Filtonvoice January 2023

Blow for HMO campaigners

The 'Article 4' regulations which would have affected new HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation) in Filton will not be introduced until January 2024 after South Glos Council decided they faced a 'significant risk of liability for compensation' under the current plans, which were due to begin on December 30 this year.

The new rules would have required developers to seek planning permission for the conversion of a home to a small (up to 6 bed) HMO. Currently such conversions can be done under 'permitted development' and this will now continue for at least another year.

This will be seen as a blow for campaigners who have said Filton has too many HMOs, leading to a change in the character of the town and bringing significant parking problems.

Developers say HMOs

Contacts

Richard Coulter

Editor and publisher

0777 555 0607 | richard@filtonvoice.co.uk

Shane Gibson

Editorial and Advertising sales 0770 674 1200 | shane@filtonvoice.co.uk

COMPLAINTS

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New rules on HMOs will NOT happen until 2024

From Page 1

are needed to address the housing shortage.

taxpayers’ money this requires us to take appropriate action.

If you have a complaint about anything in the Filtonvoice, contact the Editor using the details below. We take complaints seriously and aspire to follow the Code of Conduct of the NUJ (National Union of Journalists), which holds journalists to a high standard of behaviour.

Further details of the complaints process can be found on the Voice website www.localvoicenetwork.co.uk, or can be obtained by contacting the publisher, above.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Filtonvoice is independent. We cannot take responsibility for content or accuracy of adverts, and it is advertisers’ responsibility to conform to all relevant legislation.

We cannot vouch for any services offered although we have used some of the services. Opinions are not necessarily those of the editor.

Filtonvoice is distributed each month to all Filton residents. If for some reason you do not get a copy, please get in touch or collect one from Filton Library. Feedback is welcomed, call editor Richard Coulter on 0777 555 0607 or richard@filtonvoice.co.uk.

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Filton South Glos councillor Adam Monk said: "The situation with regards to the delay is Article 4 is disappointing and I recognise there is a fear that we could see in a further increase in HMOs.

"I would remind people that policies have been improved to control HMOs. I would encourage residents to continue to object and highlight that some applications have been stopped even at the appeal stage."

In a statement, South Glos Council said: "(Regarding the) decision to defer bringing into force the non-immediate Article 4 Direction to remove permitted development rights for a change of use from a dwelling house (Use Class C3) to a House in Multiple Occupation (Use Class C4) within specifically defined areas of Filton and Stoke Park and Cheswick wards in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015, we consider that there is a significant risk of liability for compensation from the decision made in August 2022 if we continued to confirm the A4D and bring it into force on 30 December 2022, as originally intended.

"Given our current budget pressures and need to protect

"We have therefore decided that the proposed Direction withdrawing permitted development rights requiring proposals to convert dwelling houses (C3) to a small Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) (C4) to apply for planning permission, within specifically defined areas of Filton and Stoke Park and Cheswick ward, will not be brought into force on 30 December 2022. A new decision will be taken to introduce the A4D to withdraw permitted development rights.

This will be subject to a minimum of 21 days consultation for any representations to be made in accordance with Schedule 3 to the GPDO. Consultation (subject to confirmation) is proposed to commence on 9th January 2023. Accordingly, the Council intends to publish and serve notice that the direction will come into force 12 months after the Decision Notice is published in the prescribed manner, as set under paragraph 1 (1) to (5) of Schedule 3 to the GPDO.

The effect of this, and subject to consultation starting on 9th January 2023, as set out in Schedule 3 to the GDPO, is that the implementation date for the Direction coming into force would be 10th January 2024, rather than the 30th December 2022.

News Campaigners persuade council to investigate lights option for park

Filton Town Council has agreed to investigate options to put lights in Millennium Green after local campaigners lobbied councillors urging action.

Last month, Filtonvoice reported how the Friends of Millennium Green said lights were needed for safety during the winter month. The park, off Northville Road, has no lights and the campaigners say they fear that dog walkers could be attacked.

'Friends' spokesperson Hannah Morley told councillors: "We propose that Filton Town Council stands up for women's safety. We often have no choice but to walk our dogs in the dark and it is frightening.

We will text each other to walk together and we have to take these extra efforts just to

stay safe. We did a survey which showed 85% of respondents said they felt safe and 80% said it would be safer with lights installed. we don't want the whole park lit, just key areas. Our freedom of movement is limited by this."

One resident, opposed to a lights scheme, said: "It is inappropriate to ask for lighting in an energy crisis. Dog walkers could walk around the streets when it's dark."

Councillors said there were demands from all parts of Filton for improvements such as this but agreed to obtain quotes, check funding options, explore lighting options which were not 'on' permanently' and contact the South Glos Enviromental team. A public meeting would then be held to get feedback.

By Jane Williams

A couple have spoken up about their concerns regarding the safety of a redesigned road that separates traffic from a cycle lane on Southmead Road in Filton, where several cars have already been involved in accidents.

Elizabeth Sealey was recently driving to an event at Filton Golf Club with her son Steven, who has adult learning difficulties, when her car collided with the concrete dividing plinth, which should have housed a warning bollard. As a result, both of the offside tyres on her car were burst.

It appears the warning bollard had earlier been struck and was no longer in place.

“Liz was going up to a dinner at Filton Golf Club, driving up Southmead Road,” explained Paul Sealey, who owns rental properties in Filton.

“It was a rainy and windy night so conditions weren’t good.

cycle lane bollard broken

The next thing she knows, she’s hit something. She stops and sees she’s burst the two offside tyres, front and back. She realised she hit something in the cycle lane.”

During the six hours that Mrs Sealey and her son spent waiting for roadside assistance, she witnessed another five vehicles also crash in the same place, including a taxi and a car containing two older women. And when Mr Sealey spoke with a local mechanic the following morning, he was told that several more cars had had further collisions at the same site.

The Sealeys have raised the issue of the dangerous road with South Gloucestershire Council as well as the police, but so far they have not had much of a response.

The problem area is located east of the traffic lights that control the access to the BAE car park. After inspecting the plinth, Mr Sealey could see that the warning sign that this plinth

was designed to accommodate was missing, having broken off at the base.

This section of road has been altered in the past 12 months to incorporate a cycle lane. However, the Sealeys are concerned that not enough thought was given to the possible risks of this change of use. They are worried that the warning sign was not internally illuminated; there is insufficient road lighting in the area; the street lights shut down at midnight, further reducing visibility; and the chevrons are not placed in appropriate locations.

