A lively planning committee! I was pleased that we approved a number of applications, notably a facility at Brentwood County High School’s plans for a separate facility for children who are having difficulties by converting the old caretaker’s house and an educational bricklaying centre at Sawyers Hall College which has got a lot of support from my colleague, Brentwood North Councillor Ross Carter.

We also voted through the demolition of the Sir Charles Napier pub and the adjoining properties.  I have ensured that the rubbish at the back of the pub is to be cleared up asap.

As a former Stondon Massey resident I was delighted to speak on a residential house in School Road where the owner is to build a replacement property and to enhance the area. When I lived in the village my mother was a parish councillor and we were often exasperated by those who moved in to a rural village and then wanted to tarmac country lanes and put in street lights where they weren’t needed. Here we have someone who has put in a wildlife pond, installed boxes for owls and birds and is protecting the woodland - well done!

We need these green lungs - if you ever visit The Brewery in Romford at night for the cinema, look up in the trees. The birds don’t sleep there because they think it’s still day!

I wasn’t very happy with the over-development of Crown Street. Another crammed in block of flats coming to a street near you!

But, as for the application for Woodlands School - take a look at the discussion on this and see what you think! http://www.brentwood.ukcouncil.net/site/#pp16722

. Select “Planning Development Control Committee - 16th July 2008″ and then item 16.