The SouthGlos Post

E.ON UK is holding a series pf public exhibitions to provide an update on the company’s plans for a potential new nuclear power station at Oldbury-on-Severn.

The exhibitions will also provide information about studies that the company anticipates will be included in any future Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

Attendees will be given a first glance at two indicative layouts of the site and will be able to register feedback.

The next exhibition takes place on Saturday 28th November at Cossham Hall, Chapel Street, Thornbury, between 10am and 6pm.

Related link: Oldbury nuclear power plans (E.ON UK)

South Gloucestershire Council in conjunction with Bristol City Council is undertaking consultation on the development of a major transport scheme – the North Fringe to Hengrove Package.

The Package was identified in the South West Regional Funding Advice with a total allocation of £168m and comprises of a proposed rapid transit network with two branches in South Gloucestershire. One in Aztec West – through Bradley Stoke, Stoke Gifford, Harry Stoke and Coldharbour Lane. The second branch will run from Emersons Green past Hambrook and both routes will go along the M32 to Bristol city centre.

In July, the Government announced ‘in principle’ funding for the scheme.

Consultation has now started in the run up to submitting a Major Scheme Business Case to the Department for Transport in March 2010.

Residents and businesses are urged to get involved and have their say on the proposed rapid transit routes.

Councillor Brian Allinson, executive member for planning, transportation and strategic environment, said: “By working together through the West of England Partnership, the four authorities have an impressive track record in attracting major investment in transport in the area, including the North Fringe to Hengrove Package.

“This important transport scheme is designed to tackle congestion and enhance quality of life by improving road safety, air quality, and access to job opportunities. It is also intended to help people get to school and work more efficiently and strengthen the local economy by ensuring that there are realistic alternatives to car travel. All in all, it will have a hugely positive impact for our residents and businesses.

“We look forward to hearing the views of residents and businesses on our proposals and hope they will take the time to respond to this consultation.”

Exhibitions are planned for:

• Aztec West 30 Nov to 4 Dec (un-staffed)
• Willow Brook Centre (Tesco) Bradley Stoke 30 Nov to 7 Dec (un-staffed)
• University of the West of England (Frenchay campus, One Zone lounge) Thursday 3 Dec noon to 2pm (staffed)
• Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre/Library Saturday 5 Dec 9am to noon (staffed)
• Sainsburys Emersons Green 7 to 14 Dec (un-staffed)
• The Community Hall in Little Stoke 9 Dec 4pm to 8pm (staffed)

Information including a questionnaire is now available on the website – www.travelplus.org.uk/NorthFringetoHengrove – alternatively call 01454 868004.

Postcards with details of the exhibitions are being distributed to 30,000 householders along the route. Leaflets will also be available in local libraries from Monday 30 November.

Source: South Gloucestershire Council

South Gloucestershire Council has taken legal action over a house in Coalpit Heath which has been empty for over 16 years.

The action coincides with a National Week of Action on Empty Homes which runs from 23 to 27 November.

The property is being made the subject of an Empty Dwelling Management Order (EDMO) as part of the council’s Empty Homes Strategy. The strategy sets out the initiatives which the council plans to implement over the next five years to re-use empty properties across the district.

EDMOs will be applied where a property has been empty for over three years for no justifiable reason. The powers will be used as a last resort where the owner has refused all reasonable offers of assistance from the council, such as the possibility of a low interest Empty Homes Loan and advice and information on how to cost-effectively improve a property’s condition. Once an EDMO is obtained the council will carry out any essential works needed and the property will then be let to meet local housing need.

In South Gloucestershire there are approximately 100 properties that have been empty for over three years many of which have poor exteriors, overgrown gardens, piles of rubbish and are an eyesore in local neighbourhoods. Empty homes are also a wasted housing resource.

Empty homes are a national problem with the recession causing a nine per cent jump in the number of private homes empty for over six months across England. However, in South Gloucestershire the success of the Empty Homes Team has bucked that trend. The national figure for properties empty for more than six months is 1.6 per cent whilst in South Gloucestershire this figure has remained at 0.75 per cent for the last six months.

Through working with property owners, the council has returned 103 properties to use over the same period, exceeding its half year target of 75. These impressive achievements are a result of additional resources being allocated to focus on the problem of long term empty homes.

Cllr Matthew Riddle, executive member for community care and housing, said: “Returning empty properties to use is a key concern for local communities, which is why we have invested extra resources in tackling this problem. Obviously where possible we want to work with owners and find positive voluntary solutions that avoid the use of an Empty Dwelling Management Orders, which is a last resort.”

Sarah McNamara, empty homes officer, said: “Before the introduction of EDMOs, neighbours living next to long term empty properties often had to put up with an eyesore as we relied on the co-operation of the owner to bring their empty property back into use. Now we have the legal power to take positive action that will benefit the whole community.”

Source: South Gloucestershire Council

Two Patchway Neighbourhood Police Community Support Officers found a cannabis factory after responding to anonymous information.

Pat Gardener and Rob Hendra went to Rodway Road on Wednesday November 25 2009 after reports that of suspicious behaviour at a house.

They found a house which had been left insecure and went in to check the property.

Inside, they found 50 cannabis plants and evidence that electricity was being abstracted from the mains.

Neighbourhood Inspector Bob Evely said: “I’d like to thank the community. Their information has helped us close down a cannabis factory and disrupt drug dealing.

“It has also enabled us to ensure the property and local homes are safe – obviously abstraction of electricity can create a potential fire risk.”

Insp Evely added that police enquiries to trace those responsible for growing the cannabis continue, and asked anyone with any information to contact Filton Police Station on 0845 456 7000. Alternatively people can call the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Source: Avon and Somerset Police

A wind band from Yate has won a coveted award at the West of England and South Wales Regional Concert Band Festival in Monmouth.

Earlier this month Yate Music Centre’s Senior Wind Band performed a 20 minute programme of music for woodwind, brass and percussion under the experienced baton of musical director David Pagett, to scoop the prestigious Platinum Award.

As a result, the band, which receives support from South Gloucestershire Council, will now be invited to perform again at the 2010 National Concert Band Festival (NCBF) which is to be held on the 10 and 11 April at the Birmingham Conservatoire.

The band will now be concentrating their rehearsal time on preparations for both the National Concert Band Festival Finals in April and their annual Christmas concert at Brimsham GreenSchool on 12 December.

Yate Music Centre is one of three area music centres run by South Gloucestershire Council Music Service. It consists of a senior wind band, intermediate wind band, senior string ensemble, intermediate string ensemble and training string ensemble, all of which meet and rehearse at BrimshamGreenSchool on Saturday mornings.

Cllr Sheila Cook, executive member for children and young people, said: “The Yate senior wind band should be very proud of their excellent achievement. I very much look forward to following their exploits at the national level next April.”

The band are keen to attract both sponsorship and performance opportunities that would allow them to showcase their new concert programme before the national finals in April.

Laura Daykin, one of the band’s tutors, said: “A Platinum Award from the NCBF is a really fantastic achievement for these talented young musicians. It is a testament to their hard work and dedication that they have been given the highest possible award in recognition of the weeks of hard work and practice that contributed to their performance.”

If you can help the band or if you are interested in supporting the work of Yate Music Centre, please get in touch via South Gloucestershire Music Service who can be contacted by email at musicservice@southglos.gov.uk.

Full details of all the young musicians groups and the work of the Music Service is available online www.southglos.gov.uk/musicservice.

Source: South Gloucestershire Council