The Week In - Issue 773 - 22nd March 2023

THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset

22nd March 2023

Issue 773

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Campaigners’ shock over council’s stance on Hanham Green Belt Fears for the future of Green Belt land in Hanham continue to rise after a council planning officer’s report described proposals to build on it as an “urban development project” and that an environmental impact assessment would not be necessary.

Ashfield Land and Redrow Homes last month announced their intention to apply for planning permission to build 149 homes on fields known as The Batch, off Hencliffe Way. Although no planning application has yet been submitted to South Gloucestershire Council, the developers’ consultants were told last week that, in the local authority’s opinion, an environmental impact assessment (EIA) would not be required.

The purpose of an EIA is to ensure that the environmental effects of a proposed development are properly considered.

As well as considering the proposal to be an “urban development project”, the planning officer’s report said: “The development is not considered likely to have significant longterm irreversible impacts on humans or on the environment either in isolation or in combination with other planned development in the vicinity of the site.”

The report said that the developers’ description of the site was “broadly appropriate and accurate” although the constraints plan “does not note the status of the site as designated Green Belt, some designated heritage assets are not entirely accurately plotted and the supporting statement

asserts that the designated Site of Nature Conservation Importance no longer has ecological value over the majority of its area given agricultural practice over an extended period”.

This week Hanham District Green Belt Conservation Society committee member Alex Pirie said: “The fact that South Gloucestershire Council considers an environmental impact assessment is not required in respect of potential development in an area designated Green Belt is truly astonishing.

“Any erosion of the Green Belt will impact the environment and should be properly assessed. The BBC Wild Isles programme stated that over the past 60 years, the UK has lost 97% of it wild meadow land, having an adverse impact on wildlife, insects and pollinators. When an EIA is not considered necessary, even for the potential loss of designated Green Belt, it’s easy to see why our country is in such a sorry state.”

Alex Pirie added that statements in the council’s response should merit an EIA, rather than taking the developers’ views “at face value”, explaining: “For people living in close proximity to the site, this proposal will have a tremendous impact on their environment which deserves to be properly assessed. Regarding the Site of Nature Conservation Importance having no ecological value due to agricultural practice, it is worth noting that the ground has remained

The Batch

fallow for a longer period than it has actually been farmed.

“Typically, the land has been ploughed and planted April/May and harvested September i.e. utilised for five months and fallow for seven months. Nature quickly returns to the site each year before the cycle is repeated. An EIA would formally determine its value and contribution to the ecology of the area.

“The council does however recognise the site has a range of constraints and interests of acknowledged importance and further assessments and mitigations will be necessary. They recommend a pre-application enquiry is submitted to fully establish requirements and the council’s likely position in respect of the development proposal.”

More than 1,100 people have already signed a petition on the change.org website saying the proposals are “an attack on an area known for its beauty, wildlife and ecosystems” and “a Continued on page 3

Also in this week’s issue

‘No significant changes planned in Keynsham High Street’ . . . page 2

50 ‘affordable’ homes now proposed for Chief Trading Post site in Oldland . . . page 3

Protecting Saltford’s village green . . . page 4

New Lyde Green schools delayed yet again . . . page 6

‘No significant changes planned in Keynsham High Street’ Bath & North East Somerset Council is apparently not planning to make any significant changes to Keynsham High Street, despite concerns about the number of people who have fallen there since the redesign a year ago.

After initial reports of people falling the council installed signs advising people of the new layout and also painted the cycle lane red last August, but people have continued to fall.

Although the council has not yet responded to The Week’s In’s inquiry about the number of compensation claims that have been made, a reader has shared the response they received earlier this year from the relevant cabinet member after flagging up concerns about the trip hazard caused by the new cycle lane.

The local resident was told by Cllr Mark Roper, who is in charge of economic development, regeneration and growth: “There are no current plans to make further significant changes to the scheme as it stands. You will be aware of the changes made in August 2022 and since then the council has been closely monitoring their effects.

“The data we are now getting indicates that the problems that were previously highlighted with the initial set-up – which was built to the latest approved standards – has been substantially eradicated.

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“We continue to monitor any incidents closely via FixMyStreet, via the town council office and through reports from the local retailers. The data for the first half of January is continuing to show good results (no recorded falls in the first 10 days) and I will be given all the data for the whole month shortly after it ends. Meanwhile the visitor numbers to the street show a strong recovery to above pre-Covid levels. We are looking at ways to further improve the situation following my visit to the site on 16th January.

“However, these would likely be small tweaks to what’s currently there. We can only make policy decisions based on data – not on perceptions – but please be assured that we are keeping a very close watching brief on the High Keynsham High Street Street and will continue to do so going forward.”

On FixMyStreet on 25th January someone reported a fall on incident would be included in the “Stage 4 Road Safety 20th January at 9.55am which resulted in them suffering a Audit”. The on 4th February there was a report on the website lacerated leg and knee and bruising. The victim said: “This of an older lady suffering a head injury after stumbling which pathway is extremely dangerous and several of my helpers resulted in an ambulance being called.

Local councillors tell us they have not yet had sight of a Stage stated this has happened many times before.”

The council responded on FixMyStreet saying that the

4 Road Safety Audit.

The Week in • Wednesday 22nd March 2023

50 ‘affordable’ homes now proposed for Chief Trading Post site Fifty “affordable” homes are now being proposed for the Chief Trading Post site in Barry Road at Oldland Common by a social housing provider.

