From our Parish Councillors
July 2021
Allotments
Parish Councils have an obligation to provide adequate allotments. We set up the Jubilee allotments In Winterbourne some years back which have been full most of the time. There is a smaller area within Frenchay on the former hospital site but there is a need to look for more land. As Adrian Collins reported in the previous edition we have been looking at an area by the side of the village hall which is partly overgrown and has the potential of a new allotment area. Local feedback so far suggests positive comments and there has been a lot more interest in the past few years as stated in the media in growing vegetables locally at allotments and good for the mind, fitness and teaching children on how produce is grown. Winterbourne Parish Council have been discussing this area in Frenchay and possible grants and money available for allotments from local building developments contributions.
Beckspool Road
The 'build outs' to slow the traffic opposite the Church on Beckspool Road installed a few years ago have been controversial and many cars have had damaged wheels. It was agreed by South Glos Council that a review would be done and likely they would be replaced by traffic calming speed tables similar to the ones from the Village Hall towards Cedar Hall. One speed table at this area has had the side of the Common eroded and South Glos Council have agreed to repair this and look at better methods to prevent motorists avoiding going over them as they are designed to do.
Former Hospital Site
There has been a delay in the handover of the land to Winterbourne Parish Council due to some outstanding works to be completed and other items. We have had some constructive Zoom and on-site meetings with North Bristol Trust who still own the land.
Our solicitors have been looking into legal aspects and we hope in the near future that the land will be handed over for future generations in Frenchay to enjoy under the control of Winterbourne Parish Council.
Paul Kembery,
Chair, Winterbourne Parish Council
Allotments
Parish Councils have an obligation to provide adequate allotments. We set up the Jubilee allotments In Winterbourne some years back which have been full most of the time. There is a smaller area within Frenchay on the former hospital site but there is a need to look for more land. As Adrian Collins reported in the previous edition we have been looking at an area by the side of the village hall which is partly overgrown and has the potential of a new allotment area. Local feedback so far suggests positive comments and there has been a lot more interest in the past few years as stated in the media in growing vegetables locally at allotments and good for the mind, fitness and teaching children on how produce is grown. Winterbourne Parish Council have been discussing this area in Frenchay and possible grants and money available for allotments from local building developments contributions.
Beckspool Road
The 'build outs' to slow the traffic opposite the Church on Beckspool Road installed a few years ago have been controversial and many cars have had damaged wheels. It was agreed by South Glos Council that a review would be done and likely they would be replaced by traffic calming speed tables similar to the ones from the Village Hall towards Cedar Hall. One speed table at this area has had the side of the Common eroded and South Glos Council have agreed to repair this and look at better methods to prevent motorists avoiding going over them as they are designed to do.
Former Hospital Site
There has been a delay in the handover of the land to Winterbourne Parish Council due to some outstanding works to be completed and other items. We have had some constructive Zoom and on-site meetings with North Bristol Trust who still own the land.
Our solicitors have been looking into legal aspects and we hope in the near future that the land will be handed over for future generations in Frenchay to enjoy under the control of Winterbourne Parish Council.
Paul Kembery,
Chair, Winterbourne Parish Council
February 2021
2020 has been a challenging time for all of us, and your parish councillors have continued to work to the best of their capabilities, with Zoom meetings and socially-distanced site meetings where necessary. The four Frenchay councillors have been monitoring local issues. The Frenchay Parkland site, in part of the former hospital site, has taken up a lot of our time trying to ensure works are done to the correct standard, prior to the eventual handover to Winterbourne Parish Council to manage for future generations.
The 20 mph zone on Beckspool Road has generally worked well but some areas of the raised grass bunding, which helps protect the Common, has been eroded next to some speed tables, and we have asked South Glos. Council to repair them or to look into a way of protecting them, which they have agreed to do. The community speed watch is continuing to progress, and my thanks go out to local volunteers and FRA members.
The new Frenchay school has been delayed but they are looking to start building in early 2021, which, I am sure, will be very welcome to teaching staff, governors, and children alike. There is progress on what the existing school building may become in the future.
We have discussed local areas where we hope to promote some bio-diversity within the parish. The parish clerks based at the Greenfield Centre in Winterbourne have managed the office and wider community extremely well under the current circumstances, and I wish to express my thanks to them and the rest of the staff. They have tried to keep play areas locally as open as possible and also the public toilets in Flaxpits Lane in Winterbourne next to the Post Office.
I wish everyone a more positive and happy 2021 and hope that the vaccine roll-out is smooth and that we all get back to some form of normality.
Paul Kembery,
Chair, Winterbourne Parish Council
2020 has been a challenging time for all of us, and your parish councillors have continued to work to the best of their capabilities, with Zoom meetings and socially-distanced site meetings where necessary. The four Frenchay councillors have been monitoring local issues. The Frenchay Parkland site, in part of the former hospital site, has taken up a lot of our time trying to ensure works are done to the correct standard, prior to the eventual handover to Winterbourne Parish Council to manage for future generations.
The 20 mph zone on Beckspool Road has generally worked well but some areas of the raised grass bunding, which helps protect the Common, has been eroded next to some speed tables, and we have asked South Glos. Council to repair them or to look into a way of protecting them, which they have agreed to do. The community speed watch is continuing to progress, and my thanks go out to local volunteers and FRA members.
The new Frenchay school has been delayed but they are looking to start building in early 2021, which, I am sure, will be very welcome to teaching staff, governors, and children alike. There is progress on what the existing school building may become in the future.
We have discussed local areas where we hope to promote some bio-diversity within the parish. The parish clerks based at the Greenfield Centre in Winterbourne have managed the office and wider community extremely well under the current circumstances, and I wish to express my thanks to them and the rest of the staff. They have tried to keep play areas locally as open as possible and also the public toilets in Flaxpits Lane in Winterbourne next to the Post Office.