Cllr Adam Monk, Labour, of Filton Town Council, said: “While no resident has contacted me about the road layout, I have seen the broken bollard myself and I was also contacted about the repairs which have now been completed. It is important that issues with, or damage to, street furniture is reported to the

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Council as soon as possible so any concerns can be dealt with in a timely manner. This can be done online at www.southglos. gov.uk

“The Conservative controlled Council is facing an unexpected £29 million deficit. There is now a budget consultation which is looking to increase Council Tax by 5% and slash many valued services. Among this consultation there is a proposal to reduce the brightness of street lighting late at night. I would encourage people, if they are concerned about the cuts being proposed, to participate in the budget consultation and remember that we can send a message to the South Gloucestershire Council administration and their Conservative colleagues in Westminster at the upcoming local elections in May.”

A spokesperson for South Gloucestershire Council said: “We were notified about damage at Southmead Road cycle path on 28 November and an inspector from our StreetCare Team visited

the site and discovered that one of the reflective bollards, situated on an island segregating the carriageway and cycleway, had been broken.

"The island is well lit during the night and the bollard has been fixed following the inspection. We regularly inspect our highway network and members of the public are also our eyes and ears on the road. We encourage people to report issues as possible.”

Opposite, Liz Sealey with the repaired bollard. Below, the damage to her wheel and right, how it looked on the day of the accidents

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to be

“However, the current scale of challenge remains too great for this approach to be maintained and it has been necessary to identify service level reductions.

“The council has sought to do this in the least disruptive and detrimental way possible.”

The Government last month increased the maximum amount a local authority can increase council tax from two per cent to three per cent, with the adult social care levy portion of bills rising up to two per cent instead of one per cent.

No concrete proposal has yet been made but it means total charges could go up as much as five per cent rather than three per cent, raising an extra £3.4million in 2023/24 and £3.6million the following year.

Green

will nearly double in price, street lights will be dimmed and staffed library hours reduced under South Gloucestershire Council plans to plug a £29.3million shortfall.

The authority has revealed dozens of proposed measures, including cuts to frontline services and redundancies, to balance its 2023/24 budget.

A “perfect storm” of soaring costs, rocketing inflation and increased demand for services caused by the cost-of-living crisis have caused the dire financial situation just nine months after the council thought it had balanced its books for the next four years.

Among the raft of planned savings are premiums on council tax bills for second and empty homes, fewer guided escorts for home-to-school transport, scrapping taxi marshals in nighttime economy hotspots and higher fees and charges across the board.

A report to cabinet, which will consider the proposals on Monday, December 5, ahead of six weeks of public consultation, said: “This council has a historically strong track record of absorbing demand and inflationary growth through driving ongoing efficiencies.

But the council admits that the biggest impacts of the cuts will be on residents, communities, service users and its workforce, with huge savings required even by deploying “significant” levels of reserves to bridge the gap.

The report said the garden waste service would rise from £30 to £55 a year from April 1 to recoup nearly £900,000 a year.

It said: “Green bin collection charges have been frozen for a number of years and the cost of the service is not met by subscriptions.

“As housing growth continues it is important that the cost of expanding it is covered by those payments and this increase will bring the charges broadly into line with neighbouring authorities.”

The council is planning to use new powers to levy a premium of up to 100 per cent on council tax bills for second homes, and for empty homes after one year as opposed to the current two years, bringing in £440,000 annually.

It would cut library staff hours but increase the use of the “open access” swipe-card system for users while keeping all branches open, as well as changing One Stop Shop opening hours to peak times only.

New town and parish councils that the authority created in some areas recently would not

by BBC LDRS staff for Filtonvoice

waste collections

receive money for Christmas lights and would have to find the cash themselves, like existing parished areas.

The report said: “We will reduce the illumination of street lights by 25 per cent after 11pm alongside capturing the benefits driven by our LED replacement programme in terms of repairs and maintenance.”

That move alone will save £627,000 a year.

The inflationary increase for fees and charges across many services would rise from five per cent to nine per cent, while the price of placements at Alexandra Way Care Home would be reviewed.

Street care teams who help keep neighbourhoods clean and tidy would be reduced.

The “preparing for adulthood” service, which supports young disabled people to live independently, would be reviewed with support going only to those in greatest need.

Grants to museums will continue but other heritage

sector funding to volunteers could be withdrawn, alongside cash awards nominated by councillors and area-wide grants to voluntary and community organisations who would be encouraged to apply for cash elsewhere.

The council’s biannual newsletter would cease, while cycle safety training would no longer be free.

Other measures appear to hand over full responsibility of some duties to the police, including reviewing how the authority deals with reports of antisocial behaviour by “signposting” residents, cutting funding to the specialist victim support service and ending the taxi marshal service, which has proven difficult to reprocure once the existing contract ends.

Cuts totalling £400,000 could also be in the pipeline to the council tax reduction scheme for some of the area’s poorest residents, but this will be considered and consulted on next year.

Council leader, Conservative Cllr Toby Savage, said: “As with organisations, businesses and households across the country, global pressures have caused our costs to increase substantially.

“We have no choice but to balance our budget, but we do have choices about how we achieve that because we are in a relatively stronger position than many other councils.

“Our priority remains to protect the most vulnerable people in our communities and the services that people need the most.

“That does mean that we will need to make some significant changes to the way we work and what we do in some service areas.

“A range of options are now being presented and in considering the right way forward, we are keen to hear from residents in South Gloucestershire about their priorities as we face some difficult decisions together.”

“We can raise additional funding, through council tax and

charging for some services, but this is limited.

“Each one per cent rise in council tax generates around £1.6million, which would help, but we need to balance that against the fact that individuals and families are also facing real pressure on their finances.”

Alongside the proposed cuts, the authority will change the way it delivers the same levels of some services for less cost through “efficiencies” and look to maximise income, including from government grants.

But it says: “Some publicfacing services may need to change, reduce or be stopped to focus resources on the highest priority areas and support the people with the greatest needs.”

The first phase of the budget consultation is still live here: www.southglos.gov.uk/budget and those completing the survey can submit an email to know when the second phase begins, from Tuesday, December 6.

Full council will set the final budget in February.

By Jane Williams

With just over 100 years of history under their belts, the Bristol Aeroplane Company Rugby Football Club are going from strength to strength. But while they may now be top of the league, it hasn’t been an easy journey to get there.

Filton Voice caught up with the club’s chairman and forwards coach Adam Arnott to find out more about this inclusive club, which Rugby World magazine has just awarded its Team of the Month for January 2023.

Founded as a works team at BAC in 1921, the BAC RFC was originally just for employees of the Bristol Aeroplane Company. But these days, anyone is welcome to pull a team shirt on. “The beauty of the club is, because of its aerospace links, a lot of the time we’ve had some of the Airbus and Rolls-Royce guys come over from Toulouse,” says

Adam. “So you get this crazy mix of French engineers and locals from Southmead all on the same pitch, and you couldn’t make up a way to put them together apart from on a rugby pitch and it works fantastically, and we’ve had many brilliant French players play for us over the years. It’s a very inclusive club. Once you join, people don’t tend to leave.”

