The Week In - Issue 668 - 3rd March 2021 by Media Bath

THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset

3rd March 2021

Issue 668

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‘Cowboy’ operator and council ‘cover-up’ accusations at planning meeting Bath & North East Somerset Council is being accused of “covering up” its handling of a controversial planning application for a concrete firm’s operations in Keynsham. After going through the council’s complaints procedure “to no avail”, seven households living near Old Station Yard have now gone to the Local Government Ombudsman, who investigates complaints about maladministration, and who they say has agreed to take up their case. B&NES Council approved the retrospective application by 4Concrete in January 2020 with planning officers saying that the two silos replaced previous ones on the

Also in this week’s issue

Bath and Portland Stone site and would not create airborne pollution at the site which is off Avon Mill Lane and next to the town’s conservation area. Keynsham Town Council backed the application and B&NES received just two objections. Then last November (Issue 655) we reported that 4Concrete had been granted permission by B&NES to extend working hours at the start and end of the working day on a one-year trial basis once new acoustic barriers had been installed to reduce the noise and dust being suffered by people living nearby. The town council objected to that application with Cllr Clive Fricker telling the B&NES meeting that he and his colleagues were “frankly appalled” to learn what was happening at the site. At the time he told B&NES planning committee that no application for the site to become B2 (general industrial) had ever been received and it had always been regarded as a B1 light industrial site or a warehousing site. Local residents Roger Stone and Mike May attended last week’s virtual meeting of the town council’s planning and development committee meeting on behalf of the households immediately impacted by activities at the yard. They have told the Ombudsman that the town council had been “ill-informed” about the initial application and asked the committee to support their fight.

What happens next for Hambrook traffic trial? . . . page 5

Plans for flats after care home refused . . . page 6

Mr Stone reminded the committee that last summer it had asked B&NES as a matter of some urgency to review the decision that Old Station Yard is Class B2, but no review has taken place. “We residents have spent the last year trying to negotiate with B&NES to reconsider their initial decision regarding the silos and the subsequent horrendous fall-out from that decision, all to no avail. Following our formal complaint that proper due diligence and proper research was never carried out, we have completed stage one and stage two of the complaints procedure, again all to no avail. We are now delighted that the Ombudsman has agreed that there is a need for further independent review and has accepted our case.” Mr Stone said the residents’ main complaint hinges on their belief that proper investigation never took place regarding the development. He called it a “severe dereliction of their (B&NES) duties to safeguard local residents and the Keynsham community as a whole” and to make matters worse, just one local resident had been informed of the original planning application. He said the residents believed that the town council’s planning and development committee had been “to put it politely, ill-informed”: “You were given both acutely misinformed facts and patently the wrong information; for Continued on page 3

Council wants to buy Green Belt land at Keynsham . . . page 7

Blitz on Staple Hill graffiti . . . page 8

The Week in • Wednesday 3rd March 2021

‘Cowboy’ operator and council ‘cover-up’ accusations at planning meeting From page 1 example, (B&NES) planning maintained there was no need for an environmental assessment for noise and traffic which of course has proved to be far from the truth.” Mr Stone said HGV journeys along Avon Mill Lane (which has a 7.5-ton weight limit apart from loading) had increased by more than 100 a day. “Subsequent noise assessments show that the site continues to operate massively in excess of all relevant guidelines. “Planning also implied that 4Concrete were already processing cement. Again not true. There is also no mention of the application being for a large-scale industrial batch processing concrete plant in the application.” Mr Stone told councillors: “We strongly suspect that you would never have agreed that application had you been aware of all the relevant facts.”

‘Devastating impact’ He said the ramifications have had a devastating impact on residents, resulting in physical and serious mental health issues. “All the resulting issues we experience on a daily basis were predictable and should have been highlighted at the time, yet B&NES decided not to do so. Instead they have concentrated on covering up an initial lack of due process, rather than to try to put things right.” He said the residents also have now noise, dust and traffic as a result of “an ever-increasing number of inappropriate industrial concrete companies using the site”. He urged the committee: “Our hope now is that having had the opportunity to consider the evidence we have submitted, you will see fit to write your own response which we can send to the Ombudsman as further evidence and add additional weight to our complaint.” Committee chair Clive Fricker told the meeting that he and colleagues were well aware of the saga and distress that local residents have been put through over the past year. He said it is very unclear why B&NES suddenly said that the site was B2 and that therefore a cement works is perfectly acceptable: “One of the main arguments is that under the old regime with the stone works, activity took place within a building.” He said 4Concrete’s activity takes place outside with “the noise and the dust and everything else let loose. That was never the case before. “I think there is doubt about the classification and there is certainly doubt about the way things have been handled over the past year.” Cllr Fricker said that when as a committee they had considered the retrospective application for the silos, it was from Bath & Portland Stone. “But the very nature of what goes on here has changed. We didn’t know that at the time. A year ago we thought the silos were more of the same. They weren’t.

