Silchester is a village and civil parish about 5 miles (8 km) north of Basingstoke in Hampshire. It is adjacent to the county boundary with Berkshire and about 9 miles (14 km) south-west of Reading.
Silchester is most notable for the archaeological site and Roman town of Calleva Atrebatum, which was first occupied by the Romans in about AD 45 and includes what is considered the best-preserved Roman wall in Great Britain.
NEWS
Traveller site update - 5th May 2017
The latest update from enforcement officers at Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council is that regular visits have continued to the site to assess the current situation. This has allowed officers to observe the site and ensure that copies of the injunction remain positioned on the site as required by the High Court. It has also allowed officers to gain greater details about all the residents on site, which has resulted in visits by the Traveller Liaison Officer.
Legal matters are still progressing; the travellers are now seeking to vary the terms of the injunction to allow them residential use. Enforcement officers are working with the Borough Council legal team in relation to this application.
The site will continue to be monitored over the forthcoming months to record whether the injunction is complied with, and if necessary compile evidence for the Courts. Officers will update the Parish Council further in relation to the variation of the injunction and updates about the site at key points.
Update on Development by Silchester Sewage Works - 31st March 2017
The Paris Council hasreceived an update from the Enforcement team at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council with regards to the unlawful development off Little London Road down by the sewage works. The statement is below:
EC/17/00053/UMCU1: Land At Rampiers
The council attended the High Court in London on Monday 13th and Tuesday 14th March seeking to enforce the provisions of the injunction secured in relation to the development and potential residential occupation of the site. The key element of the case put forward by the council related to the continuation of works in breach of the injunction following its service. The Council Officers used the best possible methods for service of the Injunction on all the relevant parties on at least two separate occasions at the site, however the defendants stated that they were not aware of the terms of the injunction, and the Judge took the view that his preference would be for additional service requirements and therefore did not support the council's case to enforce the provisions of the injunction. The Judge decided that it was not clear beyond reasonable doubt (a criminal standard of proof given that the sentence would be committal to prison) that sufficient service of the injunction had occurred.
The court directed the council to re-serve further copies of the injunction at prominent locations within the site. This was undertaken by council officers on Wednesday 15th March and Tuesday 21st March. It is also clear that the defendants who attended the High Court are now fixed with the knowledge of the terms of the injunction. In the meantime monitoring of the site will continue to ensure that copies of the injunction remain in place and to record any further breaches of the injunction which may be pursued in future.
A letter from the Parish Council has been sent directly to the High Court in relation to the Judge’s recent decision: this can be viewed here.
The minutes from the Extraordinary Meeting of the Parish Council have been sent to the Judge (in draft form only) and can be viewed here.
A residents group has now been formed and they are looking into possible courses of action both with regards to the planning process and other legal routes that may be pursued. I am aware that they are drafting a letter to residents which will go out shortly.
Great Fire of London - Silchester links
Cllr Keith Chapman of Hampshire County Council recently attended an afternoon tea hosted by the Lord Mayor London to mark the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London. The event was to also thank the towns and boroughs who had most contributed to the rebuilding of the City after the Fire. Silchester Parish donated 15 shillings, and this is shown in the records of the time. Photos of the Silchester records can be seen here.
Update on Development by Silchester Sewage Works
The latest update (13/03/2017) from the Chairman on this development can be found here. The Parish Council have agreed stay in regular contact with Enforcement Officers at Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council, and this will be on at least a monthly basis and more frequently as necessary.
Development by Silchester Sewage Works
Silchester Parish Council is holding a public meeting to discuss planning issues around this traveller settlement on Tuesday 28th February at 7.30pm in Silchester Village Hall. the agenda for the meeting is here. We are hoping that representatives from Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council Planning Office as well as a number of other interested organisations (including representatives from the press) will be there. If you would like to hear about current plans or would like to have your say then the Parish Council encourage you to come along.