Thursday 12 March 2026
Our usual round-up of local news includes An in-depth look at a community housing initiative from Connecting Communities in Berkshire which is particularly relavant for this very rural area, Compton Parish Council considers the Pirbright application and a forthcoming annual parish meeting – plus Harry Styles, soil conditioner, sewage pollution, a sheep-fair stall and a call for sites. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.
Upcoming Compton area events include Hampstead Norreys Mens Breakfast & Bishop Mary Gregory Talk. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.
• Compton Parish Council’s reaction to the Pirbright site application
As previously mentioned, the full application for 160 homes on this site has been submitted and validated by WBC. You can see all the documents by clicking here and quoting the reference number 26/00261/RESMAJ.
Compton Parish Council (CPC) and the ward member have been watching this complex application very carefully and will continue to do so. Compton PC forwarded the information on this latest application to its planning consultant to provide it with an advice note. It also held a separate meeting to discuss the application on 11 March.
AT the meeting it was decided that CPC would submit an objection to the application. You can read the minutes of the meeting (which were published with commendable swiftness) by clicking here. Once the objection documents are finalised and ready for submission, CPC will publish them on its website so residents can view them in full.
Based on the minutes, the concerns are chiefly about the problems with the foul-water provision and, in particular, about the need to correct the consequences of a decision notice that was wrongly issued by WBC, which currently effectively regards this problem as not being a problem at all.
“The Council is keen for residents to understand,” a statement from CPC on 12 March stressed, “that it is not opposed to the redevelopment of the site in principle. Councillors are, however, focused on ensuring that any development is appropriate for the village, and concerns about the current capacity of the foul water network were a significant part of the discussion.”
It’s also very important that residents have their say on the issue. See above for the link and the reference number for the application. Ideally all comments should be made by 25 March. The more people who comment on this, the more seriously these concerns will be taken.
As this is a major application, it will be determined by WBC’s Western Area Planning Committee. Once a date is fixed for this we’ll have more information. Anyone who comments on the application will be contacted by the committee’s Clerk in advance explaining how they can participate in the discussion.
• Community-led housing
The March 2026 edition of the Connecting Communities in Berkshire (CCB) newsletter has just arrived and you can read it here. This organisation does exactly what says on the tin. As its website puts it, it is “knowledgeable and experienced in finding solutions that best meet the needs of communities…developing partnerships that foster good communications, which in turn build engagement and deliver strong, sustainable communities.”
Any parish council, village hall, community group or charity is strongly advised to keep an eye on its website and sign up for its monthly bulletins. The aims that it espouses are now more important than ever.
This is particularly the case with rural housing, particularly at the affordable end of the scale. As we, and CCB, have considered before, there are a number of challenges at present which are combining in an unwelcome way.
- Many social-housing providers are divesting themselves of properties which, probably in that community and possibly even in the district, are then lost to the social-housing sector.
- Construction and compliance costs have increased.
- Most commercial developers constantly strive to reduce the number of (comparatively unprofitable) homes they’re compelled to build.
- There’s a disconnect between what and where developers do build, what and where housing associations dispose of properties and the actual needs of the communities.
All of this has led to an alarming reduction in the number of social-rent homes in Berkshire, including West Berkshire, and particularly in rural areas. CCB is in the process of compiling information on the exact numbers.
Knowing the figures is one thing. What can be done about it? Fortunately, the CCB newsletter has an article on this very point.
One solution which is (unlike those listed above) within the power of local communities to realise involves community land trusts (CLTs) and/or rural exception sites(RESs). In very general summary, these permit sites which would not normally be considered for development to be approved, providing that a local need is established and an ownership and tenancy structure created which will retain them for the the social-rent market and, in the case of CLTs, also for the permanent benefit of that community.
CCB’s Rural Housing Enabler, Maria Kelly, described how she had recently attended a meeting run by the Stonesfield Community Trust in nearby Oxfordshire to discuss CLTs.
“We explored how groups can work better together to deliver a growing potential pipeline of community-led homes,” she wrote, “particularly in rural areas where finding suitable land and traditional housing associations to develop homes can be difficult.” She went on to explain how such initiatives “can ensure that housing and other assets are available to the community in perpetuity and cannot be sold off privately or otherwise lost.”
There are several important points from this. The first is that, like anything to do with the planning system, we’re dealing with a process-driven system. Various tasks like a housing needs survey to establish demand and a survey of possible sites to establish availability need to be done, and in the right way. Expert help is needed and CCB can provide it.
The second is that even if a housing association owns, builds or acquires a property in your village, there’s no guarantee that it will not be sold off as a private residence. This approach will prevent that from happening.
The third is that the age (which started with the Atlee government’s post-war reforms) where the system would provide what we need is coming to an end. Whether it’s dentists or social care, pensions or health provision, if we want or need something we increasingly have to source it ourselves. The same goes for affordable housing. If a community needs this and expects that the current arrangements will provide it then it will almost certainly be disappointed. They can, however help themselves.
