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THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset

6th January 2021

Issue 660

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Read by more than 40,000 people each week

Back into lockdown as COVID cases rocket The third national lockdown comes into law today, with schools closed and people instructed to stay at home to contain the new faster-spreading strain of COVID-19. The new variant is between 50% and 70% more transmissible, and hospitals are under more pressure than at any time since the start of the pandemic, Boris Johnson said in his televised address to the country on Monday night. Last Wednesday’s review saw B&NES move up from High Alert in Tier 2 to join Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset in Tier 3 (Very High Alert), while some other parts of the South West including Gloucestershire, Somerset and Swindon moved up to Tier 4 (Stay at Home). Now under the toughest new Level 5 restrictions introduced because of the risk of healthcare services being overwhelmed, people can only leave to work if it is “impossible” to work from home and to shop for essentials; to exercise; to provide care, and for medical appointments or to escape domestic abuse. The Prime Minister, who had been facing mounting pressure to close schools, said that with most of the country already under extreme measures, “it is clear that we need to do more, together, to bring this new variant under control while our vaccines are rolled out”. Primary school pupils had been due to go back this week in most of the country, with secondary schools closed until at least 18th January except for vulnerable children and children of frontline essential workers. But all schools and colleges are now moving to remote learning until February half-term and Mr Johnson announced that A-level and GCSE exams will not go ahead this year.

Also in this week’s issue

Mr Johnson said: “I completely understand the inconvenience and distress this late change will cause millions of parents and pupils up and down the country. Parents whose children were in school today may reasonably ask why we did not take this decision sooner. The answer is simply that we have been doing everything in our power to keep schools open, because we know how important each day in education is to children’s life chances. “And I want to stress that the problem is not that schools are unsafe for children – children are still very unlikely to be severely affected by even the new variant of COVID. The problem is that schools may nonetheless act as vectors for transmission, causing the virus to spread between households.” Mr Johnson promised extra support to ensure that pupils entitled to free school meals will continue to receive them while schools are closed, and that more devices will be distributed to support remote education. The new restrictions mean that households are banned from mixing and extremely vulnerable people are being told to shield. Nurseries remain open along with essential shops such as supermarkets and pharmacies, as do places of worship, but non-essential retailers, gyms, beauty salons and hairdressers cannot open. Restaurants and other eateries can continue to operate for takeaways and deliveries, but pubs cannot offer takeaway alcohol. Mr Johnson said he hoped that people in the top four health priority groups would receive a first vaccine dose by midFebruary and that restrictions could start to be lifted then.

£12.5m investment for Kingswood . . . page 4

Tributes paid to Keynsham councillor . . . page 5

Locally, care home residents started to receive the vaccine before Christmas. They and care home staff are being prioritised along with people aged 80 and above in the first phase of the vaccination programme. The Primary Care Network which includes Hanham Health, Kingswood Health Centre, Cadbury Heath Healthcare and Close Farm Surgery at North Common managed to vaccinate more than 1,100 patients in just one day at a clinic at Kingswood Health Centre. They were given notice to deliver the clinic last Tuesday, the vaccine was delivered on Thursday and had to be used up by Sunday. Due to the bank holiday, Saturday was their only option to set up the clinic. Staff from the four practices gave up their free time to book patients in and support the clinics but the long queues meant extra staff had to be called in to help out. More Primary Care Networks are now rolling out the vaccine across the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group area at sites including Christchurch Medical Centre in Downend and East Trees Health Centre on Fishponds Road. Meanwhile Bath & North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group says that new sites are opening up on a weekly basis. The vaccination programme will take some time, even with another vaccine coming online this week, but health chiefs stress that everyone who needs it will be offered it. People are asked not to contact their practice directly – they will contact you. • Vaccine scam alert, page 8

Damage at Warmley skate park after illegal party . . . page 9

Housing plans for historic nuclear bunker site . . . page 11

‘Horrendous’ numbers of people in crisis, says foodbank organiser Keynsham Foodbank volunteers came to the end of 2020 overwhelmed at support from the community but saddened by the level of support needed for local people in food crisis. The foodbank had to cope with a number of changes since lockdown began last March. Its first challenge saw it having to move from its original warehouse at Broadlands Academy to a storage facility at Longwell Green before much appreciated financial donations meant it was able to move to a much more suitable facility in Marksbury. Keynsham Foodbank’s project manager Alan Hale said that despite the upheaval the foodbank did not fail to support those in need and whilst last fiscal year the team had supported 1,292 people, as 2020 drew to a close they had supported 1,870 people, with three more months of the financial year still to get through. Mr Hale said: “Sadly the numbers have painted an

horrendous picture and only time will tell whether that picture will become even more disturbing." Currently the foodbank is operating a delivery-only system two days a week. For the most part the professionals who issue the vouchers have been inducted into using e-vouchers

