Multi million pound plans for a 5 screen cinema complex and shopping area in Stratford's Town Square have been approved.

Around 70 people turned out to a District Council meeting last night where councillors voted on proposals put forward by developers London and Regional properties.

The developers believe it's needed to revive the area and bring in new jobs. 

However there's concerns from local residents that the building is too big and not in keeping with the town.

Stratford Road has been closed since the beginning of January as part of works to build a massive flood tank in the town.

It was due to re-open on Friday but the icy conditions over the weekend meant the laying of pipes was delayed and it will now open up next Wednesday.

The end of the High Street's also been blocked off but that will re-open as scheduled on Friday.

It's being presented to Warwickshire county council today.

The authority says it remains committed to providing services to support deaf children in the classroom.

Broadview Energy's plan to put up five turbines between Bishops Itchington and Knightcote has faced some opposition from residents nearby. 

The firm is taking people in the villages to one of their windfarms in Leicestershire so locals can see one in action.

Broadview are expected to submit a planning application within weeks and say their proposal will address local concerns.

31 year old John Anslow was sprung from a prison van on Monday by three masked men whilst on his way from HMP Hewell to a court appearance.

Officers say they've already had over 60 calls from the public about his whereabouts and are chasing several lines of inquiry after an appeal on Crimewatch last night.

Carl Buxton says footfall is down because of the ongoing flood alleviation work on the Stratford Road where it links to the High Street.

Mr Buxton says the contractors are trying to do their best to help but the lack of shoppers is a real concern.

He is described as white, 5ft 10ins tall, of medium build, with short straight dark brown hair.

Detective Inspector Jon Marsden of West Mercia Police said:  "Anslow has recently been charged with murder and is considered dangerous. We are working closely with our colleagues from West Midlands and Staffordshire Police forces and a large number of officers from all three forces are involved in the search for him. However we would urge any members of the public who sees him not to approach him directly, but to contact police immediately on 999."

The West Mercia force says their security measures are constantly reviewed and agreed with the ministry of justice. 

NHS Warwickshire say women should not be embarrassed to have the tests which help detect any changes in the cervix that could be an early sign of cancer.

The message comes at the start of Cervical Cancer Prevention Week.

Every woman aged between 25 and 64 is eligible for regular tests.

Last week the Transport Secretary Justine Greening announced that HS2 will go ahead.

Ministers say they'll be sending out letters to homeowners about a new compensation scheme.

Kenilworth based estate agents Brian Holt says many people with houses near the line are being left in limbo and they've already had house sales fall through because of the prospect of HS2.

Changes to opening hours have been announced by Warwickshire County Council after they consulted local people about what they wanted.

They'll be starting from the 1st April.

Alcester

Kenilworth

Lillington

12 members of Evesham Rugby Club are preparing for a marathon cycle ride from Rome in memory of a fellow player and friend.

25 year old Matt Brace died last year after falling from a tree.

His team-mates are trying to raise 20,000 pounds for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham who tried to save Matt's life.

Organiser Adam Huttlestone told Touch FM: "We felt that we had an enormous debt to the Queen Elizabeth because of the really, really hard work and great effort that they went to, to try and save Matt's life. I know they were unsuccessful, but for the 4 days that he was with them, I know they gave absolutely everything."

The cycle ride begins in Rome on 30th March.

The group are aiming to ride 100 miles a day over the following 2 weeks to return in Evesham for a huge welcome home party on April 15th.

Fore more information and to donate, go to: http://www.justgiving.com/AllRoadsLeadToEvesham

Police are appealing for information about a double fatal accident near Stratford.

Plans by developers London and Regional include a new cinema, shops and restaurant.

The public consultation on the application to the District Council is open until next Tuesday (24th Jan)

Leamington's clash with Hitchin Town went ahead on Saturday despite heavy overnight frost.

New signing Nathan Vaughan kept a clean sheet on his debut and it finished 0-0.

The result moves Brakes upto 5th in the Southern Premier League.

Meanwhile, Evesham United ran out 2-1 winners at Banbury United.

Redditch United's clash with St Albans City was postponed after the referee decided the match shouldn't go ahead because the pitch was frozen.

In the Midland Alliance, Stratford Town drew 0-0 away at Loughborough University.

Last week staff opened their new four million pound operating theatres.

Now the Trust want to improve maternity services to cater for around 3,500 women.

Transport Secretary Justine Greening has given the green light to the £32 billion project. The scheme known as 'HS2' will cut journey times between London and Birmingham to 49 minutes but will could change some of our communities forever as it ploughs through the countryside on its route.

The first phase is expected to be complete by 2026 with an extension north of Birmingham complete by 2032/2033.

Last year our reporter Nick Jewers spoke to people involved in the HS2 project....those who want it built and those who could lose their homes because of it.

Listen again to the documentary here...

Part 1

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Part 2

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Norovirus is currently affecting the following wards at Warwick Hospital:

Victoria Ward 
Squire Ward 
Charlecote Ward 
Dugdale Ward 
Avon Ward  

Work started back in November but paused for the Christmas period in an effort to prevent local traders being affected.

The road is now closed again for the second phase of work which is expected to last until February.

It all means there's no access from the town to Oversley Green.

The victim in his 20s was attacked with a broken bottle near the bandstand between 8.30 and 9pm on New Year's Eve.

He suffered serious injuries with the bottle missing an artery in his neck by a millimetre.

DC Paul Whitehurst is from the Leamington Local Investigation Team, 'It was New Year’s Eve so there would have been people around. The injuries to the man’s neck are extremely severe, and he is very fortunate that the bottle missed a main artery, otherwise this could have been a murder enquiry. We appeal for anyone with any information, no matter how small, to come forward.' 