I wish everyone a more positive and happy 2021 and hope that the vaccine roll-out is smooth and that we all get back to some form of normality.
Paul Kembery,
Chair, Winterbourne Parish Council
November 2020
The Parish Council has continued to operate well under the restrictions. We have held the monthly meetings by Zoom which has worked well, many parishioner's have joined the online meetings for planning matters, grants, traffic and environmental issues for example. If you would like to join a meeting please email [email protected] and Sally or Sarah will provide you with login details.
Yellow Hatched Junctions
I am very pleased to see these two under the M32 roundabout of the A4174. Many motorists from the Frenchay and Downend direction have sat in traffic when motorists have blocked this area preventing traffic flowing. I have been in consultation with South Glos. Council for a couple of years requesting this and did not give up on the reasons I was given for this not being able to be done.
Speeding Traffic
The Parish Council have requested speed reviews in the area following requests from residents and Parish Councillors. In Frenchay the 20 mph zone from the village hall past the commons we have been requesting for some years is working well. Some motorists however have been seen to be well over the limit with the temporary speed visor we had installed. We have been in consultation to have a community speedwatch in Frenchay with the help of FRA and other residents who have given up time to assist. We have requested this on Beckspool Road and Bristol Road. We have also asked for a review for 20 mph on Beckspool Road heading towards and past the duckpond.
Frenchay Commons
The commons have been very well used this year and generally been kept tidy. We have installed an extra bin by the BBQ area as some bins have been overflowing. Lyn at the White Lion Pub has always kindly done extra litter picking for which we are grateful. 'No overnight parking' signs for motorhomes have gone up opposite the White Lion in the car park area and also by the Church parking space off Beckspool Road.
Paul Kembery
Chair, Winterbourne Parish Council
The Parish Council has continued to operate well under the restrictions. We have held the monthly meetings by Zoom which has worked well, many parishioner's have joined the online meetings for planning matters, grants, traffic and environmental issues for example. If you would like to join a meeting please email [email protected] and Sally or Sarah will provide you with login details.
Yellow Hatched Junctions
I am very pleased to see these two under the M32 roundabout of the A4174. Many motorists from the Frenchay and Downend direction have sat in traffic when motorists have blocked this area preventing traffic flowing. I have been in consultation with South Glos. Council for a couple of years requesting this and did not give up on the reasons I was given for this not being able to be done.
Speeding Traffic
The Parish Council have requested speed reviews in the area following requests from residents and Parish Councillors. In Frenchay the 20 mph zone from the village hall past the commons we have been requesting for some years is working well. Some motorists however have been seen to be well over the limit with the temporary speed visor we had installed. We have been in consultation to have a community speedwatch in Frenchay with the help of FRA and other residents who have given up time to assist. We have requested this on Beckspool Road and Bristol Road. We have also asked for a review for 20 mph on Beckspool Road heading towards and past the duckpond.
Frenchay Commons
The commons have been very well used this year and generally been kept tidy. We have installed an extra bin by the BBQ area as some bins have been overflowing. Lyn at the White Lion Pub has always kindly done extra litter picking for which we are grateful. 'No overnight parking' signs for motorhomes have gone up opposite the White Lion in the car park area and also by the Church parking space off Beckspool Road.
Paul Kembery
Chair, Winterbourne Parish Council
March 2020
I had a couple of residents ask about how Winterbourne Parish Council (WPC) and Frenchay have been affected by the electoral boundary changes. As many of you are aware, Frenchay is now part of the Downend Ward. However the parish boundary remains the same as it historically was. Trevor Jones is now a Winterbourne Parish Councillor as well as being a South Glos. Councillor for the ward where he had represented Frenchay and Stoke Park, under the old boundary system. So all is much the same as before with the Parish Council!
There are 16 Parish Councillors and Adrian Collins, Paul Kembery, Charlie Watkins and Hugh Whatley are the 4 Frenchay members for WPC. We continue the work on behalf of local residents and thank Eurof Lewis, David Fletcher and Carol Thorne for the near 60 years between them previously.
We have all been working on the land transfer of the open spaces on the former hospital site including the new play area, tennis courts, allotments and nature reserve. We want to ensure the work by the developer is done to a high standard before it’s handed over to WPC.
We have agreed on a new outdoor table tennis table by the play area and a football post. WPC have always wanted to promote sports for all ages, there are also many other sports facilities within the Parish.
WPC also manage the commons in Frenchay and our contractor does this to a high standard. WPC also make a grant to the successful Frenchay Flower Show and many Councillor's kindly give up time to help at the event. Tim Bowles who is Mayor of the West of England, has helped with road marshalling for the past 10 years at the flower show and is also Vice-Chairman of WPC. We are grateful for his continued support even with his big role in the wider area!
Please do look at the WPC website - www.winterbourneparishcouncil.org.uk. There is also a section on its history. The two clerks, Sally and Sarah, can be contacted at the office by phone or email. The Police also have an office at WPC which has proved to be very useful in our community.
Paul Kembery,
Chairman,
Winterbourne Parish Council
I had a couple of residents ask about how Winterbourne Parish Council (WPC) and Frenchay have been affected by the electoral boundary changes. As many of you are aware, Frenchay is now part of the Downend Ward. However the parish boundary remains the same as it historically was. Trevor Jones is now a Winterbourne Parish Councillor as well as being a South Glos. Councillor for the ward where he had represented Frenchay and Stoke Park, under the old boundary system. So all is much the same as before with the Parish Council!
There are 16 Parish Councillors and Adrian Collins, Paul Kembery, Charlie Watkins and Hugh Whatley are the 4 Frenchay members for WPC. We continue the work on behalf of local residents and thank Eurof Lewis, David Fletcher and Carol Thorne for the near 60 years between them previously.