who have been so kind as to support us financially.” The foodbank covers the Chew Valley as part of its area and the villages of Stanton Drew and Compton Dando have been organising regular food collections of specific needs; Budgens at Bishop Sutton donated a large consignment of

that are sent electronically to the two volunteers at the distribution centre. The ability to attend to collect food with a voucher had to be withdrawn to protect both the wider team of volunteers and the clients. The deliveries have been carried out by Keynsham and District Dial-a-Ride. Mr Hale continued: "We are very grateful to them for the help and service that they have provided for us. Our delivery model is continuing into the new year at this time until we know what the pandemic situation has in store for us. I would also like to most sincerely thank everyone who has donated food to us over the many months and also my thanks to those

sugar and the Co-op at Chew Magna continues to hold a drop box, as does Pensford Post Office, as well as making additional donations. Before Christmas Chew Valley School organised a collection of food and took it in a minibus to the warehouse at Marksbury. And Stockwood Vale residents have been giving a monthly collection of specific needs. Currently the foodbank is not in need of additional volunteers but anyone wishing to donate financially can do so via bank transfer to sort code 60-12-11, account number 26641860. Anyone wishing to donate food can do so through the drop boxes held at Waitrose Keynsham, Tesco Keynsham and Saltford and at Saltford Hall (when open) as well as the venues in Chew Magna and Pensford. Current specific needs for the foodbank are long-life milk, instant noodle pots, mashed potato, pasta sauce, kitchen towels and jam. Email the foodbank at keynshamfoodbank@gmail.com

Keep in touch, let us know what you think, send us your news www.facebook.com/theweekin

The Week in • Wednesday 6th January 2021

Inspector allows change of use of property on gated estate A planning inspector has allowed another change of use of a property at Avon Farm near Saltford. Planning permission has been granted by Bath & North East Somerset Council over recent years for several holiday cottages at the private gated estate in Avon Lane, although a retrospective application to change the use of land from agricultural for a shepherd’s hut was refused in 2019. The most recent application – also retrospective - was to convert an office into a one-bedroom home for applicant Clive Franklin’s son, and was recommended for approval by a planning officer, despite concerns from the council’s highways and transport team about the site being in an “unsustainable location”. The council’s planning committee refused the application; at the meeting local councillor Alistair Singleton said that Avon Farm estate buildings and outhouses have been advertised extensively for holiday lets and if all were full at the same time, there would be the potential for more than 40 guest visitors on site. He said the estate had developed via a series of “ad hoc” planning applications and retrospect certificates of lawful use, and he felt that if planning permission had been sought for all the holiday lets and additional business activity on the farm in one go, it would have been refused.

The Week in • Wednesday 6th January 2021

Mr Franklin appealed to the Secretary of State and inspector Nick Davies has now allowed the change of use of the office, although he rejected a separate application for costs. The farm is 1.2km to the north of Saltford and in his report Mr Davies said that Avon Lane is not suitable for high volumes of vehicles; he also said that Avon Lane, Mead Lane and High Street do not provide a safe and suitable route for pedestrians to access the village centre from the farm site. But he concluded that occupants of the new one-bed home would be mainly reliant on private vehicles, so the development is not likely to lead to a noticeable increase in pedestrians or cyclists using Avon Lane, Mead Lane or High Street. He said: “The impact of the development on highway safety would, therefore, be largely limited to a relatively small increase in the number of cars using this route. Although I have found that Avon Lane would not be suitable for large volumes of traffic, there have been no recorded accidents in the last five years. No other evidence has been provided to demonstrate that the existing level of use is prejudicial to highway safety or convenience.”

He added that traffic moves slowly along Avon Lane and visibility for drivers is mainly good. Rejecting Mr Franklin’s appeal against the council for costs, the inspector said: “I concluded that the development would not result in a significant increase in vehicle or pedestrian movements, so the impact on highway safety would not be unacceptable. It was not, however, unreasonable for the council to come to a different view, given the advice it received from its highway consultee.”