Adam joined the club in 2009 after moving to Bristol from London and looking for a way to get to know some people in his new home city. He hadn’t even played rugby for five years but, after spotting an ad on Gumtree saying that BAC RFC were looking for new players, he turned up one night and “it was like an instant 30-40 new friends overnight”. He explains: “You go to training and socials and it was just nice to be involved. My feeling with rugby has always

been its 50% playing the game and 50% being social. The year after I joined they made me first team captain, and one of the things I brought in almost instantly was monthly socials.”

But don’t go thinking that rugby club socials are all boozed up affairs, because at BAC RFC they do things differently. Recent social events have included a boat trip around the harbour, gokarting and even axe throwing. “Anyone can go to the pub and drink pints, but a lot of the lads don’t drink so we don’t lead with that side of things,” says Adam.

The welfare of the players is very important for the club,

especially after sadly losing two of their team to suicide within just two years of each other. The deaths of Mark Dewhurst and Steve Moore around ten years ago has led BAC RFC to set up the hashtag #talkmarktalkmoore to keep the two men in everyone’s memories, and to open up the conversation about mental health. “If anything’s going to come out of people taking their own lives, it’s people coming together and being stronger,” says Adam. “We have close links to Bristol Mind, and we have our annual inter club game which raises money for Mind and we make a donation each year. We keep Mark and Steve in our minds all the time and make sure we’re constantly checking on our mates. We’ll keep doing it because we never want that to happen again and we make sure everyone looks out for everyone else.”

At the time of writing, BAC RFC are sitting at the top of the league and Adam says: “There’s 10 of us in the league, we’ve beaten everyone once so it’s in our hands now. We’ll win the league if we do exactly what we’ve just done again.” And it was the club’s recent successes that helped propel them to the attention of

Rugby World magazine for their recent Club of the Month award. “We were surprised but we feel like we’ve earned it,” says Adam proudly. “Obviously it’s about performances on the pitch, but it’s also about teams that have come out of adversity and shown fighting spirit on and off the pitch. So we held off a little bit and then we started this run of wins and it’s now it’s paid off.”

Looking ahead to the next season, Adam says BAC RFC is focused on developing its junior section, which was phased out a few years ago due to a lack of resources. But the club is very keen to build that up again and start training up the next generation of players. Adam is also keen to introduce a women’s team for the first time, so that everyone who wants to can have

the opportunity to play rugby with them.

On which note, if anyone reading this would like to join BAC RFC, Adam says they would be most welcome. You just need to turn up on a Tuesday evening at the BAWA health club on Southmead Road, or visit BAC RFC’s website or social media pages if you’d like to ask a question beforehand. “We’ve got

a first and second team, so you don’t need lots of experience,” says Adam. “Some people don’t play rugby due to a fear of injury but contact isn’t mandatory. If you want to just come along and train, you’re welcome to. Some of our players don’t play on Saturday matches, they just come along and support us in other ways. It’s not all about rugby, it’s about being part of a team.”

The Bristol Aeroplane Company Rugby Football Club squad and opposite, the article in Rugby World magazine

Filton left with just one bank as HSBC

HSBC customers from Filton will have to travel to Bristol city centre for face-to-face banking services from May next year.

The banking giant has announced the closure of 144 branches across the UK including Filton, beginning in April, with Downend and Westbury-onTrym also set to close.

The Filton branch of HSBC is situated on Gloucesters Road Nofrth, at the junction with Braemar Avenue.

This means Filton will have just one bank, Natwest on Church Road.

In a 'closure impact anlaysis' seen by Filtonvoice, HSBC said: "We continually review our Branch Network to ensure our branches are in the right locations which refect the long-term changes in the way customers choose to bank with us.

"Retaining a sustainable

to close local branch in May

Branch Network is extremely important to us and we need to ensure it is ft for the future.

"Therefore, after careful evaluation, we have made the difficult decision to close this branch (Filton) on Tuesday, 30 May 2023."

This means there will be just two HSBC branches in the greater Bristol areas.

In the statement, the bank added that an arrangement they have with Post Office means customers could access some services from the Post Offices in Filton Avenue or Church View.

The bank said: " The agreement we have with the Post Office allows our personal customers to use any of the Post Office counters to pay in cash or cheques, withdraw money and check their balances.

Using their HSBC UK Business Debit Card, business customers can use any of the Post Office counters to pay in cash or cheques, withdraw money and check their balance. Varying limits will apply to cash transactions and customers should check this in advance with the local Post Office. The withdrawal limit is set to £500 or the card limit – whichever is the lower."

With customer habits continuing to migrate from physical to digital banking, HSBC UK has set out plans for its branch network in 2023,

identifying those that will close, as well as outlining investment in its branch infrastructure and digital banking.

• The comprehensive review of HSBC UK branch network in 2023 will see:

• Closure of 114 branches from April 2023;

• Tens of millions of pounds invested in updating and improving its remaining branch network;

• Provision of free tablet devices and one-to-one coaching for selected customers as part of its post-closure strategy;

• Significant investment in expanding the digital functionality of HSBC UK’s digital banking; and

• Continued investment of millions of pounds in support for Shared Banking Hubs and Community Access to Cash.

Over the past five years, use of the bank’s branch network by regular customers has fallen by 65%. Footfall in the vast majority (74%) of closing branches has reduced by at least 50%. The decline in branch use has accelerated so much since the Covid-19 pandemic that some of the branches closing are now serving fewer than 250

HSBC digital factfile

• Over nine in ten transactions (97.5%) are now completed digitally;

• Usage of the mobile app has almost tripled (up by 280%) since 2017;

• 250% more digital payments made than five years ago;

• A 175% increase in cheques deposited through the app since its introduction in 2018, at a time when cheque usage is falling;

• 99% of all personal loans and 98% of credit cards now taken out digitally;

• Over 220k contacts with the bank over social media in the last three years and almost five times more contact through social media so far in 2022 than in the whole of 2017; and

• HSBC UK’s secure Live Chat service increased 10-fold in the last three years, handling millions of customer queries each year.

customers a week.

Conversely, the growth in adoption of remote banking shows a digital-first approach is how more and more customers now want their needs met.

Jackie Uhi, HSBC UK’s Managing Director of UK Distribution, said: “People are changing the way they bank and footfall in many branches is at an all-time low, with no signs of it returning. Banking remotely is becoming the norm for the vast majority of us. Not only can we do it anywhere at any time of day or night, many more things can be done at the customers’ convenience and don’t rely on a branch visit.

“Branches will continue to play an important role in day-to-day banking, while providing specialist face-toface support in moments that matter. In addition to our branch network, customers can access services through the Post Office network, our Community Pop-ups and soon-to-come Banking Hubs, alongside Live Chat, social media and through telephone banking.

