CHAVEY DOWN January 2020 NEWS AND VIEWS Published by The Chavey Down Association Number 64 [email protected] Happy New Year Planning We hope you all had an enjoyable Christmas and New Year and we Land Adjacent to Silver Trees, Birch Lane - Erection of single 2- start our newsletter with a huge thank you to those of you who storey dwelling - 19/00862/FUL: Pending Consideration. supported the village carol concert in St Martin’s Church prior to Christmas. A total of £282.10 was collected on the evening, which Longhill House, Long Hill Road - Erection of two storey dwelling together with a donation from the Chavey Down Association, following demolition of existing bungalow (resubmission of raised £382.10 for Buckinghamshire Mind, which delivers high 19/00154/FUL) - 19/00813/FUL: Pending Consideration. quality community-based activities in and around our area in East Berkshire and in Buckinghamshire. White Gates, Long Hill Road - Erection of 13 dwellings, together with access to Long Hill Drive, via the drive to the Warfield Park A thank you to George and Brenda Howe in Long Hill Road for the Home site, following the demolition of the existing dwelling. wondrous Christmas light display of woodland animals and Santa Appeal Ref: APP/R0335/W/18/3210759. Much to the shock of BFC Claus. We all look forward to the annual event and this year they and many residents, this appeal was granted and planning raised an impressive £6674.88 for the Alexander Devine Children’s approved by Planning Inspector. Hospice, which provides essential support to children with life- limiting and life-threatening conditions and their families across Jealotts Hill – Proposed Development Berkshire and the surrounding communities. Many thanks to all Whilst not immediately in our vicinity, we feel it is important to who donated to this local charity. https://alexanderdevine.org/ highlight to you that a major site at Jealotts Hill has been promoted through the BFC Local Plan consultation process as a St Martin’s Church – Volunteer for hall opening potential strategic business and housing allocation. The site lies St Martin’s Church is seeking a local resident who would be within the Green Belt but BFC argues that there are “exceptional prepared to help with managing the opening and closing of St circumstances” to make changes to the Green Belt boundary due Martin’s Hall in Church Road. This used to be looked after by Mary to “the national and international importance of the agricultural Knight but sadly since she passed, they have struggled to find technology work carried out by Syngenta, along with the proposed someone to take this on. The bookings are made through the boost in housing supply and employment, that provide the Church Office so it is purely making sure the hall is locked up exceptional circumstances necessary to justify the proposed properly after use and opening it up when there are bookings. changes to the Green Belt boundary”. Unfortunately, if they are not able to find someone to do this, they will start to lose bookings so are very keen to seek someone as The proposed development size is 240+ hectares and would soon as possible. Please contact Colin Yates at the following email comprise 4000 homes, including 1400 affordable homes. The address [email protected] or phone him on 01344 891935. current Syngenta site occupies approximately 25 hectares and therefore this is a significant increase (960%) in the area of Consultation on Council Wards developed land. If this goes ahead this would mean that the The independent Local Government Boundary Commission for Council would meet its obligations to the Government without England is asking local people for their help to draw up a new having to find and allocate areas within current settlements, which pattern of council wards for Bracknell Forest Council. The as we know are becoming increasingly harder to find and are consultation is the first part of an electoral review which will re- resulting in small settlements, such as ours, starting to merge with draw ward boundaries across the borough. The Commission has Bracknell town and the erosion of green gaps and green wedges. also announced that Bracknell Forest Council should have 40 councillors in future: 2 fewer than the current arrangements. In Opponents are concerned about the potential merging of drawing up new boundaries, the Commission aims to deliver Hawthorn Hill, Jealotts Hill and Moss End and the loss of these electoral equality for voters in council elections so that each rural settlements. They also fear it will damage wildlife, increase councillor represents roughly the same number of voters. The congestion on the Bracknell, Holyport and Maidenhead route and review also aims to ensure that the new council wards reflect, as The Campaign for Rural England has also criticised the plans over far as possible, the interests and identities of communities across the "irreversible loss" of green space on the site near Warfield. Bracknell Forest. There will be public consultation on this proposed significant Local people have until 16 March 2020 to submit their views in this development and we will endeavour to keep you informed. consultation and can do so via https://consultation.lgbce.org.uk/. Following the review BFC will publish its draft recommendations in Winkfield Parish Council Annual Parish Meeting May 2020, at which point the public will have a final opportunity to The WPC Annual Parish Meeting will be held on Tuesday 31st comment. March 2020 at Carnation Hall. CHAVEY DOWN January 2020 NEWS AND VIEWS Published by The Chavey Down Association Number 64 [email protected] Traffic Mary Knight We recently emailed our members asking for their thoughts, Our last newsletter in September was printed before we were support or otherwise, on a proposal to reduce the speed in North aware of the passing of Mary Knight of North Road and therefore and Church Roads from 30 mph to 20 mph and asked for residents whilst our tribute to her is somewhat late, we feel that we would to contact us to ensure, that before we pursue this further, we are like to highlight her contribution to Chavey Down and of course to certain that this is what residents want and that you are supportive extend our condolences to her family. of this. To date we have received 2 replies, so ask that you please let us have your views. You can email us at the address above or Mary had been part of Chavey Down for many years and a drop/post a note to 38 North Road. significant contributor to village life. She previously worked as Deputy Head at Heathlands School, was Chair of the local WI, Lay Speedwatch Church Warden at St Martin’s and St Mary’s, a member of the Some of you may be aware that the Parish Council jointly Parochial Church Council and she looked after St Martin’s Hall. purchased a Sentinel speed camera with Binfield and Warfield She was presented with Maundy Monday in March 2013 from Her Parish Councils. The equipment is passed between the 3 parishes Majesty the Queen in recognition of her service to the community on a monthly basis and trained volunteers can use the equipment and the church over many years. Up until the middle of last year, to help identify speeding vehicles in their local area. Data captured she was still keeping herself incredibly busy and continuing to from the camera is sent to Thames Valley Police (TVP) who are participate in village and church life whenever she could, despite then able to issue warnings or tickets to offending motorists. The being terminally ill. She even attended our last AGM in May. Mary aim of the scheme is to reduce the speed of vehicles in our local was old school – she never felt sorry for herself but just got on with area and raise driver awareness. The equipment can be used whatever life threw at her. Chavey Down has lost a real character, anywhere within the parish, the location just needs to be safety who everyone knew, and she is very much missed. checked by TVP first. AGM If anyone is interested in taking part, please contact Winkfield The Chavey Down Association AGM (and annual update) will be Parish Council on 01344 885110. The training lasts for held on Friday, 15th May 2020 at 7.30 pm. All members of the approximately 1 hour and you do not need any specific skills to Association and residents of the village are welcome to attend. operate the equipment. The more volunteers we have, the more Our AGM is always attended by our local Borough and Parish we will be able to combat the issue of speeding in the parish. Even Councillors and it gives us a great opportunity to discuss pressing if you only have an hour spare to set up the equipment for matters. Please do put the date in your diary and come along and monitoring, this can be a great help. join us an informative and enjoyable evening and the opportunity to catch up with friends and neighbours. Christmas Hampers As you know the Chavey Down Bingo Club closed its doors for the Proposals for Alterations to the rules final time at the end of last year. Many of you are naturally Members are invited to submit proposals for alterations to the disappointed that the Bingo Club has come to an end as this rules of the Association. These must be received by the Secretary provided a great fortnightly community event for the village and by the last day of February 2020. No proposals can be taken after was well attended.