£12.5m for Kingswood regeneration vision A multi-million-pound bid to Government to secure investment for Kingswood town centre has been successful, it was announced on Boxing Day. Kingswood is one of 72 high streets across England that will benefit from the Future High Streets Fund. A total of 15 towns and cities are to receive all the money they bid for, totalling £255m. Kingswood is one of another 57 areas to have received provisional funding offers worth a combined £576m. The Department of Housing, Communities & Local Government said it would be working with

them to finalise their proposals. Kingswood’s offer is £12,555,464 and will provide funding to deliver an ambitious range of projects as part of the ongoing regeneration of Kingswood being led by South Gloucestershire Council. Among the investments envisaged in the original bid submitted to Government are the pedestrianisation of Regent Street and investment into the creation of a new public open space, ushering opportunities for markets, performance arts and cultural events. The funding will also enable traffic re-routing and promote cycling, walking and

THE WEEK IN Barrs Court, Bitton, Brislington, Cadbury Heath, Compton Dando, Corston, Downend, Emersons Green, Fishponds, Hanham, Hillfields, Keynsham, Kingswood, Longwell Green, Mangotsfield, Marksbury, North Common, Oldland Common, Pucklechurch, Saltford, Staple Hill, Stockwood, St George, Warmley, Whitchurch, Wick, Willsbridge. 16,000 copies are distributed through retail outlets, libraries, pubs, community centres each week. Verified pick-up rate of 97%. Publisher The Week In Community Ltd, 8 Temple Court, Keynsham. BS31 1HA 0117 986 0381 www.theweekin.co.uk ISSN: 2052-9767 Managing Editor News Editor Contributors

Stephen Rodgers admin@theweekin.co.uk Becky Feather 07403 273967 Christine Rogers

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Jodie Deason and Tracy Broderick 0117 986 0381 sales.theweekin@gmail.com

access to nearby green spaces and Kingswood’s heritage sites. The funding will also ensure the full restoration of the historic Whitfield Tabernacle which, having lain derelict for three decades, will become a cultural and community venue providing a new offer in family and evening entertainment for Kingswood. Finally, it will allow the council to pursue investment into property and commercial premises that will directly contribute to the town centre regeneration at a time when the market faces considerable challenges. Supporting the bid was a thorough business case informed by two public engagement exercises, the most recent of which took place between May and June last year. The engagement work has played a major part in developing a masterplan for Kingswood which the council aims to take to wider public consultation in the coming year.

Toby Savage, the leader of the council, said the success of the bid represents “an unprecedented scale of investment in Kingswood town centre and an extremely exciting opportunity for the community”. “It is timely in so many ways as we do everything we possibly can to support our town centres face the extreme challenges of declining high street retail, internet shopping boom and the COVID-19 pandemic. “I have been delighted to see urgent stabilisation works already happening to the Tabernacle alongside the Masters Church redevelopment and I am extremely excited about the opportunities we have to lead regeneration by acquiring empty and underused properties at a time where the private sector is not in a place to do so. I hope we can extend and apply our success in securing this scale of funding and this approach to masterplanning to support our other town centres.”

@theweekineditor No material in this publication, nor its associated website (www.theweekin.co.uk) may be reproduced without the written permission of The Week In. All rights reserved. The Week In is regulated by IMPRESS: The Independent Monitor for the Press CIC. As such, we adhere to the IMPRESS complaints procedure. A copy of this procedure can be found on our website or can be sent upon written request to the address above. 4

The Week in • Wednesday 6th January 2021

Keynsham has lost one of its precious treasures Cllr Tony Crouch, who represented Keynsham North Ward on the town council, passed away on 18th December. He had been suffering from cancer. Cllr Crouch served for 21 years, first as a Liberal Democrat and later as a Labour member. He contributed to all the major committees including most recently as the chair of the Planning & Development Committee. Extending condolences to his family, the town council said: “We will miss Tony very much and indeed Keynsham has lost one of its precious treasures.” There is a tribute to Cllr Crouch on the council’s website: “He was a gentle giant of a man, with his interests firmly rooted in the church, the community and the people of Keynsham. “He was especially focused on representing the needs of those less fortunate whilst championing the causes of those community organisations such a Keynsham & District Dial-a-Ride who were there to help. “Tony loved council meetings and although relatively quiet (for the most part), he would step in when he felt strongly about something and could be relied upon to use his encyclopaedic knowledge of council procedures to chivvy the council along with

Tony Crouch

a sensible motion or two if he felt the discussion was going off track. “He was also mindful of how council decisions could impact on staff workloads and was an emphatic advocate for the staff wellbeing on many occasions.” The Week In Editor Stephen Rodgers added: “I was saddened to learn of Tony’s passing. My own dealings with him stretch back to the very beginnings of The Week In newspaper when Tony was both involved in the campaign to keep the Cadbury factory open while also fighting against the closure of the Post Office in Queens Road. He always believed in fairness and was passionate about all matters Keynsham. My condolences go to his family.”