We have all been working on the land transfer of the open spaces on the former hospital site including the new play area, tennis courts, allotments and nature reserve. We want to ensure the work by the developer is done to a high standard before it’s handed over to WPC.
We have agreed on a new outdoor table tennis table by the play area and a football post. WPC have always wanted to promote sports for all ages, there are also many other sports facilities within the Parish.
WPC also manage the commons in Frenchay and our contractor does this to a high standard. WPC also make a grant to the successful Frenchay Flower Show and many Councillor's kindly give up time to help at the event. Tim Bowles who is Mayor of the West of England, has helped with road marshalling for the past 10 years at the flower show and is also Vice-Chairman of WPC. We are grateful for his continued support even with his big role in the wider area!
Please do look at the WPC website - www.winterbourneparishcouncil.org.uk. There is also a section on its history. The two clerks, Sally and Sarah, can be contacted at the office by phone or email. The Police also have an office at WPC which has proved to be very useful in our community.
Paul Kembery,
Chairman,
Winterbourne Parish Council
June 2018 - Open now in a phone box near you!
When the phone box at the top of Frenchay Hill became redundant, Winterbourne Parish Council bought it. A grant from Redrow has enabled the council to renovate it for community use.
It will become a Book Exchange where people can bring books they have finished with and take books that have been donated. Next time you pass the box why not look in and see what is on offer?
If you have books you want to donate you can ring 0117 956 9963 to have them collected or just leave them in the phone box.
When the phone box at the top of Frenchay Hill became redundant, Winterbourne Parish Council bought it. A grant from Redrow has enabled the council to renovate it for community use.
It will become a Book Exchange where people can bring books they have finished with and take books that have been donated. Next time you pass the box why not look in and see what is on offer?
If you have books you want to donate you can ring 0117 956 9963 to have them collected or just leave them in the phone box.
August 2016 - A Mystery
Three trees have recently been cut down on Frenchay Common opposite to CLIC Cottage.
Winterbourne Parish Council manages the Common but did not order the trees to be cut down. Who did it?
If you have any information the Parish Council would like to know why the trees were cut down.
Winterbourne Parish Council
Three trees have recently been cut down on Frenchay Common opposite to CLIC Cottage.
Winterbourne Parish Council manages the Common but did not order the trees to be cut down. Who did it?
If you have any information the Parish Council would like to know why the trees were cut down.
Winterbourne Parish Council
May 2016 - The Planning Process
A short introduction to the intricacies of planning regulations and policies ...
When someone applies to South Gloucestershire Council for planning permission to alter or extend their property or to build a new house, Winterbourne Parish Council receive notification so that they can make a comment.
We have the local knowledge to comment on the application. We know whether the lie of the land means that the proposed extension overlooks another house, whether the proposed access is safe, or whether other neighbours have already extended their house in the same way. We normally visit sites in our Frenchay ward before a planning meeting in order to update ourselves on current conditions.
Some people have asked why Parish Councillors are not on the committee of the Frenchay Residents Association. At the beginning of each planning meeting we have to declare an interest. If we are related to the applicant, live close by or are members of an organisation associated with the application, then we have to declare an interest and cannot take part in the discussion. We feel that it is important to be able to discuss any application without risking being accused of not declaring an interest.
If we have concerns then we can ask for it to be ‘called in’. This means that instead of the matter being decided by the South Gloucestershire Planning Department officers, the elected planning committee of South Gloucestershire councillors will make a site visit to see for themselves. If there is a site visit, then a Parish Councillor can make a short comment to the South Glos councillors. Other than this, we have no powers.
Some people are concerned that they do not know when a planning application has been submitted. Notices advertising the application are supposed to be attached to lamp posts, fences or telegraph pole and immediate neighbours should be informed by post.
If you want to know about a planning application, or even if one has been submitted, then you can look at the South Gloucestershire website. Go to the South Glos website and press on the planning search button. If you know the application number you can then enter this or you can enter the address. This will show any current application together with previous applications. If you put in your post code then all applications for this post code will be shown. You can write a comment about the application and see what other people have written.
South Gloucestershire Council has the power to give permission for development, but has to follow national government guidelines. There is a current shortage of housing and each council is given a target number to build. National policy is to grant permission to build unless there are reasons not to. In other words, South Gloucestershire cannot refuse an application unless it has planning reasons for a refusal.
Unfortunately all applications have to be heard within a short time frame which means that your councillors cannot alert residents via this magazine. There are huge developments in this part of South Gloucestershire e.g. Lyde Green, Highbrook Park and the land opposite UWE. Parish Councillors try to keep track of all these, as they will impinge on us. For instance, did you know that Section 106 money that the developers of Frenchay Hospital site have to pay the council to provide medical facilities, will be used to build a surgery on the development at Harry Stoke?
In the coming months we will try to update you about matters you may find of interest.
Carol Thorne, Frenchay Ward, Winterbourne Parish Council
A short introduction to the intricacies of planning regulations and policies ...
When someone applies to South Gloucestershire Council for planning permission to alter or extend their property or to build a new house, Winterbourne Parish Council receive notification so that they can make a comment.
We have the local knowledge to comment on the application. We know whether the lie of the land means that the proposed extension overlooks another house, whether the proposed access is safe, or whether other neighbours have already extended their house in the same way. We normally visit sites in our Frenchay ward before a planning meeting in order to update ourselves on current conditions.
Some people have asked why Parish Councillors are not on the committee of the Frenchay Residents Association. At the beginning of each planning meeting we have to declare an interest. If we are related to the applicant, live close by or are members of an organisation associated with the application, then we have to declare an interest and cannot take part in the discussion. We feel that it is important to be able to discuss any application without risking being accused of not declaring an interest.
