Anti-Social Behaviour - It was noted that there have been more incidents of vandalism in the village. Damage had been sustained to the public toilets and another window smashed at the Memorial Hall. Councillors discussed ways to protect the Memorial Hall from further damage. The Clerk was still awaiting guidance from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister as to whether a byelaw can be passed to prohibit ball games at the Memorial Hall. It was noted that the Memorial Hall Management Committee would like no ball games signs erected as an interim measure, cost £47. It was unanimously agreed that the Parish Council should meet this cost. The Parish Council are also considering providing a Youth Shelter in the village.
Castle Lane Planning Application - These applications came before the Halstead Area Planning Committee on Tuesday 11th May 2004. Mr Worley, accompanied by the Chairman, had represented the Parish Council at the meeting and a number of parishioners had been present. Councillors had been broadly in agreement with the concerns raised by the Parish Council and parishioners and the application had been deferred. Councillors had found the meeting extremely helpful and were appreciative of the committee’s consideration of the Parish Council’s and residents’ concerns. It was agreed to confirm to the District Councillor’s Planning Officers the Parish Council’s position on this matter as follows:
a) It is extremely important to get it ‘right’ this time. Ibstocks has not been an ‘appropriate development’ in a medieval village environment and this situation presents an opportunity to remedy architectural mistakes.
b) Location of the Property – This site is of special significance being in the heart of one of the most important heritage sites in Essex/East Anglia. This makes the materials, scale and position of the development highly significant.
c) Roof Materials and Height - The roofscape in Castle Hedingham is highly valued and the proposed materials of a slate and tile mixture are totally inappropriate. Also the proposed extension must not exceed roof height of the present property and the whole roof should be tiled with hand made clay tiles.
d) Weatherboarding – As already agreed the weather boarding is inappropriate. Traditional rendering is preferable.
e) Cottage Location - The Council feel very strongly that it is essential to locate the cottage further back into the site away from Castle Lane. This would significantly enhance traffic safety by improving the visibility splay and accessibility to and from Castle Lane and minimise the impact of loss of light and privacy for the surrounding properties.
It was noted that the Parish Council will be consulted in the usual way on revised plans when they are submitted.
Queen Street Priority Scheme – Essex County Council had advised the Clerk that there had been a delay in the start of the works for this scheme as the contractor had queried whether this road would be wide enough for combine harvesters to use once the works were completed. The scheme’s designers had confirmed that it should be wide enough for all but the biggest machines and the works should start shortly. The Parish Council noted that several local farmers do have very large machines that have to use this road and the drawings of the scheme were reviewed. It was agreed that Mr Philp contact Essex County Council to discuss this matter and ensure that farm vehicles will have access when the scheme is in place.
Rushley Green - The green had been tidied, the concrete bollards removed and replaced with wooden posts. Thanks were recorded to Mr Bird for undertaking these works.
Pot Holes – Councillors were concerned that potholes in Rosemary Lane, Kirby Hall Road, Nunnery Street and on the junction of Bayley Street and St James Street had still not been filled. The Clerk will contact Essex County Council and ask them to take urgent action.
Sudbury Hill – The Clerk had been asked by the Chairman to contact Essex County Council regarding the works on Sudbury Hill. They had confirmed that the works are in response to the Parish's request some years ago for works to the footway which was on the County Councils five year rolling programme for major carriageway capital works schemes. Following assessments funding has now been allocated to undertake this scheme during the year 2004/5. The kerbs and footway have to be raised and drainage defects repaired prior to resurfacing the carriageway. The actual works involve the following: renew the drainage pipe under the surface of Sudbury Hill; renew the footway on the Sudbury bound side and raise the kerbs on that side and, resurface the stretch of road from the junction with Bailey Street to the junction with Rosemary Lane. Complaints had been received from parishioners regarding the visual impact and materials being used. Councillors were concerned that the Parish Council had not been consulted before the works had started as it has with other similar schemes and this would have allowed these concerns to be addressed. It was agreed that the Clerk contact the County Councillor to express these concerns.
Planning Applications
The Parish Council had no objections to the following applications: Appln. No.: 04/00709/TPOCON - Carry out works to trees - The Old School House, 38 St James Street, Castle Hedingham and Appln. No.:04/00739/FUL – Construction of vehicular access - 114 Nunnery Street, Castle Hedingham.
Refuse Collection - Following a complaint from a parishioner residents are reminded that rubbish bags should not be put out until the evening before collection is due and that collections will be delayed by one day after a bank holiday.
Halstead Flood Prevention Work – Concerns were reported regarding the impact of the building of a reservoir outside Halstead as part of flood defence works on the Colne River at Castle Hedingham and that this could increase flooding problems in the village. It was agreed that clarification and information regarding this matter is required. It was agreed that District Councillor Beavis would contact John Claydon and have information available regarding these concerns at the Annual Parish Meeting. Consideration will also be given to inviting Mr Claydon to a Parish Council Meeting to discuss this matter with Councillors.
Meeting Date: Parish Council: 9th June at 7.45 p.m. in the Old Court House, Castle Hedingham.