Angela Lawrence

Because the conversion of the Ox pub in Oxford Road to a Tesco Metro had caused a lot of concern among local residents ( see previous story)I proposed this motion at the December meeting of the Vale council:
“This council resolves to use every channel available to it to persuade the Government to alter planning law to recognise that a local public house becoming a shop is a change of use. Thus giving local authorities the freedom to assess the impact of any such change on the local area affected and make up its own mind accordingly, judging each case on its merits and in line with the spirit of the localism act”

The proposal was seconded by Matthew Barber, the leader of the council and it was agreed unanimously . This was not an anti-Tesco motion, although there are concerns about that too. The debate centred on the impact this conversion will have on the traffic. Traffic movements for a pub take place predominantly in leisure time hours, and there is a low turn-over. Customers park and stay. Many walk or car share.

A small supermarket requires a constant quick turn-around of customers, with high traffic movement, and in this particular location it will cause huge problems
The County Highways Officer agreed that there will be a significant change in road use but because planning law won’t allow for that to be taken into consideration she had no power even to recommend any alleviating measures that could be taken, because they wouldn’t be enforceable.

The Fitzharris pub in Abingdon became a Tesco Metro about a year ago. There has been significant increase in traffic movements there but, because there is adequate space for parking and exiting this is not causing a huge problem. This motion was not about preventing all pubs from being converted to shops it is simply saying that such conversions ought to require planning permission so that the local authority, with its local knowledge, can judge each application on its suitability in that location, and decide accordingly.

Follow up actions: The Vale’s Chief Executive has written to the relevant Government minister. I have raised the matter at the Local Government Association and thr National association for local Councils – the two Local Government national lobbying bodies – and Matthew has promised to raise it with ministers, as leader of the council.

It is sad that so many pubs are closing, and we need to have the power locally to ensure that local needs are taken into consideration when any changes occur.

If you feel strongly about this issue please do write to your MP and to anyone else who might have influence in changing the law

well Tesco won the battle. How could they not, they had planning law on their side. There were 4 applications for various permissions to erect advertisement and traffic direction signs that went to the planning committee. There was a lot of sympathy with the objectors’ worries about the impact on traffic safety but the committee had no real choice but to permit all but one – a large gantry sign.

There WILL be significant traffic problems but the council is powerless to impose any restrictions on traffic movement or delivery hours because the law says it is not a change of use and therefore only existing restrictions can apply.

In reality it SO is a change of use. All I can do now, as the local councillor, is to try persuade the planning officers to see if we can get some informal agreement with Tesco to ameliorate the worst of the threats to highway safety.

The future success or otherwise of Tesco is in the hands of those who choose to shop there.

At present planning law says that a change from a pub to a shop is not a change of use so it doesn’t need planning permission. The laws on change of use need to be amended so that local authorities can judge each case on its merits or possible harm. If you agree then please lobby your MP and anyone else you know who might have influence. I shall do likewise.

At the Vale council meeting on 19th October the Tories voted to abandon the Lib Dems vision statement “to build and safeguard a fair, open and compassionate community” and to replace it with: “taking care of your interests across the Vale with enterprise, energy and efficiency”.
I proposed that we put the two statements together, arguing that the original was the “what” and their statement was the “how”. Both would sit well together. The Tories were determined to get rid of our vision altogether and rejected my amendment. Now the Vale will be efficient energetic and enterprising but there is no guarantee that it will be fair, open and compassionate. How sad.

On Friday 26th August, the neighbourhood Thames Valley Police team held a street briefing in Appleford Drive in response to a rise in anti social behaviour in the area. The briefing involved local officers meeting with residents to discuss the issues that mattered to them most. The neighbourhood team then spent the evening carrying out high visibility patrols in order to combat anti social behaviour. A system of ‘micro-beats’ was used to ensure specific areas were targeted in order to send out the message that anti social behaviour will not be tolerated. The neighbourhood team would like to thank all the residents who took the time to attend the evening and the officers for their assistance.

This month has seen the official launch of a new scheme in the area known as the North East Abingdon Good Neighbour Scheme (NEAGNS). The scheme is run by volunteers in the area who have identified a gap in the provision of certain services as funding is reduced for government departments. The aim of NEAGNS is to assist vulnerable and elderly members of the community in the completion of tasks that they would find otherwise difficult without the scheme. Tasks NEAGNS can assist with include, amongst others, lawn mowing, garden help, prescription collection and help with computers. The neighbourhood team would like to extend their thanks to the organisers and volunteers who we hope will make this scheme a resounding success. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or would like more information about the scheme please visit: www.neagns.co.uk or call 07956 019611.

