Karen Chilvers

Only one Brentwood West planning application on the list this week:

New windows and Juliet Balcony up for approval at 36 Crescent Road.  It will go ahead unless it is referred, which I can do, by midday on 13th July.

If you have any queries on this one you’ll find the report here and you can contact me if you have a query.

I’ve just returned from Circle Anglia’s meeting to discuss the parking issues and lovely to see so many residents taking an interest in their environment. 

I’m pleased to see that they are going ahead with the clamping scheme, which the residents voted for.  A year’s contract will be signed, but it will be up for review in 9 month time.  Circle Anglia’s Sara Bartleman is on hand to help you as this scheme is brought into use.

Just to clarify, nothing can be sorted out on the actual road until the road is adopted.  I know there is a petition circulating on this matter, but the road was always on the plan to be adopted anyway?!  Once this has happened, a scheme can be put in. 

Let us know what type of restrictions you would like by completing our survey.

I’ve gone a week without an animal story….something of a record!  However, this is an important one - do not leave your dog in your car, it is dangerous, it can kill and it has.

Advice from the RSPCA can be found here.

I just had to say a big well done to Lib Dem Nina Cutbush on raising over £5,000 for a local children’s cancer charity.  A selfless act, as Nina, our 2008 Warley borough council candidate, used her 30th birthday as an opportunity to hold this event at Ashwell’s.

Thanks to ticket sales, a raffle and an auction (hosted by TV’s Jeremy Kyle - who gave his time for free!) Nina and her friends have made a real difference to the lives of adolescent cancer sufferers.  Well done to everyone who made this such a success!

I tried to get in the car park today through the “in” lane.  I couldn’t, because there was a car in the way!  The new layout has meant that you can’t get past the first car, not the car owner’s fault, the space should have been taken away.

I’ve reported it so hopefully things will be better soon.

UPDATE 29.06.09: Fantastic swift action from the officers, space is being taken out of commission today!

I’ve heard today that the new houses in Wharf Road can start recycling glass and garden waste from next week.  This is great news as we have a group of people here willing to recycle, so it is great that they can do so!

Planning applications have been submitted at 9 Talbrook and 3 Batemans Mews in Brentwood West.  More information on the planning process is available here.

We’ve been running this site for just over a year now and we would like to know your views! 

We’ve set up a survey here and we would appreciate it if you could take time to complete it!  Thanks.

Just an update on a few Brentwood West matters I asked about last night:

• Warleywoods Crescent: I asked for an update on funding sources that may make this path a reality.  The meeting was held three months ago but the Tory Panel Chair, Cllr Mrs Sheehan, confirmed that, so far, no funding sources have been identified. 
• Parking in the Town Hall car parks: I asked the council leader, Cllr Mrs McKinlay, whether she still believed the car parks were full at 8.30 in the morning.  I’m not sure I got a straight answer, but perhaps she hasn’t had a chance to look at this photo, taken on a Saturday morning in March.
• I presented a 400-strong petition that many of you have signed on the matter of the Car Parking charges in the Town Hall, Westbury Road Car Park and the general increase in car parking charges introduced by the Conservative administration.  Remember what we asked for?
• I also moved my dog text alert scheme motion, kindly seconded by Cllr Ross Carter (a fellow animal lover).  This will be discussed at the Environment & Parking Panel in September and, I am pleased to say, the Chair has already agreed to my request to meet and discuss the item.

Then the meeting rather took a turn…more soon!

Good news on the breeding of the chough population - it’s on Brentwood’s coat of arms too!