Update on drop-in event on 1,800 homes this Thursday

We've now been told that Thursday's drop-in event on the 1,800 homes proposed for Coalpit Heath is not, as we were previously told, for invited stakeholders only. It is open to all, whether or not they have received an invitation.

The event is being held from 1:30 to 6:30pm on Thursday 10th May at Coalpit Heath Village Hall (aka "The Miners"). 

Officers say:

"The 4 West of England Authorities have now submitted the Joint Spatial Plan to the Secretary of State for an Examination in Public, which is likely to take place later this year. Therefore, due to local interest we now wish to provide an opportunity for local people, key stakeholders and local representatives to discuss site master planning options such as: The type and location of new local facilities and employment uses The location and purpose of new green space(s) The location of vehicle, foot and cycle routes into and through the site. It will NOT however consider wider strategic transport issues which will be subject of their own formal public consultation period and events later this year."

They go on to add:

"Please note that final decisions regarding the Strategic Development Locations have not yet been made, and attendance will not affect any representations you may have made to the JSP or new Local Plan objecting to the principle of development at Coalpit Heath. We consider however, that it is important to consult with the local community and key stakeholders on such planning matters as there is developer interest in the location and the Council cannot prevent new planning applications coming forward."

We hope to see as many of you there as possible on Thursday.

Latest on new housing for our area

In April, the Joint Spatial Plan (JSP) for the West of England was submitted to the Government. Now Planning Inspectors have been appointed to carry out the Examination, which will include a public hearing where they will consider arguments from all sides about whether the JSP is "sound".

You can see all the comments people made on the plan online.The precise date for the opening of any formal hearing is yet decided by the Inspectors but it is currently anticipated that the hearings will begin in autumn 2018.

Next Thursday there is a workshop for invited "stakeholders", such as the Parish Council and community groups, to discuss the proposed development east of Roundways, Coalpit Heath.

Fundraising events in Frampton Cotterell and Coalpit Heath

Churches Together are planning a series of events in Frampton Cotterell and Coalpit Heath for Christian Aid Week (May 13-19), to raise money to support the world's poorest.

• Friday 11th May, 7.30pm, Quiz Night, The British Legion, Ryecroft Road, Frampton Cotterell. Teams of 4 at £3/ person. Booking: 776618. No team? Book in and they'll make up on the night.
• Saturday 12th May, 11am-2pm, Coffee & Cake/ Soup Lunch, St Saviour’s Church Hall, Coalpit Heath. Good food & good company. 
• Sunday 13th May, 6pm, A Service of Praise to celebrate Rogationtide, Latteridge Green Farm, BS37 9TS. Everybody welcome- cheese & wine after the service & an opportunity to look first hand at modern farm vehicles. 
• Friday 18th May 7.30-10.30pm Folk@Frampton Concert, Crossbow House, School Rd, Frampton Cotterell. A great night of folk music. 
• Saturday 19th May 8.30-10.30am Big Brekkie, Zion Hall, Woodend Rd, Frampton Cotterell. Come & join in our magnificent community breakfast. 
• Saturday 19th May 10am-1pm Plant Sale & Coffee Morning, The Lilacs, Station Rd, Iron Acton, Come & buy your summer plants- loads to choose from.
• Sunday 20th May 2-4pm Train Rides & Cream Teas, Bridge House, Rectory Rd, Frampton Cotterell. A fun afternoon for all ages.

Drop-in event on experimental road closures next Wednesday

At last week's on-site meeting in Ruffet Road to discuss the experimental road closures, Claire Young asked highways officials to hold a proper consultation event in a local hall so that everyone could have their say.

A drop-in will be held from 3pm to 6pm next Wednesday (9th May) in Henfield Hall. If you live in Ruffet Road, Coalsack Lane or any of the other local roads that could be affected by the proposed closures, this is a great chance to talk to highways officials about them.

The proposals for Ruffet Road and Coalsack Lane are currently on hold so that officials can discuss the exact locations of experimental closure points with the local community. The closure of the Bromley Heath Road service road at its junction with Quakers Road is remaining in the same position as during the Bromley Heath Viaduct works at the request of residents. Further consultation will take place with regard to the form and location a permanent closure might take. The experimental closures of Bromley Heath Road north of the ring road, Bury Hill and Cuckoo Lane are continuing in the positions advertised.

For more details and to have your say, please go to the consultation web page.

Update on experimental road closures

There was a big turnout of residents in Ruffet Road yesterday at the meeting organised by Claire Young to discuss the experimental road closures.

The closures are due to start on Monday, having only been announced last Tuesday. Whether they agreed with the closure or not, people were unhappy about how this has been done. The Conservative Cabinet Member left before the end without saying whether he'd put the proposals on hold but Claire secured a promise from officers of a proper public consultation event.

This morning highways officials have confirmed that following yesterday's meeting there will be a pause to allow further consultation - details will be posted on the consultation web page today.

Cuts to winter gritting? Have your say!

Conservative-run South Glos Council is proposing to stop gritting some roads in icy weather to save money. It's yet another "saving" they have identified in the face of Government funding cuts.

The cut would reduce their fleet from 11 gritters to 9 and take 30 km of roads off the list that are salted when freezing conditions seem likely.

Affected roads include Park Lane and Perrinpit Road (Frampton Cotterell) and Claypit Hill, part of Dodington Road, Gibbs Lane and Sodbury Lane (Dodington Parish).

A consultation on these cuts is running until 18 June. If you want to find out more, there will be a drop-in event with Street Care staff in the meeting room at Yate Outdoor Sports Complex (YOSC), Broad Lane, Yate, BS37 7LB from 3pm to 5pm on Wednesday 2nd May.

You can read more and have your say on the consultation website.

Campaigners welcome new cycle path link

Cllrs Claire Young (left) and Paul Hulbert (centre)

joined cyclists Kate Kelliher, Denis Butterworth 

and Bob Keen and horse rider Ann Fay on the new section

Campaigners who have been pushing for the completion of the "Yate Spur" cycle path are celebrating the opening of the latest section, which is designed for use by horse riders and walkers as well.

The off-road cycle path will eventually link Yate to the Bristol Bath Railway Path, opening up the cycle network to many more people. The latest section links Broad Lane, Westerleigh with the cycle crossing point on Westerleigh Road.

Paul Hulbert and Claire Young with 

 the cycle path petition in 2014

Cllr Claire Young, the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Thornbury and Yate, started a petition in 2014 calling for the completion of the cycle path. She said:

"It is fantastic to see another important link in this route open. Hundreds of people showed their support for completing the path by signing our petition. When finished it will make commuting to work by bike an option for more people as well as being a great way for families to get out into the countryside."

"We will keep pushing for the final sections to be completed. The link from Dodmoor Crossing to the Nibley Lane junction and the section under the railway bridge by the Shire Way roundabout will bring some of the biggest safety improvements. I look forward to celebrating the opening of the finished path."

But there's disappointing news too. Paul Hulbert, chairman of the Joint Cycleway Group, said:

"The JCG has just been told that the next leg - from Broad Lane to Nibley Lane Corner - will cost more than is available in the current spending round because of drainage and access problems. We've asked South Glos to look at alternative ideas and funding sources. However we have been told that some small improvements we requested on the A432 Kennedy Way will be done this financial year"