Parish round up

Not all parishes are covered – below are the main updates I have received / been working on. More parishes will be added as I attend meetings next month. Please note on Highways Issues I am operating a RAG list – Red, Amber, Green, with Red being severe risk to life / incident etc.

Rowstock – (EH & HPC)

• Rowstock Review Study – Phase 1 complete, pending start of Phase 2 design.
• Rowstock Residents are looking at creating an official residents association – no further information
• Rowstock Roundabout S106, I wrote in my statement this funding should be released sooner if Valley Park was approved, and am investigating what happened with GWP contributions

Steventon (SPC)

• High Street ‘Water Leak’ Works are due to start within the first 2 weeks of August which is welcomed – there will be some disruption but I am pleased to have achieved this LONG awaited work before winter / ice risks.
• Bridge / Subsidence / Road ‘Dip’, have received a TRN for October, which I am assuming relates to the survey and road testing / bridge survey to be done.
• I received several concerns from residents about School Junction and Barnett Road, traffic, speeding and congestion. I am arranging to meet with officers and visit. I did a drive around the other day, and couldn’t see / experience the same issues raised BUT its summer holidays and it was in the day time.

Harwell (HPC)

• Reading Road Hedges – ongoing but letters issued and OCC is looking into Enforcement Protocols and I will update soon.
• Reading Road Crossing – sent to senior officers and site visit happened, now pending next steps.
• Pending information on the Grove Road ‘traffic calming’ consultation – am chasing and informed its in Design!
• Valley Park – see below.

Valley Park Proposal (VP)

• I Object and I will keep objecting. I am not happy with the 5 Arm Roundabout, and am taking this back to OCC to review with senior managers and cabinet members.
• The amount of housing being pushed on the Division and VOWHDC is frankly insane, and I will be watching the reserved matters like a hawk here on in.
• Hayleigh and Sarah sum up the meeting in their Facebook post below….I am still too angry and frustrated to be as eloquent and am disgusted at the ‘Growth for Growths’ sake and lack of intervention by previous members before us – or speaking up for the division.
• I will keep fighting, questioning and pushing for better on all fronts, it should never have got this far, and I can only apologise to residents in affected areas of Harwell and GWP and surrounds. This planning scheme like so many, and forced developments and housing has long been a National Government mandate and we will be pushing back as a county and a local group.
• https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/19481491.one-biggest-housing-plans-oxfordshire-given-go-ahead/
• Sadly the article above has many mistakes (have emailed the journalist)

 VALLEY PARK PLANNING PERMISSION APPROVED – Statement by Sarah, Hayleigh and Sally.

The Valley Park proposal for 4254 new houses between Didcot and Harwell came back to planning committee yesterday. The decision was deferred back in February due to the three key issues we and the local community raised at the time: lack of health care provision, inadequate cycling infrastructure and insufficient sustainability commitments.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-58013292

The planning application was approved this time, and we are very pleased that it now places the following extra requirements on the developers:

Healthcare 

Over £3 million to be provided for local healthcare provision in the area surrounding Valley Park, or

Dedicated land for a health care centre on the Valley Park site and £2.8million to be provided towards its construction.

NOTE – All funding to be ringfenced for healthcare provision in the local Didcot area only.

Cycling 

Mega 5-arm roundabout design now much safer for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians with traffic-light controlled crossings at every junction – although still far from ideal in my eyes hence my comments above.

Traffic lights to use an innovative ‘green wave’ system which prioritises cycling over driving: automatic detection of cyclists synchronises the green traffic lights to allow unimpeded cycling across the roundabout. Green wave support for lifetime of scheme.

Full all-weather surface upgrade of the cycle path from Cow Lane through to the UTC at Great Western Park, providing an alternative cycle route between Harwell and Didcot for less confident cyclists and children riding to school.

Sustainability 

£200,000 payment for protecting biodiversity brought forward – to be paid before construction starts.

Existing mature trees on the Valley Park site to be preserved.

Zero carbon housing standards to be implemented as early as possible.

None of this was in place when the Valley Park application came to committee in February, or when it was first approved back in 2016. We are delighted that by working together with our fantastic local community we have been able to collectively secure these improvements. Huge well done to Harwell Parish Council, Sustainable Harwell, HarBUG – Harwell Bicycle Users Group and the Patient Participation Groups of the three Didcot Medical Centres.

Although permission has now been granted for this massive new development the size of Wallingford, with a build-out phase of the next 10-20 years, this is not the end – it’s only the beginning. The devil is in the detail, and rest assured that when the individual housing plans come through for further approval, we’ll be there every step of the way, scrutinising and challenging to ensure that we get the best outcome for our residents 

For as long as we have the privilege of being elected as the local ward and division councillors for the area around Valley Park, we can guarantee that we will continue to work hard to represent the views of our community and campaign for our sustainable vision for Valley Park 

Catch up on the meeting online:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=g7TpPCAEI-g&feature=youtu.be

_______________________________________________________________________

Upton (UPC) – No new casework

• Healthcare concerns are in hand – and noted in my Valley Park statement and speech

Chilton (CPC)

• Officers visited Hagbourne Hill on 27th July, am pending report and discussion
• Full verbal update at last Parish Council Meeting.

East Hendred (EHPC) – No new casework 

• Well done for getting the SIDS up and established and I look forward to results / impacts locally!

West Hendred (WHPC) – No outstanding cases  

• Pending CPF application as verbally discussed 
• Tree Concerns have been resolved I think? (Clerk please confirm members are happy with outcome?)

Blewbury (BPC) – No new casework

• Continuing to investigate Upton – Blewbury Cycle / Active Travel route

Ardington and Lockinge (ALPC) – No new casework

• Investigating TOAD signs for the crossing hot spots with Highways Team – ONGOING
• I can confirm that OCC Officers have contacted both Milestone and Solagen to request updated quotations for the installation of ‘Wig-Wag’ flashing beacons and associated ‘children’ warning signage on the A417 at Ardington, OCC officers also confirm that upon receipt of said updated quotations they will place orders for the works – DELAY DUE TO SHORTAGE OF POLES – LATEST DUE OCTOBER
• SCVN CYCLING – FOUND  the officers in charge and there is a review / meeting end August and I have invited OCC cycling champion for a ride to experience the issues this month!

Great Western Park Residents Association (GWPRA) – No new casework

• Trying to get a meeting with all stakeholders over the recent travellers incursion and access / reducing opportunity for offroad driving / land access. STILL Ongoing – pending ACTION from developers.
• Ongoing push for Health Care provision – taken up now with members at VOWH and OCC around GWP GP Extension PLUS a Short Term provision!

END

I would ask all Chairs if they would like to contact me for 1:1’s at their convenience and also check that Clerks are receiving my communications as some Parishes are very quiet?

Please note August is a juggle with the kids being off school, and the day job, my phone / email is checked daily so please stay in touch!

Speak soon

Sally

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