NEWS IN BRIEF FROM PARKLANDS WARD

:: GREAT PARK ALLOTMENT PLAN

The Great Park Consortium has agreed to create a 60 half-plot sized allotment site in the centre of the Great Park development.

The allotment will have water, fencing, site hut, and toilet. It is hoped that work will commence next year.

:: MILFORD GARDENS RESURFACING

The road condition is poor and so the road has been added to the list of roads to be resurfaced. We will keep you informed of developments.

:: NEW TREES

Trees are to be planted at the east end of the Broadway West playing fields.

:: MELROSE CLOSE

A tree preservation order has been introduced for the Close's trees.

:: RULES CHANGED ON PAVING OVER GARDENS

The Government has recently announced changes to the rules that allow householders to pave their front garden for hard standing without planning permission.

Councillor John Shipley says: "If a new driveway or parking area is constructed using permeable surfaces such as concrete block paving, porous asphalt or gravel, or if the water is able otherwise to soak into the ground, planning permission is not required."

:: NO 6 BUS SERVICE

The Parklands Lib Dem Team is trying to find a solution to the withdrawal of the No 6 Stagecoach bus service from Broadway West.

Councillor Diane Packham says: "The withdrawal has caused inconvenience to residents in the local area.

"We are doing our best to try and resolve this satisfactorily."

:: PLANNED LOCAL IMPROVEMENTS

A 'Silver Spade' ceremony was held in July to mark the start of construction work on Brunton First School.

The development remains on schedule. We will keep you informed of news on the scheme.

PETROL STATION BID

An application has been lodged to build a petrol filling station north of Rotary Way.

The development, which includes parking, an ancillary retail area and a car wash, would require alterations to the local road network and the nearby roundabout.

Councillor Diane Packham says: "Outline permission already exists for a petrol station but the retail sales area would be bigger.

"The proposal has been referred to the Highways Agency for comment."

:: GREAT NORTH ROAD

'No through road' signs have been agreed for the Great North Road 'service road' at the north side of the junction with Norwood Avenue.

:: WARKWORTH WOODS

Talks are ongoing with the Great Park Consortium over the adoption of Warkworth Woods' highways.

A plan has been agreed but the outstanding issue remains the cost of the scheme.

Double yellow lines should be installed on Brunton Lane at the junctions with Warkworth Woods by December.

:: PLANNING MATTERS

Melton Park

A change of use is proposed from retail to a physiotherapy practice at 8 Newlands Avenue in Melton Park.

Brunton Lane telephone exchange

An application has been received to alter elevations to include replacement windows, erection of a 2.4m high palisade fence surrounding the parking area and installation of security cameras.