‘Cloak and mirrors’ “Here you’ve got the transformation of a site to a new unsatisfactory manufacturing centre which has been carried The Week in • Wednesday 3rd March 2021

out with a lot of cloak and mirrors.” He said the report from B&NES Council’s planning officer talked about the process continuing inside and “one or two silos”: “The facts aren’t clear and accurate when these matters were considered.” Cllr Brian Simmons said: “I’ve had a lot of experience with concrete works and I was appalled at the lack of dust control there and the fact that they can jackhammer their cement mixers on a Sunday morning shows that they are not carrying out recommendations of the cement federation…it’s just a cowboy outfit as far as I’m concerned because they could take steps to keep their equipment clean by using muriatic acid, and they could have a continuous water spray dropping all the dust out, but they don’t do anything like that down there at all. They should be washing the lorries in and out as well but they don’t. This should have been a planning condition.” Cllr Simmons added: “I think we should support the residents and recommend they (4Concrete) use acid cleaning in their cement mixers to remove the need to use jackhammers because every other company uses them. Why don’t they?” He also suspected that “the other thing they are probably doing is blocking the drains with concrete”. Mr Stone said pneumatic jackhammers operate at about 112 to 120 decibels and the noise inside a concrete mixer to remove drying concrete is “horrendous”. “Although they are going to be putting barriers up and they have started to put up the barriers, we are absolutely convinced they won’t work and unfortunately we haven’t been able to convince the environmental protection officer that that’s the case. They have not actually measured any

noise jackhammering. They’ve refused to come to my property to measure this noise.” Cllr Fricker said: “I think it is fair also to say that the companies in this location seem to have no interest in good relations with the local residents. They are frankly harassing them and making life extremely unpleasant. We can’t accept that.” The town council’s planning and development committee agreed to write to the Ombudsman to say they feel their decision was based on flawed information. See page 4 for concrete firm’s response.

B&NES Council’s response This week Tim Ball, B&NES Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Economic Development, told us: “Complaints from residents have been fully considered and responded to in detail by the council and other agencies and residents kept fully informed. “Residents have exercised their right to refer the matter to the Local Government Ombudsman (LGO). It will be for the LGO to determine the outcome of the complaint, so it is not appropriate for us to comment in detail at this stage.”

Concrete firm answers criticism In response to what was said at the Keynsham Town Council meeting, 4Concrete’s general manager Jamie Britt said: “The site has a lawful Class B2 use so we are not operating in breach of any planning or legal regulations. “However, we are aware of concerns from the residents and have worked consistently with B&NES, holding regular meetings, making improvements to the yard to ensure we can continue to operate without unduly affecting their amenity. A solution is being progressed and will be in place shortly which will hopefully deliver a positive outcome for all parties.” In response to the “cowboy outfit” claim, he said: “We pride ourselves on providing customers with a high quality product and excellent customer service.” He said there was only one Sunday when

staff had been knocking out the mixer - 1st August 2020 - because the truck had broken down, loaded with 6m3 concrete. “We informed the council before we did this so that they were fully informed of our actions.”

He said the company has stuck to the hours allocated by the council (7.30am to 5.30pm) and given up Yard 6 as a car park to stop complaints from neighbours. “We have been working through COVID-19

which has put enormous pressure on the business in our first year of trading. We have always been open to meeting local residents to discuss any concerns and to resolve any issues they have.”

“We use jackhammers once a month in our trucks to keep up with BSI 8500 standards and keep to the correct weight of our vehicles. The appearance of our vehicles is important to us as they represent the company image. Sometimes the trucks are not washed out in the evening if they arrive back late from site to keep the noise down from upsetting the neighbours.” Mr Britt said dust suppression has been fitted around the yard and a full-time yard cleaner employed, and the company uses biodegradable chemicals “All the water in the yard runs back into our recycling tank which we use back into the concrete.”