If we have concerns then we can ask for it to be ‘called in’. This means that instead of the matter being decided by the South Gloucestershire Planning Department officers, the elected planning committee of South Gloucestershire councillors will make a site visit to see for themselves. If there is a site visit, then a Parish Councillor can make a short comment to the South Glos councillors. Other than this, we have no powers.
Some people are concerned that they do not know when a planning application has been submitted. Notices advertising the application are supposed to be attached to lamp posts, fences or telegraph pole and immediate neighbours should be informed by post.
If you want to know about a planning application, or even if one has been submitted, then you can look at the South Gloucestershire website. Go to the South Glos website and press on the planning search button. If you know the application number you can then enter this or you can enter the address. This will show any current application together with previous applications. If you put in your post code then all applications for this post code will be shown. You can write a comment about the application and see what other people have written.
South Gloucestershire Council has the power to give permission for development, but has to follow national government guidelines. There is a current shortage of housing and each council is given a target number to build. National policy is to grant permission to build unless there are reasons not to. In other words, South Gloucestershire cannot refuse an application unless it has planning reasons for a refusal.
Unfortunately all applications have to be heard within a short time frame which means that your councillors cannot alert residents via this magazine. There are huge developments in this part of South Gloucestershire e.g. Lyde Green, Highbrook Park and the land opposite UWE. Parish Councillors try to keep track of all these, as they will impinge on us. For instance, did you know that Section 106 money that the developers of Frenchay Hospital site have to pay the council to provide medical facilities, will be used to build a surgery on the development at Harry Stoke?
In the coming months we will try to update you about matters you may find of interest.
Carol Thorne, Frenchay Ward, Winterbourne Parish Council
April 2016 - Frenchay Hospital Development
Several people have commented favourably about the clearing up and pruning of trees that has taken place on the Hospital site prior to Winterbourne Parish Council taking it over.
They have also commented on the strip of land at the hospital boundary from the museum round to CLIC cottage. It is overgrown and the wall is collapsing in several places. In fact this strip was given/sold to Gloucestershire County Council in the 1940s in order to widen the road or to make a pavement on this side. No-one can remember after all this time.
Do they still own the land? Apparently so. Will they do anything with the land? I think we can guess the answer to this.
Do the residents of Frenchay have any ideas about what should be done? Please let your Parish Councillors know so that we can have some suggestions for the long term use of this land and try to resolve this matter.
Carol Thorne, Frenchay Ward, Winterbourne Parish Council
Several people have commented favourably about the clearing up and pruning of trees that has taken place on the Hospital site prior to Winterbourne Parish Council taking it over.
They have also commented on the strip of land at the hospital boundary from the museum round to CLIC cottage. It is overgrown and the wall is collapsing in several places. In fact this strip was given/sold to Gloucestershire County Council in the 1940s in order to widen the road or to make a pavement on this side. No-one can remember after all this time.
Do they still own the land? Apparently so. Will they do anything with the land? I think we can guess the answer to this.
Do the residents of Frenchay have any ideas about what should be done? Please let your Parish Councillors know so that we can have some suggestions for the long term use of this land and try to resolve this matter.
Carol Thorne, Frenchay Ward, Winterbourne Parish Council
May 2015 - Frenchay Park House
Following the closure of Frenchay Hospital, Winterbourne Parish Council will be taking over and running the hospital’s open spaces. Before this happens major management work is being carried out. The trees are being pruned, brambles cleared and the nature reserve restored.
As part of this work the fence along Beckspool Road has been removed. This gives a full view of Frenchay Park House (the former trust headquarters) for the first time in many years. When the house is returned to a private residence I think it is important to keep this view. The grounds surrounding Frenchay Park House were designed to enhance the views of the house. There are proposals to mark the boundary of the house with ‘parkland fencing’ and a yew hedge. The fence would allow a view of the front of the house but the yew hedge could eventually grow tall enough to block this view.
In the nineteenth century the land was an open common from what is now the Bristol Road down to the River Frome. When Hannah Rooke took over the house she fenced off part of the common land to form the grounds of the house. She also gave part of the common to build Frenchay National School. Whether she had the right to do this is another matter; and anyway, who is going to oppose the gentry, particularly as they were probably your employers.
The removal of the fence unifies the hospital grounds with the common. When the new tennis courts are built adjacent to the museum the present ones will be removed, enhancing this view still further. So next time you are walking across Frenchay Common turn and look at the new view which has been opened up. It is really breathtaking.
Carol Thorne, Frenchay Ward, Winterbourne Parish Council
Following the closure of Frenchay Hospital, Winterbourne Parish Council will be taking over and running the hospital’s open spaces. Before this happens major management work is being carried out. The trees are being pruned, brambles cleared and the nature reserve restored.
As part of this work the fence along Beckspool Road has been removed. This gives a full view of Frenchay Park House (the former trust headquarters) for the first time in many years. When the house is returned to a private residence I think it is important to keep this view. The grounds surrounding Frenchay Park House were designed to enhance the views of the house. There are proposals to mark the boundary of the house with ‘parkland fencing’ and a yew hedge. The fence would allow a view of the front of the house but the yew hedge could eventually grow tall enough to block this view.
In the nineteenth century the land was an open common from what is now the Bristol Road down to the River Frome. When Hannah Rooke took over the house she fenced off part of the common land to form the grounds of the house. She also gave part of the common to build Frenchay National School. Whether she had the right to do this is another matter; and anyway, who is going to oppose the gentry, particularly as they were probably your employers.
The removal of the fence unifies the hospital grounds with the common. When the new tennis courts are built adjacent to the museum the present ones will be removed, enhancing this view still further. So next time you are walking across Frenchay Common turn and look at the new view which has been opened up. It is really breathtaking.
