Latest news

  • Phase Two Public Consultation for the Grand Union Canal Transfer is now open

      Have your say on updated plans for the Grand Union Canal Transfer. These are proposals by two water companies, Severn Trent and                Affinity Water, and the Canal & River Trust charity, who are the owner and navigation authority of the canals in England and Wales. The scheme              proposes to bring water from the Midlands to the Southeast to secure future drinking water supplies, protect the environment, ensure future water            availability for canal navigation, and unlock investment in our communities.

Anyone is able to provide feedback, and the consultation will run from Wednesday 11 February to 11.59pm on Thursday 2 April 2026.

      Find out more about the proposals and how you can take part on the scheme website –www.guctransfer.co.uk.

 

 

  • North Warwickshire Citizens Advice  share information about our free services that may benefit residents in the parish.They offer free, confidential, and impartial advice on a range of issues, including benefits, debt, housing, employment, energy, and other queries.They have  drop-in sessions at our office at The Parish Rooms, Welcome St, Atherstone CV9 1DU, Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays: 10am – 2pm

         They also offer remote sessions over the phone on all weekdays 10am – 2pm. They also have our Mobile Advice Centre (MAC) funded by Cadent,                offering advice on a range of issues, including Benefits, Debt, Housing, Employment, Cost of Living and Energy concerns and help with Disability               Forms – DLA, PIP and AA.

          This month the MAC will be out at Feb 24th – Atherstone Library 10.00am-11.00am

         Feb 25th – Atherstone Library 10.00am-12.00pm

         Mar 3rd – Cost of Living Event (Hosted by Severn Trent Water) Mancetter Memorial Hall – 9.00am – 3.00pm

        Mar 4th – Atherstone Dementia Cafe, Owens Street 10.30am-12.30pm

        Mar 10th – Dordon Surgery 10.00am-1.00pm

       Website: NWCAB.org.uk

Park Lane, Astley Road will be closed to vehicular traffic at the corner of Glebe Farm and the Bungalow between 10-21st March.

 

  • Government consultation on Local Government Reorganisation in Warwickshire launches and will run from Thursday, 5 February, until Thursday, 26 March

The government has launched a consultation to invite residents, businesses, and key stakeholders, to have their say as part of the consultation on               what Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) should look like in Warwickshire. Currently, Warwickshire has two-tiers of local government,                     Warwickshire County Council as one tier and five District and Borough Councils – North Warwickshire Borough, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough,  Rugby Borough, Stratford and Warwick District Councils as the second tier. Local government reorganisation (LGR) is planned for            Warwickshire because central government has set out a national policy to reorganise the current two-tier system of local government in England to one tier, and Warwickshire is one of the areas affected by that policy.  In line with the Local Authority Publicity Code, the councils are not promoting or advocating for any option within the consultation. The consultation is being led by Government, which is seeking views on the options that have been      put forward. The Government is only consulting on whether residents would prefer one unitary council for Warwickshire, or separate north and south            unitary councils.

       How to take part

If you would like to share your views on Local Government Reorganisation in Warwickshire, the easiest way to take part is to provide your feedback through the online survey.

     The consultation is open from Thursday, 5 February, until Thursday, 26 March.

Alternatively, paper copies will be available from:

  1. Main council office reception areas
  2. Libraries operated by Warwickshire County Council
  3. Council-operated Museums
  4. Paper copies can also be requested by calling 01926 410 410

Your responses to the questions can then be submitted by email to lgrconsultationresponse@communities.gov.uk.

Written responses can also be sent to:

LGR Consultation
Fry Building 2NE
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF

If completing a paper copy of the consultation form, please make it clear which consultation you are responding to.

For further information, please visit:

     Have your say on Local Government Reorganisation in Warwickshire – Warwickshire County Council

  • For information: Severn Trent planning applications for installation of  temporary construction access points off Park Lane and Nuthurst Lane. Comments or feedback invited as per dates on the application  ST planning Jan 2026
  • Operation Plenty is to support vulnerable members of our community, particularly those who may be experiencing loneliness or isolation. Officers will be making informal visits to offer a friendly chat over a cup of tea, check on their wellbeing, and provide safety advice or essential supplies where needed. We recognise that rural areas can present additional challenges for those with limited mobility, and this initiative helps us identify and reach those who may benefit from a visit.
  • Are you struggling with managing your heating bills? HEAT (Home Energy Advice Team) provides 1-1 mentoring support and advocacy to vulnerable households in England and Wales.  This team of Energy Mentors provide a holistic, independent, tailored advice to fuel-poor households experiencing energy crises. They provide ongoing support throughout the process, helping customers understand their options and make informed decisions.
  • Residents questionnaire – The Parochial Church Council is seeking feedback about St Mary’s Church in Astley. In order to attract funding, they need residents and visitors to let them know what is important to them. Please could you complete this survey?
  • If worry and anxiety are affecting you, Wellbeing for Warwickshire is here to help.

Chairman’s report by Mick Spicer for 2024-25

Astley Gorse Solar Farm

The planning application for the Astley Gorse extension has been submitted to NWBC.

The developers (Greenvolt Power UK) have submitted additional information to the council which was published on the planning portal on Friday 14th February 2025, covering ecology, flood risk and general cumulative impacts. You can access the application here, comment if you wish.

The planning reference for this application is PAP2024/0577.

Sole End Solar Farm

Construction for the  Sole End Solar Farm is due to start in spring of 2025.When dates/details are confirmed, they will be posted here.

If you wish to receive further updates, please subscribe to the mailing list here

For context, following the meeting held on Thursday 25th May 2023 at 7.00 – 7.30pm in The Reading Room, a list of objections were sent to North Warwickshire Borough Council with regards to PAP/2022/0544 Sole End Solar Farm Astley Parish Council objections to Sole End Solar Farm.

After some debate at the Planning & Development board held on 12th June 2023, this application was was approved

There are some concessions which include:

  1. close consultation with us/villagers who will be impacted by the build
  2. properly turning the land back over to agricultural land / green belt either at the end of the sites life or 40 years, whichever is soonest.
  3. provision of a Community fund for the village paid annually for 10 years

The planners will be seeking further consultation with local residents most impacted by this build, and will be co-ordinating via Astley Parish Council. If you have any queries, please contact the Clerk, Helen Billington.