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 @theweekineditor

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The Week in • Wednesday 3rd March 2021

Impact of COVID-19 has skewed 18-month traffic trial South Gloucestershire Council is seeking government guidance on what to do about the traffic trial it has been running since August 2019 along the A4174 Ring Road between Bromley Heath Road and M32 junction because of the impact of the pandemic on data. A national assessment of local authority roads had identified the A4174 between Junction 1 of the M32 and the A4017 Bromley Heath roundabout as not complying with legal limits for roadside nitrogen dioxide concentrations. South Gloucestershire Council was subsequently ordered by the government to tackle air pollution on this part of the ring road in the shortest time possible for people living nearby and all road users, including motorists, bus passengers, cyclists and pedestrians. An 18-month Experimental Traffic Order (ETO) restricting some movements for vehicles at the Hambrook traffic lights was introduced in August 2019, aiming to improve air quality and test traffic flow before deciding whether to make the changes permanent. The trial, in line with the arrangements

The Week in • Wednesday 3rd March 2021

implemented during the Bromley Heath Viaduct works in 2017/2018, has seen the removal of the right turn on to the B4058 from the westbound carriageway of the ring road. The straight-on movement for the B4058 northbound from Frenchay has also been removed, as has the right turn from the B4058 from Frenchay onto the A4174. The changes also include the removal of the bus lane through to the M32 so drivers can use all three lanes on the westbound approach. The changes make some journeys longer as drivers have to drive around the M32 roundabout in order to access the B4058 northbound and or the ring road from Frenchay. People were asked to comment during the first six months of the trial and the council received over 1,300 responses. The council had been scheduled to spend the six months from last February examining those responses, and analysing air quality data but the pandemic has impacted monitoring. The final six months of the ETO had been due to be used to decide what the council is going to do and, if it decides to make the changes permanent, to complete the legal process.

This week a council spokesperson told us: “The data from our nitrogen dioxide (NO2) monitoring along the A4174 Ring Road between the A4017 Bromley Heath Road and M32 junction has been significantly impacted by the reduced traffic levels due to

the COVID-19 restrictions. “As only a limited period of the monitoring data is representative of normal traffic conditions, we are seeking guidance from the government’s Joint Air Quality Unit as to the way forward with the scheme.”

New plans for block of flats as replacement care home appeal is lost A developer has lost an appeal to build a replacement care home spread over three buildings on the Treetops site in St Clements Road in Keynsham - but another planning application has now been submitted for a three-storey block of 39 flats. The 57-bed home scheme on the derelict single-storey site, with access from the Keynsham Health Centre car park, was submitted by UKS Ltd who appealed after B&NES Council refused outline planning permission on six grounds – the setting of the conservation area, landscape setting and Green Belt impact, design, amenity space, drainage and sustainable energy provision. The appeal has now been dismissed by a planning inspector on the grounds of layout and amenity space only. He said the car parking arrangements and areas intended for landscaping and private garden spaces would not allow for good design: “It is unclear why so many car parking spaces are required. Even if 33 car

parking spaces could be justified, the staff car parking would occupy much space within the centre of the site. Together with the row of visitor parking in front of the buildings, the proposal would have very significant areas of hardstanding and would convey the impression of a layout heavily influenced by car parking. This would not amount to good design.” He said the ‘footprints’ of three buildings would result in limited space for landscape planting to soften the impact of the development; and described the proposed private garden spaces as “rather mean.” Meanwhile the new application for outline planning permission for 39 flats is from Treetops Bristol Ltd. It includes 46 car parking spaces, eight visitor spaces and 84 cycle spaces. The 30 two-bedroom flats would be dual-aspect with private balconies. There would also be nine onebedroom flats. The site plan shows that vehicular access would continue to be from the shared access

The shared entrance with the derelict Treetops care home on the right

on St Clements Road, with parking retained along the front of the site as well as at basement level, accessed from the front of the building. The new block would have broadly the same

footprint as the existing building, and has been designed to sit below the ridge height of the neighbouring health centre. The planning application reference is 21/00701/OUT.