The campaign to save Queens Road post office in 2008

The Week in • Wednesday 6th January 2021

Tesco store wins permission to extend opening hours Tesco has been granted permission to extend the opening hours of its Keynsham store by two hours from Monday to Saturday. Bath & North East Somerset Council

planners approved the retailer’s request to stay open until 10pm and also to extend lighting for an extra hour until 10.30pm. No changes to Sunday conditions were sought and delivery times will also remain

A new publisher for The Week In

the same. The council received five objections to the application; concerns focused on more air pollution, noise and impact on nearby residents due to increased traffic; it was also said that increased trading hours would bring unwanted anti-social behaviour and there is

already a significant issue with youths congregating after the store closes, with the car park used as a racetrack. However, the council said the additional hours of opening and lighting would not result in a significantly different impact from the originally permitted application.

Welcome to our first edition of 2021 Hopefully, it looks and feels like it has always done. There has however been one significant change. Your local free newspaper now has a new publisher – The Week In Community Ltd. This is a community benefit society as defined by the Co-operative and Community Benefits Act 2014. This means it is no longer a limited company owned by its directors, but a society owned by its members. Profits do not return to the shareholders but are used for the benefit of the community. Beyond the legal definitions, little else has changed. The Week In is still produced by the same team and I have no plans to sail off into the sunset anytime soon – or not even when sailing off into a lower COVID restriction tier is permitted. The Week In Community Ltd is about the future – a future that one day will not involve me. If I needed any reminding that things never stay the same, it was publishing yet another tribute this week to someone who has sadly left us yet was very much a part of the early editions of this publication only 13 years ago (see previous page). The decision to change direction was not solely personal, however. These are turbulent times for the newspaper industry. The way we broadcast and consume news has evolved in recent years and not all outlets have been able to change with the times. Falling sales and advertising revenues have hit the national media and decimated regional titles. It

has been even harder for independent publishers to compete and much of what we still consider ‘local’ media is in fact controlled by a small number of corporates. But one sector which seems to have avoided the fall-out is the genuine local publisher. The Week In has been profitable in each of its last 12 years. That doesn’t mean it has been easy and the challenges it has faced have increased over time. Whatever my personal circumstances, it had become clear over the last two or three years that The Week In would need to adapt its structure to continue as a sustainable community resource. The newspaper you read and the way it is funded will continue to be the primary focus for years to come. But behind the scenes, a lot of work has already been carried out on new projects which will be announced in the coming weeks and months. These will both create longer term commercial opportunities and tie the newspaper more closely with the community it serves. But for now, it’s very much as you were in respect of this issue of The Week In … and the ones to come after that. Let’s hope the stories we report are at least a bit more hopeful than for much of 2020. Stephen Rodgers Editor PS. If you want to know more about The Week In Community Ltd., see the advert on page 12 or visit our website.

Neighbours help charities with garland competition Residents of Palmdale Close in Longwell Green organised their own Christmas garland competition last month, raising £128 for local charities at the same time. The funds will be split between Get Well Gamers, a charity that takes computers, consoles and games into children in hospital, and St Peter’s Hospice. The garlands were judged by Mike and Gill Punter, from the Riverbank Art Studio in Kingswood, and the winning entry is pictured.

Cannabis plants seized at Douglas Trading Estate The Kingswood Neighbourhood Policing Team, supported by dog handlers and search teams, executed a drugs warrant at the Douglas Trading Estate on Tuesday 22nd December. A number of growing cannabis plants

were found and seized. Police say that anyone with concerns about drug production can report it on 101, via the Avon & Somerset Police website or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The Week in • Wednesday 6th January 2021

Police officers honoured by the Queen Two Avon & Somerset police officers are among those recognised in the New Year Honours list. Superintendent for Bristol Andy Bennett and Assistant Chief Constable Nikki Watson both receive the Queen's Police Medal (QPM). The QPM is awarded to police officers for distinguished

Andy Bennett

The Week in • Wednesday 6th January 2021

service or gallantry. Supt Bennett is recognised for his work tackling hate crime and bringing policing and communities closer. Much of his 30 years in policing has been spent in neighbourhood roles - mostly in Bristol. His current role includes having responsibility for neighbourhood officers across Bristol and working with partners to keep the most vulnerable in the city safe. He is also Avon & Somerset’s hate crime lead and is dedicated to the constabulary’s goal of making the organisation more diverse and inclusive. ACC Watson is recognised for leading the Avon & Somerset policing response to the COVID-19 health crisis. As an assistant chief constable her current responsibilities include overseeing the constabulary's investigations and operations and chairing the Local Resilience Forum which brings different agencies and organisations together to plan and prepare for civil contingencies and major incidents. In more than 30 years' service she has pounded the beat in uniform, worked as a detective and commanded the East Somerset police area. She is the force’s lead for gender, helping the service to create an environment where women can develop and thrive. Meanwhile Ministry of Defence employee Michael Beard, who lives in Emersons Green, has been awarded an OBE for his services to defence.

Nikki Watson

LETTERS Traffic woes

vehicles are to us all. No lorries, nothing to

I had to open the window slightly and place

March due to lockdown.