If you’re interested in finding out more about this issue and how CCB can help plot a path through the system to achieve the result your community needs, contact maria.kelly@ccberks.org.uk. For those outside Berkshire, similar organisations with the same broad goals exist as part of the ACRE network – click here for more information.
• Compton’s Annual Parish Meeting
A reminder that this will take place on Monday 16 March at 7 pm in the Wilkins Centre. Everyone in the village is invited to take part.
“It’s a chance to hear updates from The Downland Practice, our District Councillor, the Parish Council, and local groups who keep our community thriving,” a statement from the Parish Council explained. “We’ll look back at the past year, share what’s ahead, and give space for residents to raise questions or ideas. Whether you’re new to the parish or have lived here for years, your voice matters. We hope to see you there.”
• Other news
• Compton Parish Council has a vacancy for a Parish Councillor to help shape the future of Compton. If you are interested in contributing please email contact@comptonparishcouncil.gov.uk
• As part of its endeavour to raise funds for new school goalposts, The Downs School is holding a raffle for two tickets to see Harry Styles on his Together Together Tour on Tuesday 23 June at Wembley. For full entry details, click here.
• For all gardeners, West Berkshire Council is offering a free soil conditioner giveaway. Residents can visit Padworth Integrated Waste Management Facility (RG7 4JF) on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 March, between 10am and 4pm, to collect nutrient-rich soil conditioner for their garden. Click here for full details
• A quick reminder to get in touch if you would like a stall at the East Ilsley Sheep Fair on Sunday 7 June either via Facebook messenger or email eastilsleysheepfair@gmail.com.
• Channel 4′s recent hard hitting docu-drama Dirty Business will have confirmed what most of us know, and many of us have experienced first hand, about the failure to protect our rivers from sewage pollution and the devastating consequence for both wildlife and people. Marlborough-based Action for the River Kennet has been highlighting this issue for more than twenty years. You can click here to read ARK’s thoughts about the programme and some of the messages it conveyed. You can add your voice to the call for clean water now on this page on the Rivers Trust website.
• To inform its new local plan, West Berkshire Council is holding a call for sites which runs until 11.59pm on Monday 30 March and is opportunity to suggest land within West Berkshire that could be developed. Submissions are welcomed from landowners, site promoters, developers, and other interested parties. These will be considered during the refresh of WBC’s current local plan. For more information on the Call for Sites and the submission form, click here.
• As previously mentioned, the full application for 160 homes on the Pirbright site in Compton has recently be submitted and validated by WBC. You can see all the documents by clicking here and quoting the reference number 26/00261/RESMAJ. Compton PC will be holding a separate meeting to discuss the application on Wednesday 11 March at 7 pm in the Wilkins Centre . All members of the public are very welcome to attend.
• The BBC Make a Difference Awards may not be held until September but you’ve only got until 5pm on Tuesday 31 March to make a nomination. For more info click here or email faye.harland@bbc.co.uk.
• Don’t miss the Pop-up Library at Compton Village Hall on the second Thursday of each month, from 10.15am to 11.45am. West Berkshire Council is working with Compton Parish Council to provide this service. See more library information here.
• Compton Players invite you to their spring production of Cluedo on April 23, 24 and 25. Join a very unusual dinner party with iconic oddballs known as Scarlet, Plum, White, Green, Peacock, and Mustard, for a fun night out.
• A quick seasonal reminder for dog walkers, that their pets (regardless of their temperament), will always be of concern to a prey animal like a sheep, especially when lambing is taking place. Panic in ewes from encountering dogs off lead may induce miscarriages. Click here for full guidelines from the National Sheep Association.
• In an effort to address the rise in tool thefts, Thames Valley Police is giving away free tool-marking kits (including faraday pouches and anti-theft number plate screws) for trades people in the area. Click here to apply for a kit while stocks last. TVP are also running free tool-marking sessions – see here for dates and locations.
• Up-and-coming athletes in West Berkshire are being given the chance to take their sporting careers to the next level with Everyone Active’s 2026 Sporting Champions scheme. There’s also an Everyone Active Community Champions initiative to support unsung heroes in the district. Nominations for both close on Friday 20 March. For more information, click here.
• If you would you like to grow your own fruit and veg this year, allotment plots are available now to Compton residents at Newbury Lane. If you are interested email newburylaneallotmentmanager@comptonparishcouncil.gov.uk
• On Saturday 11 July, a private field in Compton will host an inaugural rock festival dedicated to raising funds for Berkshire Women’s Aid – a local charity supporting survivors of domestic abuse. The lineup includes The Funky Monks Red Hot Chilli Pepper experience, Sterofakeits and The Hormones. Every ticket sold directly contributes to providing crucial financial support for Berkshire Women’s Aid. Organisers hope the event will be a feast of music and community solidarity. Tickets will be available online here.