The Week in • Wednesday 3rd March 2021

Council set to buy 70 acres of land in Keynsham Bath & North East Somerset Council is looking to purchase 70 acres of Green Belt land in Keynsham to enable the early delivery of transport infrastructure plans as part of the regional Joint Local Transport Plan. The council is seeking a grant from the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) Land Acquisition Fund to help with the purchase. While commercial sensitivity has so far prevented B&NES from publicly identifying the precise location, it describes the purchase as “currently in the Green Belt and not allocated, but in the future could form part of a wider area, that through comprehensive development could deliver 1,500+ homes. “The enabling infrastructure would help to alleviate existing traffic congestion in Keynsham, enable delivery of wider public transport improvements as well as unlock access to the site and support the new development.” The West of England Joint Spatial Plan, the economic and housing blueprint for the region through to 2036, was rejected by government inspectors in 2019 because the selection process for strategic development locations had not been sufficiently robust. Its replacement, the West of England Spatial Development Strategy, is now working out where homes should go. The Joint Local Transport Plan, which outlines the major infrastructure improvements necessary to support new

housing was adopted however, and this includes major projects at Hicks Gate and North Keynsham. The latter is a plan for a relief road from the A4 at Pixash Lane to the junction of Avon Mill Lane and the A4175 Keynsham Road. Although the relief road would divert a large amount of through traffic away from the centre of Keynsham, the area was also designated as one of the development sites for around 1,500 houses. No development would be allowed to happen until the The North Keynsham necessary infrastructure was in place strategic development and it is assumed that the council location feels it has a better chance of constitution are not subject to call-in. delivering the project if it owns the land. A decision is due to be made this week under a special The Land Acquisition Fund was set up in 2018 with £24m urgency rule in the council’s constitution. Normally, to enable WECA and the constituent authorities to purchase decisions taken by the B&NES Cabinet member responsible sites directly to unlock and accelerate the delivery of for the portfolio are published in advance to allow for public infrastructure and housing. The funding is available where consultation beforehand. They are also able to be ‘called in’ there is clear market failure and not for speculative land afterwards by the scrutiny panel. However, decisions buying. Just over £8m was used to acquire land for the Bath published under Urgency Article 15 of the council’s Riverside development.

Gym club’s supporters make their voices heard More than 650 objections to plans to redevelop an industrial estate in Longwell Green have already flooded into South Gloucestershire Council. As we revealed last week, the proposed redevelopment of land to the west of Marsham Way includes the former Saville’s Freights depot, where Majestic Gymnastics is based. The venue draws hundreds of gymnasts from not just South Gloucestershire but B&NES, Bristol, Wiltshire and Wales. Four GB squad members are currently training there in preparation for the TeamGym European Championships. Majestic Gymnastics’ owners had been told in preapplication discussions with the developer that a

The Week in • Wednesday 3rd March 2021

gym venue could be retained in the redevelopment but that is no longer the case because economic circumstances have changed. Majestic could instead take one of the proposed warehouses on the site, but they say the rent would be too high for them. With their lease expiring in September, the club are now fighting for survival. They argue that the application does not comply with council policy by providing a replacement provision to a community club that is still in demand, and that there is no alternative provision within walking distance. Their rally cry to their supporters has resulted in the deluge of objections to the council.

One of Majestic’s gym spaces

LETTERS Keynsham’s becoming a dumping ground Dear Editor After the tragic explosion at Avonmouth in December 2020 causing the death of four engineers, do we really need another similar dangerous ‘gas from waste food’ disposal plant near a residential area at Charlton Road in Keynsham? 20,000 plus lorry movements a year, 58 a day, seven days a week via Woollard Lane is dangerous. Even turning into the

countryside?”

work and feeling pushed into retirement.

This sort of butchery is unacceptable and

This will cause them further financial

leaves a trail of broken branches, mud

difficulties and affect their mental

and rubbish everywhere. It is a blight on

wellbeing.

our countryside at a time when the British

This real issue for people over 50 of

native bird population is declining.

working age has just ballooned since the

They should be ashamed of themselves

pandemic. We call for local and national

leaving a trail of destruction like this.

agencies to address this issue urgently

This hedge butchery has left an ugly mark

and put in place real support for people

on Webbs Heath, and has now spoilt the

over 50 looking for employment.

area.

Jobcentre Plus has got several helpful

It looks a right mess!

support schemes but unless one registers

Ms S Freeman

through Jobcentre Plus, via the internet or

site across oncoming traffic on Charlton Road will cause accidents.

by telephone, and asks for a job coach they could be missing out on support.

due shortly, which will receive recycled

Over 50s of working age need a voice

and

Dear Editor

are heard contact via 07967102141 or via

Keynsham is fast becoming a dumping

The South Gloucestershire Over 50s

our email address southglosover50s@

ground for everyone’s waste.

