THE VIEW FROM SHUTE END...

District Councillor Annette Drake reports

Dorndon House

Following the refusal of the application for the demolition and replacement building for 12 apartments, Thirlstone Homes submitted an amended application for the demolition and the erection of 10 apartments which was allowed by the Development sub-committee following a site visit. The only gain being that the ridge height was reduced. Thanks to all who wrote letters, spoke and attended the meeting.

We are now faced with ROUND 3

Thirlstone Homes' appeal against the refusal of the first application for the 12 apartments to be heard on Tuesday 27th February starting at 10am at Wokingham District Council offices at Shute End. The appeal will be an informal local hearing with people attending sitting round a table. The planning officer, Mrs Polnik, will put the Council's case. The developer's representative will speak in support of the appeal. Anyone can attend this appeal, the Inspector will ask for your names and whether you wish to speak. You do not have to speak, but you may add to the Council's evidence if you wish. The hearing usually ends at lunchtime when the Inspector will then make a site visit, and we can accompany him. The Inspector will write his report and this will be sent to all those who have written to the Inspectorate on this matter.

Now for the good news

Village Speed Limits

At the last meeting of the Highways Committee a resolution was agreed to reduce village road speeds to 30 miles an hour, but, only within identified settlements. For Hurst this means on the A321. However, as the DETR has difficulty in defining the term "village", we are told that it is possible for the District to alter speed limits in villages if this is consistent with national & local policy! In other words we shall be looking at speed limits on all village roads.

BUT, the following constraints have been pointed out: No funding has been identified within the Council's Five Year Local Transport Plan bid, and the cost of implementing measures to reduce vehicle speeds sympathetic to the environment are likely to be significant. 20 mph zones and limits outside schools, can be funded through Safer Routes to Schools Programme because, again, there is no provision in the Council's Local Transport Plan.

New footway on Lodge Road

The proposed footway from Nursery Close to Sawpit Road may be implemented in March. The Council will be consulting local residents and the Parish Council, and if there are no significant objections the work will start in a few weeks.