LOOKING back on some of the stories the Gazette has reported through the years...

November 1997

A TOP level decision was set to be taken into whether green belt farmland at Abson could be used for a caravan site, and for storage and repair of vehicles.

Enforcement notices had been issued against four people, already living in caravans at Lodge Road, and using the land for repairing and breaking up of vehicles without planning consent.

An enforcement notice had also been issued against unauthorised construction of an earth banks.

Appeals were made by councillors to the Secretary of State for the Environment against the notices, claiming planning permission should have been granted for the development.

An appeal had also been entered by Lodge Road Caravan Park against the decision to refuse planning permission to use the farmland as a site for residential caravans and storage of motor vehicles.

November 2007

PARISH leaders in Yate warned residents of a credit card scam they believed to be operating in the area.

Dodington Parish Council urged people to keep their card details secure after an unsuspecting resident in the parish fell victim to the scam.
The victim, who did not wish to be named, had his card details stolen and a home catalogue item ordered from the card.

When the ordered item was delivered to the address, the scammers intercepted the delivery, claiming to be a helpful neighbour.

Cllr Paul Hulbert said: “Look out for anybody unknown hanging around your street. They could be waiting to intercept a delivery or sitting in a van with a laptop to intercept wireless communications.”