Forum is concerned that the numbers of

gmail.com or http://southglosover50s

Alan Coventry

people over 50 who are unemployed are

forum.btck.co.uk. We make a difference

Keynsham

not getting the voice this issue deserves.

by ensuring your voice is heard.

As the voice for all residents over 50 in

Margaret Slucutt

South Glos. we are keen to raise this real

Chair South Glos. Over 50s Forum

With the new, enlarged tip at Pixash Lane general

rubbish

from

Bath,

Hedgerows on heath have been ‘butchered’ Dear Editor horrific site of ‘bush butchers’ at work on Webbs Heath. The bushes have been massacred and are now a scar on the countryside. Whether they will recover from this butchery we will have to see. The words of Chris Packham came to mind when he came across the same thing: “I’ve

sickened

smashed

‘hedgerows’ for years, how can anyone actually think that this an acceptable way to

We know that Government has a special work because it is vital that they learn skills and find employment. However there are as many people over 50, of working age, unemployed as our young. It is really challenging to get a job over 50. Sadly, experience says they may take at least two years to find a job and will face age bias as they search. Companies seem to miss the added benefit of having

been

treat

valuable

part

our

To ensure the voices of people over 50

and growing problem. initiative to enable young people into

On my way to work I came across the

Don’t let pride get in the way of support.

older staff who have skills, knowledge and can be a real asset. We understand that some people will not have well-developed IT skills but surely that can be rectified and not needed for all jobs. An age-diverse workforce offers

Write to us The Week In is independent of any political or commercial interest. We aim to produce a balanced and accurate view of local news and welcome comments from our readers. Normally, we will publish letters in full but reserve the right to shorten or clarify the contents or to refuse publication. Please try to keep letters under 300 words and supply your full name and address for reasons of authentication. Only the name and district where you live will be reproduced. Anonymity is possible under certain circumstances.

all kind of benefits. Employers need to ensure job descriptions and person specifications do not use ageist language and thought is given to the recruitment process. We must prevent a generation of older potential staff from falling out of

Copy can be sent by post or, preferably, e-mail and should arrive at our offices no later than 9.00am on the Monday of each week. E-mail to:admin@theweekin.co.uk

Blitz on graffiti in Staple Hill A major clear-up operation of graffiti in and around the High Street and Broad Street in Staple Hill is planned, with South Gloucestershire Council waiving the cost of removing it because there is such a huge amount. Local councillor Ian Boulton told last Thursday’s local Community Engagement Forum that the council has agreed to clean it free of charge but for a limited time only. He said the usual cost would be £80.50 an hour. Cllr Boulton encourages anyone whose property has been graffitied and would like it cleaned off to get in touch with him. His email is ian.boulton@southglos.gov.uk The meeting heard that a multi-agency approach is being taken to the problem including the council’s AntiSocial Behaviour Team and the police beat team who will be using covert methods to try to stop any further graffiti. Local beat manager Neal Scarborough told the meeting that a couple of tags are cropping up everywhere. He said just by taking out one of the artists with the tag ‘Test’, they could make the area look a lot better. He urged anyone with information that could help to get in touch with the police.

The Week in • Wednesday 3rd March 2021

Saltford features in prime-time TV detective drama Locations in Saltford featured in the first episode of a new

for one of the dramatic scenes.

series of the ITV detective drama McDonald & Dodds at

Bath-based McDonald & Dodds pairs DCI

the weekend.

McDonald (Tala Gouveia), who has

The new series is made up of three feature-length episodes,

recently transferred from the Met Police,

and the first aired on Sunday night involving a hot air balloon

with the unassuming DS Dodds (Jason

trip which ends in murder.

Watkins).

Avon Farm, the holiday accommodation site, was used as a

They were joined in the first episode of this

location for the filming last September. Serena Davies from

new series by guest cast members including

the farm kindly shared images with The Week In that she

Rob Brydon, Martin Kemp and Patsy

took on the set in Saltford, including this one of preparations

Kensit. Working

line

with

COVID-19

restrictions, production company Mammoth Screen spent four months from September filming at various locations in and around

Actors Tala Gouveia & Jason Watkins

Bath including Royal Victoria Park, the Guildhall and Indigo Hotel on South Parade.

and the highly acclaimed Netflix series Bridgerton, which

Filming was co-ordinated by Bath & North East Somerset

also featured Bath.”