Community groups in Abingdon, and also the west and south east areas of the Vale of White Horse can apply for up to £5,000 from the district council from Monday 1 August.

Money is available to support projects that promote healthier communities, help unify the community, increase opportunities for young people, improve transport, provide better housing, create green spaces and the expand leisure facilities.

Groups can apply online by visiting www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/grants before Friday 30 September.

Grants have already gone to other parts of the district including £5,000 to Appleton Parish Council for a new play area, a £3,000 grant to Faringdon Arts Festival, and £5,000 to the Abingdon Bridge to support and engage with young people.

I am enraged by a comment on the Abingdon blog that Tesco is getting away with building an Express store at the site of the Ox pub because the councillors get back-handers. What sleazy town does this commentor think he lives in? How dare he make such assumptions when he clearly doesn’t know us.
I am as dismayed as anyone by the rapid increase of Tesco Express stores around our town, particularly where they are a threat to the survival of the local shops.
It is very sad to see the Ox close and even sadder that it should be replaced by a store that is simply replicating the provision of an existing local shop right next door.
Planning consent is not required for this Tesco development so local councillors are powerless to stop it happening. Even if planning permission had been required the planning committee cannot refuse an application just because it is not needed. Market forces will decide that. The planners will have some say over any changes in the design of the building but but it can’t pick and choose which retailer takes possession.
If the pub is substantially demolished/rebuilt/extended then Tesco will need to apply for planning permission. Only then will issues like traffic, parking, deliveries be taken into account.
They will need planning permission for changes to windows, signs, cooling condensers etc.

Oxford Magistrates’ Court prosecuted a man from Abingdon for four fly-tips around the town, following a prosecution case by the Vale of White Horse District Council.

Sam Knight, of Edward Street, Abingdon, pleaded guilty on 8 July 2011 to fly-tips in Bostock Road, Spring Road, Victoria Road and a nearby alley on or around 1 March 2011.

The council investigated the incidents and found black sacks containing items that led them to Knights address.

Despite not turning up to any of the interviews arranged to discuss the matter, Knight did show up for court to plead guilty. Magistrates found the fly-tip very unpleasant and ordered him to pay £365 in total, taking into account that he is currently unemployed and has limited financial means.
The Vale has always been keen to crack down on fly-tipping. Covert cameras have been installed in fly-tipping hotspots to catch more offenders in the act. However, residents can be a great help by reporting incidents to us on 03000 610 610 (local rate) but it’s important to leave the evidence untouched for our officers to investigate.

For more information about fly-tipping, visit www.southoxon.gov.uk/flytipping or call 03000 610610 (local rate).

COUNCILLORS will push ahead with free parking in Abingdon and Wantage despite warnings it is unaffordable.
The Conservatives promised free short-stay parking in council car parks by Christmas after taking control of Vale of White Horse District Council in May.
But in a report that went to the council’s cabinet meeting officers warned spending cuts will have to be made elsewhere to make up for lost income. The plan to offer two hours’ free parking is expected to cost £250,000 a year.
John Backley, the council’s technical and facilities manager, wrote: “Given the increasing pressures on the council’s future financial health, there is a significant risk that the council will face a substantial medium term financial deficit, which it has no means of addressing other than by service cuts.
“For these reasons, the chief finance officer strongly recommends against the introduction of free parking.”
He added: “Officers are unaware of any evidence from national studies that free parking makes a noticeable difference to footfall in town centres.”
The Abingdon Herald has been running polls on the subject. The first one asked “Should the Conservative-controlled Vale council push ahead with plans for free parking despite the view of its chief finance officer?”
The result: only 20% of readers said yes, a resounding 80% saying NO

The second question was: “Do you believe providing free parking will increase business for traders in our towns?”
The final result was
Yes: 31% No: 69%

The free parking between 4pm and 6pm that the previous Lib Dem administration had provided will cease. Not only that but charges for long stay will increase as will residents parking.

Young people in southern Oxfordshire aspiring to emulate the success of their favourite sport stars will get the chance to put their skills to the test this summer thanks to the Vale of White Horse District Council’s summer holiday programme.

Golf, athletics and basketball are just three of the sports on offer between Monday 25 July and Friday 2 September for young people up to and including the age of 18.

Programmes have already been distributed to all schools across the
district and are also available online at www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk.

Bookings are now being taken and places are filling up fast, with activities such as kayaking and horseriding already sold out. So if your child is interested in trying their hand at any of the sports on offer, from golf to fencing, dance or even judo, then get in touch with us as soon as possible and ensure they don’t miss out.