Retirement complex ‘would free up family homes’ );
A RETIREMENT village in Sonning Common would help release family homes, an inquiry heard.
Inspired Villages, now known as Senior Living, wants to build 110 flats on a field in Blounts Court Road.
The land is in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, where development can only be considered in exceptional circumstances.
South Oxfordshire District Council refused to give planning permission so the developer appealed and a hearing before a planning inspector is now taking place online.
Roland Bolton, senior director of DLP Planning, which is advising the appellant, told the inquiry on Tuesday: “The release of family housing is important as we have a housing crisis and in particular we have a shortage of family housing, which is recognised by the Government.
There’s enough people out here for a Sherlock Holmes mystery );
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WHILE Rosemary is going through her morning yoga exercises, I go outside to check on the weather as I never entirely believe the forecasts.
It does not look too bad today, although I learn that later we may have rain, sleet or snow.
Bird activity in the garden is on the increase. Greenfinches and goldfinches trill away, high in our trees, a green woodpecker “yaffles” not far off.
On the ground, dunnocks, blackbirds and robins hop about. A pair of collared doves coo. Magpies, carrion crows and jackdaws perform juvenile gang warfare. I notice there are more blackcaps and goldcrests than normal. There seem to be more coal tits too, daring little fellows. Many of the little birds are pairing up.