Botley News Take Two – July 2025
June was a very busy month so Chair of Botley Parish Council – Cllr Chris Cooper – is back with a 2nd news update!
This month’s 2nd update is about our successful Revels on the Rec on the 21st June, plus news on the bypass and Neighbourhood Plan.
Revels on the Rec
My thanks to all who attended Revels on the Rec. Thank you as well our volunteers and the Parish team and event management partners (Dream Empire and RSW Sound) for all the hard work before, during and after the event.
The positive impact Revels has had on our community is something we should all be proud of. Thank you everyone. Some numbers for your consideration:
- 6445 entrants through the day
- 2750 attendees at the peak point
- 70% of attendees from Botley or a strong link to Botley.
- £3000 + raised by the raffle for 6 local charities.
- All our vendors and event partners are from our local area. Including the retail stall holders, the rides, YMCA, the food vendors & our local pubs.
- No incidents – security, first aid or lost children.
The feedback from attendees has been superb. There is still time to share your feedback with the team – just click on the link to go through to our Revels Feedback form: Revels Feedback Form
In terms of value for money, community cohesion and benefit to the local businesses, I would argue we would be hard pushed to find a similar return on investment. Especially one attended by so many local to Botley. Watch this space for news on Revels on the Rec in 2027.
Picture courtesy of Gary Freeman
Botley Bypass News
In late summer/early autumn, residents will see the implementation of a new mini roundabout at Pinkmead. This is a precursor to the larger, more permanent roundabout that Hampshire Highways will construct as part of the bypass build.
The piling works for the new bridge over the River Hamble are due to commence soon. At the time of writing, we are still to be informed of the actual piling method and start date.
Hampshire Highways has published a new blog focused on the ecology of the site. Alongside a fly-through showing the latest progress. I encourage readers to go to the Botley Bypass webpage:
A series of monthly visits for residents is being explored from late summer onwards. Sign up via email to the parish.clerk@botley-pc.gov.uk or call into the parish office to register interest. These visits are planned throughout the construction period on a regular basis, subject to approval from the site team and visitor safety measures being in place.
Neighbourhood Plan
The High Street surgeries are on hold during August as the team take a well-earned summer break. They will recommence in September. We as a community do have an important task coming soon. My call to action is as follows:
“The big moment coming in 2025 for Botley is the forthcoming referendum on the Neighbourhood plan. This has been 8 years in the making. I urge all to vote and consider that by agreeing to the Neighbourhood Plan we are giving our community a tool to ensure our planning wishes and priorities are taken into account. This is our community’s tool to manage development until 2036.”
Any questions please ask the team on the High Street or get in touch with Cllr Stephen Wildin (stephen.wildin@botley-pc.gov.uk), chair of the Neighbourhood Plan committee.