The View from Shute End...

Wokingham District Councillor Annette Drake reports

Church Hill

I have had several calls from residents asking about the post and rail fence recently erected on farm land near the Almshouses. This patch of land was transferred to the District Council some years ago as part of a legal agreement, following planning permission to convert farm buildings to houses at Hatch Gate Farm. The intention was to relocate the allotments to this acre of land. We all objected to this proposal at the time, however, we need to keep watching for future planning applications.

New Field Access in Tape Lane

There is a dispute between our enforcement officers and the agent for the owner of the field who is taking legal advice on whether or not planning permissions is required for the removal of the hedge to create the new field access. The problem with enforcement is that a case will not be followed up if it is not deemed by the council officers to be expedient. However, I have spoken to the tree officer, Neil Etherington, who confirms that, under the terms of the Hedgerow Regulations, the owner will be required to replace the hedge with indigenous species, either at the new access, or at the original entrance since only once access is permitted to that field.

Beeches Nursery aka Terrapotta

The appeal against the refusal of an application to build 24 offices and storage units at Beeches Nursery was heard by a local enquiry on 18th May. My thanks to all the residents who came with me to the hearing and were present at the site visit. Local residents always add weight to our case with the Inspector and this is an enormous help to me. We await the decision with interest and some trepidation.

Ditches

Only two residents have contacted me with regard to employing a local contractor clear our ditches. Anyone else interested?

Contacting Annette Drake

Telephone 0118 934 xxxx or e-mail at anndrk@dsl.pipex.com