“The decision to close a branch is never easy or taken lightly, especially if we are the last branch in an area, so we’ve invested heavily in our ‘post closure’ strategy, including providing free tablet devices to selected branch customers who do not already have a device to bank digitally, alongside oneto-one coaching to help them migrate to digital banking.”

Views on Filton News and Views

Facebook group

l Only HSBC branches left in Bristol will be Cabot Circus & Kingswood. Barclays only have Broadmead, Kingswood & WOTfor how long is anyone's guess!

l So how are the elderly folk around here, for whom that is their local bank and who don't have access to online or phone banking, supposed to bank now!! Well at least there will be an opportunity to turn the bank into a HMO for 50 or a takeaway, because those are in short supply around here!

l You can do a lot of banking tasks at the post office like paying in cheques and cash. I

l Problem is when peopleoften elderly - want to speak to someone and are not comfortable with on the phone or on-line.

l What is funny is I remember about a year ago having to wait in a large queue in HSBC Filton, when I said 'why did they shut the cash desk?' I was told they’d done a survey and people didn’t want to use counter services but preferred online banking. Why the large queue then??!!! Probably was an online survey

l It is the same old story, use it or lose it! I have only been in the bank twice in the last few years.

Birth countries of South Glos residents revealed in census data

The latest census has revealed fascinating details about where South Gloucestershire's residents were born.

Figures published by the Office for National Statistics show that one in six residents of England and Wales on census day last year - a total of ten million people - were born outside the UK. That is up from 7.5 million in 2011.

In South Gloucestershire the percentage of residents who were born outside the UK rose from 6.6% to 10.6% over the last decade.

Just under nine out of every ten people living in the district - 259,757 of 290,400 residents in March last year - were born in the UK.

A total of 249,242 (85.8%)

were born in England, with a further 7,035 people born in Wales.

The next most common nation of birth was Poland (3,320 people), followed by residents who were born in India (2,958), just ahead of Scotland (2,667).

The next biggest individual nation of origin was Romania, where 2,084 South Gloucestershire residents were born.

However this number was smaller than the 2,551 people from nine other nations, grouped together by the ONS, which joined the EU between 2001 and 2011, including the Czech Republic and Cyprus but excluding Poland, Romania and Lithuania, which were counted separately.

Other common places of birth outside the UK recorded in South Gloucestershire were Germany (1,101 people), non-EU European countries (1,065), South Africa (1,062), South America (997), the Republic of Ireland (977) and Nigeria (841) - all of which were above Northern Ireland (800) in the list.

In neighbouring Bristol, the percentage of residents born outside the UK rose from 14.7% to 18.8% from 2011 to 2021.

A total of 383,495 out of 472,400 residents (81.2%) were born in the UK, with 365,336 (77.3%) born in England.

After Wales (11,722), the next most common nation of birth was Poland (8,770), followed by the ONS group of nine EU postmillennium nations (5,303).

The most common non-UK or EU nation of birth in Bristol is Somalia: 4,654 residents of the city were born in the East African country - more than the 4,626 people in the city who were born in Scotland. By contrast, only 85 South Gloucestershire residents were born in Somalia.

The other most common countries of birth outside the UK for Bristol residents were India (4,381 people), Romania (3,782), Spain (3,616), Pakistan (3,586), smaller pre-2001 EU member countries, including Benelux and Scandinavia (3,543), Italy (3,123) and China (2,638).

Nationally, the most common country of birth outside the UK is India, followed by Poland, Pakistan, Romania, Ireland, Italy, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Germany and South Africa.

The number of Romanianborn UK residents rose from 80,000 in 2011 to 539,000 in 2021.

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Filton planning applications in December

Applications

12 Sixth Avenue

Installation of a rear dormer to facilitate a loft conversion.

22 Mackie Road

Installation of 1 rear dormer and loft conversion. O

55 Gloucester Road North

Change of use of dwelling house (Class C3) to shared supported living facility (Class C2) as defined in the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended), erection of steps to access basement, and associated works.

Filton South Gloucestershire BS7

40 Conygre Grove

Demolition of existing side extension. Erection of attached dwelling and associated works.

Land Adjacent To 7 Stanley Avenue

Erection of 1 attached dwelling to be used as a 4 bedroom small House in Multiple Occupation (Class C4); with associated cycle and bin storage and works.

Filton Sports And Leisure Centre Elm Park

Discharge of condition 17 (Low Carbon) attached to planning permission P22/01068/F. Partial demolition of existing leisure centre building and erection of new leisure centre to include double height soft play area, open plan cafe and reception, fitness suite, health suite, changing facilities, office accommodation and erection of satellite external changing pavilion, with parking and associated works.

79 Station Road

Continued change of use from residential dwelling (Class C3) to small House in Multiple Occupation (HMO (Class C4).

18 Station Road

Continued use as small House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) for 6 tenants (Class C4).

24 Glebelands Road

Erection of hip-to-gable and rear dormer roof extensions with associated works to facilitate change of use from a dwellinghouse (Class C3) to small

house in multiple occupation for up to 6 people (Class C4).

818 Filton Avenue

Change of use of part of the building from Retail to Residential. Removal of front dormer windows and alteration to roofline. Conversion of 3 apartments to form 3 townhouses and associated works.

Decisions

12

Sixth Avenue

The erection of a single storey rear extension, which would extend beyond the rear wall of the original house by 3.85m, for which the maximum height would be 2.96m, and for which the height of the eaves would be 2.96m.

Prior Approval Not Required

15 Braemar Crescent

Change of use from a small licensed HMO (C4) to large house in multiple occupation (Sui Generis) for up to nine people (including erection of side/rear extension and loft conversion/dormer - for which approval has already been granted) with parking, bin and cycle storage.

Approve with Conditions

Abbey Wood Retail Park

Discharge of Condition 4 (SUDS) attached to planning permission P20/08495/F Erection of hotel (Class C1) and food and beverage retail unit (Class A1) with parking, access, landscaping and works.

Discharge of Conditions Decided

95 Conygre Road

Demolition of existing garage. Erection of two storey side/rear extension and single storey front extension to form porch and additional living accommodation.

Approve with Conditions

Airbus Uk Glos Road North Discharge of conditions 6 (Construction Management Plan),9 (Grounds Investigation Report),10 (External Lighting),12 ( Landscaping),17 (Ecology Report), 20 (Car and Cycle Parking Facilities) and 24 (Outside storage) of planning permission PT12/0263/EXT - Variation of condition 3 attached to planning application PT05/0749/O to allow for an extension of time for the submission of reserved matters for the campus area.