• A reminder to visit gov.uk’s webpage here to take part in the local council reorganisation consultation by Thursday 26 March. This is a government-led reform to change how councils in two-tier area are structured, replacing county and district councils with single unitary authorities. A statement from West Berkshire Council (and a very similar one from the Vale of White Horse) provides more details.
• Compton Parish Council is gathering further evidence of recent flooding issues. If you have any photos or videos from winter 2024/25 showing flooding, surcharging sewers or tankers operating on Aldworth Road and are happy for the parish council to use them, please email them to contact@comptonparishcouncil.gov.uk.
• Downland Volunteer Group offers shopping trips to Newbury and Wantage and regular Fantastic Friday trips, with dates coming soon for Portsmouth on Friday 13 March. See details here.
• The lack of social housing, particularly in rural areas, is consistently under the spotlight, however, villages can source help in a number of ways. Click here for full details.
• A gentle reminder that Brian Quinn’s second volume of short stories and parodies, Gravity and Rust, is now available from any bookshop, including the Hungerford Bookshop, the White Horse Bookshop in Marlborough and the Wantage Bookshop. For full info click here.
• For Hampstead Norreys news visit the Parish Council’s Facebook page.
• Latest local newsletters
• Chaddleworth News.
• West Ilsley News.
• Have your say on:
Consultations being run by West Berkshire Council:
- Proposals for local government reorganisation in Oxfordshire and West Berkshire – deadline 26 Mar.
- Residents’ Survey (2026) – deadline 10 May.
Parish and town councils also run consultations from time to time: see the appropriate website/s below under Council contacts.
Community notices
• Have your say on current consultations by West Berkshire Council. Parish and town councils also run consultations from time to time: see the appropriate website/s below under Council contacts.
• Compton & Downland Villages Menopause Cafe at The Swan at Compton on selected Saturday mornings from 10am to 12noon. To find out more or to book a space call Cathy on 07787 517871 or email catherineleatham@gmail.com. For more details visit menopausecafe.net
• Hampstead Norreys Handbell Ringers welcome new members. So if you have a musical ear and are keen on community, click here for full details.
• Compton Netball, for all ages and all abilities at The Downs School Sports Hall. Please message Nadia Oriani Balfour if you’re interested and she will send you a link to the WhatsApp group.
• Scam reminders from Citizens Advice with most common types of scam. The golden rule is if something seems too good to be true or doesn’t feel right it might be a scam, so take a moment and get advice or just ask a friend.
• West Ilsley Willows women’s cricket team West Ilsley Willows welcomes new members. Whether you’re a novice or seasoned player go along to meet the team at a Thursday evening training.
• The Downlands Practice Social Prescribing Facebook page has details of social get-togethers and community support.
• Compton Stay, Learn & Play in Compton Village Hall on the second and fourth Thursday of the month for young families. See here for details.
• Sick or dead wild birds might be infected with bird flu so please don’t touch them. Report any dead wild birds you find to the Animal and Plant Health Agency. You can report it online or call 03459 33 55 77.
• Ilsley Evergreens welcomes all to join its coach day trips. Just contact Liane on ilsleysevergreens@gmail.com to book a place.
• Downland Volunteer Group has an electric HandeBus. For those wishing to use the HandeBus or volunteer to help the DVG’s work, please call 01635 578394 during office hours (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 11.30am) or see here for more details.
• U6, U7 and U16 footballers are welcome at FC Cougars. Please contact Graham on graham@fccougars.com.
• Compton Karate based at Aldworth Village Hall is a small and friendly dojo that welcomes new members.
• For how to avoid scams and what to do if you unluckily get caught, please see important advice here from Citizen’s Advice. There is no shame if you do get caught out by scammers (Penny has) and you must seek help and warn others.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Dates for the diary
• Sat 14 Mar Men’s Breakfast Hampstead Norreys Village Hall.
• Thu 19 Mar Downland Filling Station: Bishop Mary Gregory Hampstead Norreys Village Hall.
• Thu 26 Mar Quiz Night Crown and Horns, East Ilsley.
• Sat 18 Mar Quiz Night Yattendon Social Club.
• Sat 28 Mar Saturday Morning Marks Compton Village Hall.
• Tue 7 Apr Secret Garden Hampstead Norreys Village Hall.
• Sat 18 Apr Games Event Compton Village Hall.
• Fri 19 Jun Compton’s Got Talent Compton Village Hall.
• Sat 4 Jul Compton Fete Compton Recreation Ground.
• Regular events and groups
• Stay, Play and Learn at Compton Village Hall on Thursday mornings during term for children 0-4 years to socialise with others, exploring a variety of play activities and crafts. Book online with West Berkshire Council here.
