Thames Farm Action Group - Older Articles
The Thames Farm site developer has submitted amendments to their plans, which involve new drains under Reading Road, Station Road, and Mill Road, and the construction of two new onsite pumping stations (one a back-up in case of failure) and storage reservoirs. These changes will be subject to very limited consultation, yet the impact on residents will be substantial, and the long term effects on natural water flows and local flooding are quite unpredictable.
Shiplake Parish Council and many local people believe that these new proposals represent a significant change to the original plans for the site, and that the process should be open to comprehensive scrutiny and consultation with the right to object. TFAG - an Action Group - has been formed by local residents, and a petition to SODC and others is in progress.
For these ideas to HAPPEN we need the support of as many local residents as possible.
HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP:
- Sign this petition
- Join and help the Action Group by filling in this form
- Make sure you are updated on what is happening! If you are not already registered on the Shiplake villages website then register now!
If you have any queries, need more information or have comments to make then email us at TFAG@shiplakevillages.com including your telephone number if appropriate.
For more information and links to relevant documents and correspondence see the TFAG Evidence & Information page.
THAMES FARM CHANGES THREATEN SHIPLAKE
Drainage route map
Proposed Drainage Route
The proposed drainage route, from Thames Farm to the river via Reading Road, Station Road and Mill Road, is shown in the map. (Click on the map for a larger image).
Creating this new route will cause months of disruption and result in water being discharged into the Lashbrook flood plain in Mill Road.
BBC Feature
Residents may have missed the BBC feature highlighting the flooding concerns of many residents…if you did click on the YouTube link below.
SHIPLAKE FLOODING ROW
Broadcast 09/11/20
Residents in an Oxfordshire village say they're furious that plans to drain water from a new housing development could increase THEIR risk of flooding.
Current Action
The Thames Farm Action Group (TFAG) representing residents is working closely with the parish council in objecting to the proposals. SODC’s response to the coordinated overwhelming response from resident and local councillors has been to request a comprehensive Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) from Taylor Wimpey and a brief extension to the consultation period.
The FRA needs to be scrutinised by professionals and appropriate legal advice taken. The adverse environmental impact of pouring tons of grout/concrete on to a green field site is also deplorable and entirely incompatible with the Taylor Wimpey espoused environmental and social company policies e.g.
‘We want to leave a positive environmental, social and economic legacy that future generations can enjoy, which is the right thing to do, and will contribute to trusting and enduring relationships with communities and other stakeholders’.
Really? There is more of this, which is at odds with reality.
Your support
The Action Group (TFAG) needs the support of everyone in objecting to the drainage proposals. An on-line petition has been started, and a social media campaign will be launched. We would be delighted if residents would support and sign this petition (www.change.org/ThamesFarmPetition) - over 400 residents already have …
There has been a tremendous response from residents wishing to help/make a donation..…we need everybody to help that can .... Click on this link (tinyurl.com/y5mdcjhx) to respond to a VERY SHORT questionnaire.
What else can you do?
TFAG will be providing updates on its activities and outcomes via this page. Please use this to keep abreast of developments and if you have any comments or concerns, or can offer assistance, contact us via email to: feedback@shiplakevillages.com
Article created / last edited: 14 November 2020
Thames Farm Important Update
David Bartholomew has confirmed that Taylor Wimpey will now be carrying out a Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) and application P20/S2808/DIS will be kept open until this additional information has been submitted to SODC. When the FRA has been received all of the people who have commented on the application will have 14 days to submit further comments.
The issues have again been featured prominently in the Henley Standard, not least referencing the importance of public consultation and openness with regard to such important decisions.
Article created / last edited: 29 October 2020
UPDATE: Thames Farm Proposed Drainage (article updated with revised links)
BORING TITLE..CRITICAL ISSUES!
Over 100 residents have objected to the plans and local councillors have made clear the major concerns regarding the proposals. SODC has proposed a 60 day extension for determining outstanding issues with the current proposals BUT not including residents, the parish council nor our district councillors as consultees. Based, not least on important contributions from residents click here to read the response of the parish council to senior executives and political leaders of SODC, and OCC, John Howell, Robert Jenrick (Housing Minister), the EA and Thames Water.
BREAKING NEWS...see latest Forum entry from David Bartholomew
Article created / last edited: 29 October 2020
