View of fields in the local area of Dunsden

Latest news from Eye & Dunsden: Gladman result on 26 October

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September 30: be a scythe master

Become an Austrian scythe expert with Clive Leeke

Dunsden Community Orchard is proud to host a special workshop by Clive Leeke of www.austrianscythes.co.uk.
He will demonstrate how easy it is to use this alternative scythe design. Starts at 2pm. Take part and help to cut the orchard grass at the same time. Free workshop, donations welcome. Facilities available thanks to the village hall.

11 October: time for a Fitness MOT?

A free session for over-60s at Dunsden village hall

Are you a racing machine or a puffing billy? Take part in this fun, free fitness test with the enthusiastic GOActive team from SODC. Begins at 9.30am. Book your place with Simone.Passeri@southandvale.gov.uk or call 07717 326661.

October 20: quiz night is back!

Popular quiz night returns, thanks to Beth & John

Bring a team or join one on the night and take part in a fun and brain-teasing evening. Tickets just £12 including fish & chip supper from buytickets.at/dunsden or in Binfield Heath Stores. Doors open at 7pm.

Murder Mystery Evening, January 2019: tbc

Ninebarrow to return

Brilliant musical duo last played to capacity crowd

Saturday, March 23, 2019 from 7.15pm. Sure-fire crowd pleasers, Ninebarrow have a keen national following following their frequent radio appearances. Tickets £13 from buytickets.at/dunsden or in Binfield Heath Stores.

Planning matters

Gladman inquiry closes

The public inquiry into 245 houses proposed by speculators Gladman has now closed with a result expected at the end of October. There was much closely argued debate about the significance of the Oxfordshire Growth Deal for 100,000 new houses in the county before 2031. It was also claimed that the recently selected corridor for the new Oxford-Cambridge Expressway was of significance. The parish council fully supports CAGE’s opposition to the scheme which it considers to be wholly inappropriate for a parish of 150 houses. If you are concerned about this proposal you are urged to attend the inquiry at Henley Rugby Club from 10am.

SODC consider land between Playhatch and Caversham Park Village as a potential new site for massive housing development

SODC has added land at Playhatch, Palmer’s Riding Stables and Reading Golf Club into a study of possible sites for future housing. CAGE has strongly objected. A further announcement is expected in December. See www.cagedunsden.org for more.

Successful kick-off for Dunsden Owen Association talks series

The first in a series of four illustrated talks and discussions to commemorate the centenary of the end of WW1 was a great success. All are welcome at the next talk about the Indian contribution to WW1. It promises to be fascinating. Entrance on the door is just £4 including refreshments. For more see www.owenindunsden.org

Indian Soldiers in the Great War – Inderpal Dhanjal – Tuesday 11 September

Inderpal leads the Legacy of Valour Society (legacyofvalour.org) which is a national community-based initiative which tells the story of the Indian contribution to the first world war. Over 1.5 million Indian service personnel served during 1914–18, with 11 being awarded military crosses.

Tunnelling for victory in WW1 – Robin Sanderson and Richard Crompton – Tuesday 9 October

Descendants of WW1 tunnellers tell the remarkable story of their relatives’ remarkable contribution to the British war effort.

The Society of Friends and pacifism in WW1 – Ruth Tod, Henley Quakers – Tuesday 13 November

‘War…involves the surrender of the Christian ideal and the denial of human brotherhood.’ Quakers in the First World War, and their response to conflict today.

Classes at Dunsden hall

The following classes are currently available, more details from Bookings Manager, Jo Summerland dunsdenvillagehallbooking@gmail.com

  • Mindfulness: Mondays, 7.30 to 8.30pm
  • Mindfulness: Fridays, 9.45 to 11.15am
  • Pilates: Wednesdays, 7 to 9pm
  • Pilates: Thursdays, 6.30 to 7.30pm
  • WAT Dance: Every other Wednesday, 8 to 9pm
  • Ashtanga Yoga: Mondays, 7.30 to 8.45pm
  • Vinyasa Flow Yoga: Tuesdays, 7.45 to 9pm
  • Yoga & Meditation: Wednesdays, 6.30 to 8pm
  • Hatha Yoga: Thursdays, 7.30 to 9.30pm
  • Yoga for Health: Fridays, 9.45 to 11.45am

 

Flyer for the Fighting Fund with a piggy bank as the central image

Join the CAGE crowd-funders

CAGE has launched a fighting fund to pay for its battle against Gladman Developments at the planning inquiry in May. Eye & Dunsden Parish Council is in full support of this campaign. Will you join the crowd-funders to help pay for expert evidence to prove just why Gladman’s appeal should be rejected?

Nearly 500 people registered their objections to Gladman’s plan for 245 unsustainable houses in tiny Eye & Dunsden Parish, next to Emmer Green. If each contributes just £25, CAGE would meet their £10,000 target. Please help.

Gladman boasts that it is Britain’s biggest user of the planning system in the UK. They look to exploit weaknesses in the system in order to maximise profit for profit-hungry landowners. Eye & Dunsden is a parish of just 140 homes.

Their proposed development would burst the natural boundary of Reading and cause a valued landscape right next to the Chilterns AONB to be lost for ever. The proposal has many weaknesses, but Reading Borough Council has refused to participate fully in the inquiry. South Oxfordshire District Councilwill be fully represented, but its remit will be limited to the reasons given when they refused the application last year.

As an umbrella group representing seven local parish councils and 4 residents’ groups in Reading, CAGE believe it is absolutely essential they are able to bring all the facts to the inquiry. CAGE has the full support of Reading and South Oxfordshire Councillors Clare Grashoff and Paul Harrison and of local MPs, Matt Rodda and John Howell.

Please go to the CAGE crowd-funding site now to contribute to this appeal. The funds will be managed by Eye & Dunsden Parish Council as part of the CAGE campaign.

Image of local councillor David Bartholomew

County Councillor publishes objection to Gladman plan

Councillor David Bartholomew has lodged his objections to the Gladman Developments plan for 245 houses in Eye & Dunsden parish.

Register your views on the SODC website now.

Objection

  1. The county boundary was revised in 1977 to reflect the actual boundary of the built-up area of Reading. This proposed development straddles urban Reading and rural South Oxfordshire thus compromising the county boundary and destroying the clear distinction between urban and rural areas.
  2. The development would cause severe harm to the rural character of the area.
  3. The development would clearly be part of Reading in practical terms, but would fall into the Oxfordshire County Council, South Oxfordshire District Council and Eye & Dunsden Parish Council areas of administration. This would present serious issues in terms of funding and management of resources for all councils concerned.
  4. There is little employment in the immediate area and it is highly likely most residents would need to cross Reading Bridge or Caversham Bridge to get to work directly or via the mainline railway station. Most of this travel would be by car. Reading Borough Council has already identified both these bridges as being used well beyond their capacity and the increase in congestion would be substantial, conflicting with the objectives of sustainable development.
  5. This area is not scheduled for major development in the SODC Local Plan.
  6. The Sonning Common Neighbourhood Plan has been ‘made’ and while this site isn’t within the area of the plan, it is immediately adjacent to it, so should be taken into consideration. The rural character of the site is as important to Sonning Common residents as it is Emmer Green residents.