Only two planning applictions for Brentwood West this week:

17-19 Kings Road (old Westbury Press building) - DEMOLITION OF EXISTING REAR EXTENSION AND OUTBUILDING TO THE REAR OF THE PLOT, ERECTION OF A SINGLE STOREY EXTENSION TO THE REAR AND SIDE, PAVED AND PARTIALLY COVERED COURTYARD AREA TO THE SIDE. : Recommended for refusal.

7 Wansford Close - RESUBMISSION - FIRST FLOOR SIDE AND TWO STOREY REAR EXTENSION : Recommended for approval.

If you have any issues with the above officer recommendation then please get in touch with me as soon as possible.  I have until midday on Monday 7th December to refer the above items to the Planning Committee for further discussion.

I’ve just returned from the Brentwood lights switch on.  I’m not really sure what to make of it.  No hint of the 1940s theme that we were promised or the searchlights that were going to be so exciting.

There were some lovely stalls there, I have some cupcakes for later, but they were quite spaced out.  Children singing beautifully in the choir I’m sure, unfortunately they couldn’t be heard.  Lots of inflatable fights going on and a huge queue outside McDonald’s when we went back to the car.

Lots of fun down Crown Street with a broadcast from Nigel’s shop (see photo)….but I know one ten year old who was less than impressed!

Please comment and let me know what you think!

I was so pleased today to enjoy a tour of Merrymeade House.  This beautiful building has been restored, thanks to a deal struck with Circle Anglia wherby nine 1 & 2 bedroom flats have been created in the roof space and former servants’ wing.

Two floors of the Edwardian house are to be opened as meeting rooms for community use and these are small, but beautifully formed rooms which have kept a number of the original features, including wooden panels, carvings and fire surrounds.  The outside of the building is exceptional, although there is a steel eyesore at the front that really needs to be replaced with something more in keeping!

As I was there, with a group of councillors and officers, work was continuing on the grounds and I am sure it will stoon be completely restored to its former glory.

So, for someone who barely drinks I do seem to fall over a lot!  Following a pavement accident last year, I stepped off the pavement yesterday to cross over in Rollason Way and straight into a pothole in the road.  Over on ankle, snap noise (a tendon or ligament, not bone..phew), laid out on floor! 

It seems to be on the mend now, but I went to work today with the aid of a walking stick.  Attitudes to people who are a bit mobility challenged are not good - and they haven’t changed since I broke my foot ten years ago and I got wheeled to the end of the supermarket aisle in a wheelchair and parked.

Today, everyone was suddenly very interested in their paper when I got on the bus (despite the signs asking you to give your seat up to someone less able…ahem?) and I had to sit at the back.  When I got off, someone almost pushed me off the thing in their tearing hurry and I had to tell them to wait!  I suppose it’s nice that I got well looked after when I actually got there though!

However, I was a bit tired of the following conversation by 4.30pm:

“Oh, Karen, what have you done to your foot, why the walking stick?”

“I stepped in  a pothole and fell over.”

“You should….tell your local councillor….HA HA HA HA HA HA“.

Very funny colleagues, very funny…

Four months in and we’re still striving to do our shopping with Brentwood’s independent traders.  Nigel announced on the radio on Thursday night that he would be doing ALL his Christmas shopping locally…! 

So far, with the exception of a Lego farm for my nephew Freddie (bought on line), ALL mine has been bought in Brentwood too.

I’m sure we’ve all been guilty in the past of feeling that we have to make that trip to Lakeside, but have a think!  Some ideas:

• Perfume/aftershave…try the New Pharmacy…
• Jewellery…try French Quarter, Artful Angel…
• Clothes & Shoes….what about Risky, Virgo..?
• Men’s clothes….Zakz…
• Furnishings…..Homewares & Gifts, Clement Josceylne, Tides…
• Unusual decorations….Jasmine Bleu, Bliss….
• Coffee whilst shopping…spolit for choice…what about Belgique, Whittaker’s, Crown Street Cafe, Pie n Mash…..

Here’s where we have been spending our Christmas money this month!

No Brentwood West planning applications on the list this week.

Late last night it was announced that Paul O’Grady’s little sidekick, Buster the bichon frise/shih tzu cross, had passed away after retiring just a week ago.  Bless him, he was 14, the same age my Gypsy was when she passed away last year.

Buster had more than a passing resemblance to our shih tzu, Quincy, so we always had a major soft spot for him.

Anyone who has an animal know how hard it is to lose them and all you can comfort yourself with is that you gave them a great life and made them happy.  In time, it helps.

Heartfelt sympathy to Paul O’Grady, Olga and Bullseye who will be missing the little darling like no-one else.

Nigel has just announced that he is going to do ALL his Christmas shopping in Brentwood’s local independent traders…up from 75% to 100%.

I have to make an exception on account of my nephew’s urgent need for more Lego!  But so far, all my Christmas presents have been local traders too!

Delighted today to attend the re-opening of Border Edge House in Firsgrove Road as a guest of Brentwood Housing Trust and in company of Brentwood Mayor Cllr Tony Sleep.

I had a tour of the new properties, which are almost fully let now, and was really impressed with the layout and the thought that has gone in to improving the facilities.

I look forward to meeting my new residents shortly and hope they will be very happy there.

Nice emails like this…..received this morning:

“We do thank you for all your efforts though in trying to reach a conclusion on this issue for us. You have been incredibly supportive and always kept us updated on the progress which we appreciate.”

It’s good to have some positive feedback!