Updateon the Core Strategy for March

Message to Parishioners from the Parish Council

Dear Parishioner,

We are now in the period for making representations on the changes the

Inspector is proposing to the Core Strategy. This period closes on 23 March.The modification that affects Brightwell cum Sotwell is thesite for the 555 houses

proposed for Wallingford (Main modification number MM77, para. 12-12

Wallingford). This reads: “The growth will be accommodated through a new

greenfield neighbourhood to theSouth of Wallingford as shown on Map 12.1

and the Proposals Map”.This is the location that the Parish Council has been advocating for several years because of the advantages the site offers for the expansion of Wallingford and because it is in the best interests of our village. Furthermore, development here (Site E, Winterbrook) more readily supports several of the components of the policy for Wallingford (Policy CSWAL 1)contained in the Core Strategy; for example (i) strengthening the town centre and (iii) supporting the market place as a hub.

How best to make representations from the Parish on these changes has been concerning the Parish Council for some weeks. After seeking professional advice the Council has decided to:

  1. Draft its own concise and well argued response,
  2. Ask those parishioners who are on the Parish Council email list to make their own responses on the Mid Examination Publication Stage Representation Form or to take part in 3 below,
  3. Arrange for parish councillors and helpers to gather together group responses as is allowed under the guidance notes for making representations. Names and addresses are being collected to be appended to the Mid Examination Publication Stage Representation Form for forwarding to SODC.

Guidance for those making their own representation

In the Form referred to above, Part A requires you to fill in your personal details and Part B needs you to tick boxes. To support the Inspector tick “yes” against Legally compliant in 4(1) and “yes” in 4(2) Sound. Should you wish to say why you think the changes made by the Inspector are Legally compliant and Sound give your reasons in Box 6. If you don’t, then tick “No” in Box 8, sign the form and send it to SODC.

Your reasons for supporting the Inspector in Box 6 might include: nearest the town centre, good access to the centre by foot and cycle and to the health centre, good access to Cholsey station by bus and cycle, adjacent to the Reading-Oxford bus route, will upgrade the town’s educational facilities and increase the area of the green space.

The Parish Council and the North West Wallingford Action Group would like a large

number of representations to be made to SODC in support of the Inspector’s changes.

Your help is vital at this stage in the finalising of the Core Strategy.

John C. Rodda

Vice Chairman Brightwell cum Sotwell parish Council,

7 March 2012

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