More solar farm proposals

Solar Power South has submitted a planning application for a very large solar farm at Grange Farm, Old Gloucester Road in the Green Belt. It proposes 95,000 solar panels so is larger than the Says Court solar farm at Mayshill, which now has planning permission.

There was a public exhibition in the Grange Hotel for a few hours on August 27th. If you wish to comment on the planning application go to the planning search page on the South Gloucestershire website and enter the reference PT13/3662/F. Comments have to be in by November 22nd.

Unlike AEE, who have agreed “community benefit” funding with Westerleigh Parish Council based on the electricity generated, Solar Power South have confirmed that there is no requirement for them to make any contribution for community benefit.

AEE have also agreed a community benefit contribution with Iron Acton Parish Council, if their proposed solar farm at Green Farm Latteridge gets the go ahead. They will be holding a further public exhibition in the Marshall Rooms in Iron Acton on Monday 18th November from 3pm to 7pm. Afterwards representatives will attend the Iron Acton Parish Council meeting in North Road school.

Edited to correct the reference number for the Grange Farm application. It should be PT13/3662/F - we apologise for any difficulties you may have had finding the application.

Speed limit cut in Old Glos Road

Residents are delighted that the new speed limit signs have gone in on Old Glos Road and Perrinpit Road.

Good news on speed limits

The initial recommendations of an area-wide review into speed limits on A and B roads (and other significant roads) have been announced. The good news is that not only are speed limit reductions recommended for a number of roads in the area but two routes have been identified for urgent action. Consultation has already started on the proposals for the Old Gloucester Road. The Council also proposes to implement reductions on the B4465 and Westerleigh Road (plus Nibley Lane) in 2010/11. One of the factors considered was “community concerns”, so well done to everyone who has made their concerns clear to the Council, including all those who signed the petition which Claire Young (pictured above) presented to Council in May 2008.

We don't yet have full details of the B4465 proposals but as with the Old Gloucester Road scheme there will be a public consultation before they are carried out. We are also still awaiting the report from the separate safety review for the B4465 and surrounding roads. Officers have reassured your Focus Team that the work on the two reviews has been progressing "in parallel" but with the work "interlocking". However, the 2010/11 scheme will only implement the recommendations from the speed limit review, not the safety review.

Have your say on speed limit

After many years of waiting, the promised review of the speed limit along Old Gloucester Road is happening. Local residents have been suffering from large amounts of fast traffic heading for work and the motorway junctions for far too along. Pat Hockey has told South Gloucestershire Officers that she believes 40mph should be the maximum speed on this narrow country lane with consideration given to a 30mph limit on the section covering the Trench Lane, Swan Lane and Northwood and junctions. You can have your say on the South Glos website.