Council’s Film Office. Paul Crossley, Cabinet member for

Location filming for McDonald & Dodds also took place in

Community Services, said: “McDonald & Dodds was a big

Bristol, coordinated by Bristol Film Office at locations

hit with viewers last year and so we were delighted to

including A Bond Tobacco Warehouse on Cumberland Road,

welcome the production team back to the city to film the

at Berkeley Square and at City Hall.

second series. “Despite COVID-19 our film office has had a busy year. Since last April, 107 days of filming have taken place, bringing around £1.2m into the local economy and many more productions are lined up to film in the area in the coming months. “It really is great news as it helps to promote Bath and North East Somerset to a wider audience and encourages screen tourism. “If restrictions allow, we expect to benefit from an influx of visitors this summer wanting to location spot following the

Sports pavilion approved Plans for a single-storey sports pavilion next to the existing football pitch at Blackhorse Primary School in Blackhorse Lane, Downend, have been approved by South Gloucestershire Council. The site is important to community sport and is wellused by Emersons Green Junior FC.

huge success of programmes such as McDonald & Dodds

Sudoku 1-Easy

SUNDAY CHEMISTS Sunday 7th February

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 3rd March 2021

Developer withdraws housing bid at former nurseries site Plans to build up to nine homes at the former Whitegate Nurseries on Stockwood Hill in Keynsham have been withdrawn. Whitegate Nurseries closed in 2018 after 64 years, blaming crippling business rates and competition from big retailers. We reported last November (Issue 634) that Mase Construction Ltd was seeking ‘permission in principle’ from Bath & North East Somerset Council for the former garden

centre and plant nursery with access via the existing access from Stockwood Hill. No decision had been made by B&NES Council but Keynsham Town Council had lodged an objection, saying the proposal amounted to overdevelopment and was outside the building boundary for Keynsham, with an unsafe access on to Stockwood Hill which could not cope with the extra vehicle movements that the proposal would create: “This narrow and dangerous road has already seen an excessive increase in traffic movements generated by the expansion/improvements at the Stockwood Hill Golf Club.” And the B&NES highways officer who looked at the redevelopment proposals noted there are no footpaths or cycleways to provide safe access for future residents to get to either Stockwood or Keynsham. The site is 700 metres outside the nearest defined housing boundary and is remote from services, employment opportunities; and not well served by public transport.

Festival becomes a victim of the pandemic for a second year This year’s Mangotsfield Festival, like last year’s, has been cancelled because of the pandemic. The committee had to cancel last year’s event in June and had set a provisional date of 12th June for the 2021 festival. They say the cancellations have given the organising committee a chance to reflect. “It’s clear that the festival needs to change and evolve to better reflect what people want and expect from it. “Our current thinking is to run a different festival, made up of a number of events spread throughout the week, culminating in Festival Day itself which will still give local schools and organisations a chance to show what they can do but also have more family friendly ‘free stuff’ to excite, engage, amuse and entertain. “We have a few ideas of the sorts of things we could do but, and it’s a big but. The existing committee is small and we are not as young as we were. To run a new style festival with more events and more ‘stuff’

will require many more people to get involved. So we’d love to hear what you want to see at the festival and love to see more people helping out.” You can get in touch by email to yourviews@mangotsfieldfestival.co.uk or chair@mangotsfieldfestival.co.uk The festival is still able to award grants to local voluntary organisations to support their work in the community and in 2019/20 gave out more than £1,000. Find out more at https://www.mangots fieldfestival.co.uk/community-award/

Crossword ACROSS

DOWN

1. Fibrous tissue (8)

1. Scottish lake (4)

5. Sediment (4)

2. Highest point (4)

7. Disconcert (9)

3. Electronic message (1-4)

9. Keep secret (4) 10. Mess (4) 11. Takes flight (5) 14. Heartbeat (5) 15. Bury (5) 16. Carries (5) 17. Bailiff (5) 18. Saying (5) 19. Speak slowly (5) 22. Expel (4) 24. Small US coin (4) 26. Lawyer (9) 27. Smear (4) 28. Course of study (8)

4. Number in trio (5) 5. Rich and juicy (4) 6. Carpenter's framework (8) 7. Alpine plant (9) 8. Brine (4,5) 11. Celebrated (5) 12. Additional (5) 13. Sails (anag.) (5) 14. Forgiven (8) 20. Wrecked buildings (5) 21. Spin around (5) 23. Grave (4) 24. Fizzy drink (4) 25. Hence (4)

