Howard Woollaston – Parish report January / February 2022
The last time I wrote an update, Christmas and New Year were barely on the horizon; now they are a distant memory – that’s what comes of missing a month of reports. Since then, the days have been getting noticeably longer and the first snowdrops are out in my garden. I notice also that the springs have started and the upper part of the Lambourn is flowing again (let’s hope the sewerage system can cope with the rising groundwater this time). Despite the current cold snap, spring is certainly on its way.
Anyway, turning to the key issues of the day…
Neighbourhood Development Plan
The Steering Group has had yet further meetings with the appointed planning consultant. These included walking tours of the Lambourn Conservation Area, Eastbury and the Woodlands looking at building characteristics to try and establish design guidelines.
I mentioned in the last newsletter that Compton has taken nearly four years over its one (this is not unusual). I sit on the Western Area Planning Committee and, by coincidence, a major development proposal for 160 residential units came onto the agenda in December. We eventually decided to defer it as the Compton NDP is going for public referendum this month. It shows the increasing importance of these neighbourhood development plans and why we must persevere with the Lambourn one.
Sue Cocker, who chairs the NDP Steering Group, has even stood down from her other committee responsibilities on the Parish Council to give added oomph to the last stages of this marathon.
For more information on Lambourn’s NDP, please click here.
Membury Industrial Estate and the B4000
I reported on a very successful meeting with senior Highways and Planning Officers of West Berkshire Council (WBC) last time. A follow-up meeting is scheduled for later this month after which I hope to be able to arrange a meeting with the responsible Executive Director and key officers of WBC with representatives of the Woodlanders Protection Group.
Council Tax
Planning
The owners of the site next to Membury Service Station, part of which had the withdrawn asphalt plant application on it, have reapplied for their previous consent (which had expired). More than 10 letters of objection were received which means it will go before the Western Area Planning Committee and allow both the Parish Council and me to make representations.
The application to allow mobile homes and caravans at Four Acres Fields by the M4 on the way to Baydon was refused. This brings into focus the whole issue of planning enforcement. As a result of previous austerity cuts, the WBC enforcement team was reduced to 1.3 full time employees. I have been pressing for this cut to be reversed and I am delighted that another full-time team member is being recruited. We cannot allow unlawful rogue development to happen, here or anywhere else in the district.
A full list of all currently live Lambourn Ward applications can be found on the Lambourn.org website. As usual, there are quite a few of them
Lambourn Youth
The survey carried out with the young people of Lambourn produced a low response but did give some firm steers as to what is needed. They underlined the lack of safe places to meet, particularly on dark evenings. With the involvement of Berkshire Youth and WBC I am hopeful that we might be able to come up with some constructive ideas. My thanks to the ongoing commitment of Anna Field and Lambourn Junction.
Eastbury Village Hall
This is in a sad state with significant wet and damp rot. The result is that it is not able to be insured and so can no longer be open. Chris Capel, of 4 LEGS Radio fame, and the other Trustees are taking soundings on the need and what to do with it. I would urge Eastbury residents to attend the meeting in the Church at 11am on this Sunday 6 February to give your thoughts.
If the decision is taken to rebuild it, there will be some complicated design work to achieve modern standards on matters such as parking and environmental sustainability. My thanks to Duncan Mathewson and his team for some initial pro bono work. We will need to look at funding options including National Lottery, Greenham Trust and a possible CIL bid through me.
Water, water…
Thames Water continues to be working on solving the well-documented sewage problems in the area. As mentioned above, the rising groundwater will provide the first real test of the work they have done in the last nine months.
The same cannot be said of the Environment Agency which does not seem to be covering itself in glory over pollution of the Lambourn – thankfully well downstream of the ward, but pollution is pollution. As Chairman of the Flood Forum, I have been getting involved in the issues all the way downriver to where it flows into the Kennet in Newbury.
Broadband in Upper Lambourn
Broadband in Upper Lambourn – hopefully we will be celebrating that the problem is finally solved by next month and it is one more off my list. You can read more in the article in Penny Post which describes what has been a very long saga, far pre-dating my time as your ward member.
Traffic in Eastbury
WBC is now committed to the Eastbury traffic calming measures for which I have been pushing for nearly two years and hopefully they will be in place in the next few months. I am chasing Highways for a firm date. If successful I will be asking for similar roll outs around Lambourn.
Roads and parking
There are a number of temporary road closures around Lambourn for a variety of reasons including dealing with Ash dieback and drainage issues (see above).
I am also continuing in the campaign to resolve the parking issues around the school. A new officer will shortly be in post, and I have asked for an early meeting when he arrives.
The jubilee
It is Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee at the beginning of June, and I would hope that Lambourn and the surrounding areas can come up with some suitable ways to celebrate it.
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 ever to Brian Quinn of Penny Post for bringing his journalistic expertise to my ramblings.
