Dear all,

Thanks you for everyone that took the time to attend tonight and support our presentation. Many thanks also to all the petition organisers, which enabled me to submit a revised petition, signed by 432 residents, to the panel today!

I hope you will be very pleased to hear that the residents scored a little victory tonight!

The college application was deferred for a month (or longer), to enable a new accurate traffic survey to be carried out by an independent surveyor, selected and briefed by RBWM Highways, but paid by EBC! A double whammy! The outline planning permission was approved, but only linked to the same traffic survey and subject to EBC getting planning permission for the college, which has been deferred.

Our councillor Margaret Hyde made a very good detailed speech on our behalf, to complement my 3 minutes slot that was frankly too short to cover any issues in detail. Our other councillor, David Howes, who sits on the panel, requested that a new up to date and correct traffic survey is produced. His wife, Cllr Vicky Howes (with Planning responsibility in the Cabinet) requested that an independent surveyor is appointed by the RBWM to carry out the survey, to ensure that we get accurate results this time. Our other Cllr, Mike Holness, was there but he did not speak, as his wife works for the college.

The college application was scrutinised by most councillors on the panel and several took issue with the lack of parking, roof materials and bulk of the building. Several conditions have been added to the planning officer’s report regarding the roof materials, which will have to be presented to the meeting before approval. It just shows that all the letters sent to our ward councillors, Panel members and Cabinet members worked wonders.

On the housing front, Margaret requested that a limit of 2 story high was imposed on housing. The planning officer, Heather Morgan, said that they have imposed a maximum limit of 3 story high, but there was some discussion and I am not sure whether that condition was added to the list of conditions or not; we need to check the minutes.

I spoke to Margaret tonight, to thank her for her support, and to pass my thanks to David and Vicky, and she will find out from the planners what happens next.

Please pass these news to all your neighbours not on e-mail.

Happy Easter!

Michaela