Page 18 - Demo

18 Phonebox Magazine | September 2025The CranesNever sign a blank cheque was what I was taught when I received my fi rst cheque book. But it seems that is what the community of Olney did when they agreed the Neighbourhood Plan in 2017. This has been highlighted with the planning application for the crane site on the new industrial estate on Wellingborough Road. The Olney Neighbourhood Plan (NP) did not need to include any employment land, but when the questionnaires were returned, it showed that the respondents wanted some new employment areas in the town, so the fi eld on Wellingborough Road was included. When land is zoned for employment, it is given a planning class or a number of planning classes, and in this case, the neighbourhood plan gave it a very wide range of things that could happen on the site. The NP was then agreed in a referendum by the residents of the town and adopted as planning policy.%u00a0When the cranes appeared, people understandably became concerned about what would happen on the site, but unknown to many was that a planning application had already been submitted for units on that site, which was granted in January 2025. The second application, which many objected to which was determined at the Planning Committee in August was merely to change the buildings that had already been granted permission. What was confi rmed at the Planning Committee meeting held in Milton Keynes in August was that the proposed uses as a crane storage and repair facility and as a place for manufacturing precast concrete products fi t within the scope of the planning classes agreed in the NP that was approved by residents and then adopted by Milton Keynes Council.%u00a0This application was agreed by the committee, with all in favour apart from Keith, who voted against and the Chairman, who abstained.The units will now be built, so all we can do is learn lessons from this. The fi rst one, be careful about the ramifi cations of what you vote for.Solar Farm at LavendonPeter attended a packed Horseshoe pub in Lavendon, where local residents came to listen to the concerns some have for the large solar farm that is seeking planning permission behind the petrol station at Warrington. That fi eld is only one part of a much larger planning application that extends a signifi cant distance into Northamptonshire. There are many concerns, and these include the way this may increase the fl ood risk for the village with increased runoff from the panels if they are installed, which we are also concerned about. The application is so large that it will not be considered by local planning authorities but by the Secretary of State via the Planning Inspectorate, so local councils such as Milton Keynes are merely consultees in this process.Dumping of Waste in SheringtonWe are aware and have been dealing with a situation of illegal dumping of waste in Sherington. At the time of writing, things are moving fast in this investigation. A number of articulated lorries have dumped waste in a fi eld in Sherington that was sold late last year. This was illegal as there were no permissions to do this, and some of this waste was being burnt as well as potentially buried on the site. When we became aware of the issue, we worked with the parish council to ensure Milton Keynes City Council, Thames Valley Police and the Environment Agency worked together to deal with the situation, which they now are and eventually involved the police in arresting a male on behalf of the Environment Agency as part of the investigation. More information will become available as this investigation proceeds, but please be assured that all authorities are working together to deal with the situation.Growth of Milton KeynesThe next and fi nal public consultation on where Milton Keynes should grow has once again been delayed, with it now not due to start until late October. This is the policy that will show where, in the rural areas, any further housing will have to go, in addition to the signifi cant growth proposed between Newport Pagnell, Chicheley and Cranfi eld. Before that, we also expect the details of where the %u2018New Town%u2019 in Milton Keynes will be located, which is a government-proposed scheme. We will keep all communities in touch with any developments in this column and through other channels as things progress.Olney Ward Councillor Corner CONTACT DEBBIE:Tel: 07494 681907 / debbie.whitworth@miltonkeynes.gov.ukMy Ward surgeries are every Tuesday, 10am-12pm at the Olney Centre. No need to book, just pop along.Cllr Debbie WhitworthOlney Ward Councillor CornerCllr Keith McLean Cllr Peter GearyCONTACT US: Keith: 07983 456081 keith.mclean@milton-keynes.gov.uk :: Peter: 07774 939404 peter.geary@milton-keynes.gov.ukIllegal fl y tipping in SheringtonMany residents have been in contact with me last month regarding sightings of illegal fl y tipping on a vast scale. I can assure you that your concerns have been acted upon by Sherington Parish and Ward CouncilsI have been in discussions with Milton Keynes City Council, who have made site visits and contacted the Environment Agency. MKCC have been working with colleagues in Environmental Crime, but due to the volume and nature of the fl y tipping, it necessitated escalating to the police.After residents informed me that the heavy vehicles were back over the weekend, continuing to dump vast loads of waste, I immediately reported to TVP, and a unit was dispatched.Much later into the evening, reports came in of the waste being alight, burning well into the night, which sadly necessitated fi re crews having to be called out to attend. Thames Valley Police have arrested a 40-year-old local man in connection with this. He faces allegations of depositing controlled waste without permission and handling it in a way that could harm the environment or public health. He has been released on bail while the Environment Agency leads further investigations.%u00a0The site has now been confi rmed as an illegal waste site.I%u2019d like to thank the residents of Sherington for their vigilance and continued support in relaying fi rst-hand information in connection with this illegal activity.Any further observations made about waste being deposited on the land, or signifi cant fi res on site, the advice from the senior environmental crime offi cer at the EA is %u2018to please do continue to notify us using the Environment Agency hotline on 0800 807 060, as this ensures the report goes to the offi cer on duty%u2019.Milton Keynes City Council, Thames Valley Police, and the Environment Agency are working together to investigate and ensure appropriate action is taken going forward. Local MP Chris Curtis has also spoken out, emphasising how unacceptable this is for our community.Parking concerns at schoolsMKCC have been actively recruiting for the Road Safety Offi cer role, and I%u2019m pleased to inform all parents/schools in the Ward that a candidate has been successful and will be in post shortly.%u00a0Part of their role will be to work with schools to help them tackle poor parking behaviour, promote sustainable transport, but also to educate and inform parents.%u00a0I know many schools that I%u2019ve been dealing with have site visits due by an RSO and will be notifi ed in September.Reminder for Residents: Annual CanvassMilton Keynes City Council is currently carrying out its Annual Canvass. This process ensures that the electoral register is up to date and that everyone who is eligible to vote is included. You may have been contacted and asked to update your details. I confi rm this is legitimate. Summer exam resultsCongratulations to all students across the Ward who achieved their required grades. Well done! To those who may feel disappointed by their results, I say this: your grades do not defi ne you. There are many alternative paths you can take to achieve your goals. Believe in yourself!