Access to Church Ponds –Parishioners attended the meeting to raise their concerns regarding access to and congestion in and around Church Ponds while repairs are carried out to properties affected by a fire. There are a significant number of cars which are having to reverse along this very narrow lane and the Parishioners were concerned about damage to properties and injuries to pedestrians. The County Councillor stated that although this is not strictly a County Council matter he would do all he could to alleviate the problems and had already arrange for some warning signs to be installed. This matter was discussed in detail and various options considered. The option of traffic lights was discounted as traffic would be forced to queue in Falcon Square which already suffers from severe congestion. The possibilities of making the street one way temporarily or putting the warning signs in different positions were discussed. It was noted that it would not be possible to close the road to all vehicles except residents as road closures require a legal process which takes approximately six months and the work is only anticipated to last for nine months. The County Councillor agreed to discuss possible options with Highway Officers and the Chairman agreed to put this matter before the Halstead Area Traffic Management Meeting.
Walking Bus – Councillors were pleased to note that a trial run of the walking bus will take place on Tuesday 21st June. One bus will start from the Memorial Hall and another from Memories. Mr Higgins and Mrs Allfrey will attend the trial.
Queen Street Priority Scheme – It was agreed that the County Council should be asked to install additional bollards in the scheme.
Parish Rangers - One of the District Council’s initiatives to address Rural Issues is to appoint Parish Rangers who will serve a Cluster of parishes, complementing the services provided by the Police and Police Community Support Officers. Councillors warmly welcomed this initiative.
Planning Comments
Appln. No.: 05/00864/FUL & 05/00865/CON - Demolition of existing rear enclosure and formation of new enclosure including alterations - 6 Queen Street, Castle Hedingham - No objections – proposed external works will improve the existing appearance – must improve the existing hotch potch of constructions
Application 05/01012/FUL - Conversion of stables to holiday accommodation - . Fourwinds, Kirby Hall Road, Castle Hedingham – this application was discussed in detail and it was agreed that the Parish Council would object on the following grounds:
· the negative visual impact of the development;
· lack of adequate provision for the removal of sewage;
· design of buildings is out of keeping with the area;
· this development is outside the Village Envelope;
· the proposal would be an over intensification of the site and,
· there would be problem with access in an area where the Parish Council has already had to consider particular traffic issues.
Appln.: 05/01077/OUT - Proposed rural style dwelling within the village settlement boundary - 118 Nunnery Street, Castle Hedingham - this application was discussed in detail. Councillors agreed they would like to echo the concerns expressed by Parishioners as follows:
· problems with access to the property in an area where the Parish Council has already had to consider particular traffic issues;
· the design of building and its impact on the Listed Buildings in the locality;
· loss of privacy and light for the properties adjacent to the proposed development;
· if this building is to be used to run a business this would be an intensification of the use of the site;
· the Parish Council would strongly object to any part of this development taking place outside of the Village Envelope;
· if the development is within the Village Envelope the size of the proposed building will lead to an intensification of development in the envelope and,
· the proposed dwelling is extremely large and if a development were to take place the Parish Council consider it would need to be entirely within the village envelope, including its garden area, and on a much smaller scale.
The Parish Council has been lobbied by a significant number of local residents objecting to this application.
Church Yard Tidy - At the Annual Parish meeting several of the residents asked for maintenance work to be carried out the Churchyard. The Clerk had obtained a quotation from the grass cutting contractor to carry out various works including trimming back bushes at top of church wall on Church Lane. It was agreed that the work should be put in hand once consent has been received from the Vicar. The Clerk will write to residents of Church Lane, giving them as much notice as possible, to ask them to move their cars on the day work takes place.
Youth Council – A meeting will be held at Hedingham School on Monday 11th July at 9.00 am to be attended by representatives of Sible Hedingham and Castle Hedingham Parish Councils, the Headteacher and Assistant Headteacher of Hedingham School, two youth workers and a YEA member. Mrs Allfrey and Mr Higgins will represent the Parish Council at this meeting.
Meeting Dates: Wednesday 13th July and Wednesday 17th August, 7.45 p.m., Old Court House, Castle Hedingham.
N.B. For further information about this press release please contact the Clerk (Mrs. Helena Carter 01787-461149) after 4.00pm or Parish Council Chairman (Mrs. Sonia Allfrey 01787-461108).