As part of the redevelopment of the old nurseries site, outline planning permission was granted at the end of last year to Oldland Common LLP for 50 homes - of which 35% were expected to be affordable – and a community/health surgery building.

At the same time full planning permission was granted for a retail/café building and six supported living homes. Despite the site being in the Green Belt, the redevelopment plans were approved by South Gloucestershire Council because it was making use of previously developed land and the overall public benefits were said to outweigh the harm.

Now Alliance Homes have announced that they are working with developer Countryside Partnerships to plan and build 25 homes for rent and 25 shared ownership homes at the site. A demolition company has razed all the buildings to the ground in recent weeks following the closure of the popular café and farm shop at the end of 2022.

An impression of the new homes

Alliance Homes say: “The important distinction in our proposal is in the provision of affordable homes to meet significant demand. At the outline planning permission stage, it had been expected the development would be a mix of open market sale and affordable homes. However, we're now pleased to be submitting a reserved matters application in which 100% of the homes are affordable.”

They would be mostly two and three-bed homes, with a small number of one and four-bed homes. People living nearby are being asked for their opinion of the latest proposals in advance of the planning application being lodged with the council.

Alliance Homes began in 2006 as North Somerset Housing with a stock transfer of properties from North Somerset Council. They currently own and manage around 6,500 homes and work in partnership with local, regional and national agencies.

They say they have a strong track record in the delivery of new homes, with plans to build 2,000 more in the next 10 years. They recently built shared ownership apartments at Keyne Court in Rock Road, Keynsham.

Meanwhile the likelihood of the proposed community/surgery being built on the site as a replacement for

Campaigners’ shock on Hanham Green Belt Continued from page 1 disaster for the local environment, residents and visitors who currently use this space”. The petition says that more housing is already planned on the old Kleeneze site in Hanham and building at The Batch too would put even more pressure on overstretched public services.

MP Chris Skidmore has also launched a petition and has written to South Gloucestershire Council’s chief executive Dave Perry, seeking reassurance that the council intends to give full consideration to The Batch’s Green Belt status for any potential future planning application. He told Mr Perry: “Residents are rightly concerned that this application seeks to place housing on land that has been

The Week in • Wednesday 22nd March 2023

Chief Trading Post closed at the end of 2022

the current Hanham Health branch surgery in Oldland Common High Street, where accommodation is cramped, remains uncertain as there is no health funding available.

The Chief Trading site pictured last Friday

designated special protection, at the same time as being agricultural land and close by woodland environments and the River Avon, a protected natural habitat for which development here would prove detrimental.”

As we have previously reported, a house in Hencliffe Way that would be demolished to create an access has been bought by the developers for a reported £1.3m.

• Hanham Abbots parish councillor Chrissie Cushing is gathering evidence of the public rights of way at The Batch. Anyone who has walked these paths for over 20 years and would be prepared to sign a statement is asked to go to Hanham Cricket Club this Saturday (25th March) between 2pm and 4pm.

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Action over safety concerns in village Wooden bollards have been installed on Saltford’s ‘village green’ next to The Shallows car park.

The new bollards will protect the green space from unauthorised parking following multiple concerns and complaints that during busy periods, drivers have mounted the pavement or kerb to park on the green space, endangering pedestrians and people picnicking or playing on the grass.

The £7,000 cost has been funded by Saltford Parish Council from Community Infrastructure Levy funds. The installation work was carried out by contractors for landowner Bath & North East The new bollards

Somerset Council.

Limited parking is available in The Shallows car

planned.

park and on a section of road nearby, which includes three

There have been several river-related tragedies in Saltford in

disabled parking spaces. New seasonal parking charges were

recent years.

introduced last November at the car park to help aid turnover, in part due to the issue of vehicles left for long periods taking up available parking space.

Meanwhile the parish council last week said it was pleased to

learn

that

following

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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.

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council, B&NES Council will be taking action before stoning’ from the LMS Bridge on the Bristol and Bath Railway Path, with

Parking on the village green

more fencing and signage

MP’s support for hunting North East Somerset MP Jacob Rees-Mogg highlighted his pro-hunting views earlier this month when he said on social media that it was a “pleasure” to have welcomed the Mendip Farmers’ Hunt to his land in West Harptree.

Hunt saboteurs said they helped several foxes to safety on the day.

The hunt’s website states that following the

passing of the 2004 Hunting Act “the Mendip Farmers’ Hunt continues to hunt legally with the good grace and kindness of our many landowners, farmers and tenants”.

Mr Rees-Mogg has been accepted as the Conservative candidate to fight the new Parliamentary seat of North East Somerset and Hanham at the next General Election.

Tory MP defies the Government Kingswood’s Conservative MP and former minister Chris Skidmore OBE refused to support the Government in last week’s Second Reading of the Illegal Migration Bill which plans to crack down on asylum seekers arriving in small boats.

Mr Skidmore, who currently serves as the Prime Minister’s Net Zero tsar, and whose seat will disappear in the boundary changes at the next General Election, said before last Monday’s vote: “I am not prepared to break international law or the human rights conventions that the UK has had a proud history of playing a leading role in establishing.

I will not be voting for the bill tonight.”