Discharge of Conditions Decided

Filton Town Council

Latest news on leisure centre

Filton Town Council

Council offices

The council offices have moved temporarily to the snooker hall while refurbishment takes place at the Elm Park site.

The council is unable to have visitors to the office at the moment but appointments can be made or enquiries made at the Leisure Centre reception – which is now situated at the rear of the building.

Please contact us at office@ filtontowncouncil gov.uk or by phone 01454866698/01454 803918 to arrange an appointment if necessary. If you have an enquiry or wish to report a problem email office@ filtontowncouncil.gov. uk.

Meetings

Council meetings are again 'in-person' meetings at the town council halls at Elm Park.

Details at www. filtontowncouncil. gov.uk

New gritting lorries ready for colder weather

South Gloucestershire Council is set to launch a fleet of nine, new gritters this week as part of a £1 million investment to keep roads safe and traffic moving across the district this winter.

With temperatures set to drop, the super-efficient gritters will be out on South Gloucestershire’s roads to treat the network from Friday 18 November.

The new fleet uses 20 per cent less salt than the older models by using technology which can be set to spread a more precise measurement to suit the road conditions. This makes them much more efficient and minimises their carbon footprint.

The council regularly grits around 30 per cent of South Gloucestershire’s road network when ice has been predicted. This involves treating main A and B roads, and routes to schools, care providers, fire, ambulance and police stations.

Vehicles, drivers and staff are on call 24 hours a day, seven

days a week throughout the winter months, to keep schools open, businesses running and emergency services on the road. Winter arrangements begin in late October and run until 31 March each year, although this period can be extended depending on the weather.

Five thousand tonnes of salt is stored at the council depot at Broad Lane in Yate, so they are well-prepared for winter.

The council also spreads salt manually on key town centre pedestrian areas.

Councillor Steve Reade, cabinet member responsible for transport at South Gloucestershire Council said: “Ensuring our roads are safe is a top priority for the council and we treat 510 kilometres of roads every night during periods of cold weather to keep people safe and traffic moving."

Further information on gritted routes and bin locations can be found at www.southglos. gov.uk/gritting

In South Gloucestershire there are 814 grit bins located at key points across the district. The bins are for use by members of the public to manually salt roads and pavements as required. Here are the Filton locations

Take a fresh look at caring with Home Instead

So important we remember the fallen in war

local politics. If you know or are in a similar group who would like to come to parliament then please contact my office and I will be able to arrange a visit.

country.

participated in 4 events, the first on Armistice Day at Bristol Parkway Station, then DE&S at Abbeywood and the Willow Brook Centre on Sunday in Bradley Stoke and Patchway the following week.

At the Poppies to Paddington remembrance event, I presented a wreath alongside Metro Mayor, Dan Norris, Lord Lieutenant of Bristol, Peaches Golding and the Lord Mayor of Bristol, Cllr. Paula O’Rourke at Bristol Parkway which was carried by train to the War Memorial at Paddington station. Later that morning I also participated in the Act of Remembrance service at Defence Equipment and Support at Abbeywood.

On Remembrance Sunday I

took part in the Remembrance Service at the Willow Brook Centre in Bradley Stoke with Marching Band, Speakers, Dignitaries & Veterans, 1st Bradley Stoke Rainbows, Beavers, Brownies, Cubs, Guides and Scouts. 2nd Stoke Lodge Beavers and 2nd Bradley Stoke Brownies, Trident Explorer Scout Units and St. John's Ambulance. The following Sunday I again took part in the annual Patchway parade and remembrance service. I would like to say thank you to all those who organised these events and

took part. Remembrance events have been held throughout the Commonwealth to commemorate our war dead since the end of the 1st World War, we must always remember and honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect and preserve our freedoms and our way of life.

This month, pictured, I was delighted to welcome a group of UWE students and Senior Lecturer of Economics Dr. Sahand Panah to the House of Commons. I very much enjoyed meeting them all and had a great discussion about national and

Furthermore, I was recently re-appointed as Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party by Nadhim Zahawi. In this role I will have a particular focus on engaging with the armed forces and veterans’ groups and the Minister of State for Veterans Affairs as well as engaging with serving and former police, legal professional and associated groups.

Finally, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a merry and peaceful Christmas and a happy new year.

As always, should you need my help with anything, my office is open from Monday to Friday between 9am and 6pm. Please telephone me on 01454 617783 or email me at: jack.lopresti. mp@parliament.uk if I can be of assistance or to book a surgery.

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the place for you…

SOUTH Gloucestershire Council has now opened a second stage of public consultation on a range of savings proposals and other options for how we might close an anticipated £29.3 million gap in our budget for 2023/24.

Following the initial consultation that started in October, this second phase will run until January 15 and features up-to-date information on what funding will be available from central government and the options that we have put forward for balancing the council’s budget.

Our priority remains to protect the most vulnerable people in our communities and the services that people need the most.

However, to be able to achieve the required savings, we will need to make some signifi-

cant changes to the way we work and what we do in some service areas.

The budget gap has been caused by a combination of factors – global events, rising inflation and an increasing demand for services which has created an unprecedented financial challenge for the council. However, we are in a relatively strong position compared with other local authorities, due to the council’s prudent financial management in recent years.

The council has a good track record of finding savings and continuing to deliver services at a lower cost.

For example, during the first pandemic lockdown, when energy prices fell to historic lows, we secured a long-term competitive fixed-term deal on energy prices,

saving us £2m in energy costs for this year.

And we’ve also held back underspent money into our reserves, to help meet future rising costs.

It is important that people from the area have a say in how we shape services in the future, and the consultation provides residents with an opportunity to tell us their views on our updated budget proposals.

Residents are able to provide feedback on questions about potential changes to public-facing services and are able to find out more about possible changes to the way the council works internally, which would save money.

Feedback from the consultation will be taken into account before a final decision is taken by the council in the New Year.

We will then work with those who use and deliver services to agree how to best deliver the savings required.

The second phase of the budget consultation is now live and all information and details of how to take part can be found at www.southglos.gov.uk/budget.

With Toby Savage, Leader of South Gloucestershire Council

n NEWS FROM THE METRO MAYOR

My simple New Year’s resolutions

IT’S that time of year.

Waistlines expanded. Bank balances reduced. Christmas trimmings coming down. And people are looking to the future and setting their New Year’s resolutions.

So, what are mine? Well, they’re simple, really - taking Angel, my cocker spaniel, for more walks - even when it’s chilly - and putting our brilliant West of England even more firmly on the national and global map, and ensuring our region thrives.

Hmm, that politician pledge sounds a bit vague, you may say! How are you going to measure that? My response is simple: look at all the progress we’ve made already.

