COBB HALL ROAD UPDATE

Sunday 16th August

The two-minute silence and sounding of the church bells this morning, timed for 09:42 this morning, saw a large number of residents turn out to remember Steve Woodward. He, his partner, and his family will remain in our thoughts. 

Work commenced today to reopen Cobb Hall Road, and this is expected to be completed tomorrow (Monday 17th). 

The last formal update briefing for residents took place this afternoon. The Buckinghamshire Council team remain on site for the first part of the coming week, and will then continue to provide support remotely for those who have still to return to their homes along with those who have already been able to do so. The lounge area at Longueville Hall remains open from 9am to 6pm with parish councillors available to help deal with questions, etc.

This is the last daily update that we plan to issue, but we will put further notes out when/if there is anything specific to advise.

Read more: COBB HALL ROAD UPDATE

 

REMEMBERING STEVE - Sunday 9:44am

The sounding of the 'Nine Tailors' on Thursday was a wonderful tribute. Many of the village community feel that it is important to provide an opportunity, for as many people as possible, to hold a time of solidarity and reflection one week from the explosion on Cobb Hall Road that has affected so many and sadly took Steve's life.

On Sunday 16th August at 09:42:44 the St Faiths bell will toll and 2 minutes silence will be held.

Flowers have been laid at the Cobb Hall Road sign and messages of condolences can be left at St Faith’s Church.

All villagers are welcome to attend either at St Faiths or the Westbrook End entrance to Cobb Hall Road. In St Faiths, prayer and a short sermon will be conducted.

St Faiths Church would warmly like to let you know that the following will take on Sunday.

9:00 am - Church Open for those who may wish to light a candle in memory of Steve

9:42 am - Bell will toll followed by 2 minutes silence

9:45-9.50 am - Prayers led by Rev’d Linda

There will be a book of condolence in the St Faiths Church. The church is open all day for private prayer.

 

SOLAR FARM DEVELOPMENT - SITES PROPOSED BY BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNCIL FOR NEWTON LONGVILLE

Working through the Regulation 19 Draft Buckinghamshire Local Plan, it has become apparent that Buckinghamshire Council are proposing (Policy SP11) to make large areas of agricultural land in the north east of the county available for solar power generation. This includes the fields not designated for housing between the railway line and our boundaries with Newton Leys and Stoke Hammond.

While some might say "better solar panels than houses", much of the land proposed by Buckinghamshire Council for the 3,200 dwelling Beachampton NESS site consists of fields used for recently constructed solar farms. Medium to long term, we could potentially find solar panels swopped for bricks & mortar ...

This item, which clearly has serious implications for our parish, will be covered as part of the update on the parish council's work on the Draft Plan at the next monthly meeting on Monday 17 August (Free Church 7-9pm).

Read more: Draft Buckinghamshire Local Plan - July 2026

Public Meeting - Friday 17th July

Many thanks to everyone who attended the public meeting in Longueville Hall. We had about 90 in the room including from Buckinghamshire Council our two ward councillors, Jilly Jordan and Caroline Cornell, plus Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Transport Thomas Broom.

Subjects covered over the two hours or so included the latest on the East West Rail train maintenance depot, the draft Buckinghamshire Local Plan and the two pre-application consultations (Pond Close and Richborough, close to the Stoke Road/Drayton Road/Newton Road in Stoke Hammond parish). The slides about the draft Buckinghamshire Local Plan may be read or downloaded.

Read more: Public Meeting - Friday 17th July

TRAIN MAINTENANCE DEPOT (TMD) - June 2026

EWR have provided further information on the layout options for the proposed train maintenance depot west of Whaddon Road, straddling Newton Longville and Mursley parishes. The most significant changes are arguably the addition of a third option (the 'Bow-Tie'), major increases in the estimated volume of excavated material that would need to be removed from the site, and the demolition and rebuilding of bridge OXD06 on Whaddon Road (Newton Longville) for layout options 2 and 3. EWR have also noted that they expect the majority of trains entering or leaving the depot to be coming from or going in the Cambridge direction (which favours option 2).

Read more: EWR TMD June 2026