Goring Heath NEWS August 2021 August 2021 Issue 181 Visit us at: www.goringheath.com Facebook: ‘Goring Heath Parish News’ [email protected] 1 August 2021 Goring Heath NEWS Want to lose weight, become fitter and stronger, improve energy? Whatever your goals, a mobile personal training service, at your home or local park, with programmes carefully tailored for your individual needs. Whether a complete beginner or simply needing to get back on track post lockdown, great results guaranteed as quickly and as enjoyably as possible. Sam Jessop is a highly experienced personal trainer and health coach, who has trained a wide range of clients of all ages and requirements. All equipment supplied – Covid compliant , strict social distancing and thorough equipment cleansing maintained throughout. For a complementary consultation and taster session, contact Sam on 07805 418309 or for more details www.samjessoppersonaltraining.com. 2 Goring Heath NEWS August 2021 Chairman’s comments As frequently mentioned in the past, one of the biggest issues we are trying to address is the speed of traffic within our community. This was brought home to me recently when a pet was sadly killed in Crays Pond by a car travelling at excessive speed, and when one of our Councillors men- tioned that he had personally observed how frequently cars were driving beyond the speed limits whilst he was working on repairing one of our bus shelters. This clearly puts our community at risk. In turn, I find it surprising how challenging it is to get the support and action of Oxford County Council (OCC) Highways to help address this, given how obvious it is that it is the right thing to do and all the tail winds in society point to the benefits of reduced speeds in general, whether for safety or environmental considerations. It was interesting that it was finally mandated recently at the OCC Cabinet that it should be policy in relatively built up areas that 20mph should be the default speed limit. So what are your Parish Council doing about it. Firstly, we are regularly badgering OCC Highways to implement the new 30mph speed limit at Crays Pond that was approved earlier this year. There have apparently been delays due to the release of funds and slight modifications to the works plan to allow for a high -pressure fuel pipeline that runs through the village. We are reassured however that all has been resolved and they are pushing ahead with the plans. We thank our Parishioners for their patience and assure you that we are doing everything we can to hurry things along. It is hugely frustrating for us all. Secondly, we are commencing engagement with OCC Highways on seeing if we can re- duce the speed limit to 20mph (from 30 mph) along Goring Heath Road in Whitchurch Hill and also to 30 mph (from 40 mph) in the stretch of road through Whitchurch Hill past the Parish Hall and Church. Finally, Councillor Wise is initiating a project to see if we can set up a Traffic Watch scheme in the community. This enables volunteers, with the full backing of Thames Valley Traffic Police, to use hand held speed detec- tors to monitor traffic speed and report transgressors. This enables the Police to create a data base of drivers who frequently speed with appar- ently excellent prosecution results. We will share more details of how you could help over the coming months, but if you are interested in being involved, please let Councillor Wise know through the Parish Clerk’s email address. 3 (continued) August 2021 Goring Heath NEWS Two final points totally unrelated to the speed issue. It is good to see the refurbished bus shelters across the Parish, with their rooves in par- ticular sympathetically restored. And our apologies for the inadequate grass cutting across the Parish over the last couple of months. We had thought that we had this sorted after the changes to the specification last year, but whilst the wet weather hasn’t helped, we have been very un- happy with the quality of the contractor’s work. We are addressing this for the future. Lee asked me to give you a quick update on this project… I’m pleased to say that a ‘block’ of CIL monies, for various projects / areas has now transferred between SODC and OCC and the monies are now being split up into individual budgets so that I have something to order the works against. I understand that the Crays Pond work is progressing well and is ahead of many other schemes involved with this round of monies. In the meantime, (in parallel to the money transfer) the proposed instal- lation has required some detailed discussions and installation methodol- ogy to allow for the high pressure fuel pipeline that runs through the village. I’ve agreed this, with slight modification to