Link at Last?

The need for a footpath and cycle link between Taylor 's Farm and Chineham has long been agreed.  The problem has always been how this would pass through the southern end of Petty's Copse, which is a protected woodland.  By virtue of the county and borough council's procrastinating for months, if not years, a de-facto path has been established along what might not be the best route for nature conservation. 
However, Croudace is willing to install the link having first arranged for the necessary bio-diversity inspections.  Part of the scheme when carried out will be a 'softening' of the airport runway which has been cut through the conifer wood to the north.  That section will eventually benefit from street lighting, but how one deals with lighting the southern portion in view of the sensitivities of wildlife has yet to be resolved.

 

Bund or no Bund

Some developers are more reasonable than others.  Few, if any, are perfect.  Undoubtedly one would have to place Croudace in the more approachable category, even though their early proposals to enclose the landscape bund to the north of Thyme Close and Fennel Close was what one might describe as naughty. 
After approaches from residents, the Spotlight team and diligent work by the parish council, agreement has been reached that following withdrawal from an earlier planning application, the new one will leave the bund area in a condition which allows wildlife to travel between The Larches and Petty's Copse.  The proposal is that the land would eventually be transferred to the borough council for ongoing maintenance.  There is also going to be further consideration of the height of some of the buildings closest to the existing Chineham properties.  Hopefully Spotlight will be able to give Croudace 8 out of 10 for their final scheme when completed.