I am proud of everything we’ve achieved - together - in 2022: reducing bus fares; launching the region’s first-ever Good Employment Charter - now supporting over 6,500 workers and counting; supporting buzzing bees through brand-new grants; investing £12 million in the new Bottle Yard Studios, now open for business; unblocking the Temple Quarter scheme to refresh Temple Meads and the surrounding area; investing in green hydrogen at the

Bristol and Bath Science Park; winning record levels of cash from government, like the £105 million I secured to begin to improve our buses and start the long road to deliver a public transport network our region can be really proud of.

For me, the New Year also is a chance to reflect on the year ahead politically, like ensuring government understands and learns from the pressures facing working people, with taxes, inflation and energy bills all going up and up.

With local people hungry to see decisions made in their areas, I’ll continue to call for London-style devolution, to ensure I have the powers to make our region even better.

But fundamentally, New Year is a time for hope. And in the West of England, we have much to be hopeful about.

Every day as your Metro Mayor, I’m inspired by the people I meet. The ambition and confidence of our young people; the brilliance of our businesses; the potential of our amazing towns and villages, and our two truly great cities.

But this is also a time of year when we resolve to do better.

So my promise this year to you is to continue to be the strong champion for our region, from backing our world-class creative industries to our amazing local shops - by the way, for those of you looking for a resolution, I urge you all to please ‘Love Local’, as there are so many brilliant places to explore in our great region.

So, whether it’s doing Dry January or throwing yourself full-throttle into (finally) taking up that hobby, I wish you and your friends and family the happiest of Januaries as we enter into 2023. Good luck!

We are now enabling close contact visits in the home, every resident is able to have an essential care giver, and there is no isolation required for new residents from the community. We still have a varied activity schedule which keeps life interesting and happy.

Control

approved by Public Health England are fully implemented

Care staff wear PPE at all times and we have ensured a high volume of supply

• Skilled nurses are on site 24/7 and respiratory equipment is at hand

• Safe face-to-face visits where possible

Metro Mayor Dan Norris writes for the Voice

Christmas WORDSEARCH

Find all the Christmas-related words in the grid, left to right, top to bottom and diagonal

Advent, Angel, Baby, Bells, Birth, Blitzer, Brandy, Bread, Camel, Candy, Card, Carol, Cedar, Child, Chimney, Comet, Crib, Cupid, Dasher, Decorations, Divine, Dolls, Donkey, Donner, Elves, Epiphany, Family, Fir, Flock, Frosty, Gift, Gloria, Goodwill, Gravy, Green, Ham, Happy, Holiday, Holly, Holy, Icicle, Inn, Ivy, Jesus, Jolly, Joy, Lights, Lord, Magi, Manger, Mary, Mass, Merry, Myrrh, Nativity, Noel, Party, Pie, Pine, Plum pudding, Port, Potato, Prancer, Presents, Prince of Peace, Punch, Ribbon, Roast, Rudolph, Sacred, Sales, Sauce, Scrooge, Season, Sing, Sled, Sleigh, Spirit, Sprouts, St. Nick, Stable, Star, Tidings, Tinsel, Toast, Toys, Traffic, Turkey, Wassail, Wise men, Wreath, Xmas, Yule

www.filtonvoice.co.uk

What's on in Filton ... email shane@filtonvoice.co.uk

St Peter’s Church: Services

Sunday 18 December

10am Family Eucharist

Sunday 18 December

6pm Nine Lessons and Carols, a beautiful candlelit service telling the Christmas story and singing some wellknown carols

Saturday 24 December

5pm Christingle. A special candlelit family service telling the story of the Christingle

Saturday 24 December

11pm Midnight Mass

Sunday 25 December

9.30am Christmas Day Eucharist

Sunday 1 January

10am Eucharist

Sunday 8 January

Epiphany 8.30am and 10am Eucharist

Sunday 15 January

8.30am and 10am Family Eucharist Sunday 22 January

8.30am and 10am Eucharist Sunday 29 January

Candlemas 10am Eucharist and 6pm Choral Evensong with Benediction

Midweek Eucharist continues at 12noon on Wednesdays, however there will be no service on Wednesday 28 December Additionally on Monday 19 December we will be having our annual Carol singalong in the church from 12.30pm. Dress up in your most festive outfits and join us to sing some of your favourite carols!

Social and Church Groups

Our Ladies' Group meets at 2pm every other Monday in the church hall. Full programme and contact details available on our website.

Our Mothers' Union meet on Thursdays at 2pm in the Coffee Shop. Again, full details on the website.

Brabazon Belles (a social group for women) meet on the first Monday of the month at 7pm in the church hall.

Our Open House group meets every Tuesday in the church hall from 9.3011am for tea, toast, and companionship.

Our friendly choir meets for rehearsals every Friday at 7pm in the church.

Our Zumba group meet on Mondays at 10am and 11.15, and Fridays at 9.30am. Contact Jools for more information jooljdh@gmail.com or julie737@zumba. com

Community Coffee Shop

Our friendly, welcoming coffee shop is open from Monday to Thursday, 10am - 1pm for hot and cold drinks, cake and toasted teacakes. Suggested donation £1.50 per item. Please note that the coffee shop will be closed from Friday 23rd December and reopens on Tuesday 3 January.

You can find more information about all of this, and read our weekly news sheet, by going to www.stpeterschurchfilton. com and if you have any queries, please contact the Rector, or the administrator,

who will be only too happy to help. rector@stpeterschurchfilton.com and faith.stpeterschurchfilton@gmail.com

St Andrew's Methodist Church

Sundays

Morning Service 10.30 am. Little Lights (for children whose parents are attending worship).

Tuesdays

Wesley Guild, alternate Tuesdays, 2.15 pm.

Thursdays

(Term-time) Rainbows 5.30 pm – 6.30 pm.

Friday

(Term-time) St Andrews Baby and Toddler Group, 10.00 am – 11.45 am, £2 per family, includes refreshments. Play, crafts, chat and singing time.

Saturday

Messy Church, 2nd Saturday of the month, 3.30 pm – 5.30 pm. Crafts, games, short service, and a delicious tea. And it's all FREE!

Outside groups also regularly hire our newly refurbished multi-use church. For bookings, Tel 07773636042. For all other enquiries, please Tel 0117 9872143.

FACE

Mondays:

12.30-1.30pm Tai Chi, £3 entry

7-9pm The Hangout youth club for young people aged 13-25, with social or learning disabilities, £2 entry

Tuesdays: 10am-12pm Coffee Club (tea & coffee morning for older folk), donations welcomed

5.30-6.30pm Rise youth club for School Years 3 & 4, £2 entry

7-8.30pm Shine youth club for School Years 5 & 6, £2 entry

Wednesdays:

7-9pm Outbreak youth club for School Years 7-13, £2 entry

Thursdays:

Silver Surfers (over 50s IT support drop-in) 10am-12pm, £3 including refreshments.