He did not vote and neither did the Tory MP for Thornbury & Yate Luke Hall, whose constituency includes Wick and Pucklechurch. Other local Tory MPs who did support the Government were Jack Lopresti, whose Filton & Bradley Stoke ward covers Staple Hill and Downend, and North East Somerset MP Jacob Rees-Mogg.

The Week in • Wednesday 22nd March 2023

Public meeting about new minibuses A public meeting has been organised for Thursday 30th March at Hungerford Community Centre in Brislington regarding the new WESTlink bus service which begins next month. The West of England Combined Authority officer leading on the new WESTlink service has been invited to explain to local residents how the region’s new on-demand minibus service will work and to answer questions. Everyone is welcome to attend the meeting, which runs from 7pm to 9pm, and has been organised

by Brislington Liberal Democrats.

Fines considered for unauthorised car park users Discussions have been taking place about bringing in a

As Oldland Parish Council is the landlord, the management

private firm to handle parking “abuse” at Cadbury Heath

committee asked for its view on the proposal and at their

Hall.

meeting last Thursday councillors considered that the harm

The hall’s management committee say the car park is used

would outweigh the benefits as the hall is a community asset,

overnight by work vans and by two or three driving schools

used by people popping to shops or the local school.

as a practice area at a time. Under the proposed scheme with

Emersons Green Village Hall has a similar parking

Horizon Parking, genuine users of the hall would enter their

management system in place in which users must enter their

details on a wall-mounted tablet inside the hall.

registration number to avoid a fine.

Special event for carers West View Surgery, St Augustine’s and Temple House surgeries in Keynsham, along with the Bath & North East Somerset Carers Centre, are running a drop-in event for unpaid carers on Tuesday 25th April between 10am and 12.30pm at the Scout Hut, Ashton Way, Keynsham.

The Carers Centre would like to raise awareness to unpaid carers that they are not alone and that help, advice and support can be provided.

There will be free refreshments, mini-health checks, wellbeing services, mindfulness, energy-saving ideas and stalls from support organisations. No booking is required.

The Week in • Wednesday 22nd March 2023

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Opening of new Lyde Green schools delayed yet again The opening of the long-awaited new secondary school for Lyde Green, and the estate’s second primary school, has been pushed back yet again.

The project has been hit by a series of delays, including rising costs, and after a string of broken promises, the schools now look unlikely to open until 2026.

Last July South Gloucestershire Council said the anticipated opening date had been deferred until September 2024. The original planned opening date was September 2022.

Although the new schools to serve the 3,000-home estate were supposed to meet the top eco standards known as Passivhaus – like at the new Two Rivers Primary School in Keynsham – rising costs mean that vision has now had to be abandoned.

In a statement on Friday the council said that it had secured more than £30m from the Government to enable the new Lyde Green secondary school to be built. The sum is in addition to the £11m that the council has already committed

The new sports facilities are expected to be available for community use later this year

to deliver new primary and secondary schools in Lyde Green.

The council said that while it is keen to see the new facilities built as quickly as possible, it does not have direct control over the programme of construction. “Nevertheless, the council is continuing to work closely with the two multiacademy trusts that will run the new schools and the developer that will construct them to determine the schedule of work.”

A spokesperson added: “The new schools have been designed to this point to meet Passivhaus standards and we have adopted the principles of that model to ensure the new facilities have excellent environmental performance in terms of insulation, heating and generating their own solar energy, for example. Final designs will be shared when they are available, but as costs for all construction projects have escalated significantly in recent years, the cost of securing formal Passivhaus accreditation has proved to be too much.”

As we have previously reported, the Olympus Academy Trust will run the secondary school and the Castle School Education Trust will run the primary school under the Government’s Free Schools programme.

The council said that by the autumn the partners will share details of when work will begin, as well as the planned school opening dates: “At this stage, we can say that the schools will

Warm welcome at Doynton Memory Café Doynton Memory Café meets on the first Thursday of each month at Doynton Village Hall from 2pm-4pm. It is a relaxed, informal, drop-in event for people living with dementia, and their carers.

Each month has a different theme. The programme

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through spring and into summer includes Easter, traditions, sports, the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s, and holiday reminiscences. There is always plenty of tea and cakes and a chance to talk and share thoughts, feelings and ideas.

There are lots of activities and useful information for carers, and always time to sing a few songs together.

The Memory Café welcomes everyone who could benefit from, and enjoy, coming along. To find out more phone 07817 311001 or find and follow ‘The Memory Café at Doynton’ on Facebook.

Where the new schools will be built

not be open in September 2024 and that we anticipate the build programme will take approximately two years. The plan remains to build both new facilities at the same time and for them to have the same opening dates.”

Close collaboration with other local schools means that demand for places can be met, the council added.

An update on progress will be provided in the summer term, which will include more information about availability of the shared use sports facilities: “These facilities are close to completion and, subject to management arrangements being agreed, are expected to be available for community use later this year.”

The saga to date Lyde Green’s first primary school opened in Willowherb Road in 2015 and separate primary and secondary schools in the north east of the new estate were approved in outline back in May 2016.

However, the plans had to be redesigned after a gas main was discovered, and the new site chosen for the schools at Honeysuckle Road was said to be the only possible option. That site had been earmarked for the estate’s second local centre, with retail and other facilities, which had to be scrapped.

South Gloucestershire and Stroud Academy Trust (SGS) Academy Trust first bid for funding an all-through school for children aged four to 16 under the Free Schools programme but that was turned down in 2019. The trust then bid to open a secondary school and found out in early 2021 that it had been successful.

