THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset
2nd February 2022
Issue 715
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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
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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
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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)
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29. Labour (4)
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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
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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.
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Graham’s House, St Lukes Cl, Emersons Green, Bristol, BS16 7AL www.willowlife.co.uk The Week in • Wednesday 2nd February 2022