our works, on site with both the pipeline engineer and the practical works supervisor. We’re just finalising the necessary paperwork permissions. In essence, the slight variation is to ensure that the sign / gateway foundations don’t interfere with the pipeline and, in doing so, I’ve added in a small amount of aggregate surface around the affected gateway so that any pedestrians that use the verge can still easily do so, without needing to step out into the carriageway. As soon as the order is placed, the materials can then be procured and, once all together, the roadworks booked, fuel pipeline engineer booked and the legal order (for the 30mph) can be brought into operation. Oh, and in addition there is also the linemarking additions / alterations which will also tie into this work (along with the overall linemarking refresh which is also being undertaken and has ties into this project). I hope this helps, - we’re getting there… and we appreciate both your enthusiasm and patience. Chris Jessop Chairman 4 Goring Heath NEWS August 20212021 Planning Decisions The following planning applica"ons have been considered. Where a decision is not given, it means the Parish Council has not yet received wrien confirma"on from S.O.D.C. PLANNING APPLICATIONS June /July Parish Notes Council P21/S2942/HH Pending Laurel Cottage Coldharbour Goring Heath RG8 7SY Rear extension and associated internal alterations. Re- placement of defective windows and re -instatement of main entrance door to original position. P21/S2630/HH No Strong Bridle Cottage Hill Bottom Whitchurch Hill RG8 7PT Views Demolition of a conservatory at the rear of Bridle Cot- tage & replacement with a slightly larger single storey extension with a traditional roof structure with roof lights. P21/S2741/LB No Strong Ladygrove Cottage Lady Grove Goring Heath RG8 Views 7RU Internal and external repair/replacement works P21/S2237/FUL No Strong Hunters Moon Hill Bottom Whitchurch Hill RG8 7PT views Detached garage with annex above P21/S2327/HH No Strong Field View House Hill Bottom Whitchurch Hill RG8 Views 7PT The erection of a double garage at the side of Field View House Planning We would also like to point out that No Strong Views is one of only three choices that SODC gives the parish council. It should not be read as illustrating tacit approval of an application. More often than not this choice is supplemented with specific comments from the parish council highlighting areas of concern . 5 August 2021 Goringg Heath NEWS At Whitchurch Pre -School, our team is committed to providing a secure and caring environment where children can learn and develop at their own pace within a happy atmosphere . Situated in an idyllic village location, with links to Whitchurch Primary School Fantastic large, safe and enclosed garden and allotment. For children aged from 2½ - 5 years, accepting 2yr & 30hr government funding. Offering flexible sessions 8.30am to 3:15pm weekdays, term time only. Contact us at [email protected] | 0118 984 4516 Registered Charity:1183193 6 Goring Heath NEWS August 2021 District Councillor’s Comment I think we all welcome the end to Zoom meetings, and it was good to get back to Goring Heath Parish Hall for the Parish council meeting this week. It was the first time I had met Tarek Moghul, our newest parish Councillor, face to face, and I am looking forward to his con- tributions. On the District Council, we are also back to live meetings, but in a rather strange format where we actually use a Zoom meeting although we are all in the same room. This format enables people to watch the meeting live on line, and in the case of Planning commit- tee meetings, objectors can put their points from home via a live link. I expect this facility will continue, as it is so much easier for anyone who wants to speak about a planning application but who may not want to spend a whole evening in Didcot. After something of a lull last year, new planning applications have increased considerably this year. People working at home want ex- tensions, and there is relentless pressure for new homes in our beauti- ful countryside, not least because of the significant financial gain to be made. The recent appeal for a retirement care village at Sonning Common, in the AONB, was granted by a Planning Inspector; bi- zarrely, the reasons the Inspector gave are apparently in conflict with the findings of the Inspector who examined the Local Plan last year. It was just a few years ago that a single garage in Hill Bottom was refused planning permission on Appeal because of the impact on the AONB. At a recent meeting of SODC, we considered the government’s pro- posals to require photo id to be produced if you want to vote at an election.