Full planning permission for the co-located 420-place primary and 900-place secondary school was finally granted in March 2021, only for the project to be delayed later that year when SGS was replaced by Olympus Academy Trust and builders Willmott Dixon were replaced by BAM. When the council announced last July that negotiations on the new buildings were taking longer than anticipated, it said progress had been made on the creation of shareduse sports facilities, which would benefit the new schools as well as local sports clubs and the wider community, and it was hoped they would be ready for community use later that year. As the council revealed on Friday, community use has now been pushed back to “later this year”.

The Week in • Wednesday 22nd March 2023

Crackdown on reckless riders The National Police Air Service’s South West helicopter has been deployed over South Gloucestershire in recent weeks to support operations involving Avon & Somerset’s roads policing unit as they deal with reports about motorbike and moped

thefts, and illegal or anti-social riding of motorbikes and mopeds.

Police say the riders of these motorbikes and mopeds are putting themselves and others at risk as a result of their reckless behaviour.

Sounding the alarm over lithium-ion fires Recent fires involving lithium-ion batteries prompted a safety warning at the recent Downend, Emersons Green & Frenchay Community Engagement Forum.

Duncan Gregory, from Kingswood fire station, told the meeting that crews from the station had been called to tackle fires in Bristol caused by rechargeable batteries in devices such as e-scooters being charged inappropriately indoors.

Lithium-ion batteries are found in many

electrical devices and are not dangerous when used properly. However, they can present a risk when over-charged, shortcircuited, submerged in water or if they are damaged.

The advice is not to leave batteries to charge while you are asleep or away from the home, and don't charge them on soft furnishings such as beds or sofas.

For more safety advice visit https://tinyurl.com/24hnhd6a

Primary school rated as Good Wansdyke Primary School in Whitchurch has been judged as Good in all areas by Ofsted.

The inspectors’ report, published this month, said pupils are happy, enjoy

learning, behave well and feel safe.

The inspection of the 208-pupil school in January was the first visit by Ofsted since Wansdyke joined Futura Learning Partnership in 2018.

The Week in • Wednesday 22nd March 2023

Donations needed for next Ukraine trip Now that Brislingtonbased charity Hope for Ukraine is getting ready to send out its third lorry full of humanitarian aid, people are being asked to make donations.

As well as a donation point at St John’s Hall office in Keynsham, open Monday to Friday from 10am to noon until Easter, there is also now one at Community at 67 in Queens Road in the town which will be open on Saturdays from 10am to noon until Easter.

The charity is only accepting items on its donation list, so for an up-to-date list visit Facebook, check out the QR code or call 07933 712584.

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LETTERS newspaper on board, choosing to ditch the

for the community; I'm 83 and have lived in

car in preference to travelling by bus is

Hanham since 1977 but I'm pretty sure that

surely a compelling alternative!

I've only used the public toilet once or twice

Philip Gannaway

in all that time.

Spotlight on High Street cycle lane design

Surcharge on road tax could fund buses

Dear Editor

Dear Editor

Falls in Keynsham High Street is a much

Regional bus users must be highly relieved

discussed topic in The Week In over a

that due to a Government grant, the axing of

considerable amount of time!

over 40 subsidised bus routes in April has

Buses at election time

thinking about really significant ways to

Bath & North East Somerset Council’s

now been lifted. However, the problem of

Dear Editor

make Hanham High Street more attractive to

insurers were quoted in Issue 772 as saying

bus funding is a recurring issue which needs

The silly season seems to have come early

traders and shoppers alike.

that “the design met all the relevant planning

to be addressed with radical action.

for I see the Lib Dems are excitedly telling

I know some will think my constant

and design requirements”, a phrase that

At present, hapless passengers are at the

us how they are saving buses – but they cut

repetition of the same idea is boring, but I

B&NES themselves have used when

mercy of grudging subsidy donations from

them in the first place!

genuinely believe that making the High

responding to those who have been injured.

local councils, Regional Mayor Dan Norris

Shame they didn’t use the headline ‘Lib

Street one-way, widening the pavements,

This may (or may not) be true but this is

seeking precept powers and sporadic

Dems save buses Lib Dems cut.’

creating short-stay parking bays as well as

irrelevant. If true, the council has the duty of

Westminster hand-outs. This futile alliance

The simple facts are that B&NES is the

continuing to apply pressure on the

care to its residents to feed back to those who

is no way to run an essential service.

council responsible to fund local supported

management team of the community centre

wrote and agreed those design requirements,

With thousands of people falling ill with

buses but chose not to find enough money to

about opening their car park to would-be

stating that they need to be updated urgently

respiratory disease linked to vehicle

do that last year. (And blame the Regional

shoppers would truly show that South

as many people are being injured as they

pollution every year, the Government needs

Mayor).

Gloucestershire Council ‘loves’ our High

currently stand.

to get more committed to the campaign to

Now they’ve magically found a bit of cash

Street. The planters and benches would then

Does anyone know if B&NES has done this,

reduce our usage.

down the back of the sofa to slightly extend

be most appreciated, I'm sure.

and if so, what the response was?

One option to improve the environment and

them until just after, oh yes, an election!

