Castle Hedingham Parish Council and Burial Board

Report of the meeting of the Parish Council of Castle Hedingham held on Wednesday, 9th May 2007, issued by the clerk

Vacancy on the Parish Council – There is vacancy on the Parish Council. Anyone interested in becoming a Parish Councillor please submit a letter (no more that one A4 page please) to the Clerk explaining why they would like to stand by Tuesday 12th June 2007. These will be considered at the meeting on 13th June 2007 and a new member co-opted. Address: Mrs H Carter, Parish Clerk, Castle Hedingham Parish Council, 3 Hawthorns, Sible Hedingham, Essex CO9 3PD - Telephone 01787 461149 (after 6.00 pm Mon-Fri and weekends)

Highways Matters – It was agreed that the following items be brought to the urgent attention of the County Councillor as they are becoming dangerous and no action is apparent from Highways despite the matters being reported in several occasions:

1. Road Islands Crouch Green – The road islands at the junction of Nunnery Street and Yeldham Road have been completely obliterated presumably in an accident.  Some temporary signs have been erected but these frequently fall over and this junction is very dangerous at present particularly at night. This has been the situation for some time and it was reported at the meeting that there have been several accidents at this point.
2. Pot Holes Nunnery Street – There are two pots holes in Nunnery Street that have been causing particular concern for a number of months.  In both cases the ground surrounding drains have sunk leaving a dangerous dip.  The first is outside 59-61 Nunnery Street and the second is on the footway near Nunnery Street Bridge.  There is no street lighting at this point and it is reported that the hole is sufficiently deep to be dangerous to pedestrians using this road at night.  Both have been marked up for action for several months but no repair has been effected.
3. Pye Corner – The repair across the road at this point is failing again and becoming dangerous.  This has been looked at by highways but is still causing concern to residents.
4. Keep Clear Church Lane  – After some months of requesting its reinstatement the keep clear sign has been repainted at the junction of Church Lane and Ruffles Yard access.  Unfortunately it has been painted on the wrong side of the road.  Councillors had noted this and a resident had written to the Parish Council to complain. The County Councillor will be asked to assist in resolving this issue as emergency vehicles have had difficulty accessing this road when cars are parked opposite this junction. The Parishioner will be advised of the action taken.
5. Road Signs – it was noted that Essex County Council clean road signs on an annual basis but any obscured by vegetation (or any other highway faults) should be reported to Essex County Council by phone, via their website or via the Clerk.
6. HGVs - The County Councillor will be asked to assist the Parish Council in getting the erroneous 4.5 tonne weight limit sign removed from Sudbury Hill.

Application 07/00685/TPOCON – Carry out works to trees - 26 St James Street, Castle Hedingham - The Parish Council supports this application. Eucalyptus trees are invasive and quite resilient to British winters and if not removed the tree will continue to cause problems.

Application 07/00691/FUL and 07/00692/LBC – Internal alterations and new French doors to the rear - 8 Churchponds, Castle Hedingham - No objections.

Additional Meeting – It was agreed that an additional meeting be held on 30th May 2007 to allow the following applications to be considered and parishioners time to comment: Application 07/00820/FUL – Erection of garden gymnasium and changing rooms adjacent to swimming pool and erection of a threee-bay cart lodge - Newmans Farm, Yeldham Road, Castle Hedingham; Application 07/00514/FUL – Erection of ten no. single garage units on existing garden land – Access at 3a Crown Street - Land to rear of 5 – 8 Church Lane, Castle Hedingham; Application 07/00888/FUL – Erection of one no. two bedroom dwelling – 5 Castle Lane, Castle Hedingham and, Application 07/00873/FUL and 07/00874/LBC – Conversion of Youth Hostel into two dwellings, demolition of outbuildings and formation of two dwellings within curtilage - Youth Hostel, 7 Falcon Square, Castle Hedingham.

River Colne – The condition of the river was discussed in detail particularly the section between Crouch Green and Station Road. There is a great deal of rubbish in the river and a tree across it at one point. It was agreed that the Clerk contact the Environment Agency to ask permission for the Parish Council to organise a community clear up day and ask them to attend to the fallen tree.

TV Reception – It was agreed that the Clerk obtain further information regarding the costs, funding and procedure regarding Parish Councils purchasing and erecting TV masts in areas where reception is poor.

Power Cuts –Councillors were concerned regarding the number of power cuts experienced in the village. It was agreed to ask a representative of EDF to attend a Parish Council meeting to discuss this issue.

Meeting Dates

Parish Council: 

Wednesday 30th May 2007, Wednesday 13th June 2007, Wednesday 11th July 2007 and Wednesday 15th August 2007, all starting at 7.45p.m. in Castle Hedingham Club, Church Lane, Castle Hedingham.

Annual Parish Meeting

Monday 21st May 2007 7.30pm for 8.00 pm start Memorial Hall, Castle Hedingham. 

N.B. For further information about this press release please contact the Clerk (Mrs. Helena Carter 01787 461149)  after 6:00pm, or Parish Council Chairman Mrs. Sonia Allfrey, 01787-461108. 

Castle Hedingham website

Web www.simondaw.freeserve.co.uk