• Free safe & well visit, by The Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue Service. To see if you qualify click here, call Freephone 0800 5876679 or email SafeandWell@rbfrs.co.uk.
• The Household Support Fund is for those most in need. Priority will be given to households who are ineligible for other government support and vulnerable groups regarding the cost of living crisis. To apply click here.
• The Handybus service to Wantage picks up Chaddleworth and Leckhamstead residents from their homes on the second and fourth Tuesday morning. The round trip will cost £4. See here for more details and how to book.
• Compton Pop-up Library is on the second Thursday of every month from 10.15am to 11.45am, in Compton Village Hall. What’s more, if you tell them about the sort of books you like to read they will choose a selection for your next visit.
• Leckhampstead Pop-up Library is at Leckhampstead Village Hall on the first Wednesday of each month, 10am to noon. See details here. New library members very welcome to join.
• Allotment plots available at Newbury Lane allotment in Compton from £12.50 per year. If you’re interested please mail newburylaneallotmentmanager@comptonparishcouncil.gov.uk.
• Marcham Cricket Club welcomes new cricket players and officials.
• Tea and a Chat on Mondays from 9.30 to 11am at the Wilkins Centre in Compton: all welcome.
• Downland Practice’s Social Prescribing reminds patients that Hillier’s Garden Centre is delighted to be able to host the Ladies Breakfast Club on the second Wednesday of every month.
• Wellbeing and mental health free one-hour introduction session with Recovery in Mind and The Downland Practice. Please contact pm.downland@nhs.net to book your place.
• Drop Off/Drop In Coffee Morning every Wednesday during term time at Brightwalton Church from 8.45 to 10 a.m.
• Aldworth Saturday Market at Aldworth Village Hall, RG8 9SE from 10.30am to noon sells fresh fruit and vegetables, groceries, stamps and cards plus tea and coffee. Contact Kathy on 01635 578090 or e-mail kathyneville@outlook.com.
• The Gents Breakfast Club created by The Downland Practice – Social Prescribing is proving popular. If you would like more information please contact nicky.ager@nhs.net.
• Compton Tots on the first and third Thursday of every month at Compton Village Hall from 9.30 to 11am. Providing a safe, fun and educational space, in partnership with Compton Pre-school for 0 to 5 years and costs £2 per family (cash only).
• Quiz night at The Crown and Horns in East Ilsley every Thursday from 7pm with prizes to be won. You can reserve a table by calling 01635 281545, and see more information here.
• Brickleton Babes Baby and Toddler Group in Brightwalton Village Hall. Join its Facebook group for details.
• Autumn Group regular meetings include the Hobbies Club at the Wilkins Centre, Compton. Visit its Facebook page for details. Anyone from surrounding villages very welcome.
• Aldworth Art/Painting Group at the Aldworth Village Hall on first and third Tuesday of every month from 9.30am to 12 noon. Details here.
• Hampstead Norreys Village Hall club and event information is on Hampstead Norreys Community website.
• Ilsley Under Fives meets every Wednesday between 10am to 11.30 a.m at various locations throughout the Ilsley villages. Please join its Facebook group or see details here.
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others. If the link is scored through this may be because draft minutes have been replaced by approved ones and the drafts file deleted. If so, please follow the links provided to the council’s website.
• The most recent meeting of Chaddleworth Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 3 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: planning matters; financial matters; the Chaddleworth Community Plan; a memorial free; repairs and maintenance; rights of way; road safety; Councillors’ reports; the the Clerk’s report.
To see the dates and agendas of Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, click here.
• The most recent meeting of Compton Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 2 March and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates of Parish Council meetings (including any committees), agendas and minutes, please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Hampstead Norreys Council for which minutes are available took place on 22 January and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes of Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Beedon Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 15 January and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas of Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see minutes from past meetings please click here. Please click here for details of the planning applications currently active in the parish.
• The most recent meetings of Ashampstead Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 12 January and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes of Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Brightwalton Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 12 January and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes of Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of West Ilsley Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 18 November and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees) please click here.
• The most recent meeting of East Ilsley Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 11 November and you can download the minutes here.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes of Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Aldworth Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 4 November and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes of Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Peasemore Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 24 September and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes of Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• Compton & Downlands area council contacts
- Parishes: Hampstead Norreys Parish Council, Compton Parish Council, Ashampstead Parish Council, Beedon Parish Council, Chaddleworth Parish Council, Brightwalton Parish Council, Peasemore Parish Council, Aldworth Parish Council, West Ilsley Parish Council and East Ilsley Parish Council.
- West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
• News from other areas
- Penny Post area: see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton and Downlands; Burghfield area; Wantage area; Marlborough area.
- News and views from across the area and beyond: see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Archives
To see earlier Compton & Downlands & Surrounding Area Weekly News columns, please click here.
