15 November 2018
With the closure of the Church Street Pharmacy, which includes the post office, CADRA has been in touch with our MP and the Caversham Traders’ Association. Matt Rodda has said “My expectation is that the Post Office will find alternative premises in Caversham so that local people can continue to be served, without the inconvenience of having to travel to Reading or Emma Green”. He has also written to the Minister for Small Businesses. We will keep you posted in all senses of the word.
15 November 2018
The Environment Agency have been investigating options to reduce flood risk from the Thames in Lower Caversham and north Reading.
The Environment Agency website has the background and includes their Consultation Response Report.
The Agency is holding a ‘drop in’ event on Thursday 6th December, 2.30-7.30pm, at Caversham Baptist Church, South Street, where up to date information will be displayed and comments invited.
The Environment Agency’s also produce a newsletter summarising this.
15 November 2018
A paper detailing results of the public consultation into the St Peters Conservation, including the proposed extension will be presented to the Council’s Strategic Environment Planning and Transport Committee on 21st November 2018.
Council officers have recommended that the committee approve the new proposals, which can be viewed at: Draft St Peters Conservaltion Area Appraisal
There is more information about this project at: Background
14 November 2018
The Planning Appeal for 245 houses on the Caversham boundary at Dunsden has been dismissed. This is tremendous news and great credit goes to all the community groups, including CADRA, which fought the case. The Inspector focused on issues of housing numbers, the Local Plan and landscape impact in reaching his decision. Inspector's Decision Notice
Paul Matthews gave expert transport evidence. CADRA worked with the other members of the campaign group (CAGE) in all the build-up, made two statements and were represented throughout the appeal.
Thanks to the financial support from organisations and individuals, CAGE was able to engage a barrister. His contribution was very important and his closing statement to the appeal and other statements can be read here:
Traffic and transport statement
South Oxfordshire District Council statement
On a closely related matter, we have linked up with local parish councils and groups in Caversham and Emmer Green, concerning SODC's recent planning assessment of potential housing developments near the Reading border. For some background read the letter sent by Kidmore End PC to SODC.
The Gladman Inquiry opened Tuesday 1 May and heard evidence on landscape, transport and from interested parties including CADRA, who strongly objected to the development (Our statement). Paul Matthews did an excellent job as professional transport witness and prepared a very detailed statement .
The remainder of the inquiry was deferred until August 29th. This was because a statement of South Oxfordshire Council's (SODC) housing land supply for 5.4 years was only available shortly before the inquiry. A significant part of Gladman's case was the absence of a 5.4 year land supply, which SODC can now demonstrate.
The SODC Statement of Case submitted before their latest 5.4 year housing plan.
CADRA's objections to this proposal were submitted to the inquiry: CADRA's objections. Reading Borough Council confirmed they will support South Oxfordshire District Council in resisting the appeal in the light of the inadequacy of infrastructure and services.
These are the details of the Gladman planning application submitted to SODC: P16/S3630/O
Although South Oxfordshire District Council had been expected to recommend refusal of this application, the planning officer finally recommended approval. Following substantial opposition from Parish Councils and individuals in South Oxfordshire, Caversham and Emmer Green, the Planning Committee decided to refuse the application. The developer, then Gladman submitted an appeal.
14 November 2018
The presentation ‘The Changing Thames’ given by Terry Marsh, Honorary Fellow of the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Wallingford at CADRA's Autumn 2108 meeting is now available to view.
14 November 2018
CADRA maintains a summary of the significant local planning applications and appeals which is updated each month. Each application listed provides a direct link the RBC website where plans can be seen and comments sent on line. Links to the Planning Inspectorate show progress on appeals. Applications in South Oxfordshire which are significant and close to the border with Reading are also listed.
12 September 2018
CADRA’s Autumn Meeting is on Tuesday 6th November, 7.45 pm at Thameside School, Harley Rd, Caversham. It will include a talk on ‘The Changing Thames’ from Terry Marsh, Honorary Fellow of the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Wallingford.
To read more from Terry: The Thames - a study in change
18 August 2018
The UK Parliament launched an inquiry into the decline of the bus market in England, outside London. Submissions closed on 24th September 2018. More details at:
UK Parliament bus market inquiry
Given the current concerns about the Caversham bus services, this is an opportunity for us all to express ours views for the future. You may wish to give your thoughts on: what the basic criteria should be for an urban service (e.g. frequency, reliability, distance to the nearest stop, ease of connections to hospitals, schools and transport hubs), how bus companies are compensated for concessionary bus pass passengers, the impact of congestion, how should bus companies be regulated and monitored.
17 August 2018
RBC are proposing changes to vehicle parking across the borough, some of these are in Caversham.
The changes relating to The Mount and Dovedale Court may be of particular interest to members, as they are close to the new care home being built on Albert Rd, previously the Arthur Clark care home. Here is a drawing of the proposals: The Mount Proposals
Here are the lists of the proposals for each ward: Thames Ward Caversham Ward
To see all the proposals with drawings and to comment on them, go to the council's consultation page at: Waiting Restriction Review Programme. The consultation ends on the 23rd August.
15 August 2018
Reading Borough Council are consulting residents on whether some services, currently delivered directly by the council, should be out-sourced to third party organisations. The services being considered are:
Follow this link if you want find out more about this consultation and let RBC know your views:
https://consult.reading.gov.uk/css/proposal-to-change-the-way-services-are-delivered/
The consultation closes on the 31st August.
8 August 2018
Following the public meeting on the 1st August, Matt Rodda has written to residents; reviewing the current situation, updating them on the actions and asking for their views and concerns: Matt Rodd Letter
4 August 2018
Caversham GLOBE have completed another set of air quality tests, which show nitrogen dioxide levels higher than their previous tests in Mar 18. Air Quality Test Results