Dear Becky

shop for.

the test contents in a box that was handed

Luckily I'd just raised enough money to

As always, traffic, or more specifically

Roger Tilley, Oldland Common

to me at arm’s length. I then left the site and

donate 100 epilepsy information packs to

was back in my armchair at home by

the NHS and it was wonderful taking the

2.15pm, enjoying a cup of tea. In the space

information packs along with my daughter

of 75 minutes, I had accessed the website,

Layla’s ‘Epilepsy Book for Kids’ and child-

input data, booked an appointment,

friendly epilepsy First Aid leaflets to the

attended the site and had my test and then

NHS building in Bristol.

returned home. I can only describe that as

The staff were so grateful and will

brilliant and I had the pleasure of being

distribute them to every local doctors’

dealt with by the most delightful of staff.

surgery and hospital epilepsy ward in

Full marks to all concerned!

Bristol and South Gloucestershire, raising

Mike Barrow, Keynsham

epilepsy awareness and money for epilepsy

problems associated with it, are highlighted comment on the several issues raised in

‘Brilliant’ experience of Track and Trace

Issue 658.

Dear Stephen

in your recent publications. I wish to

The everlasting problems in Keynsham’s

Having developed a nagging cough, which

traffic scenarios, are, I believe, a major

I had hoped would have disappeared over

result of those ‘in control’. I refer to

Christmas, I decided on January 1st to book

B&NES Council’s response in respect of

a coronavirus test. Having observed almost

my earlier letter regarding insufficient car

constant criticism in the national media -

parks. The response said that the council

press and television - of virtually

doctrine was to reduce traffic, and that

everything the Government has done re the

increased traffic, or assets for it, should not

pandemic, I entered the appropriate website

be promoted.

charities too with money from Layla’s book. Sadly, just weeks later, the book’s

at 1pm with some trepidation.

Suggested improvement to First’s 42 bus service

The attitude seems to be traffic is not

I had to answer a series of questions, such

Dear Editor

I have really missed fundraising for the

welcome or invited, and anything that can

as name, date of birth, NHS number, etc.

Oldland and North Common are served by

seven charities that have helped us over the

facilitate that should gain priority. ‘They’

before proceeding to the next screen and I

First’s 18 and 42 buses hourly.

years too and look forward to when it is

do not want traffic to adversely affect their

was then given the option of a kit being sent

One big problem is that they are both

safe to fundraise again. We also hope one

climate change visions. All very well

to my house or attending a test centre. As

scheduled to arrive and depart within 10

day to find another publisher who can help

intended, but where are the alternatives to

the closest one was the drive-in centre at the

minutes of each other. If the 42, being the

us continue to raise epilepsy awareness and

car commuting? Parking? And HGV

Brislington Park & Ride, some four miles

shorter journey, was rescheduled for on the

money for epilepsy charities with Layla’s

alternative suitable routes?

from my front door, I opted for the latter. I

hour, then at North Common we could have

book.

Ben Stokes’ and Alan Aldous’ frustration at

was given a testing slot at 2pm and had to

a half-hourly bus service.

Sarah Reid

HGVs using the unsuitable HGV roads,

print off a bar code and was asked to attend

This would also be beneficial when coming

needs support. Other than writing to you,

with photographic ID, wearing of course a

from Kingswood also after shopping. Try

what can we do?

mask. I arrived on site a little early at

walking up Mill Lane carrying shopping

Shouldn’t patrols be covert?

Martyn Maw’s letter is pertinent. I am not

1.45pm and after showing my ID, I was

after having to catch a 43.

Dear Editor

alone I’m sure in being ignorant of certain

shown where to park.

David Watch

What’s the point of “High profile police

Highway Code specifics, but, unlike car

It was explained that as the centre was

PS. Best wishes to you and your staff. Keep

patrols” (The Week In, Issue 659) on the

drivers, I believe, pedestrians and cyclists

manned by Track and Trace staff and not

well in 2021

Railway Path?

have no official requirement to study it.

medical personnel that I would need to

publisher passed away from the virus.

