• THE COLDEN Common group set up to inform parishioners about the progress of Winchester City Council’s development plans will be assessing the development strategy for the last time.

Commonview proposed a strategy to meet the housing target set out in the Winchester District Local Plan Part 1 (Joint Core Strategy).

This was endorsed by the Parish Council on October 2 last year and was formally published for consultation with the local community.

The closing date for comments, originally set for November 17 2013, was extended to November 30 to accommodate those who wished to comment on a prospective developer’s conceptual proposals for land east of Highbridge Road.

However, this site did not form part of the preferred development strategy.

Now members of Commonview will review the strategy to determine if any amendments are required following on from submitted comments.

Last week the Chronicle incorrectly reported that the issue had been reopened for wider public consultation.

The group will present its findings to the parish council on March 3. Any findings will be available seven days prior to the meeting on the Parish Council website.

  • OTTERBOURNE residents will be in for a treat when Hampshire Constabulary put on a special show.

The Hampshire Police Male Voice Choir will be in concert at St Matthew’s Church on Saturday March 15.

Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.

Tickets cost £8 each including refreshments and can be purchased by calling 02380 616891.

  • RESIDENTS from Midsomer are being told to stand aside when a special ‘who-dunnit’ mystery comes to Sutton Scotney next month.

Cruising to Death will be shown at the village hall on March 21 after the first show on February 14 was cancelled.

Performed by Twyford group Geriactors, the evening’s performance onboard the cruise ship Kolossos is being held to raise money for the 1st Winchester Scouts and their Bigger and Better Fundraising Campaign.

The group hopes to raise enough funds to replace the dilapidated hut with a building fit for scouting, a local community pre-school and community use.

Tickets are still available from fundraising@firstwinchester.org.uk. For further information please contact Lesley Bestwick on chrislesleybestwick@tiscali.co.uk or 07913 370475.

  • HURSLEY was brought to a standstill last week when a 250-year-old tree was felled as a result of stormy weather.

The cedar of Lebanon tree was trimmed back on Sunday (February 16) by workmen onboard a cherry picker after it was at risk of falling following bad weather last Wednesday (February 12).

The tree’s twin sister fell into one resident’s garden causing the A3090 to be closed while work was carried out.

Ken Day, of South End Close, said he’s thankful local contractor Bob Hampton and his men were able to do the works.

“The first tree fell on Wednesday at around lunchtime after all that awful weather we had,” he said. “It narrowly missed the house by about 10 feet or so and made an incredible bang.

“The two trees were parked quite close together and when the first fell it took some of the root with it leaving the second one at risk. I’ve got a garden that’s completely trashed with enough wood to burn now for some 20 years.”