November Lambourn Ward Update from Howard Woolaston

October/November 2021

The clocks have changed, the leaves are falling, and it is getting dark horribly early. Whatever the season, however, the Lambourn ward casework never takes a break. There’s a disparate group of issues this month which I have slightly struggled to get into logical headings.

Neighbourhood Development Plan

This carries on apace. The recent Government U-Turn on Local Plan development means that West Berkshire Council’s Local Plan is now back on track to go to the Inspector for approval in the spring with a view to it being adopted by the end of 2022. This has, in turn, put greater pressure on the steering group. Progress since last month has been completion of the analysis of people’s views from the consultations taken around the ward and the issue of a Landowners Survey. We hope to be on track to get first draft completed by the end of this year and it completed by the Spring.

For more information on Lambourn’s NDP, please click here.

Highways and Parking

I have met with Alan Bruter, who lives next door to the school, and another resident on site to look again at the school parking issue. The Head Teacher, staff and pupils there have done their best to manage the problem, but it seems that further assistance is needed to solve it. I’ve agreed to do what I can.

This is primarily a health and safety concern – children are being dropped off at and picked up from school with the fear that one might run across the road. Most of us have done school runs in our lives and I can certainly vouch for how stressful they can be.

The obvious solution advocated by Alan is to replicate the road markings on the other side of the street from the school preventing parking for a limited time on both sides from, say, 8am to 10am and from 3pm to 5pm. I raised this with the Highways and Traffic Teams at the Council. They are sympathetic but frankly stretched at the moment with the sheer volume of requests for road signage and repairs. I will keep on pressing them.

Better progress on Three Posts Lane where I now have confirmation that the Council will repair the listed stone wall which has partially fallen down.

Off-roaders continue to plague the area particularly, it seems, around Eastbury. As I have reported previously, the Parish Council, the Council’s enforcement team and the Police are going to be working together to try to reduce the impact on residents.

I understand that my member’s bid to upgrade Fulke Walwyn Way in Upper Lambourn has been successful, Work should start on that jointly with Jockey Club Estates in the spring.

Racehorse Training

I have recently been in touch with Niki Hinman, a new reporter on the Newbury Weekly News. She’s interested in horses and wanted to know more about the racing industry, so I arranged with Will Riggall of JCE to show her Upper Lambourn, in particular the Gallops, followed by a brief tour of Rhonehurst (with thanks to Warren Greatrex). Apart from some torrential showers (all part of the racing deal), she thoroughly enjoyed learning more about what is probably the key economic driver in the Lambourn Valley. This will hopefully lead to good stories infused with first-hand experience.

Planning

I had a meeting with Charlie Walker of Walker Logistics to see how their plans are developing. I was pleased to see that they are taking a sympathetic approach to landscaping, including transplanting mature trees, and are doing their best to minimise the visual impact of their proposed new building.

As I mentioned last month the asphalt plant application at Membury has been withdrawn. The applicants have now asked for temporary consent under what are called permitted development rights (PDRs) to clear and process the material there, then to return the land to AONB condition. This PDR, which is operating under Covid restrictions, has to be completed by the end of January 2022.

A steady stream of applications continue to come in for the ward and two which were heard on 3 November at the Western District Planning Committee on which I sit – confirmation of Residential Use in Coldborough Hill Eastbury and a development of four houses on the site of the bungalow at the junction of Newbury Street and Station Road. Both were approved.

Christmas Market

Finally, a plug for the Eastbury Christmas Market on Sunday 28 November between 5.00 and 7.00. Full details are in Village Views and Penny Post, but it includes a BBQ, brass band, stalls and a bar. It should be a great start to the Christmas season.

Woollaston online

Anyone who knows me will be aware that I have studiously avoided social media. However, I have recently been pressured into setting up a Facebook account – so be prepared…

Get in touch

As ever if I can help, please do get in touch on 07836 718100 or Howard.woollaston1@westberks.gov.uk.

My thanks as usual to Brian Quinn of Penny Post for making my ramblings into sense.