Surely they should be plain clothes on bikes

Why? Presumably ignorance of the law is

administer the test myself. The young man

not a valid excuse. Or is it?

went through the procedure with me twice

How COVID has impacted our charity work

Years ago, a cyclist ran into my car, at

in great detail, which was not an easy task

Dear The Week In

night. I was moving from a main road into

having to shout through closed car

I was hoping that through your magazine I

a minor road. My defence (against a

windows at someone in their mid-70s

could let the staff and customers at

multitude of advice to plead guilty), was to

wearing hearing aids. He was most

Downend Co-op know that I sent a

claim the cyclist wore dark clothing. Case

courteous and patient and I was told that in

Christmas card wishing them all a Merry

dismissed.

the event of having a problem, I should turn

Christmas. I miss my regular charity

In this particular season, it fortunately

on my hazard lights and someone would

collections that I have done there every

brings home to us how important goods

come to me. With the test duly completed,

week for four years but had to stop in

and have the element of surprise! P White, Bristol

Beware of vaccination scam Local people are being warned about a coronavirus text message scam. B&NES Council’s Trading Standards team has received complaints of fraudsters taking advantage of the vaccine roll-out by sending convincing text messages claiming to be from the NHS, stating that recipients are eligible to receive the vaccine. Included is a hyper-link to a fake application form which asks for personal information and a credit card number. The hyper-link address is application-ukform.com

The Week in • Wednesday 6th January 2021

Plans for new 420pupil primary school People are being asked to have their say

application for Crest Nicholson’s Hygge

on proposals for a new school off the A4 in

Park development.

Huge mess left at skate park after NYE partygoers bust curfew

Keynsham.

Due to the demand for school places, the

Police

Neighbours, stakeholders and the wider

need has increased to a two-form entry (60

the

public are being consulted about the plans

places in each year group) school for 420

coronavirus rules to hold a

for Two Rivers Primary School at the new

pupils aged between four and 11.

New Year’s Eve party at the

Hygge Park development ahead of a full

Set back from Fairfield Way, the plans show

skate park in Warmley Forest

planning application being submitted to Bath

that the school will be surrounded by

Park, leaving a terrible mess

and North East Somerset Council which is

landscaped grounds for play, sports and

behind.

expected in early 2021.

nature. It will meet a high level of

Rubbish including bottles

The new Church of England school will be

sustainability standards and some of the

and nitrous oxide canisters

operated by Wellsway Multi Academy Trust

facilities, including the outdoor multi-use

were strewn around and a

and is scheduled to open in September 2022.

games area, hall and studio, will be available

fire was started.

The school opened last September in

for community use and for hire outside

The policing team for South

purpose-built temporary accommodation on

school hours.

Gloucestershire posted a

the Wellsway campus of schools in

The consultation opened last month and runs

picture on their Twitter page

Keynsham.

until Friday (8th January). You can find out

on New Year’s Day, saying:

The principle of a new one-form entry

about

“We are disgusted and angry

primary school on this site was approved in

www.tworiverskeynsham.co.uk or call 0117

to have found the Warmley

2017 as part of the outline planning

9772002.

Skate Park in such an awful

the

proposals

have

people

condemned who

defied

state today. “Not only has this ruined the skate park for those who wanted to use it for skating but

breaching

COVID

legislation is unacceptable behaviour.”

Locals cleared up the mess and the

Local councillor Sam Bromiley called it

skatepark is open although there is fire

“absolutely disgraceful behaviour”. He

damage to part of the Tarmac.

said: “Young people from across the

The police ask anyone with information

community campaigned and worked hard

about those involved to call 101 or to pass

for the site and they will be devastated at

on information anonymously through

the sight of it today.”

Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Sudoku 1-Easy

SUNDAY CHEMISTS Sunday 10th January

2 -Hard

Boots, Gallagher Retail Park, Longwell Green (10.30am-4pm) Asda, Longwell Green (10am-4pm) Boots, Emersons Green Retail Park (10.30am-4.30pm) Sainsbury’s, Emersons Green Retail Park (9.30am-4.30pm) Stockwood Pharmacy, 78 Hollway Road, BS14 8PG (9am-7pm) Keynsham Pharmacy, 15 Station Road, BS31 2BH (10am-4pm) Tesco, Callington Road, Brislington (10am to 4pm) Morrisons, 688-718 Fishponds Road, Fishponds (10am-4pm) Boots, Avonmeads Retail Park, St Philips Causeway (11am-5pm)

The Week in • Wednesday 6th January 20210

Government backtracks Appeal after nightclub assault on planning laws Police want to trace a taxi

The Government has stepped back from one of its controversial proposals to shake up the planning system. But it does not mean it’s ‘as you were’ for all our local authorities as Bristol faces a 35% hike to its housing need figure. In August, the Government published a White Paper called ‘Changes to the current planning system’ which sought to meet a manifesto pledge to build 300,000 new homes a year by the mis2020s. One of the most contentious of the proposals was a radical shake-up in the method used to assess future housing need by local authorities. As we reported during August and September, the new formula for calculating the standard method would have imposed some significant rises in all of our local authority areas. Nationally, it also threw up some anomalies whereby some urban areas in the north would have had their future housing needs reduced with more rural (and as it transpired, Conservative-

