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
12 September 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.
2 September 2018
1 September 2018
The inquiry into the appeal by Gladman, for their application to build 245 homes, on fields along the Peppard Rd in South Oxfordshire, right on the Reading border is now complete. The final decision is expected in about a month.
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.
18 August 2018
The UK Parliament has launched an inquiry into the decline of the bus market in England, outside London. Everyone can submit their own views online 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.
Submissions must be made by the 24th Septemeber 2018.
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
4 August 2018
Matt Rodda and his team set up a public meeting for 1 August. Teams of volunteers put the word out within the space of just one week and over 250 people filled Caversham Baptist Church to make their concerns known. Although it is unlikely that the September changes have been halted, Reading Buses, Councillors and our MP can be in no doubt of the overwhelming concern that Caversham needs a viable alternative to the car.
For more information about the changes: Sep Bus Changes
CADRA have serious concerns about the introduction of the revised Caversham bus services - particularly the 22 route. So we have emailed Martjn Gilbert, Reading Buses CEO, expressing those concerns. This is the message text
In preparation for the significant changes to Caversham bus routes from Monday 19 February here are the maps and times: Reading Buses - Caversham timetable changes, for all routes. It has been a long complex dialogue since the drastic changes first proposed. While much was achieved, many people remain very concerned. The message from Reading Buses is that if we value the service, we must use it. The campaign group - Concerned of Caversham - have a promtion leaflet about the route 22, which sets out the background and the need for us all to support the local service by using it.
18 July 2018
RBC have opened a consultation into the proposed site for a new secondary school in Richfield Avenue, for 11-16 year olds. The Council have said that "there is a need for additional secondary provision as we begin to plan ahead for 2021. This year alone, demand for secondary school places in the north of the borough far exceeded the number of places available. As demand continues to grow, it is essential that we plan for a new school to meet this need". The consultation closes on the 31st August.
11 July 2018
Reading Borough Council is now consulting on an updated St Peters Conservation Area Appraisal that includes a proposed extension to the boundary of the Conservation Area until 14 September 2018.
The Council is required to periodically review the town’s conservation areas and their associated appraisals, in order to ensure appropriate protection of areas of special architectural or historic interest. St Peters Conservation Area was formally designated in 1988 and an appraisal published in 2009. The appraisal has now been reviewed by the local community, led by CADRA, with assistance from the Reading Conservation Area Advisory Committee, Historic England and Reading Borough Council. As a result of this review and update of the appraisal, the Council is proposing an extension to the existing Conservation Area (Proposed boundary map).
We are seeking comments over the next nine weeks during a period of public consultation. The full updated St Peters Conservation Area Appraisal is on the Council’s website at: St Peters Consultation. Copies are also available for viewing at the Caversham Library (during normal opening hours). Supporting documents, such as detailed plans showing the proposed boundary and an information sheet are also available online and at the library.
We welcome any comments that you have. Please provide written responses to the consultation by midnight on Friday 14th September 2018. Responses should be sent to: planningpolicy@reading.gov.uk or Planning Policy Team, Reading Borough Council, Civic Offices, Bridge Street, RG1 2LU.
The CADRA and Reading Conservation Area Advisory Committee are hosting a stand at the Caversham Church Fete at Caversham Court Gardens on Saturday 14th July beginning at 1 p.m. Members will be available at the Fete to discuss the proposed boundary extension to the conservation area and the updated St Peters Conservation Area Appraisal.
Our website has more information and the background to the appraisal.
1 July 2018
The RBC Strategic Environment, Planning & Transport meeting on 2nd July will be discussing proposals to introduce kerbside food waste collections.
The proposal is part of the Re3 waste action plan report
Strategic Environment Planning and Transport Committee meeting 2nd Jul agenda
The committee will also consider the draft St Peters Conservation Area Community-led Appraisal, which CADRA has had a major role in.
27 June 2018
The Environment Agency have been investigating options to reduce flood risk from the Thames in Lower Caversham and north Reading. They are inviting public comment via a Consultation, and as part of this they are holding two public drop-in sessions:
Tuesday 3 July from 2.30pm to 7pm at Greyfriars Hall, Friar St, Reading RG1 1EH
Wednesday 4 July from 2.30pm to 7pm at The Weller Centre, 110 Amersham Rd, Reading RG4 5NA
The email for the consultation is reading&cavershamscheme@environment-agency.gov.uk