The Week in • Wednesday 3rd March 2021

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Spring is on its way – and we have never needed it more! At this time of year, most of us are eager for winter to relinquish its hold over our lives and for spring to arrive and this year is no exception to that rule - in fact even more so in 2021, with the constraints of lockdown bearing down upon us for many months. However, no matter how dismal things may sometimes feel, records suggest that recent springs are occurring about 11 days earlier than they did a century ago, but the promise of increasingly warm and bright days ahead seems a way off following the recent cold snap and snow we have just experienced. Meteorologists hail the beginning of spring on the 1st March but in recent years we have had snow as late as March and April, and whilst the local kids might have welcomed the opportunity for a ‘snow day’, the keen gardeners amongst us might not have been quite so pleased, since drifted snow can crush delicate new plants, and the weight can

even damage larger conifers or even garden structures like fences, sheds and greenhouses. This said, according to Royal Horticultural Society's (RHS) chief horticultural adviser Guy Barter, a blanket of snow later in the year is not always a bad thing, flowering bulbs can be delayed slightly, prolonging the flowering period and leading to a more impressive show as they all bloom together. You may even be treated to seeing hardy spring flowers like primulas and anemones flowering alongside your hellebores and winter pansies as the late winter blooms are prolonged. So, you have provided a bit of extra food for the winged garden visitors and mother nature seems to have the borders sussed giving you an even more colourful garden this spring; where does this leave the hardscape elements of the garden? Well if your fence was groaning under the weight of drifted snow and struggling to stand against the

The Week in • Wednesday 3rd March 2021

accompanying icy winds then you could consider an alternative that is tougher than traditional wooden fencing such as ColourFence. This type of fencing needs very little aftercare and can stand up to 130mph gusts leaving you more time to knock the snow off the roof of the greenhouse!

On the bright side, ‘Astronomical Spring’ is due a little later in March so maybe we can hope for some sunshine then. Keep a look out for bumblebees and butterflies waking from their winter slumber, frog spawn in ponds and garden birds collecting nesting materials, all of which hail sunnier days to come!

New nursery and pre-school for Keynsham A new nursery and pre-school has opened in Keynsham this week. Leaping Lambs is based at the Elim Pentecostal Church in Balmoral Road and is owned by Rebecca Lewis. She also owns Leaping Lambs at the converted chapel on Bath Road at Swineford as well as Caterpillars Day Nursery at the Royal United Hospital in Bath. Rebecca says she had been looking for some time for suitable premises for a nursery and pre-school in Keynsham, which is her home town. The new setting has room for nine babies, 12 toddlers and 25 pre-schoolers. There is a large outside space to play as well

learning.”

as plenty of on-site parking for parents to

Funded childcare is available. For more

drop off and pick up safely.

information visit www.leapinglambsnursery.

Rebecca says: “We are very proud of our

co.uk, call 0117 4727900, or take a virtual

fully qualified forest school staff, natural

tour on Leaping Lambs Keynsham’s

resources and our curiosity approach to

Facebook page.

Emersons Green Hospital continues to support NHS The Practice Plus Group hospital at

are being carried out at the hospital (formerly

Emersons Green is working with North

known as Emersons Green Treatment

Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) to ensure urgent

Centre), as well as urgent general surgery.

cancer surgeries can go ahead despite the

During the first period of lockdown, the team

current lockdown.

worked with specialists from the Bristol

Breast, urological and skin cancer surgeries

Breast Care Centre on urgent cancer care.

Litter picking blitz on B&NES roads Litter in hedgerows and verges on the busiest

equivalent of a light goods vehicle.

high-speed roads across Bath and North East

Among the roads still to be tackled are:

Somerset is being tackled in a seven-week

• Woollard Lane and Charlton Road to

clean-up operation.The council’s cleansing

Keynsham (today and tomorrow);

teams are picking up rubbish thrown from

• A367 on 8th & 9th March;

vehicles on A and B roads with traffic

• Queen Charlton Lane on 18th & 19th

management in place as the teams clean up

March;

more than 150 miles of verges at a cost of

• Stockwood Lane on 22nd March;

£18,000 to the council. Last year crews

• A431 Kelston Road on 31st March;

collected more than 188 bags of unnecessary

• A4 Globe to the car sales at Saltford on 2nd

waste weighing in at 3.5 tonnes, the

April.

