A new Clifford in the world!

Welcome to the world little person. xxx My new nameless nephew.

This was his reaction when I told him about my enthusiasm for local politics!

Rectory Road Recreation Ground

I am investigating a number of issues at this valuable park area in our ward. I paid a visit there today. The toilet handbasin in the Gents was not working for 4 weeks. That is now back on. There has been a spate of graffiti and I have asked for that to be removed. The Park Rangers will be paying a number of visits and I have requested some CCTV surveillance. A big thank you to the resident that contacted me, and those that spoke to me in the Park.

31st July: A big thank you to Rushmoor staff who reacted promptly to my report. The water was turned on immediatly. They have been in today, and all grafitti was removed. The Park Rangers are going to be visiting more regularly and they are going to bring the mobile CCTV in.

YOU reported it - I sorted it - together we have made a difference.

B&Q - complaints about noise

Mr Nick Cobbold is the Rushmoor Council case officer dealing with the complaint. He had a meeting with B&Q on Monday.
There are 2 relevant planning conditions of the original planning consent (00/00796/OUT) with regards to deliveries and noise on the site.

1. Condition 23 (Deliveries) states that: "No deliveries shall be taken at or be despatched from the retail unit outside the hours of 0700 and 2200 hours Mondays to Saturdays or 0800 to 1800 hours on Sundays."
This condition does not make any specific mention of the front or rear of the site and therefore it must be assumed that no deliveries whatsoever should be taken or dispatched outside these hours.
B&Q have committed to: Ensure that deliveries arrive in the specified times. It seems to be a problem with certain lesser used contractors who are not aware of the condition. These will be made aware of the condition.

2. Condition 24 (Noise) states that: "Outside of the hours 0700-2230 Mondays to Saturdays and 0800-1830 on Sundays, no activity shall take place within the site of the retail unit that would result in noise being audible at the boundaries with the adjoining residential properties."
This condition does not prevent work continuing on site beyond 2230, but specifically relates to noise being audible outside these times.
B&Q admit that they were in breach of this condition and promised to make every effort to overcome the problems.
B&Q have committed to: Carry out the noisier activities within the hours stipulated in the condition. They intend to resurface the service area (currently concrete) with a quieter tarmac. The nature of the store is such that works have to carry on over night (which is allowed by the condition) but the night manager was at the meeting and is aware of his responsibility with regards noise.
Environmental Heath have looked into complaints about noise and are happy that the noise problem has ceased -we will continue to monitor it from a planning point of view.

I will continue to keep a close eye on the site to ensure that they are complying with their conditions. Obviously, to some extent, I will have to rely on information from the local residents to inform me of any breach. If we continue to receive evidence that they are in breach of these conditions, further action will follow.

The following numbers are for the night manager and can be called at any time during the night if an immediate fix is needed to a noise problem. 01252 379601 or 379602.

Ham & Blackbird application for illuminated sign

Case Number: 06/00474/ADV

Display of 1 externally illuminated promotional display unit
The Ham And Blackbird 281 Farnborough Road Farnborough Hampshire GU14 7LZ

Whitbread Restaurants PLC
c/o Artis Projects Ltd
The Garner, Greatworth Hall
Banbury, Greatworth, Oxon. OX17 2DH
Phone: 01295 760888 ALAN MOUTTER
Rushmoor Planning Case Officer: Chris Jones

Prospect Road Bridge

Please note that essential work is required at Prospect Road Bridge between 31st July and 21st August. This has been approved by Hampshire County Council, who have asked the contractor to provide appropriate advanced notices, etc.
This has been timed to coincide with school holidays when there is reduced traffic.

skyward

For once man has tasted flight

he will forever walk the earth with eyes turned skywards.

For there he has been

and there he longs to return.

Leonardo Da Vinci

Noisey neighbours?

Environment Charity ENCAMS launched a campaign last Monday encouraging the public to try to resolve noise issues with their neighbours before they involve the local authority or police. Visit their web sit at: www.noiseconcern.org

Pleased to introduce Megan

I am still overwhelmed at the miracle of life. Here is another soul coming into the world. Her name is Megan. She is loved very much already. We do not know her, her personality, her habits and ways, but we have nothing but love for her. She is part of us. Our blood runs in her veins. Our genes make up her body. She will have faults, but most of them are inherited or will be learned from us. We want the very best for her. She is a new generation for our family and all that we have will be shared with her. She is our hope for the future and the culmination of numberless generations from the past.

And I am far to young to be her grandfather!

Concept 2000 Consultation

Innes Gray (above) MD of Concensus Planning on behalf of Fairview Homes organised a consultation with residents from around the Concept 2000 building, before a planning application is submitted by Fairview Homes in November 2006. They are planning to build 200 - 300 dwellings on this 4 acre plot on the Clockhouse Roundabout site, and hope to start construction July 2007, with completion by July 2009 latest.

This is the first time any such consultation has taken place with residents before an application has been submitted, and Fairview are to be commended.

The evening started with a presentaion about the site and an outline plan of the proposed development. Residents were very outspoken and presented their concerns very bluntly and directly. Their concerns were broken down into different issues: Design, Transport/Parking, Planning policy, Developer Issues and Environment - these were then discussed in detail at different tables at the venue. Residents could then go to the table / Issue that most concerned them or move to all tables in the time allocated.

The evening finished with a summary of residents' concerns, and a chance to make final points or ask questions.

There will be a follow up meeting, again I will keep you advised.

Farnborough Town Planning Day

Yesterday was filled with talking about the future of Farnborough.

Controversially, the Council have hired consultants to tell us what we already know, and to help the Council through public engagement put together a Supplementary Planning Guidance Note for Farnborough Town Center. Lots of people were invited, traders, developers, council staff, residents, police, clergy and a few of us elected members. After a walk round the town we came back to the Council Offices and listed all the problems with the town, and our aspirations or dreams.

The interesting thing is that if I were to stand up in Council and list all the things wrong with our town center I would be castigated by fellow councillors for "talking down" our town. But if a non political "focus" group do it, we councillors pat ourselves on the back for listening to the public!

That aside, some excellent points were raised: Bland civic area, pedestrian unfriendly access to town, poor highway infastructure, no identity, not enough public art, no public square, ugly and inconvenient car parks, dirty pond, no evening economy, no gateway. But it was noted by many that the only good thing in the town center is the flower displays!!

The consultants are now going to correlate all the ideas and come back with some proposals. I will keep you advised.

Empress Ward BBQ

A big thank you to Linda and her helpers for all the work on the BBQ we put on in our back garden. We had a great time and raised some funds for good quality newsletters that we want to put out 4 times a year to keep residents aware about what is going on in the community, and what we are doing to make our area a better place to live and work in.

Brian Parker our ward chairman at the bar ... this time serving!!!It was great to see Gerald Howarth MP a fellow resident of Empress, and always on hand when we need him. Although we got to talk about some of the important issues affecting Farnborough, there was plenty of time to relax and enjoy the evening.Hey!! Who burnt to sausages??? ... Thanks Terry for the help on the BBQ

And it was great to see Philip one of our political opponents. We may disagree politically, but we both want to see the best for the Borough, and Philip has put in more hours than many when it comes to campaigning over local issues. Thanks for coming Philip, I promise I will not tell a soul!