Anyone who knows more can contact Police on 01926 415000 EXT: 4296, or they can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 where the information can be given anonymously.

The crash happened at around 6.15am as the green VW Golf travelled along Welsh Road towards Offchurch.

Another man inside the car was hurt but later released from hospital.

Anyone who knows more about the collision is asked to contact PC Mick Hogan in the Major Investigation Unit Roads on 01926 415415

Paul Collins (pictured) died after coming off his motorcycle near Ettington last Thursday morning, when he collided with a blue Range Rover.

The 62 year old, who was a member of staff at Warwickshire Police, was confirmed dead at the scene.

His family have described him as their rock, saying they feel lost without him and that their lives will never be the same again.

Police investigating the crash are continuing to appeal for witnesses to come forward.

The result leaves Brakes 3rd, while there was also defeat for Redditch United - who lost 1-0 at Stourbridge.

 

Evesham United eased their relegation worries by winning 2-1 at fellow strugglers Cirencester.

 

Stratford Town were also 2-1 winners away at Highgate in the Midland Alliance.

Nick and Nicola Laister have a daughter with cerebral palsy and have been working on Fairytale Farm over the last few years.

They hope to have part of the site off the Oxford Road open by July.

They have just been given an extra 5 and a half thousand pounds from the Cotswold Conservation Board to create a sensory trail.

They've told us their  ten top consumer tips for 2012 for shoppers returning faulty or unwanted Christmas presents and buying in the sales...

1.  Many consumers don’t realise, but you have no legal right to return goods bought from a shop if they are not faulty or mis-described, so check the stores policy. Some shops will accept returns as a goodwill gesture.

2.  If a Christmas present is faulty or mis-described, the law says you can return it. Take it back as soon as possible. If you delay, you may only be entitled to a repair or replacement.

3.  You may need proof of purchase, but if you don’t have a receipt, a credit card bill or bank statement might do as an alternative.

4.  Don’t be fobbed off by notices such as ‘no sale goods exchanged’ or ‘no cash refunds’. Don’t let the store tell you it’s up to the manufacturer to fix the problem. If the goods you buy are faulty or mis-described then you do have a claim against the trader.

5.  If you are shopping from home, for example on the Internet, you have extra rights and can return most items purchased from UK businesses within 7 working days of receiving the goods, for what ever reason (whether they are faulty or not).

6.   Some sale bargains may not be all they seem. Read all it says on the sale notice or in an advertisement. A sign might read 80% off from a distance, but a closer look might reveal the words ‘up to’.

7.  Shop around – even a ‘massive reduction’ doesn’t mean you can’t buy the same-for-less elsewhere.

8.  If you want to complain, keep calm, ask to speak to the manager and be clear about what the problem is and what you expect to be done to resolve it.

9.  You can find a wide range of consumer information and advice, including consumer complaint letters to download and use at: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/consumeradvice

10. Or, if you are still unhappy and want to make a consumer complaint, phone: 08454 040506 or visit: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/tradingstandards

Plans to cut the size of the county council's workforce by a 5th by 2014 were originally agreed in November last year.

Back then, around one 1,800 staff were expected to lose their jobs.

Tweaks to the authority's budget plans coupled with staff leaving of their own accord mean that number has now been revised down just over one and a half thousand, with most of those going through voluntary or compulsory redundancies.

They also say staff left behind will be given training to help them make the most of their career and that the job losses won't affect the way services are delivered.

Two million pounds has been spent on the refurbishment of the Port Street site.

An open day was held for locals to have a look round at the weekend and it will be officially opened by its patron, comedian Alistair McGowen, on January 21st.

A council report says the site is the most suitable place for a new retail development in the town despite the ninety million pound Clarendon Arcade project being refused in November.

Councillors will meet tonight (Wednesday) to discuss how they can move forward with plans to improve shopping in the town in the face of competition from places like Solihull and Coventry.

The authority says improving the town's retail offer is vital to its economic prosperity in the future.

Broadview hope to submit an application for five wind turbines later this month.

The plans have been criticised by some people who're concerned about what the project could mean for the local environment.

The firm's organising a trip to a windfarm in Leicestershire so locals can see how that works and to see what sort of impact it's had on the area.

The first new batch of homes will go on Park Road on the former North Leamington School site.

The District Council's signed a deal with Waterloo Housing Group for the project which the authority say helps to address some of the housing need in the area.

 

 

 

A teenager's threatened to kidnap a child after subjecting his father to racist abuse in Redditch.

The attacker was one of a group of youths who approached the victim as he pushed his baby in a pushchair through Batchley Pool Park.

The man was pushed to the ground and suffered injuries to his arms in the attack a week ago.

Afterwards the attacker grabbed hold of the pushchair and shouted racist abuse before walking off.

A large fire has been tackled in Inkberrow.

Crews were called to Withybed Lane on Wednesday evening where a workshop was on fire.

There were worries it would spread to a nearby garage storing a mobile home but firefighters managed to get the flames under control.

Station Commander Phil Griffiths said: "The workshop itself was already engulfed in flames as we arrived and so our priority was to stop the spread of fire to the garage."

The fire, which was noticed by a neighbour, is believed to have started accidentally.

Tatsuya Ichihashi killed 22 year old Lindsay (Pictured) in Tokyo in 2007 and left her body in a sand-filled bath tub on his balcony.

He then went on the run for two and a half years, even resorting to plastic surgery to help him evade capture.

He later wrote a book describing his life as a fugitive, which is due to be made into a film next year.

Bill and Julia Hawker say they can't believe Ichihashi is trying to cash in on his crime - and say he should consider their feelings and abandon the idea.