voting constituencies) taking up the slack. Amidst threats of a backbench revolt during the autumn, it came as no surprise that the Government issued an initial response to the public consultation on 16th December which addressed the issue of the standard method for assessing housing need. The report says: “We do not propose to proceed with the specific changes to the standard method that were consulted on. Instead we will proceed with a reformed standard method which reflects our commitment to levelling up and enables regeneration and renewal of our urban areas as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.” In short, the response confirms that most local authorities will continue to use the method which was introduced in 2017. However, to meet the target of 300,000 new homes a year, the 20 largest cities and urban areas in England will face a 35% uplift of the housing need figures generated using

the current method. Bristol is one of those 20 cities facing a hike. According the figures supplied by planning consultants Lichfields, it would mean a doubling of the city’s growth rate. While it is currently delivering just over 1,500 dwellings a year, the new figure with the uplift applied would be 3,196. A further response to the other proposals in the ‘Changes to the current planning system’ White Paper is expected this year. These include increasing the threshold on small sites below which developers do not have to contribute towards affordable housing, and making it easier for landowners and developers to obtain ‘planning permission in principle’ on larger developments. A response to a second White Paper, ‘Planning for the Future’, is also due this year. Critics fear the proposals contained in that one will remove much decision-making in future planning applications from local authorities.

driver who drove a man to hospital after he was assaulted at Kingswood nightclub Chasers some months ago. The 26-year-old man was assaulted at the venue in Regent Street between 1.30am and 2.30am on 1st August. After the attack he was taken to Bristol Royal Infirmary by a taxi driver. He required surgery after his jaw was found to be fractured in three places. Last week police said they are keen to speak to the taxi driver, and any other witnesses, as part of their investigation and are appealing for them to call 101 and provide the call handler with the reference 5220172654.

Two men arrested after stabbing in Fishponds Two men have been arrested in connection with a stabbing in the Fishponds area on New Year’s Day. The men, aged 22 and 28, were arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent following a 15-year-old boy on a scooter being injured in Downend Road at about 12.20pm.

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He had been approached by two men near Lawn Road before he was assaulted. He sustained a number of stab wounds and the pair fled the scene. The teenager has been recovering from the incident in

Crossword

hospital. Inquiries are ongoing and police ask any witnesses who ACROSS

DOWN

1. Table ball game (9)

1. Flying mammal (3)

6. Mongrel (3)

2. Song-like (5)

8. Ground (7)

3. ---- the Terrible (4)

9. Sprinkle (5)

4. Milk curdling substance (6)

10. Chance (4) 11. Female fowl (3) 13. Travel by ship (4) 14. Paved terrace (5) 16. Roof timber (6)

5. Waistband (4) 6. Dead body (7) 7. Regal colour (5,4) 10. Opera glass (9)

11. Stringed instruments 18. Ornamental tuft (6) (5) 19. Isolated (5) 12. Saltpetre (5) 21. Not any (4) 14. Podded vegetable (3) 22. Bishop's diocese 15. Cereal (3) (3) 17. Trumpet flourish (7) 23. Subdue (4) 20. Antenna (6) 27. Grilled bread (5) 24. Alert (5) 28. Prehistoric period 25. Pace (4) (4,3) 30. Female sheep (3)

26. Rain heavily (4)

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have not yet contacted them to call 101 and give reference 5221000288.

Witnesses sought after serious collision in Hambrook Police are seeking witnesses and dashcam footage following a collision in Hambrook at about 5.10am on Saturday. Officers and paramedics attended the scene in Filton Road and found a black BMW had left the carriageway. The driver, who is in his 50s, was taken to hospital with what are believed to be life-threatening injuries. Police are keen to hear from anyone who saw what happened or any other vehicles that may have been involved in the collision. If you can help with the investigation, call 101 and give the call handler reference 5221000588.

The Week in • Wednesday 6th January 2021

Historic nuclear bunker to be focal point of new housing development People are being invited to have their say on plans to redevelop the eight-acre government buildings complex in Brislington, which includes Bristol’s Cold War nuclear bunker and the driving test centre. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) based at Flowers Hill will be relocating to various sites at the end of March. The test centre will close next month. The site is allocated by Bristol City Council in its adopted Local Plan for housing and business development. London-based Telereal Trillium, one of the UK’s largest property companies, is proposing to regenerate the site to create around 160 homes including the “sensitive incorporation” of the Grade II listed Bristol War Room which is at the southern end of the government estate. The building was completed in 1953 and was one of 12 purpose-built war rooms in the country designed to withstand an atomic bomb, co-ordinate civil defence in the event of an attack, and protect regional government. Historic England calls it “a rare survival of a purpose-built war room, built to the two-storey semi-sunken design”. The structure is said to be remarkably intact and has been little altered since built. The only other remaining site of its kind is the Reading War Room, which is also Grade II listed. Bristol War Room has been abandoned for a number of years and was most recently in use as a document storage building for the former Avon County Council. Various options for a new use are currently being explored and Telereal Trillium says it will be a focal point within the development. Sam Rosenkranz, asset manager at Telereal Trillium, said: “Earmarked by Bristol City