Carol Thorne, Frenchay Ward, Winterbourne Parish Council
April 2015 - Village Design Statement Questionnaire
A public meeting was held at the Village Hall on Thursday 19th March to discuss and debate the proposed Village Design Statement (VDS). Part of Frenchay is covered by the Conservation status, but areas outside such as Grange Park, Newlands, Riverwood and all properties outside the boundary are not.
We are proposing to extend the area to be bordered on the South West by the Bristol City Council, to the West by the M32, to the North by the A4174 Ring Road until it crosses the River Frome, then following the river south, ending on the Bristol boundary.
This is a much larger area than that contained within the Special Planning Document affording Conservation Status but encompasses what is widely considered to be Frenchay in South Gloucestershire.
Please complete the survey Questionnaire by April 26, 2015 and return by email to [email protected] or to either of the addresses at the bottom of the form.
Please bear in mind that a Village Design Statement is a planning document and will be bound eventually in law and statute.
Your Parish Councillors:
Carol Thorne; David Fletcher; Eurof Lewis; Paul Kembery
A public meeting was held at the Village Hall on Thursday 19th March to discuss and debate the proposed Village Design Statement (VDS). Part of Frenchay is covered by the Conservation status, but areas outside such as Grange Park, Newlands, Riverwood and all properties outside the boundary are not.
We are proposing to extend the area to be bordered on the South West by the Bristol City Council, to the West by the M32, to the North by the A4174 Ring Road until it crosses the River Frome, then following the river south, ending on the Bristol boundary.
This is a much larger area than that contained within the Special Planning Document affording Conservation Status but encompasses what is widely considered to be Frenchay in South Gloucestershire.
Please complete the survey Questionnaire by April 26, 2015 and return by email to [email protected] or to either of the addresses at the bottom of the form.
Please bear in mind that a Village Design Statement is a planning document and will be bound eventually in law and statute.
Your Parish Councillors:
Carol Thorne; David Fletcher; Eurof Lewis; Paul Kembery
| vdsdraft4.docx |
March 2015 - Traffic and Frenchay Village Design Statement
Frenchay Village Design Statement
No doubt some of you will remember this was raised at the Annual General Meeting of the Frenchay Preservation Society meeting in November 2014. By those present it was unanimously cheered and applauded as a way forward to expand on the Conservation document which was approved by South Gloucestershire Council in 2007.
It was explained that our remit for such a statement should be of a wider geographical area. After some discussion your Parish Councillors feel obliged to extend any study to be bordered on the South West by the Bristol City Council, to the West by the M32 , to the North by the A4174 Ring Road until it crosses the River Frome and follow the river boundary then Southwards, ending on the Bristol boundary. This is a much larger area than that contained within the Special Planning Document affording Conservation Status but encompasses what is widely considered to be Frenchay in South Gloucestershire.
In order to proceed we need to hold a Public Meeting, under the auspices of Winterbourne Parish Council who have volunteered support to this cause. This will be held in Frenchay Village Hall on Thursday March 19th at 7.45pm.
Please bear in mind that a Village Design Statement is a Planning document and will be bound eventually in law and statute. More will be explained at the meeting. Meanwhile, put this date in your diary. As local people, your input is required.
Your Parish Councillors: Carol Thorne; David Fletcher; Eurof Lewis; Paul Kembrey
Traffic
One of the positives of the closure of Frenchay Hospital was to be the reduction in parking all over Frenchay. Having recently returned from 6 months in Lisbon I expected to see a big change in the traffic. Although the surrounding roads are now clear of most hospital based cars, Beckspool Road is just as congested with parked cars through the week. This makes parking for funerals and other church functions very difficult.
Your Parish Councillors attended a meeting of Frenchay Residents Liaison Group and raised this matter. This is a group convened by the NBHT to liaise with residents about the development of the hospital site. It seems that some people who use the park and ride facilities are parking on the road for various reasons. We were told this may soon ease with staff parking closer to the bus stop in the hospital grounds.
When the Parish Council questioned the traffic reduction figures put forward by the hospital it was similarly assured that most traffic was generated by the hospital and would reduce substantially when the hospital closed. This was one of the statistics used by the hospital to claim that the surrounding roads could cope with the proposed development. I notice that in the mornings there seem to be as many cars driving through Frenchay as there were previously. We have always voiced a concern that the new development will generate extra traffic on to already saturated roads at peak times but were assured that the projected figures showed an overall decline taking the hospital traffic out of the equation. We still strongly dispute these statistics.
Your Parish Councillors from The Frenchay Preservation Society predicted that while the traffic would initially drop it would very quickly recover to its previous density but were told we were wrong.
At the same meeting we were given a timeline for the development of the site.
1. At present the site is being surveyed to ascertain what toxic material, including Asbestos, are present.
2. When this is finished these materials will be removed by specialist contractors.
3. After this the site will be cleared. Rubble from the demolition will remain on site to be reused in the development.
4. Then developers will put in planning application for what they wish to build.
So actual building is likely to be some time away. It could be several years before the first buildings go up.
We are delighted to inform residents that NBHT have agreed to use our contractors that currently keep the commons around Frenchay in such good order. We closely surveyed the grounds with the contractor and highlighted areas that need improvement on the ‘Village Green’ land prior to it being scheduled to be handed over to Winterbourne Parish Council to maintain the area for future generations to enjoy.
Carol Thorne, Frenchay Ward, Winterbourne Parish Council
Frenchay Village Design Statement
No doubt some of you will remember this was raised at the Annual General Meeting of the Frenchay Preservation Society meeting in November 2014. By those present it was unanimously cheered and applauded as a way forward to expand on the Conservation document which was approved by South Gloucestershire Council in 2007.
