The Planning Committee meets at 6pm every third Tuesday to consider proposals for development and other planning related issues, including Conservation Area tree works applications. Our approach is to review the local implications of applications in relation to NSC planning policy, particularly the potential impacts on neighbours and the environment. NSC has a statutory duty to consult with the Council, which gives us an opportunity to influence the planning authority in the best interests of the parish. In addition to offering advice to residents who might wish to object to planning applications, we also provide guidance and support. Residents considering significant development are urged to consult the Committee before submitting their application to NSC.

Among the issues addressed by the Committee have been NSC’s Replacement Local Plan (RLP), which is the basic reference for planning policy, a new planning system intended to replace Local Plans, new licensing regulations and responses to various consultations, including enforcement policy for unauthorised development. Also, various matters relating to the airport, particularly support for NSC action on unauthorised car parks, such as Wrington Warren and Hailstones Farm, Redhill. Recommendations by the RLP Planning Inspector will ease the way for further development on the north side of the BIA site and planning applications for expansion of the airport terminal and a new hotel are now expected.

David Glynn,
Planning Committee Chairman

                         ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Bristol International Airport

Most people will be aware the airport continues to grow, with aircraft noise, traffic and car parking being ongoing concerns for many residents. The airport handled just over 5m passengers in 2005, an increase of 12%, with aircraft movements at 80515, up from 74323. Interestingly, complaints about noise were down 9% in 2005, although it’s suggested that people become accustomed to aircraft noise and tend not to complain as time progresses.

In response to comments, BIA has changed the noise reporting system. Please advise the Council if you encounter any difficulties in contacting BIA about noise or any other issues.

The Council has supported NSC Officers in their efforts to control unauthorised car parking, especially where it has affected residents in Redhill and Downside. We responded to a consultation on a proposal to revise airspace control measures relating to Bristol and Cardiff airports on the basis that the change should produce local benefits. We also commented on BIA’s Master Plan consultation, the airport’s detailed growth plan to 2015 and outline plan to 2030, when passenger numbers could be up to 12 million.

Growth on this scale has major implications for both aircraft and traffic movements, alongside the significantly increased demand for car parking. As part of the Master Plan consultation, BIA organised a public exhibition in Wrington. This was followed by another event arranged by the Parish Councils Airport Association (PCAA), CPRE and others, which presented an alternative view of the impacts of airport expansion on the local and wider environment. The Council is a member of the PCAA.

Even in the distant future there is no prospect of a rail based public transport system serving the airport, which will continue to rely on bus services, taxis and private cars. BIA’s Flyer bus service into Bristol has been improved and will probably be extended into Clifton. Residents are able to use this bus for access to/from Bristol, with a low-cost fare expected to be available under the Dragonflyer scheme. There are various proposals to improve the access infrastructure, although these are more related to road construction close to Bristol and, possibly, south of Wrington in the longer–term.

Developments in hand involve relocating non-passenger operations to the south side, such as the new helicopter hangar. The Council successfully argued against a proposal for the adjacent telecoms mast to be located alongside the A38. The airport runway will be resurfaced in winter 2006/07, with the runway being closed at night for this work.

Angela Atkins represents the Council on BIA’s Consultative Committee, which acts as a link with the local community.
                         ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

New Council Office

The Council has arranged for a parish office to be set up in the John Locke Room, Wrington, which will become the focus for administration of the Council's business.

By the time of the Parish Meeting, Terry Yearsley, our Clerk, should be well established in this new office. A practical benefit is that residents will be able to call in to speak to the Clerk, raise matters of concern, inspect documents such as planning applications and pick up leaflets and other public information.

The office will initially be open to the public on Wednesday and Friday mornings from 10am to 12 noon.
                         ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Parish Plan

Following the excellent questionnaire response, with 770 completed returns, a number of volunteers committed their time to the enormous task of transferring the information and comments to a database.

This took longer than had originally been anticipated. Visitors to the exhibitions in Redhill and Wrington will have seen the resulting charts and tables.

Work is now in hand to review the questionnaire responses alongside further points raised at the exhibitions, the objective being to create a parish action plan covering the most significant issues. The action plan will be circulated to all households as soon as it becomes available.

                               ~ ~ ~ ~ ~