The Tories in their latest publicity have made

John Aldridge

encourage the public to abandon the car in

Louise James

a point of highlighting (with photo of the

It's a pity that our councillors can't start

three self-satisfied Tory councillors) which,

favour of public transport is to introduce a

I assume is designed to win the votes of

Court Road concern

small surcharge to the annual vehicle tax.

Hanham deserves more

Dear Editor

Excluding commercial vehicles, this levy

Dear Editor

Your article on the accident on the bridge on

should be ringfenced and used solely to

I do so agree with Nicola Bartlett's

Court Road in Oldland Common (Issue 771)

support unprofitable but socially necessary

comments about the plans to enhance

was interesting reading.

bus routes nationwide.

Hanham High Street that were made known

This is a one of a series of accidents on this

Imposing this charge would end the current

in The Week in last week.

road. The council put up speed detection

unnecessary

rigmarole

Some weeks ago, after you announced that

systems a few months ago but the conclusion

between local councils, Regional Mayors

South Gloucestershire Council had applied

was not many vehicles breached the speed

and the Government’s Transport Secretary

for a grant from the 'Love Our High Street'

limit of 20mph.

when deciding bus subsidises.

fund, I wrote and asked what the council had

Retailer praised for Mother’s Day opt-out

However, the system doesn't work after a

With a nod to climate change, the present

proposed in their grant application. I knew

Dear Editor

certain speed as the council say they know

disruptive congestion caused by too many

that fund managers would not simply hand

I subscribe to marketing emails from Aldi

drivers will try and see how fast they get

cars using the highways could become a

over money; they would want to know what

and received this message a fortnight ago:

detected. This is the problem with this

distant nightmare if a mandatory vehicle

was planned.

"Prefer not to receive our Mother's Day

stretch of road with some drivers now seeing

surcharge was initiated.

So, now we know, and one can see why

emails? We understand that Mother's Day

how fast they can go over the small bridge

Having a car is becoming a costly millstone

South Gloucestershire Council didn't make

can be a tough time for some, so if you'd

at the bottom. Cars have been damaged and

around many owners’ necks. With the recent

a big thing of it - it is, as Nicola says, “hardly

prefer not to receive our Mother's Day

someone will get seriously injured soon.

introduction of the £2 adult-£1 child single

inspiring”.

emails, please click the link below."

Something needs to be done soon.

bus journey fare (Bristol and Bath), and the

OK, improving the public toilets is not a bad

Such sensitivity is to be applauded!

Nick Gould, Oldland Common

added bonus of a complimentary Metro

thing but, let's face it, it isn't a desperate need

Robin Champion

8

horse-trading

electors in May. I sincerely hope electors vote in people who really do want to make Hanham High Street a fantastic magnet for traders and shoppers.

David Matthews Hanham

The Week in • Wednesday 22nd March 2023

South Glos Labour leader retires after 30 years’ service Cllr Pat Rooney, the Labour Group leader on South Gloucestershire Council, is retiring after 30 years as a councillor.

She has held three seats throughout her 30 years - the Soundwell ward on the former Kingswood Borough Council, and Siston and Woodstock wards on South Gloucestershire Council.

This week Cllr Rooney said: “It’s been a privilege to serve our wonderful residents, many of whom have become firm friends of mine. I was also honoured to be elected the first woman leader of the Labour Group, a post I’ve held for the past nine years.

“I have done my very best to support and speak on behalf of

our residents on many issues over the years. I’ve really enjoyed leading a great team and hopefully the Labour Group will gain more seats in May’s elections. I wish them good luck for a very successful campaign and best wishes for the future."

Cllr Ian Boulton, the group’s deputy leader, said: “Pat’s leadership, experience and friendship has been valued by Labour councillors in South Gloucestershire and previously Kingswood Borough Council for over 30 years.

“Pat’s influence and support has been far reaching and her day-to-day advice and guidance will be deeply missed. We all wish Pat a well-deserved, very happy retirement from South Gloucestershire Council.”

Grants awarded to Warm Spaces Community-run Warm Spaces in Bath & North East Somerset have been awarded grants from the council’s Community Contribution Fund.

The scheme enables residents to make voluntary donations to support local communities and reduce inequalities across B&NES. This year, with Warm Spaces being established across the district, it was agreed that the fund should support them with grants of £250.

A cross-party panel of elected members assessed the applications, with grants awarded to Warm Spaces being run in 26 places. They include several in Keynsham – at The Crown pub, Wild About Community, Community at 67, St Dunstan's Catholic Church, St John's Church, Keynsham Methodist Church and GLL Keynsham.

Other venues include Saltford Sports Club and Whitchurch United Reformed Church.

Greggs expansion approved Greggs in Broad Street, Staple Hill, has been granted planning permission to extend into the shop next door and put outdoor seating on the

pavement.

South Gloucestershire Council has approved the plans to extend from No 27 into No 29.

Zebra crossing planned A new pedestrian crossing will be built on a busy road in Downend after campaigning by local councillors.

The zebra crossing on Four Acre Road, just south of the Quakers Road junction, will make it much

Sudoku 1-Easy

Pat Rooney

safer for parents and children to access Bromley Heath Infant and Junior schools, and a local preschool and nursery.

The £50,000 project will be delivered later this year.

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

SUNDAY CHEMISTS Sunday 26th March

2 -Hard

Boots, Gallagher Retail Park, Longwell Green (10.30am-4pm) Asda, Longwell Green (10am-4pm) Sainsbury’s, Emersons Green Retail Park (9.30am-4.30pm) 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 22nd March 2023

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Purdah works both ways We are just entering a period when our reporting on local government issues takes on a different appearance for a few weeks. It happens every four years and is mysteriously called ‘purdah’.