Council, this site is ideally located to secure future growth and housing delivery for Brislington. Our plans will look to provide a range of starter homes, family homes and affordable homes to help meet the varied needs of the Bristol community, whilst providing an economic boost as the city looks to recover from the current crisis.” The developer is working towards submitting an outline planning application to the city council and the supporting project team are currently consulting on proposals for how the site could be developed. The proposed development is laid out along a central boulevard running north-south through the site. The design will predominantly comprise two-storey family houses with a mixture of semi-detached and terrace units along with a smaller number of detached properties. A pair of four-storey apartment blocks are planned to the northern end of the site which will provide a gateway feature when arriving from Flowers Hill. A further three-storey apartment building is proposed at the eastern side of the site. A large area of open space is located to the southern end, including a play area, with three smaller play areas shown around the site. To find out more visit www.blackbox planning.co.uk/flowers_hill_consultation where there is a short questionnaire which people are asked to complete by Wednesday 20th January. The developer will review feedback and an outline planning application will then be finalised ahead of its submission to the city council early this year. Subject to planning permission being granted, a detailed planning stage would follow, with work starting in 2022/23.

A picture of inside the War Room

Candidates advised of alternative test centres The website of the Driving & Vehicle

current testing provision in the area.

Standards Agency (DVSA) says they have

Candidates can book tests at alternative

been served notice to leave the Flowers

nearby test centres.”

Hill site and the last day that driving tests

The test centres listed are Kingswood,

will be held there is 19th February.

Avonmouth,

“We are working hard to maintain the

Trowbridge.

Chippenham

and

Flowers Hill

The Week in • Wednesday 6th January 2021

Curo’s festive gift to its 2,000+ residents in sheltered housing More than 2,000 people living in Curo’s sheltered housing

to well over 2,000 customers in just four days.”

across the area received a Christmas wellbeing food and

Every customer received a Christmas card, a food box of

activity gift delivery.

treats including scones and jam, mince pies, an orange, coffee

The gift packs also included the Christmas card designed by

or hot chocolate with marshmallows, sweets, plus a

14-year-old Curo resident Gina Paradise, who won the

wordsearch and a writing gift set.

competition organised by Curo as we reported in Issue 659.

With the writing sets, residents were invited to write about a

The packs were hand delivered by staff from teams across

memory from their past or from this extraordinary lockdown

Curo housing association just prior to Christmas.

year. The winning entries will receive a prize and Curo hopes

Michelle Nash, from Curo’s Livewell support service, who

to publish a collection of the short stories in the new year for

helped to organise the deliveries, said: “In normal times we

residents to share with each other.

would have held several Christmas parties and dinners across

Michelle added: “We’ve had heart-warming feedback from

the area but were unable to hold any festive gatherings this

so many of our customers, with one resident telling us that

year. We decided instead to spread some Christmas cheer a

the gesture made her feel that she was not forgotten, and

little differently and, with the help of some of our amazing

another describing the team as angels.”

Foundation Trust, have put on COVID-safe events held

Curo colleagues, we managed to deliver Christmas goodies

Throughout lockdown Curo, along with partners St John’s

outside or online to help bring people together and help

Gina Paradise

people feel less lonely. These have included a series of doorstep

concerts,

Day

celebrations

and

commemorations for Remembrance Day. All Curo sheltered housing and Livewell customers get regular contact from their dedicated teams who check on their wellbeing and provide tailored support, and that has continued throughout the pandemic and lockdowns, with Curo staff delivering in Keynsham

COVID safety measures in place.

The Week in • Wednesday 6th January 2021

Man, 30, is charged with attempted murder A 30-year-old man has been charged with attempted

officers were called to Baxter Close at around 2pm on

Police on Christmas Eve. He was subsequently interviewed

murder following an incident involving a firearm in

Monday 14th December following a reported disturbance. A

by officers from the Major Crime Investigation Team, which

Baxter Close in Kingswood last month.

short time later, a 26-year-old man arrived at hospital with

covers Avon & Somerset and Wiltshire, and was charged on

Taurean Thompson, who is from Kingswood, is the fifth man

multiple injuries including two gunshot wounds. He has since

Christmas Day with attempted murder as well as possession

to be charged in connection with a major police investigation.

been released.

of a firearm when prohibited for life, and possession of a

As we reported in our last issue (23rd December), police

Thompson was arrested by officers from Nottinghamshire

firearm with intent to endanger life.

The Week in • Wednesday 6th January 2021

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