After lobbying by Conservative Councillors the Council have decided to collect green garden waste for free. In the recent budget Conservatives put forward plans to collect all green waste with no extra charge to householders. At present green waste is being hidden in domestic wheelie bins and thereby being sent to landfill. Under this new scheme - proposed and costed by Civic Conservatives - all green waste will now be recycled. Residents will be contacted in the weeks ahead about how the new system will work for them. Those that currently pay for their green waste bag will be given a refund.

Harefield Councillor, Royston Smith commented, "This is really great news. My colleagues and I campaigned strongly for green waste collection charges to be scrapped and we are very pleased that the council have listened"

The planning application for the redevelopment of the former Vosper Thorneycroft site was received by Southampton City Council on 7 June 2005 .The full description of the development is as follows:

Redevelopment of the site for a mix of uses comprising: 1510 residential units, including 371 units for affordable housing (Class C3); marine employment comprising offices and industrial uses of 39,246 sq.m. (Class B1/B2); retail use of 1617 sq.m. (Class A1); financial and professional services offices of 100 sq.m. (Class A2); food and drink use of 1,895 sq.m. (Class A3); drinking establishments of 450 sq.m. (Class A4); leisure/health and fitness use of 1,770 sq.m. (Class D2); community/health centre and library (Class D1); 1,637 vehicle parking spaces; new means of access; servicing, highway works including new road layout, junction improvements, estate roads and landscaping; public open space including a river walk; odour treatment works; combined heat and power (CHP) facilities; creation of new pontoons/quays. (Outline application seeking approval for siting of buildings, means of access and maximum height of buildings).
Re-profiling of the river wall with associated flood defences and site remediation works (Full application).


Because of the scale and impact of the development a formal Environmental Impact Assessment has been submitted with the planning application. A summary is attached below.

Councillor Royston Smith has joined the campaign to save Harefield Infants and Junior Schools from being amalgamated.

Last month - after a review of surplus places - City Education Chiefs decided to close Harefield Infants and Juniors and re open with Harefield Primary on the same site. Parents and Governors are not happy with the decision and with the help of Royston Smith and Harefield Councillors will lobby the Schools Organisation Committee on 12th May.

Royston said, "The parents have a strong argument as to why they feel the Schools should not be amalgamated. I will support them and their campaign in anyway I can".