It was explained that our remit for such a statement should be of a wider geographical area. After some discussion your Parish Councillors feel obliged to extend any study to be bordered on the South West by the Bristol City Council, to the West by the M32 , to the North by the A4174 Ring Road until it crosses the River Frome and follow the river boundary then Southwards, ending on the Bristol boundary. This is a much larger area than that contained within the Special Planning Document affording Conservation Status but encompasses what is widely considered to be Frenchay in South Gloucestershire.
In order to proceed we need to hold a Public Meeting, under the auspices of Winterbourne Parish Council who have volunteered support to this cause. This will be held in Frenchay Village Hall on Thursday March 19th at 7.45pm.
Please bear in mind that a Village Design Statement is a Planning document and will be bound eventually in law and statute. More will be explained at the meeting. Meanwhile, put this date in your diary. As local people, your input is required.
Your Parish Councillors: Carol Thorne; David Fletcher; Eurof Lewis; Paul Kembrey
Traffic
One of the positives of the closure of Frenchay Hospital was to be the reduction in parking all over Frenchay. Having recently returned from 6 months in Lisbon I expected to see a big change in the traffic. Although the surrounding roads are now clear of most hospital based cars, Beckspool Road is just as congested with parked cars through the week. This makes parking for funerals and other church functions very difficult.
Your Parish Councillors attended a meeting of Frenchay Residents Liaison Group and raised this matter. This is a group convened by the NBHT to liaise with residents about the development of the hospital site. It seems that some people who use the park and ride facilities are parking on the road for various reasons. We were told this may soon ease with staff parking closer to the bus stop in the hospital grounds.
When the Parish Council questioned the traffic reduction figures put forward by the hospital it was similarly assured that most traffic was generated by the hospital and would reduce substantially when the hospital closed. This was one of the statistics used by the hospital to claim that the surrounding roads could cope with the proposed development. I notice that in the mornings there seem to be as many cars driving through Frenchay as there were previously. We have always voiced a concern that the new development will generate extra traffic on to already saturated roads at peak times but were assured that the projected figures showed an overall decline taking the hospital traffic out of the equation. We still strongly dispute these statistics.
Your Parish Councillors from The Frenchay Preservation Society predicted that while the traffic would initially drop it would very quickly recover to its previous density but were told we were wrong.
At the same meeting we were given a timeline for the development of the site.
1. At present the site is being surveyed to ascertain what toxic material, including Asbestos, are present.
2. When this is finished these materials will be removed by specialist contractors.
3. After this the site will be cleared. Rubble from the demolition will remain on site to be reused in the development.
4. Then developers will put in planning application for what they wish to build.
So actual building is likely to be some time away. It could be several years before the first buildings go up.
We are delighted to inform residents that NBHT have agreed to use our contractors that currently keep the commons around Frenchay in such good order. We closely surveyed the grounds with the contractor and highlighted areas that need improvement on the ‘Village Green’ land prior to it being scheduled to be handed over to Winterbourne Parish Council to maintain the area for future generations to enjoy.
Carol Thorne, Frenchay Ward, Winterbourne Parish Council
June 2014 - Solar Power
When the County of Avon was divided into Bristol and South Gloucestershire, the former teachers’ centre in Winterbourne was sold off. The Parish Council bought it and turned it into The Greenfield Centre, the headquarters of the Parish Council.
As the building is a 1950s structure with a flat roof it is ideal for solar panels. Several years ago a large part of the roof was covered with the panels. This proved so successful in generating electricity that another large part has just been covered. The panels should pay for themselves in about 7 years and after this will provide an income for the council. A meter is visible which shows how much electricity is generated. This powers the council offices and any surplus is sold to the national grid.
On the same theme, the council recently had a planning application from a farmer wanting to put 500 solar panels in a field. The plan is that sheep will graze between the panels. The farm is in Frampton Cotterell, just outside Winterbourne.
When the County of Avon was divided into Bristol and South Gloucestershire, the former teachers’ centre in Winterbourne was sold off. The Parish Council bought it and turned it into The Greenfield Centre, the headquarters of the Parish Council.
As the building is a 1950s structure with a flat roof it is ideal for solar panels. Several years ago a large part of the roof was covered with the panels. This proved so successful in generating electricity that another large part has just been covered. The panels should pay for themselves in about 7 years and after this will provide an income for the council. A meter is visible which shows how much electricity is generated. This powers the council offices and any surplus is sold to the national grid.
On the same theme, the council recently had a planning application from a farmer wanting to put 500 solar panels in a field. The plan is that sheep will graze between the panels. The farm is in Frampton Cotterell, just outside Winterbourne.
April 2014 - Open Spaces
Winterbourne Parish Council (WPC) owns and/or manages a number of open spaces from Winterbourne to Frenchay. Here are some of them.
Newleaze
Some years ago WPC bought a field opposite the Winterbourne International Academy’s playing fields. This was planted with 880 small trees and a pond was created to become part of the Forest of Avon . The trees have grown well and have been thinned out to allow the remaining trees to grow unimpeded. Volunteers maintain Newleaze for the WPC.
Monkspool & Bradley Brook
Volunteers organised by Frank Smith manage these nature reserves behind Winterbourne Parish Church.
Winterbourne Recreation Ground
This is managed by the Sports Club for WPC. Football is played in winter and Cricket in summer. There are also tennis courts.
Allotments
WPC has recently bought a field in Winterbourne and converted it to allotments. A solar powered water system has been installed to take water from a nearby stream.
Whiteshill Common, Hambrook
This is managed by Hambrook Sports Club for WPC. Football is played in winter and cricket in summer.
Frome Walkway
WPC acquired some land near to The Dingle to protect it as part of the Frome Valley Walkway.
Tuckett Memorial Field
More commonly known as the Hilly field, this is managed by WPC for the Charity Commission. It is let to a farmer from April to October. The cows graze the field which encourages a variety of wild flowers. The wall and ha-ha are maintained and repaired where necessary. At the bottom of the field, the Tuckett Pond has been renovated by WPC. The retaining walls have been rebuilt, the pond has been dredged and the surrounding area has been planted with appropriate plants and shrubs.