1.30-2.30pm Low Impact Fitness session, £3 entry

7-9pm Illuminators social club for adults aged 20+ with social or learning disabilities, £2 entry

Fridays: 10am-12pm “Coffee & Chat” coffee morning for anyone who would like to come for refreshments, conversations and join in crafts and games together. Donations welcomed.

Saturdays: 1-3.00 pm, The HUB - Environment and Wellbeing

For 18+ with social and learning disabilities as well as any adult who is keen on gardening and nature. £2, Contact FACE for any queries, the programme of activities and booking in.

Filton Community Garden & FACE Presents a Christmas Sing-a-long Friday 23rd December at 11am in the Filton Community Garden

We’ll sing through our favourite songs and carols, followed by hot chocolate, mince pies and chocolate mini rolls! (Gluten and dairy free available)

Contact: FACE, Youth Centre, Elm Park, Filton, BS34 7PS. 0117 9691938 / info@facecharity.org.uk

Girl Guiding

Rainbows – age 4 - 7 years - Tuesday 16:45-17:45 & Thursday 17:30 – 18:30 Brownies - age 7 - 10 years - Tuesday 17:45-19:15

Guides - age 10 - 14 years - Tuesday 17:30 – 19:30 Rangers - age 14 - 18 years - Tuesday 17:30 – 19:30

To register your daughter, go to Girlguiding UK website and follow the link 'Register my daughter'

1st Filton Scouts

Beavers age 6-8, Tuesday 5:30 – 6:30 & Wednesday 5:45 – 6:45

Cubs age 8-10, Monday and Thursday 6:30 – 8pm Scouts age 10 -14, Tues 7 – 8:45pm

The group is based in Scout HQ, Nutfield Grove, Filton, BS34 7LJ. All sections are open to boys and girls.

Email:joining@1stfiltonscouts.co.uk Website:1stfiltonscouts.co.uk

Men In Sheds Filton

The DIY group, which aims to tackle loneliness and isolation among men aged over 50, operates from the Scout hut in Nutfield Grove, providing a space to socialise, build, share skills and drink tea. Men in Sheds Filton is part of a national movement, initiated by Age Concern Cheshire in 2009 and sustained by the UK Men’s Sheds Association. The group runs every Wednesday, from 9.30am-12.30pm. Call John Cahill 07986053005

SHE7

Tuesday: Bingo 7.30pm - 9.00pm

Wednesday:

Over 50s lunch, Cooked lunch, pudding and tea/coffee for just £3.50. Please ring 0117 969 5130 to book and arrive by

12.15pm.

Wednesday: Bristol Taiko - Japanese Drumming 7.00pm - 8:30pm, £5 per session

International Plastic Modellers Society Avon

Meetings are held on the 3rd Wednesday in the month from 7:30pm for 8.00pm at: BAWA Healthcare & Leisure, 589 Southmead Rd, Filton, Bristol BS34 7RG.

Ukulele Filton

We are an enthusiastic group of ukulele players, who meet to strum along and sing on Monday evenings, at 7.30 pm, at Filton Community Centre. No previous experience needed. We have spare ukes for you to try, and plenty of help in getting you started. For further details, phone Sue on: 0750 4561 831.

Upper Horfield Community Trust

Pilates: Every Monday there are two evening Pilates sessions in the Community Room. For session times and availability, please contact Helen at prime-pilates@hotmail.com or on 07966 217313.

Hapkido: Sessions in this Korean martial art take place every Tuesday evening in the Main Hall. For more information, please contact luke.gumbrill@live.co.uk.

Art Classes: Two Watercolour Art Classes with renowned artist Anthony Pace take place in the Community Room every other Tuesday. The first is at 10am and the second is at 1pm. Places are limited, so for availability please contact the Trust Administrator at info@uhct. co.uk or on 0117 9690011.

Yoga: There are Pregnancy Yoga and Postnatal Yoga sessions in the Community Room every Wednesday evening. For session times and availability, please contact Kate at hello@bloomyogabristol.co.uk.

Tai Chi: Tai Chi sessions are held in the Community Room at 2pm on alternate Saturdays. For further details, please contact info@uhct.co.uk or 0117 9690011.

Creative Writing: Free sessions take place every Wednesday at 11am in the Milburn Room.

Craft and Chat: Free sessions take place every Friday at 1pm in the Milburn Room.

Art Classes: Two Watercolour Art Classes with renowned artist Anthony Pace take place in the Community Room every other Tuesday. The first is at 10am and the second is at 1pm. Places are limited, so for availability please contact the Trust Administrator at info@uhct. co.uk or on 0117 9690011.

Yoga: There are Pregnancy Yoga and Postnatal Yoga sessions in the Community Room every Wednesday

www.filtonvoice.co.uk

What's on in Filton ... email shane@filtonvoice.co.uk

evening. For session times and availability, please contact Kate at hello@bloomyogabristol.co.uk.

Tai Chi: Tai Chi sessions are held in the Community Room at 2pm on alternate Saturdays. For further details, please contact info@uhct.co.uk or 0117 9690011.

Bristol Scrabble Club

Bristol Scrabble Club meets every Wednesday evening from 7pm until 10pm at the Filton Community Centre. Elm Park Filton BS347PS. New members are welcome and first visit is free so come along and give us a try. For more information ring Sheila Hinett 01179570792 or 07435316458. Alternatively email shinett@blueyonder. co.uk.

Bristol Sugarcraft Guild

We are a small friendly group who meet every third Saturday of the month 2pm to 4pm at St Andrews Church, Elm Park, Filton. If you would like to learn to make sugar flowers and models we hold demonstrations and also workshops with instruction. Beginners are very welcome.

Please call Jean Kington on 01454 314178 or Carole Hyams on 0117 956 8037 for more information.

Horfield Townswomen’s Guild

We will be meeting at St Andrew's Church Hall on the 2nd Wednesday afternoon of each month (except August) at 2pm to 4pm from January 2022. We welcome new members. For more information, please contact Edna on 9495413.

Community Garden

Gardening Get-Togethers Help keep the garden looking great for all to enjoy. Alternative Sundays 11am to 1pm. January 7th and 21st February 4th and 18th March 4th and 18th

All are welcome form beginners to expert gardeners. Wear suitable clothing for the weather, bring your own gloves, enthusiasm and hope for good weather! Tools and guidance are provided.

Check facebook.com/ filtoncommunitygarden for updates

Filtones Choir

Come and exercise your lungs and meet new friends every Wednesday afternoon from 1.45-3.45 at St Teresa’s Community Rooms (behind the Church) 71 Gloucester Road North, BS34 7PL. We sing four-part harmony, so all voice ranges are welcome and there are no auditions. Contact Dot on 0117 9690654 or 07870 984760 or Janet on

0117 9241534 or email dorothy.bryant@ btinternet.com We’ll be delighted to talk to you.