It is when, in the lead-up to local council elections, protagonists are prevented from making public statements which could potentially influence the forthcoming vote.

With elections due on 4th May, the purdah period starts next Monday (27th March). It means that council communications staff have to temper their press statements for the local media in order to avoid any politically charged issues.

Like the coming of spring, we always know when that period is approaching. In what we call our own ‘pre-purdah’, the number of ‘photo opportunity’ press releases we receive seems to increase in the days and weeks leading up to purdah.

Opportunities just to remind you, the reader, of projects your local council happens to be pursuing.

Whether that’s school building (perhaps not in South Gloucestershire Council’s case – see page 6), filling in potholes or supporting community ventures, we do tend to receive a larger number of photos of council leaders in hard hats or wearing hi-viz jackets around now.

But you can rest assured that the only such pictures you will see between now and 5th May will be ones that local political parties have paid for through adverts.

Purdah rules this year only apply to Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire councils. There are no elections for Bristol City Council or for the West of England Regional Mayor.

But purdah does not only prevent local politicians from

making statements which may potentially influence voters.

Sadly it can also be used as a means of deflecting criticism or being held to account. In writing this, I am reminded of events prior to the last council elections in 2019 which involved …. Keynsham High Street. Yes, in case anyone thinks the present shambles is entirely the fault of the current leadership at Bath Guildhall, it is worth remembering that it was in fact the brainchild of the previous administration.

In early 2019 The Week In was on B&NES Council’s back over one issue relating to Keynsham High Street and being met with a wall of silence. When the council first installed the one-way system in 2017 it was a temporary measure for 18 months so that the impact could be assessed. Despite only 23% of consultees actually favouring the system and repeated calls to trial other options – particularly full pedestrianisation – it transpired that there was a pot of West of England Combined Authority money going begging and B&NES had to act quickly to get it.

The matter never came before the full council or the executive cabinet but the traffic order to make the temporary one-way system permanent was made by the Cabinet councillor responsible for highways at that time, Mark Shelford. The Week In’s requests for an explanation from Cllr Shelford were ignored. Freedom of Information requests were not answered within the statutory timeframe resulting in a complaint to the Information Commissioner. When finally we were able to liaise with the man responsible, guess what? He couldn’t comment further because we had entered purdah!

The rules relating to purdah are quite lengthy and complex.

But the main aim is to prevent individuals or parties from being pro-active and potentially gaining an advantage through

Crossword ACROSS

DOWN

1. Coffee-flavoured liqueur (3,5)

1. Long journey (4)

5. Chinese idol (4)

3. Type of acid (6)

9. Constituent (7)

4. Jot (4)

10. Mindless (5)

6. Musical instrument (7)

11. Impromptu (2,3)

7. Furtive (8)

13. Refusal (6)

8. Firmly attached (5)

15. Belief (5) 17. African river (4) 19. Curve (3) 20. Vow (4) 21. Grassy surface (5) 23. Fame (6)

12. Muscular strength (5) 13. Condemn (5) 14. Bewitch (8) 16. Epoch (3) 18. Flax product (7) 21. Rustling sound (5) 22. Edict (6)

24. Raising agent (5)

25. Food dressing (5)

28. Requirements (5)

26. Against (4)

29. Care for (7)

27. Optical device (4)

30. Whirlpool (4) 31. Indefatigable (8)

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2. In advance (5)

T C E J RE T C E REJ the publication of material during the pre-election period.

However, councils are still permitted to “continue to discharge normal council business (including budget consultations or determining planning applications, even if they are controversial)”, as well as “publish factual information to counteract misleading, controversial or extreme information”.

Stephen Rodgers Publisher

Top award for youth charity The Kingswood-based charity Creative Youth Network has become England's first organisation to be awarded ‘Outstanding’ status by the National Youth Agency (NYA). The NYA Quality Mark at Outstanding level is the highest classification given.

Creative Youth Network (CYN) works with 7,500 young people a year across Bristol and South Gloucestershire, running 12 youth centres including in Hanham and Cadbury Heath and offering a wide range of support services and positive activities, including creative programmes. CYN says that more than two-thirds of these young people are from under-represented and seldom-heard communities. In 2022, young people achieved 24,000 recorded outcomes through CYN’s programmes, ranging from improved mental health to more positive personal relationships, improved school attendance and improved self-confidence.

The NYA award recognises CYN’s progressive approach to widening participation of young people across the organisation as well as its proven track record in codesigning programmes that recognise – and act upon – the needs and interests of the region’s many diverse communities.

CYN’s approach is rooted in building trust between young people and their assigned youth worker, who work together to identify needs and achieve outcomes to help young people reach their potential.

The Week in • Wednesday 22nd March 2023

Loss of High Street shop space approved retrospectively Councillors have voted in favour of allowing a retrospective planning application which has resulted in the loss of shop space in Kingswood town centre.

The change of use and alterations to 25 & 27 High Street were done without prior planning consent.

No 25 was previously a nail and beauty salon and No 27 was a hot food takeaway. Following building work there is now a ground-floor flat, plus commercial office space measuring just 26 square metres.

The recommendation from South Gloucestershire Council’s planning officers was that permission should be refused and the properties put back as they were.

