The plans for a new Tesco store, and extra shops, in Bradley Stoke’s town centre have been approved.

South Gloucestershire Council rubber stamped the plans on Thursday.

But the Government Office for the South West are now to probe the plans to ensure they do not need a public inquiry.

If they are taken to a full inquiry either the Planning Inspectorate or Ruth Kelly, the Secretary of State for the Regions, could have the final say.

BBC Report

The area’s traffic commissioner has ordered South Gloucestershire Bus and Coach Company to run with less buses as punishment for running defective vehicles.

The Evening Post reports the firm, which runs from Gipsy Patch Lane, will have to run with 15 less buses for a 10 day period.

The punishment comes two inspectors found buses with faults including loose wheel nuts, and problems with passenger seats, seatbelts, lights and doors.

The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency has also issued almost 40 notices to the firm in the past five years.

The company argues that the punishment is unfair as most of the faults are minor and corrected on a daily basis.

The BBC has revealed that the plans for Bradley Stoke’s Tesco store will be referred to the Government Office for the South West.

Because the plans are for more than 20,000sq/ft of retail space they are automatically sent to Ruth Kelly’s lot.

In fact, South Gloucestershire Council has already recommended this happen.

The plans for the development, which go before the council on Thursday, could end up in a public inquiry.

If approval is given Tesco say they will start work in Spring 2007 – but an inquiry will obviously put a delay on this.

The full story is on the BBC News website here.

Plans for the revamp of Tesco in Bradley Stoke have been submitted.

The whole lot, in the form of a revised plan, has been put online at the South Gloucestershire Council website (click link and search for PT05/1949/F).

There you will be able to see the ground plan for the whopping development as well as leave comments.

Criticisms already levelled include worries over the centre being a possible “hangout for yobs”.

We’d love to know what you think – you know what to do! Main story, fill in the form.

David Hart, a former councillor on Bradley Stoke Town Council, has been convicted of stealing two cheques to pay off his debts, reports the Evening Post.

Hart, 44, of Whitley Mead, Stoke Gifford, paid a cheque for more than £8,000 into his account.

He tried to pay a second cheque for £7,000 into his account, but it did not clear, according to Bristol Crown Court.

Hart was ordered to carry out 180-hours of community service.

The Examiner understands the town council did not suffer any financial loss from the episode.

Somerfield in Bradley Stoke is closing on November 7 and we want to know what you want to replace it.
Soon there will be a prime retail unit available but will it go to someone who will benefit the town?

Here at the Examiner we’re curious sorts … And to that end, we’d like to know what you think should open in Fern Dene.

Click into the main story and you can add to the debate – Fred has started it by saying he wants Waitrose. What’s your view?

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Julian Barge, the Liberal Democrat councillor for Primrose Bridge & Bowsland, has switched to the Conservatives, reports the Evening Post.

The paper says Mr Barge switched after allegations from the Lib Dems over a lack of support for the Bradley Stoke Community School.

He is quoted as saying the row was “the last straw” which forced him over the edge.

Mr Barge told the paper: “I have become increasingly disillusioned by the action of the Lib Dems locally and the way in which they place greater importance upon securing party advantage through negative and sometimes nasty campaigning, rather than serving residents.

“I believe that the best interests of Bradley Stoke and indeed South Gloucestershire are served by having Conservative councillors who are committed to putting their residents’ needs before party politics and that is why I have joined them.”

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