Hermitage Village

Help is available for families struggling to access food this half-term.

There is no reason for any children in West Berkshire to be going hungry this half-term. West Berkshire Council is here to help families who are struggling and need assistance with food or other forms of support.

Anyone who needs help should contact the Community Support Hub on 01635 503579 or by email at westberksbct@westberks.gov.uk.

The Community Support Hub is open during office hours; call between 8.30am and 5pm Monday to Thursday, or between 8.30am and 4.30pm on Friday. As well as providing support directly, the team can also provide advice about other local groups and organisations that might be able to help. For more information and to contact the team via the website visit www.westberks.gov.uk/SupportHub

Leader of West Berkshire Council, Lynne Doherty said:

“We’re here to help anyone who is worried about being able to feed their children or access food this half-term. It’s a difficult time for families but we want them to know they are not alone and that support is available if they need it.

“We remain committed to ensuring that residents are supported during what is a very difficult time for many people. I want to reassure everyone that we have arrangements in place which means that no child needs to go hungry in West Berkshire. Throughout the pandemic we have worked proactively with local community groups, charities, West Berkshire Volunteer Centre and Greenham Common Trust to ensure that those facing hardship as a result of the coronavirus are supported. I have regularly met with these groups and I would publicly thank them for their work to date.”

Over the weekend local restaurants, pubs and shops have also come forward offering to help feed families who are struggling this half-term. Thanking them for their efforts, Cllr Doherty added:

“It’s been fantastic to see local businesses coming out and offering food to families in need. It’s a further demonstration of the passionate community spirit we’ve seen in recent months and something which is to be admired. To all those who have been willing to help I express my heartfelt gratitude, I know this can also help to make a difference.”

Boris announces radical re-work of National Planning Policy

BREAKING NEWS:  National Planning policy is to be radically updated.  Boris says the new national planning policy will be “One that is simpler, clearer and quicker to navigate”.

Does it just mean more new homes, built quickly with less thought behind what, where and when?

Hermitage is classified as one of just six Service Villages in North Wessex Downs AONB. 

Should we be concerned that more development may be coming our way?  What will happen to our trees and green spaces?

Do you want to just let this happen or will you join with us to make a difference? 

Help create a Neighbourhood Development Plan.  A NDP would become a legal part of any Development Assessment for Hermitage

Come along to the School on 10-Oct (10:30-15:30) – Have your say! 

Contact us at Hermitagendp@gmail.com

Traffic through Hermitage

Traffic through Hermitage is worrying:  Many comments recently about too much, travelling too fast.

If Hermitage grows with no plan for B4009, there’ll be even more traffic, longer journey times and more risk of accidents.

Do you want to just let development plans happen or do you want to do something about it?

Help us deliver a Neighbourhood Development Plan.  A NDP would become a legal part of any Development Assessment for Hermitage

Come along to the School on 10-Oct (10:30-15:30) – Have your say! 

Contact us at Hermitagendp@gmail.com

Hermitage – New homes – where next?

Right now, West Berks Council is planning housing needs for the next 20 years. 

Stage1 is “where could be developed”. 

If all proposals were approved the whole of Oare Common could be surrounded by new homes!

Do you want to influence where and how future development may happen? 

Help us deliver a Neighbourhood Development Plan.  A NDP would become a legal part of any Development Assessment for Hermitage

Come along to the School on 10-Oct (10:30-15:30) – Have your say!

Contact us at Hermitagendp@gmail.com

Up to 2000 new homes needed in North Wessex Downs AONB

For the period 2006 – 2026, West Berks planned for 2000 new homes to be developed in the Wessex Downs AONB. 

Hermitage is one of six Service Villages within the AONB – which probably explains why the Co-op, Old Farmhouse and Lipscombe close developments have been submitted.

West Berks is now planning for the next 20 years.  How many new homes are they planning to build in Hermitage?

Do you want to influence where and how future development may happen? 

Help us deliver a Neighbourhood Development Plan.  A NDP would become a legal part of any Development Assessment for Hermitage

Come along to the School on 10-Oct (10:30-15:30) – Have your say! 

Contact us at Hermitagendp@gmail.com

Did you know Hermitage is a Service Village?

West Berkshire Council (WBC) splits the places within its boundary into:

1. Urban Areas – towns like Newbury and Thatcham. 
2. Rural Service Centres – places like Hungerford and Mortimer. 
3. Service Villages – Hermitage is one of six within the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). 

WBC believes Service Villages have “some limited development potential” – think new homes…

Do you want to influence where and how that potential development may happen? 

Help us deliver a Neighbourhood Development Plan.  A NDP would become a legal part of any Development Assessment.

Come along to the School on 10-Oct (10:30-15:30) – Have your say! 

Contact us at Hermitagendp@gmail.com

Have your say open day on Saturday October 10^th at Hermitage Primary School in the Woodland Lodge.

To create a plan for future development in Hermitage the NDP group needs to know what residents like, what they would choose to have or not have.

Pop into the open day, any time from 10.30 – 3.30, to let us know your thoughts. If you are unable to do this please email hermitagendp@gmail.com with your comments.

All Covid 19 compliance requirements will be in place.

Hermitage Parish Council working alongside Hermitage Neighbourhood Development Plan group