Their report to the development management committee last Thursday said that both properties had large shop front windows with signs above, a distinctive characteristic along the parade, and that the loss of these features and replacement with “domestic alterations” is out of context.

They said said the development, if approved, would fail to

Gym doesn’t have planning permission The gym which operates out of Unity Business Park on Bath Road does not have planning permission, it has emerged.

After Unity Tyres left, South Gloucestershire Council planners permitted alterations to the warehouse buildings to change the use from storage and distribution to a mixed use of business, general industrial and storage and distribution. However, that does not include use as a gym.

To deal with the unauthorised development, the council’s planning enforcement officer says that a formal change of use planning is required.

The Week in • Wednesday 22nd March 2023

preserve the vitality, vibrancy and viability of the town centre by sacrificing an existing commercial unit and reducing the area of the remaining commercial unit to an “unreasonable degree”.

But the plans had received five supporting comments from local residents backing the need for more housing, and welcoming the reduction in noise, smells and disruption.

And in a majority vote, councillors approved the retrospective application, saying the benefits outweighed the objections. Comments included that the site is not in the primary shopping area and the conversion looks smart and actually improves the area.

The conversion was done without planning consent

11

Bike park community day A community day will be taking place at Stockwood Bike Park at Whittock Road on Saturday (25th March).

The open day runs from 11am to 2pm. The event is open to everyone and aims to showcase what's on offer at Stockwood Community Bike Club which was started last year.

Stockwood Bike Park was funded by Access Sport CIO as part of its wider BMX Bristol project. It was built by Velo Solutions and instigated and brought to fruition by the efforts of local councillor Graham Morris.

As part of the work of Access Sport CIO, funding has been achieved to launch and equip a new community organisation to help combat many local issues such as anti-social behaviour, class divides and as a means to engage with harder-to-reach groups and bridge generational gaps to create a more inclusive community in the Stockwood area.

Above all, the community club is a place for people of all ages and abilities to get out into the fresh air and have a great time whilst being active at the same time.

The park is behind the allotments and the club is open every Saturday to all ages, with volunteers on hand to help with bike repairs.

There is also free use of bikes and helmets.

There is no need to book sessions, you just turn up and get involved. Sessions run every Saturday from 11am to 1pm. This Saturday there are extra activities including audio trail recordings, an ice cream van and free

coaching alongside the usual free equipment use.

Find out more on Facebook – search for Stockwood Bike Park.

Boost for foodbanks Southern Co-operative members have been thanked for their support after they raised more than £75,000 to help foodbanks and those who rely on their services.

The donation will be shared between 75 foodbanks supported by customers' goods donations. Locally they include Keynsham Foodbank, the South & East Bristol Foodbank and the North Bristol one, all

run by Trussell Trust.

More than £48,000 was raised by customers swiping their membership cards as Southern Co-op has pledged to donate 2p to the pot per qualifying transaction.

Through the Share of the Profits scheme, a further £22,570 was donated. Colleagues donated the remaining funds from a oneoff support payment.

Get a free check on your driving Bristol Advanced Motorists are holding another free Public DriveCheck Assessment Day in Longwell Green to give motorists an opportunity to compare their driving today against when they passed their test.

Drivers can also and to pick up some tips on safer, more skilful driving from IAM

RoadSmart’s top observers.

The event will take place at the Scout HQ in Shellards Road on Saturday 1st April.

Places are limited to 40 so pre-booking is advised.

To find out more and book call 01454 619289 or email marlenebaker@iambristol.org.uk

Intruders steal windows At some point over the weekend of 10th to 13th March, thieves gained entry to a property undergoing renovation on Bath Road in Longwell Green via scaffolding and stole two Velux windows. If you have any information about this incident, especially CCTV images, call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Catalytic converter theft Thieves stole the catalytic converter from a vehicle while it was in the car park of The Brassmill pub in Avon Mill Lane in Keynsham between 11.50am and 2pm on

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Friday 3rd March.

If you have any information about this incident call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The Week in • Wednesday 22nd March 2023

Right of way dispute to be settled by Secretary of State The Environment Secretary is being asked to settle a right of way dispute in Warmley.

The claimed route starts partway along Goldney Avenue, then along a track next to number 10 and in front of numbers 12 and 14. It passes through a gateway into an open yard at the rear of warehousing, then curves to follow alongside the warehouses, running behind the gardens of houses that front London Road and coming out in front of Nicols Countrystore.

In 2019, planning permission was granted for four houses at the rear of 22 London Road.

The access to the site uses the track from Goldney Avenue. This raised questions about a permanent closure of the access between Goldney Avenue and the Nichols site, to which many locals objected.

On behalf of others, London Road resident Dino Zelenika applied to South Gloucestershire Council in 2020 for a map modification order, saying he has a private right of way which was challenged by the locking of the gate around August 2018, a few months after the change of ownership of 8 London Road - Nicols Countrystore. The overall claimed use of the path spans 68 years

from 1950 to 2018.

The evidence submitted showed that the route had been used, but there was conflicting evidence over whether use had been verbally challenged or interrupted by locked gates.

The council’s public rights of way committee decided last year that there was sufficient credible evidence of a right of way and that an order should be made to modify the definitive map.

Because more objections were received after the order was advertised, the final decision becomes a matter for Secretary of State Thérèse Coffey.

