PARISH COUNCIL – The Kingston and Thruxton group Parish Council met on April 17 when questions were raised by villagers about the appeal lodged by the developer against Herefordshire County Council’s refusal to grant planning permission for land at the rear of Whitehouse Drive. The parish council will send a further letter to the Secretary of State opposing the development with some additional information as part of the appeal process.

Villagers also questioned comments recorded on the Herefordshire planning website about the proposed Archihaus development of 150 houses. The vast majority of comments on the website are objections from local residents (including a petition with 70 signatures). Currently there are only four local supporters, other supporters live outside the locality – in some cases as far afield as Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and London. The parish council noted the concerns of those present which will be presented at the Herefordshire council planning committee meeting.

One person put their name forward for the parish councillor vacancy and with no other nominations was co-opted onto the council. Following the resignation of the vice-chairman, a new one was nominated and unanimously approved. Three councillors also volunteered to fill vacancies on local charities – the William Hoskyns Trust, Consolidated Charities and John Smith Charity.

Clarification was sought about the ongoing funding of the lengthsman scheme and the build up of litter was raised as a recurring problem. It was agreed to ask Amey to conduct a collection exercise and it is hoped that local residents will help by picking up any litter they see on local roads. The next meeting will be held on May 29 at 7.30pm.