Ebenezer Church

Sundays Services at 10.30am at Orchard School, Filton Road. Contemporary worship music, bible-based talks, real life stories, refreshments, children and youth groups. www.ebe.org.uk/sundayservices

Wednesdays - Footprints (welcoming group for senior citizens) - 2-3.30pm at Ebenezer Church building (286 Filton Avenue, BS7 0BA) - during term time only. www.ebe.org.uk/footprints

Thursdays - Taste Cafe (drop-in community cafe for all ages) - 10.30am12.30pm at Ebenezer Church building (286 Filton Avenue, BS7 0BA) - during term time only. www.ebe.org.uk/cafe

Bristol Male Voice Choir

Bristol Male Voice Choir are recruiting new members. 7pm - 9.15pm, St Andrew's Methodist Church, Elm Park, Filton, BS34 7PS. A varied repertoire. There is no audition, but if you visit our rehearsals and decide to join there is a voice test to find out if you are a baritone, bass or tenor. You don't need to read music - our regular practices will get you in shape to sing at our regular concerts and enjoy the social vibe. www.bristolmvc.org.uk or our facebook page, email secretary@bristolmvc.org.uk or 07764447699.

Concord Wind Band

We are a friendly, mixed ability band, playing music for fun. Our new address is: Beechwood Club, Beechwood Rd, Fishponds, Bristol. BS16 3T. We welcome new members. Contact Jayne on 07880724948.

Filton Bookworms

Are you interested in joining a reading group? Come along to the Bookworms monthly reading group at Filton Library! 1st Monday of each month 5:45pm -6:45pm If you are interested in Joining, please as inside the library.

Phone: 01454 868006 or Email: Filton. library@southglos.gov.uk

Filton historical group

Programme of talks

2022-2023

Wednesday 26 October - 7.30 pm

John & Martha Cossins of Redland Court' - Caroline Bateson Wednesday 30 November - 7.30 pm 'Bristol in the 1950's' - Mike Hooper

Wednesday 22 February - 7.30 pm 'Sharpness to Yate via Shetland, An Industrial Trail' - Jim Pimpernell

Wednesday 29 March - 7.30 pm 'The Great Exhibition of 1851' - John Stennard Wednesday 26 April - 7.30 pm AGM plus - 'The Myths & Legends of Sabrina, Goddess of the River Severn' - Nicola Haasz 'Lothlorian'

The meetings will be held on Wednesday evenings in St. Andrews Church, Elm Park, Filton, Bristol BS 34 7PS

The membership cost for the complete program of six talks will be £20 (only a little more than £3 per talk). Guests (or those who wish only to come to selected talks) will be asked to pay £5 per session.

Filton Garden Club

We meet at 7.30pm on the first Wednesday of every month, (except January). We are a very friendly club & welcome new members. If you enjoy interesting talks & slideshows on

various aspects of gardens, plants etc., & daytrips to gardens of interest, please come along & join us. We meet at St. Andrew's Church, Elm Park Filton, Bristol BS34 7PS

Dance Moves keep fit

Tuesday at 2-3pm. At St. Peter’s Church. Contact Eileen Scott for further information Tel. 07969929733 Email; scottyartois@hotmail.com

North Avon Speakers Club

We are a public speaking group associated with Toastmasters International. We usually meet every first and third Thursday of the month, at BAWA Filton, between 7:15pm and 9:30pm. Currently we have both types of meetings, In Person Only meetings and Hybrid which allows people to join in online via Zoom. Why not come along in the New Year as a guest, and find out what we are about? Email: northavontm@gmail.com for more details.

Slimming World

Every Tuesday 9:30 am at St Andrews Methodist Church Filton Contact Kerry Marsh on 07738572188

First look at community hub for historic Filton aircraft hangar

Hangar 16U - a Grade II listed aircraft hangar - is set to be restored as a brand-new public library, café, gym and social centre, according to new plans unveiled by YTL Developments.

The building which once housed ‘Battle of Britain’ fighter planes is located between Brabazon Park, a new 15-acre public park which was granted planning consent in October, and the first collection of new homes at Brabazon, known as The Hangar District.

The restoration work - designed by Bristol-based architects Ferguson Mannwill see this historic building transformed into a 21st century community hub.

Downstairs there will be an open-plan café to catch up with friends for coffee or enjoy a family lunch. A new modern library will cater for adults and children alike, with casual seating on which to linger and learn. There will be quiet pods for studying and arched nooks for private meetings. Activity rooms will host a busy social calendar of

events, offering anything from antenatal classes to Zumba, while a communityfocused fitness centre will have both cardio machines and weight-training facilities for those wanting to work out.

Upstairs will feature dedicated youth spaces and more activity rooms, creating a place for after-school clubs, informal study groups, workshops and recreation.

A large hall will be a social space for multi-faith groups, a backdrop to the children's creche or the perfect venue for public meetings and family events.

Hangar 16U will also become an important attraction along the new Heritage Trail through Brabazon, connecting the three historic buildings that give The Hangar District its name: The Brabazon Hangars (soon to be reimagined as YTL Arena Bristol), Hangar 16U and the popular Aerospace Bristol Museum.

The heritage of the hangar can be traced back to 1915, when it began life as an Aircraft Acceptance Facility for the Royal Flying Corps. The new building will retain many of the historic features that make the hangar so unique, such as the iconic prefabricated Belfast trusses of the roof, to the intricate red brickwork.

Work to restore the building is due to commence in 2023 with a target of opening in 2024.

Find out more at www.brabazon. co.uk

How the cafe will look and inset, the hangar today

OUT WITH THE OLD… AND IN WITH A BRAND-NEW CHALLENGE?

We don’t just mean quitting smoking, giving up the booze or losing 10 pounds this January. At South Gloucestershire Council, we are embarking on an even bigger mission this year. We are looking for positive, can-do individuals that are ready to set their most rewarding New Year’s Resolution yet.

Do you have a spare room and childcare experience? Then you could be just who we’re looking for. Make a real difference this New Year and help a young person begin a whole new chapter, by choosing to foster with South Gloucestershire Council.

We understand that no real New Year’s Resolution is ever taken lightly. Becoming a foster carer is a huge decision, but when you commit to us, we’ll commit to you. From day one of your fostering journey, you’ll benefit from local training, support and a generous foster carer allowance.

So what are you waiting for?

If you’re ready to send a child off to a flying start this 2023, give us a call us on � 01454 866423 or visit ���� www.fosteringsouthglos.org.uk to find out more details.

Prefer an informal chat in person?

Visit one of our local information stands, where details are listed on our social media pages.

@FosterSouthGlos

@FosterSouthGlos