Frome Valley Relief Sewer on TV

On Thursday local councillor Dave Hockey featured in a BBC Points West news story on the Frome Valley Relief Sewer - you can watch the extract here. Dave has been campaigning for the last two decades on this issue. Let's hope the new sewer will make a difference.

Half term activities in libraries

South Gloucestershire Libraries have lots of fun activities for children and families this February half term. All activities are FREE drop-ins, most suitable for primary school aged children. Children must be accompanied by an adult. More information is available online.

Yate Community Engagement Forum

The next Yate Community Engagement Forum, which covers an area including the rural part of Dodington Parish, is being held at 7pm on Thursday 15 February at St Nicholas Church, Chargrove, Abbotswood, Yate BS37 4LG.

The meeting will include a drop in event on Your Community Cares before the Community Engagement Meeting at 6.30pm where you can speak to representatives from the Police, Neighbourhood Watch, Next Link (domestic abuse), DH&I (drug and alcohol service) and the Anti-Social behaviour team.

For more information see www.southglos.gov.uk/cef

New mental health website for children and young people

This week is Children's Mental Health Awareness Week and a new Mind You website for children and young people (www.mindyou.org.uk) has been launched to promote mental health and emotional wellbeing in South Gloucestershire.

It has separate sections for children, young people, parents and carers and professionals and was designed with input from local children and young people. It suggests practical ways to improve their wellbeing and guidance on where to go if they need more support.

Kidney Hill to be closed on Monday

Kidney Hill, Westerleigh will be closed for roadworks all day on Monday 12 February. This is the length of road that runs from the Broad Lane junction (next to what used to be Cornerways Day Nursery) down to the T junction with the main road.

TV historian to give talk in Frampton Cotterell

Well known historian and TV presenter Prof Ronald Hutton will be giving a talk, "Tudor History- Bloody Mary", at 7.30pm on Wednesday 21 February at the Zion Church, Woodend Road, Frampton Cotterell, BS36 2HY. All welcome, entry is £4 or free to members of Frampton Cotterell and District Local History Society (annual subscription £15). Light refreshments are included.

Consent given for 3 new houses in the Green Belt on Bristol Road

Local residents and Frampton Cotterell South Glos Councillors are horrified that consent has been given for three new houses in the Green Belt on Bristol Road.

At the planning committee meeting on 25th January, the application to build 3 new houses on Green Belt land in a paddock between the bungalow at 119 Bristol Road at the entrance to the former Sunbeam Nursery site and the front garden of 127 Bristol Road was approved by councillors despite strong objections from local Cllrs Pat and Dave Hockey, Frampton Cotterell Parish Council and several local residents.

When the planning officer’s report was written and the recommendation for approval was given, no account was taken of the reason why the Government Inspector turned down a recent appeal in May 2015 against refusal of planning consent “for the erection of a triple garage with accommodation above” in the front garden of 127 Bristol Road because it “was found to disturb the openness of the site and thereby the Green Belt”.

This should have been taken into account by the Planning Officer before the recommendation was made – so should the grade of the land (Grade 2 – “Very good” agricultural land). These issues were only investigated at Dave Hockey’s request when he realised they had not been considered.

Local residents stated in their objections to this application that:

• The recommendation for approval sets a dangerous precedent.
• If this application is approved it will open the floodgates.
• If this application is approved houses will be built all the way along Bristol Road in the Green Belt.
• The Green Belt should be protected for all, not disregarded for the short term financial interest of a few. 

 A recorded vote was taken so the split along political party lines can be seen.

To find the details of the planning application, go to the planning application search page and enter reference number PT17/2904/O .