Council officers felt that with a conflict of credible evidence, she should be advised that the council takes a neutral stance. However, at their meeting this month, the committee stated their ongoing support for the order.

There is likely to be a public inquiry and the council will have to bear the cost.

Situations Vacant

Diseased trees being felled From next month South Gloucestershire Council will be removing trees infected with ash dieback disease on land next to roads and in public open spaces in parts of the district including Kingswood and Oldland Common.

Tree removal notices will be installed on some of the more prominent trees.

Similar work has already been carried out on council land in areas including Staple Hill and Downend.

The council says: “We plan to plant twice as many trees as we remove as part of our work to tackle the climate emergency in South Gloucestershire. Where possible, new trees are planted in the same place after a survey to make sure they can grow to their full maturity without interfering with utilities, the road network or buildings.”

Trees are planted between November and March to give them the best possible start.

Jubilee tree vandalised A tree planted last year at Payne Green to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee has been vandalised.

Members of the school council at Barrs Court Primary School planted the tree and

buried a time capsule at the same time.

Oldland Parish Council’s meeting last Thursday heard that the tree had been snapped in half. A replacement, more substantial tree will now be sourced.

The Week in • Wednesday 22nd March 2023

13

Appeal over housing plans at former nurseries An appeal has been lodged with the

five existing buildings on the site into six

They also said that steep Stockwood Hill

Secretary of State in the latest attempt to

homes and use the same access on to

doesn’t provide a safe route for cyclists

develop the old Whitegate Nurseries site

Stockwood Hill, adding a new road within

or pedestrians; there was also concern

at Stockwood Hill.

the site. The plans included parking for 18

about bat protection and whether the

Whitegate Nurseries closed in 2018 after 64

cars and 18 bikes.

development could achieve a net gain and

years. In 2021 an application to build up to

But refusing the plans last year, council

no net loss in biodiversity. There was also

nine homes on the Green Belt site was

officers said that the proposed development

concern that the change of use of could

submitted to Bath & North East Somerset

involved substantial re-construction of

harm important trees.

Council and later withdrawn.

buildings “tantamount to the construction of

The hearing will open on Tuesday 9th

A new proposal was then submitted to turn

new houses within the open countryside”.

May at a venue to be arranged.

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The Community Page

News from Bitton Parish Council A message from the Chair The current council term is drawing to a close with the upcoming elections in May. The last four years have been challenging in a number of ways for Bitton Parish Council.

The impact of the pandemic on the delivery of council services whilst moving to online meetings was something none of us would have thought we would be dealing with. The council also sadly lost three of its most experienced councillors during the term. Ann Coales, Roger Coales and Jane Allinson all gave a huge amount of their

time to supporting the local community over a long number of years and are deeply missed.

On a positive note, the council has made a number of changes to the way we support the local community. The change in the delivery of children's holiday services from a traditional playscheme to a Sports Camp run by an external company has been very successful with every session oversubscribed. We have also changed the way our Youth Club 'New Tracks' is delivered by commissioning Creative Youth Network to carry out the day to day running of the club. The number of young people accessing the club has increased and it is going from strength to strength.

I'd like to thank all the councillors who have served during the last four years and helped keep the council running. A special thanks to our Clerk, Kelly Fry, who has dealt with all the changes and challenges with a positive attitude whilst providing guidance to the council.

Matt Bridge

Community Building for hire Our Community Building is available to be hired for birthday parties and also has availability for weekly regular hirers. It is fully enclosed with parking and offers a fully equipped kitchen, a large hall, a smaller hall and a great outside grassed area.

Please contact the Clerk for more information.

BITTON PARISH COUNCIL

Civility & Respect Pledge Bitton Parish Council have joined over 1000 councils and signed the Civility & Respect Pledge. The pledge has been introduced within the sector to demonstrate that there is no place for bullying, harassment and intimidation within our sector. Bitton Parish Council are committed to standing up to poor behaviour aimed towards our Clerk and Councillors and welcome positive changes which support civil and respectful conduct.

Creative Youth Network On February 13th the Annual South Gloucestershire Councils Youth Awards evening took place celebrating the success of young people who had gained an accreditation through their youth club. Creative Youth Network are commissioned by Bitton Parish Council to provide opportunities for the young people attending our youth club to achieve a South Glos Award accreditation in Learning Life Skills, Engaging in Positive Activities and Making a Difference. Several young people who attend the youth club have now achieved at least one of the South Glos Awards and three of our group who have achieved all three sections of the award attended the Alice in Wonderland themed event picking up their certificates. We would like to thank Jack Fitzsimmons and Gill Johnson from Creative Youth Network in helping our young people to achieve this.

Clerk: Mrs K Fry, PO Box 337, Bristol, BS15 0FR

www.bittonparishcouncil.gov.uk • Tel: 01454 868102 • Email: clerk@bittonparishcouncil.gov.uk

Bitton Parish Council invites local residents h Marc t s 1 3 y

to orget on’t f

D

u

get yo

s in b entrie

to this year’s

Annual Assembly which will be taking place on Tuesday 11 April 2023 at 7.00 pm at The Community Building (Rear of Redfield Edge School) This is a public meeting and an opportunity for you to come along and have your say!

The meeting of the Full Council will follow this meeting at 7.30pm.

Two of the young award-winners

We look forward to welcoming you.

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The Week in • Wednesday 22nd March 2023