The View from Shute End...

Wokingham District Councillor Annette Drake reports

Millgate Homes/School Road development

After a false alarm earlier in the autumn, it looks as though this controversial application for 25 new dwellings on the site of four current homes will be on the agenda of the Development Control Committee on Wednesday 11 December. The officers have not (at the time of writing) decided what their recommendation will be. If they recommend conditional approval we will have a major task to convince the committee that this application should be refused.

The Parish Council and Hurst Village Society representatives will each speak against the proposal; and a representative from Millgate Homes will speak in support of the plans, before the committee discusses them. I will speak against the proposal as part of that debate.

This type of in-filling development would alter the village irrevocably, and open the floodgates for future over-development, which is just not sustainable. The agenda will be published seven days before the meeting, so check the council's website or give me a call (0118 934 xxxx). If you would like to attend the meeting at the council offices in Shute End it is advisable to get there at 6.45pm to get a seat in the public gallery.

Flooding risks - landowner's responsibilities

The heavy rainfall already this autumn has highlighted a real risk of flooding in many village lanes and roads, and drainage engineers have inspected Islandstone Lane, Hogmoor Lane and Poplar Lane to assess the problems. It is up to landowners to keep their ditches clear to allow water to flow, and the council is sending out letters to remind people. The Environment Agency is responsible for managing the water courses.

Speed limit signs

We now have an enforceable 30 mph speed limit on the A321 and adjacent side roads in the village centre - at last. The down-side to this achievement is the proliferation of de-restriction signs. We have to accept these on all adopted roads, even a single track lane, as required by the Highways Acts.

Dealing with Doorstep Sellers

The district council has joined forces with Thames Valley Police to launch Thames Valley Doorstoppers, a campaign to encourage people to be cautious about doorstep sellers. I have stickers for residents to put on their front doors to warn off unwanted callers.

Council funding

I hope you have seen Just Make It Fair, a leaflet that encourages residents to support the council in its efforts to get more funds from central Government. New proposals being considered could result in the authority being as much as £18.3 million better off, or £15.6 million worse off. The latter could force council tax to rise by 30%. Visit the council's website to find out more, and give your views on the proposals.