing

Plumbing

Tree Services

Book a series of adverts and save even more

Our Directory is the perfect place to find a local tradesperson.

Our Directory is the perfect place to find a local tradesperson.

An advert like this costs

An advert like this costs

£21.00 + VAT

per insert Discounts are available for multiple bookings starting at 2 weeks

Adverts cost £4.20 per centimetre (min 5cm)

THE WEEK IN adverts call 0117 986 0381

Roofing

£21.00 Venue Hire

+ VAT

per insert Discounts are available for multiple bookings starting at 2 weeks

Painting & Decorating

Adverts cost £4.20 per centimetre (min 5cm)

The more weeks you

The more weeks you

book the cheaper

book the cheaper

each insertion

each insertion

becomes

becomes

Telephone Engineers

1 week - £21 2 weeks - £18.90

1 week - £21 Waste Disposal

2 weeks - £18.90

4 wk - £17.85

4 wk - £17.85

6 wk - £16.80

6 wk - £16.80

8 wk - £15.75

8 wk - £15.75

12 wk - £14.70

12 wk - £14.70

26 wk - £13.65

26 wk - £13.65

52 wk - £12.60

52 wk - £12.60

All prices per week exc VAT You don't have to book successive weeks.

You can choose fortnightly, monthly or specific insertion dates as long as the

All prices per week exc VAT

THE WEEK IN adverts call 0117 986 0381 Plumbing

total number of insertions booked corresponds to the discount rate.

Similar percentage

Tree Services

You don't have to book successive weeks.

Rubbish Clearance Cheap and fast

We load and clear any household, garden, garage and shed clearance Free estimates Fully licensed 85% recycled

You can choose fortnightly, monthly or specific insertion dates as long as the total number of insertions booked corresponds to the discount rate.

Similar percentage

discounts apply equally to larger sized adverts.

Call 0117 9373009

discounts apply equally to larger sized adverts.

Call us now on

DEADLINE FOR PLACING DIRECTORY ADVERTS IS FRIDAY 4.30PM

Call us now on

0117 986 0381 The Week in • Wednesday 2nd February 2022

at anytime to book

0117 986 0381 15

LQ DGXOWV H[SHULHQFH KHDGDFKHV GDLO\ :KDW¶V WKH VROXWLRQ RWKHU WKDQ WDNLQJ KDUPIXO SDLQNLOOHUV" 0RGHUQ GD\ OLIH FRXOG EH GDPDJLQJ \RXU KHDOWK EXW RQH DZDUG ZLQQLQJ SURYHQ SURFHVV LV WUDQVIRUPLQJ WKH OLYHV RI WKRXVDQGV RI SHRSOH DURXQG %ULVWRO It’s so easy to get caught up in our lives that we can often forget to take time to ourselves and take steps to protect our health. When life gets busy, we tend to put our KHDOWK ODVW UDWKHU WKDQ ¿UVW HYHQ when we’re in pain.

When you think about it, there are so many stressors around us daily. Our bodies aren’t designed to spend so much time sitting down or hunching over a laptop all day. This is so far from our hunter-gatherer origins that our bodies struggle to cope. Pain is your body’s way of showing you that it’s struggling to cope.

Around 1 in 20 adults experience a headache daily, but it isn’t hard to understand why when we think about it.

Your body doesn’t have to struggle. How we all live our lives, surrounded by technology all the nature of our work, is unlikely to change anytime soon.

So, it’s about taking steps to help your body thrive and to make sure you live your best life.

so many years in pain, being uncomfortable and tired.”

If you’re in pain and want the same life-changing results as Celie, Willow Chiropractic is offering a GLVFRXQWHG FRQVXOWDWLRQ where they will carry out a full examination and WHOO \RX H[DFWO\ ZKDW WKH\ ¿QG 7KHUH LV QR REOLJDWLRQ DOO IRU £10.

Chiropractic has been proven to help with so many different types of pain. Using over 100 years of experience, and an awardwinning proven process, Willow has helped thousands of people like you get out of pain and live life to the fullest.

It’s not just about getting you out of pain. It’s about guiding you to enhance and optimise your health and wellbeing, whilst providing you with invaluable tools to protect your body now and for the future. It can be hard to balance modern life with what your body needs, but Willow can help you on your journey.

“Without this balance, you’re setting yourself up for health problems in the future,” says Lacey Prosser (Doctor of Chiropractic) from Willow Chiropractic. “When you spend most of your time hunched over, your brain starts to think this is your normal posture. The result?

It becomes a structural change in your body. So, yes, whilst we

want to help you out of pain, we also want to give you the tools you need to protect your body too.”

Celie, a patient at Willow, commented “For the last 2-3 years I have suffered with migraines every few weeks, but would experience frequent It takes time, energy, and patience headaches in between. to achieve your health goals, FKLURSUDFWLF LVQ¶W D TXLFN ¿[ I had back pain, neck pain, and “Years and years of poor posture I was aware of a hump at the and pain can’t be solved instantly. bottom of my neck. It was badly Equally, you can’t put in time and affecting my sleep; I was waking effort for a short period of time up about 6-7 times a night. and expect this to last a lifetime.

You wouldn’t eat a balanced Now, my sleep, mood and energy diet for a month and expect levels have improved. I no longer that to keep you healthy for the get headaches or migraines; my rest of your life. You need to be posture is better and the hump consistent. The same applies to at the bottom of my neck has chiropractic,” says Dr Lacey. reduced. It’s amazing. I wasted

So, whether you have been suffering with your pain for a while, or it has started recently, FDOO RQ today to start on your journey to a happier and healthier life.

6FDQ WKH 45 FRGH DQG ¿OO RXW D VKRUW IRUP DQG ZH¶OO FDOO \RX back.

OR CALL: 0117 369 7075 KHOOR#ZLOORZOLIH FR XN ZZZ ZLOORZOLIH FR XN

Are you in pain?

It’s time to take back control of your health and life

Scan the QR code and ¿OO RXW D VKRUW IRUP DQG ZH¶OO FDOO \RX EDFN

We are here to help you with: • • • • •

back pain neck pain sciatica knee pain tennis elbow

• • • • •

hip pain headaches frozen shoulder arthritis wellbeing

CALL TODAY to arrange your consultation: 0117 369 7075 16

0 1 £ tation consul ) ly £48 (usual

Graham’s House, St Lukes Cl, Emersons Green, Bristol, BS16 7AL www.willowlife.co.uk The Week in • Wednesday 2nd February 2022