Frenchay Common, the Small Common and land between the Village Hall and Frenchay Hill
WPC pay for the commons to be cut, rubbish bins emptied, litter picked and the ha-has cleaned out. The trees are regularly inspected to be sure that they are safe and new trees are planted to replace trees which have come to the end of their life. WPC maintains the car park leading to the church and the car park opposite The White Lion. In order to preserve the Commons, WPC has kerbed and/or bunded the edges to stop further erosion from the heavy traffic.
Winterbourne Parish Councillors manage most of these assets on a voluntary basis which makes the management cost effective. Projects such as improving the drainage in the Hilly field are overseen by your ward councillors. Because we are local we have day to day knowledge of the open spaces and can act quickly if necessary.
Winterbourne Parish Council (WPC) owns and/or manages a number of open spaces from Winterbourne to Frenchay. Here are some of them.
Newleaze
Some years ago WPC bought a field opposite the Winterbourne International Academy’s playing fields. This was planted with 880 small trees and a pond was created to become part of the Forest of Avon . The trees have grown well and have been thinned out to allow the remaining trees to grow unimpeded. Volunteers maintain Newleaze for the WPC.
Monkspool & Bradley Brook
Volunteers organised by Frank Smith manage these nature reserves behind Winterbourne Parish Church.
Winterbourne Recreation Ground
This is managed by the Sports Club for WPC. Football is played in winter and Cricket in summer. There are also tennis courts.
Allotments
WPC has recently bought a field in Winterbourne and converted it to allotments. A solar powered water system has been installed to take water from a nearby stream.
Whiteshill Common, Hambrook
This is managed by Hambrook Sports Club for WPC. Football is played in winter and cricket in summer.
Frome Walkway
WPC acquired some land near to The Dingle to protect it as part of the Frome Valley Walkway.
Tuckett Memorial Field
More commonly known as the Hilly field, this is managed by WPC for the Charity Commission. It is let to a farmer from April to October. The cows graze the field which encourages a variety of wild flowers. The wall and ha-ha are maintained and repaired where necessary. At the bottom of the field, the Tuckett Pond has been renovated by WPC. The retaining walls have been rebuilt, the pond has been dredged and the surrounding area has been planted with appropriate plants and shrubs.
Frenchay Common, the Small Common and land between the Village Hall and Frenchay Hill
WPC pay for the commons to be cut, rubbish bins emptied, litter picked and the ha-has cleaned out. The trees are regularly inspected to be sure that they are safe and new trees are planted to replace trees which have come to the end of their life. WPC maintains the car park leading to the church and the car park opposite The White Lion. In order to preserve the Commons, WPC has kerbed and/or bunded the edges to stop further erosion from the heavy traffic.
Winterbourne Parish Councillors manage most of these assets on a voluntary basis which makes the management cost effective. Projects such as improving the drainage in the Hilly field are overseen by your ward councillors. Because we are local we have day to day knowledge of the open spaces and can act quickly if necessary.
March 2014
PLANNING
The Planning subcommittee of Winterbourne Parish Council has 8 members (half of the council). These consist of 4 from Winterbourne, 2 from Winterbourne Down/Hambrook and 2 representing Frenchay.
It comments on the planning applications within the parish and adjacent to it e.g. Stoke Gifford or Frampton Cotterell. It has no powers to change South Gloucestershire’s planning decisions.
The comments are read by South Gloucestershire planners. In addition, it can ask for an application to be decided by the whole planning committee rather than the planning officers and can ask for a site visit.
Parish Councillors have local knowledge which South Gloucestershire planners may not be aware of. For instance, they know the busy roads where a safe exit to a site is essential; they know local parking conditions which may decide if there has to be parking within the development rather than on the street.
Parish Council planning meetings are held on the first and third Mondays of the month. In addition, if there is anything urgent which has to be commented on within South Gloucestershire’s tight time frame, extra meetings are held. The meetings are open to the public.
When Parish Councillors get the agenda for the planning meetings they look at the plans online to see what is proposed. They then visit the site of the proposed development to see the impact for themselves and may talk to neighbours to get their views.
They attend training courses from time to time to be updated on new planning regulations. They also comment on traffic matters such as the impact of closing a road for repairs.
COMMON PLANNING APPLICATIONS Many applications are for trees to be pruned or cut down. Councillors use their local knowledge to comment on the effect this might have on the local environment. How will it affect the skyline; does it reduce screening of an ugly extension; is it a healthy specimen tree or a self sown seedling which has become too large for the space? When in doubt councillors ask for South Gloucestershire’s arboriculturist to inspect the tree.
Applications to build or extend houses in the green belt area are frequent. What starts as an application to convert an outhouse into a garage can, all too often, end up as plans to convert the building into another house, thus getting round the green belt restrictions. A good example of this is the house on the corner of Bristol Road and the Old Gloucester Road. It started as a garage and gradually evolved into a house. The owner then applied to separate it from the curtilege of the original house. This took 10 years but was finally granted and the house was sold.
Applications for a change of use are often submitted and members comment on the impact this will have on the neighbourhood if, for instance, an agricultural barn is changed into a storage depot with large lorries using small country lanes.
Sometimes the application is for a retrospective change of use and the applicants may claim that they have been using it for many years. Councillors then use their local knowledge and contacts to determine if this is true.
Being a member of the Planning Committee is often frustrating as there are firm guidelines about what are valid reasons for opposing a development. Local knowledge about the long term aims of the developer is not a planning reason why the application should be turned down. Often professional developers make numerous applications for the same site to try to maximise their profits. A house in Bristol Road was bought by a developer who applied to demolish it and build 14 apartments on the site. This was turned down. He then reapplied to build 5, then 3 houses. Permission was finally granted to build 3 houses several years ago but the developer has not, as yet, started work.
