Image of the village hall under renovation

Autumn news from Eye & Dunsden

Full steam ahead for a brighter hall

Dunsden Village Hall’s exciting transformation continues apace, with the old foundation stone now set into the wall of the new sun room extension. The work should all be done by the end of November.

Meanwhile, there are some excellent events coming up at the hall, including the ever-popular family bonfire night, with professional fireworks, which this year is on Friday 27 October. You can now book tickets quickly and easily online.

There’s also a great programme of musical performances at the hall coming up in the next few months, starting with the fantastic Whalebone on Saturday 11 November. There’s is a unique style of eclectic acoustic music, which you can sample here. Tickets are just £10 from our online box office, including snacks with a full bar featuring Loddon Brewery ales available. Don’t miss it!

The hall’s management committee is always looking for new people to help them run the building. Experience is not necessary, and the time commitment is not heavy. Now is a perfect time to get involved! If you are interested, please contact Ginny.

Gladman Homes defeated at SODC Planning

A scheme to build 245 houses in fields close to the AONB near Dunsden was thrown out by SODC’s planning committee on September 6th, after a long campaign by the group CAGE Dunsden. As reported in the Henley Standard, so strong were feelings that two coachloads of protestors attended the meeting, with the support of local MPs John Howell and Matt Rodda. An appeal in the next six months is now possible.

Dunsden fly tipper caught on camera

SODC have successfully prosecuted a repeat fly tipper who was dumping building waste in Church Road, Dunsden. Reading-based Sam Smith carried out four substantial fly-tips, and was ordered to pay more than £5,000 after being repeatedly caught on CCTV.

Yellow flyer concerning the bus planning

Parish update for late summer

Burglaries in the parish

Three commercial premises in Dunsden and Sonning Eye were hit over the Bank Holiday weekend. The break-ins seem to have been carefully planned and resulted in several thousands of pounds of losses. A reminder to be vigilant at all times, report all suspicious activity, and make sure that doors and windows are not left open when a house is empty.

 

 

 
Plan for 245 new houses near Dunsden to be decided this  Wednesday (6th)

The parish council is firmly opposed to Gladman’s outline planning application for a large new housing development near Dunsden. It would almost triple the number of houses in the parish and if agreed might set a precedent for further large scale house building next to Playhatch and elsewhere in the area. CAGE is an umbrella group of seven local parishes and four Reading residents groups that are fighting the scheme. Will you support the campaign? They are running buses to the planning committee on Wednesday in order to encourage as many members of the public to attend as possible. Find out more on the CAGE website.

 

 


Henley Road closure

The parish council is working with Oxfordshire County Council and the police to ensure they attempt to limit the impact of the extra traffic through Playhatch and Dunsden during the nine weeks the A4155 is to be closed. Extra warning signs are to be installed and additional action will be taken as needed.

 

 


Expanding fibre broadband in Eye & Dunsden

Fibre broadband is coming to the remotest corners of the parish, thanks to the Better Broadband programme. The majority of coverage in Eye and Dunsden has been delivered commercially. Three postcodes (RG4 9PU, RG4 9PX and RG4 9PY) with four premises, are not in the existing plans and we are not aware of any further commercial deployment plans. These residents may wish to consider a co-funding option detailed on the website.

 

 


Grow your own on our allotments

The council provides two allotments, one at Sonning Eye and another at Playhatch. Vacant plots sometimes become available. If you’re interested, please email Mandy, our Clerk.