Keep in touch, let us know what you think, send us your news www.facebook.com/theweekin 12

The Week in • Wednesday 3rd March 2021

Max beats his fundraising target for Cancer Research An 11-year-old from North Common who set out to try to raise £100 for charity has reached £1,000. Max Britton decided he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his Auntie Nat by joining the Run 56 Miles Challenge for Cancer Research. He asked his dad if they could Max Britton do it together and they began running a couple of miles each evening. Max, who attends St Barnabas Primary School, was not a big runner prior to that, but he persevered every day through some fairly dreadful February weather. Last Thursday, Max completed 56.2 miles for the month, with three days to spare. Meanwhile, his mother Fliss set up a JustGiving page for people to donate and encourage him. As we went to press the total had reached £1,030. Fliss told us: “Max has been overwhelmed by the amount of money people have donated and wants to say a big thank you. It’s a great achievement for an 11-year-old and what a way to keep fit during lockdown.” You can find out more at: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/max-britton

School’s solar scheme Broadlands School in St Francis Road, Keynsham, has applied to B&NES Council for prior approval to install solar PV panels with a system capacity of 220 kWp on the roofs of three buildings. The application reference is 21/00786/SOLPA.

Situations Vacant

Plane travels by road to its new Brislington home Under police escort, an old Boeing 727 plane travelled on the back of a lorry from Cotswold Airport at Kemble to its new home in Brislington on Saturday via the M5, M4, M32 and Avon Ring Road. Events company Pytch Ltd, which bought the fuselage from Air Salvage, got planning permission from Bristol City Council to put it next to its premises in Bonville Road for use as office and meeting space.

Whitfield Tabernacle seeks new trustees Now that the Whitfield Tabernacle in Kingswood has been

trustees, but we knew we would need to grow and develop

identified as one of the projects to benefit from the Love Our

our membership as we move towards full development of the

High Streets and Future High Streets funding secured by

building.

South Gloucestershire Council, the trustees of the 18th

“We are still working to see how we can use the tabernacle

century, Grade I listed building are looking to strengthen their

to both celebrate its part in Kingswood’s history, and provide

board.

an attractive space for performances and presentations that

As the project to restore and develop the site starts to take

can be enjoyed by the local community. We need some

shape, the current trustees have identified that they need new

additional skills on our board to help us get that right.”

members who can help with issues such as fundraising, event

Anyone who thinks they might be interested in joining the

planning, buildings management and financial matters.

Whitfield Tabernacle Trust as a trustee is asked to contact the

Chair of the trust Chair the Rev Anthony Hick said: “We have

secretary Kim Scudamore on 0117 9322723 or email

good community representation through our founding

Kim.Scudamore@whitfieldtabernacle.org

Fraudster jailed A fraudster from Marksbury who

into

transferring

money

groomed women on dating sites to scam

promising he would pay them back. He

thousands of pounds from them was

would make up time-critical scenarios

jailed at Bristol Crown Court on Friday.

that he needed cash for – including car

Sebastian Timmis, of Hill View, pleaded

repairs, utility bills or to pay for food –

guilty to 10 counts of fraud by false

and never gave the money back. He

representation in relation to offences

instead used the money for gambling.

committed between January 2018 and

In total, Timmis defrauded 10 women

September 2020.

out of more than £48,000. His victims

The 29-year-old used dating apps and

included women from Bristol, Cheddar,

websites to establish the trust of his

Devizes,

victims before claiming to them he

Cardiff, Birmingham and Cheltenham.

needed money urgently.

He was jailed for three years and four

Timmis would pressurise his victims

months.

Bournemouth,

him,

Malvern,

Sebastian Timmis

Holiday club fun

The Week in • Wednesday 3rd March 2021

Bitton Parish Council funded a holiday club run by Swift

parish's commitment to setting up this scheme.

Sports Coaching at The Meadows Primary School over the

“We had so much fun, from pancake making and eating to

February half term to help support families and the children

Nerf battles, Ninja training and loads more!”

of keyworkers.

Chair of the council Erica Williams thanked Swift

Swift Sports Coaching said it had been a fantastic week: “A

Sports Coaching and said she was glad the council could

huge thanks to The Meadows for hosting and to the local

provide something fun for local children in these difficult

schools within the parish area who have supported Bitton

times. 13

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2 3 6 8 4 1 7 5 9

8 7 5 9 6 2 4 1 3

1 6 7 4 3 5 9 2 8

Crossword Solution

2-Hard 5 8 9 2 1 7 3 6 4

3 2 4 6 8 9 5 7 1

9 5 8 1 7 4 2 3 6

6 4 3 5 2 8 1 9 7

7 1 2 3 9 6 8 4 5

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