Carol Thorne, Parish Councillor, Frenchay Ward, Winterbourne Parish Council
PLANNING
The Planning subcommittee of Winterbourne Parish Council has 8 members (half of the council). These consist of 4 from Winterbourne, 2 from Winterbourne Down/Hambrook and 2 representing Frenchay.
It comments on the planning applications within the parish and adjacent to it e.g. Stoke Gifford or Frampton Cotterell. It has no powers to change South Gloucestershire’s planning decisions.
The comments are read by South Gloucestershire planners. In addition, it can ask for an application to be decided by the whole planning committee rather than the planning officers and can ask for a site visit.
Parish Councillors have local knowledge which South Gloucestershire planners may not be aware of. For instance, they know the busy roads where a safe exit to a site is essential; they know local parking conditions which may decide if there has to be parking within the development rather than on the street.
Parish Council planning meetings are held on the first and third Mondays of the month. In addition, if there is anything urgent which has to be commented on within South Gloucestershire’s tight time frame, extra meetings are held. The meetings are open to the public.
When Parish Councillors get the agenda for the planning meetings they look at the plans online to see what is proposed. They then visit the site of the proposed development to see the impact for themselves and may talk to neighbours to get their views.
They attend training courses from time to time to be updated on new planning regulations. They also comment on traffic matters such as the impact of closing a road for repairs.
COMMON PLANNING APPLICATIONS Many applications are for trees to be pruned or cut down. Councillors use their local knowledge to comment on the effect this might have on the local environment. How will it affect the skyline; does it reduce screening of an ugly extension; is it a healthy specimen tree or a self sown seedling which has become too large for the space? When in doubt councillors ask for South Gloucestershire’s arboriculturist to inspect the tree.
Applications to build or extend houses in the green belt area are frequent. What starts as an application to convert an outhouse into a garage can, all too often, end up as plans to convert the building into another house, thus getting round the green belt restrictions. A good example of this is the house on the corner of Bristol Road and the Old Gloucester Road. It started as a garage and gradually evolved into a house. The owner then applied to separate it from the curtilege of the original house. This took 10 years but was finally granted and the house was sold.
Applications for a change of use are often submitted and members comment on the impact this will have on the neighbourhood if, for instance, an agricultural barn is changed into a storage depot with large lorries using small country lanes.
Sometimes the application is for a retrospective change of use and the applicants may claim that they have been using it for many years. Councillors then use their local knowledge and contacts to determine if this is true.
Being a member of the Planning Committee is often frustrating as there are firm guidelines about what are valid reasons for opposing a development. Local knowledge about the long term aims of the developer is not a planning reason why the application should be turned down. Often professional developers make numerous applications for the same site to try to maximise their profits. A house in Bristol Road was bought by a developer who applied to demolish it and build 14 apartments on the site. This was turned down. He then reapplied to build 5, then 3 houses. Permission was finally granted to build 3 houses several years ago but the developer has not, as yet, started work.
Carol Thorne, Parish Councillor, Frenchay Ward, Winterbourne Parish Council
February 2014
“This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” Sir Winston Churchill
We now know that the North Bristol Trust has outline planning permission to build up to 490 houses on the Frenchay Hospital site.
It may appear that your Parish Councillors’ work on the development is finished but it is just beginning. There are a number of matters to work on.
1) Demolition of the Buildings
We need to monitor how the buildings are going to be demolished to minimise the disruption to local residents. Where will the contractors park? How will the lorries exit from the site? Who will monitor the hours when the demolition can take place? Your councillors will negotiate with the NBT to make sure we are fully informed.
2) Two Form Entry School
In order to integrate the new residents of Frenchay it is essential that all children go to the same school. Your councillors will be looking for ways to ensure this.
3) Park and Ride
While the parking at Southmead Hospital is being completed the hospital will be running an 850 place Park and Ride Scheme at Frenchay Hospital. Frenchay residents need to be reassured that all the parking will be within the hospital and your councillors will be asking for details of how the scheme will work and keep a close watch to make sure that there are no unexpected consequences.
4) Planning Applications
For the next ten years individual developers will be submitting details plans for the houses they want to build. Your councillors will be looking carefully at each set of plans and commenting on the suitability of the design and the density of the development.
Carol Thorne, Parish Councillor, Frenchay Ward, Winterbourne Parish Council
“This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” Sir Winston Churchill
We now know that the North Bristol Trust has outline planning permission to build up to 490 houses on the Frenchay Hospital site.
It may appear that your Parish Councillors’ work on the development is finished but it is just beginning. There are a number of matters to work on.
1) Demolition of the Buildings
We need to monitor how the buildings are going to be demolished to minimise the disruption to local residents. Where will the contractors park? How will the lorries exit from the site? Who will monitor the hours when the demolition can take place? Your councillors will negotiate with the NBT to make sure we are fully informed.
2) Two Form Entry School
In order to integrate the new residents of Frenchay it is essential that all children go to the same school. Your councillors will be looking for ways to ensure this.
3) Park and Ride
While the parking at Southmead Hospital is being completed the hospital will be running an 850 place Park and Ride Scheme at Frenchay Hospital. Frenchay residents need to be reassured that all the parking will be within the hospital and your councillors will be asking for details of how the scheme will work and keep a close watch to make sure that there are no unexpected consequences.
4) Planning Applications
For the next ten years individual developers will be submitting details plans for the houses they want to build. Your councillors will be looking carefully at each set of plans and commenting on the suitability of the design and the density of the development.
Carol Thorne, Parish Councillor, Frenchay Ward, Winterbourne Parish Council
