District Councillors’ News Dec 2020

I’m sure you all know by now of the success by Cotswold Canals Connected in getting the funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund for the restoration of the Stroudwater Canal through Eastington, and onwards to Saul Junction. This will involve three years of hard work, which should come to fruition in 2024.

Work at the Whitminster roundabout is expected to be finished by the end of November, the next major project will be the upgrade of the railway bridge at The Ocean, behind Stonehouse Court Hotel, due for completion at the end of May next year. Hopefully, I can be on the first boat from Saul through to Stroud.

Stroud District Council is currently holding two consultations, both online, because of Covid-19 :-

The first is on additional housing options – www.stroud.gov.uk/localplanreview. This is to consult on land that may have to be added to that already consulted on, which ended in January of this year. If current extra figures for housing released by the Government are confirmed for the Stroud District, then the allocation Stroud will be expected to build up to 2040 will rise from 638 houses per annum to 786 p.a.
This consultation includes 104 hectares of land in Whitminster, between the M5 and the A38, and substantial areas of land in Moreton Valence and Hardwicke, again, between the M5 and A38.

The second consultation is on Climate Change Action, and will include several online events to launch District Dialogues – www.stroud.gov.uk/draft2030strategy.
Both of these consultations end on December 16th. Everyone is invited to go online to have their say.

Because of the expanding roll-out of 3, 4 and 5G technology, there are likely to be more Mobile Phone etc masts springing up in the District. Not all of these masts have to get planning permission; some can be built as permitted development, provided a prior notification application is made to the Council. They have to meet the proper criteria to get consent, only appearance and siting can be objected to by the Council, which has a maximum of 56 days to approve any application, or the mast gets permission by default.

Both Stephen and John wish you all as Happy a Christmas as it is possible to have in these strange and trying times, and look forward to a much better 2021.

Cllr Stephen Davies 07802 595307 cllr.stephen.davies@stroud.gov.uk
Cllr John Jones 07808 922918 cllr.john.jones@stroud.gov.uk