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Latest News 2005/11 November 2005
Latest News 2005/11 November 2005
| 2005/11 November 2005 |
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November 2005 NewsletterThis latest newsletter is linked to my website www.johnfuller.org.uk, which gives a huge amount of information about Bergh Apton, Brooke, Howe, Kirstead, Mundham & Seething. If this is the first time you have received one of my newsletters, Welcome! You can see previous copies at www.johnfuller.org.uk/news/newsletters In this issue...
Gypsy Planning Application in SeethingI have spoken to many of you who have wondered why I have not been taking a more active role in the debate over the application to build 10 gypsy caravans on land at the airfield. No one is more frustrated than me but you should know that I have been advised by the Solicitor to the Council that, as I have an interest in some nearby land, I could not be seen to be wholly independent. For legal reasons it would be unlawful of me to participate in the debate at all. Put simply, it would be awkward if I participated in a decision, which was then appealed on the grounds that someone thought that I had a personal and financial motive to see the application succeed or fail. I am sorry but I must follow this legal advice. The Planning Committee will be meeting at 4.30pm on Thursday 3rd November at Loddon Middle School, Kittens Lane, Loddon. For those of you who know the Loddon Bypass, it's just by the speed camera. It's a public meeting and you may want to attend in person. If you can't get there, you can click here to see the Planning Officer's Recommendation for approval. If you wish to comment either in favour or against the application, you should write to Paul Whitam, Senior Planning Officer, South Norfolk Council, Swan Lane, Long Stratton, NR15 2XE. As the meeting is on Thursday it might be sensible to send any comments by Fax 01508 533625 or E Mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it '; document.write( '' ); document.write( addy_text5253 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //-->\n This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it quoting planning Application References Former scrap yard, Harveys Lane, Seething; 2005/2038 CU 27; Grid Ref: 630750 295750 Proposal: Change of use to permanent residential traveller site with 10no plots for 10no caravans and access to highway
update to this section 2nd November 2005 The Seething Planning Application for the Establishment of 10 Caravans.. Update
Following the newsletter that I sent yesterday a large number of local residents have contacted to ask how they make make representations to The Council in relation to the planning application to build 10 caravans for gypsy families on the former airfield in the industrial area. You will remember that I am prohibited by law from participating in the decision owing to a small financial interest that I have in a business that operates from the airfield. People could rightly say that I was motivated by private financial benefit rather than an impartial view if I was to participate.. just the sort of thing that David Blunkett is being rightly criticised for. This is enormously frustrating for me personally but I must be bound by the law and the legal advice that I have received. But that's not to say that you are unrepresented in this matter... What I should have set out more clearly in my email newsletter were the steps that you could take, should you wish, to make your own representations, either for or against the proposal. One resident was under the impression that, as I could not legally represent you in this matter, then you had no representation at all... and this is wrong. I apologise for the confusion. So, for clarity there are four steps you can take should you wish to make representations... but you'll need to be quick as the committee meets tomorrow. You may want to to any of the following
One correspondent has suggested that I should ignore the legal advice and, while this is always tempting, it could be counter-productive as to do so would be grounds for a successful appeal if the decision was refused, which is something that particular correspondent didn't want at all.
I hope that this makes the situation clearer and that you understand the difficult position that I find myself in more clearly but equally sets out the steps that you can take to engage yourself or others in the planning process
Yours
John
Oak Tree at High Green, BrookeSome of you will remember the saga about the handsome oak tree opposite the school in Brooke. An application had been made to fell the tree as it was alleged to be causing subsidence to a nearby property. Despite the application to fell the tree being refused by the District Council, an appeal to the Secretary of State had been made, which meant that the tree was still under threat. Alongside Roma Beardsall, our tree warden, I worked closely with the officials and I am pleased to say that the appeal was dismissed, which means that that the tree's future is now assured. A good result. The 'Nelson Oak' in HoweFriday 21st October saw the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar and the village of Howe celebrated with a church service followed by the ceremonial planting of an oak tree on the picturesque village common to commemorate the event. Famous Norfolk agricultural engineer Ben Burgess used to live in Howe and his collection of Nelson memorabilia was used as the foundation of the Norfolk Nelson Museum in Great Yarmouth so it's fitting that one of our local villages with a strong Nelson connection was able to mark this historic event in such a way. Kirstead Parish Clerk retiresAfter several years Paul & Jenny Cocksedge are leaving Kirstead and this means that the village will be without a parish clerk. Would anyone like to take over from Jenny? The job entails about 2 hours per week responding to enquiries from the District Council and taking minutes at two Parish Meetings per year. There is a small stipend. If you're interested, why not speak to Jenny at 14 Green Man Lane, Kirstead, Norwich, NR15 1EP, 01508550566 Tree Preservation Orders in BrookeAs of 1st October here is an up-to-date list of Tree Preservation Orders in Brooke:
... and an update on the trees at the Churchill Place Entrance, for whom a petition had been received to fell them.... The Conservation Officer has written to me so say that they "are within the Brooke Conservation Area, therefore they could not be felled or reduced without prior notice to South Norfolk Council and on the north side of Entrance Lane, the Oaks are TPO'd already." He adds "I have not received formal notice of any proposal to carry out work to these trees, but if I do, I will consult the Tree Warden. If appropriate, the trees will be TPOd to prevent felling." Skype Me!For those of you who have Skype, you can call me using the computer using my skypeID 'johnfuller' Vehicle Crime in BrookeFrank Dyson, the Brooke Church Warden reports that on Sunday 9th October two cars had their windows broken whilst Bible Study was taking place in the church Rooms after Evensong. Nearly two years ago when Howard was installed as our Vicar there was similar vandalism when tyres were slashed, including on a car belonging to the Bishop. Whilst this is a warning to people parking in the St Peter's area of Brooke, I hope that there will be no more cases of this mindless vandalism. Howe Parish Meeting & The Local Development FrameworkA Howe Parish Meeting took place for the first time in five and a half years on 18th October.... and over 30% of the parish attended, which is not difficult for a village of 47 electors! The main topic for discussion was the Local Development Framework [LDF], something you will all be hearing a lot more about over the coming months. The LDF will replace the South Norfolk Local Plan, which determines where new houses will be built and businesses established over the next 15-20 years until the year 2021. The meeting was called because local landowners had expressed an interest in building on land in the village at some time in the future. Similar meetings have taken place in Brooke, Kirstead & Bergh Apton and a public display of the various landowners proposals will take place on Monday 21st November between 2 and 8pm at Poringland Village Hall [the 'green shack' opposite Budgens]. Professional planning officials will be on-hand throughout the afternoon & evening and will want to know what you think about the ideas. It's a fact that about 4,000 new houses need to be built in South Norfolk over the next 15-20 years in addition to the ones that have already received planning permission and the meetings with local residents are important in working-out where the houses will be built. If you feel strongly that your village has got enough houses, or you wouldn't mind building just a few more, you should plan to attend the exhibition and make your views known. Hmmmm...Chocolate!On 7th October, the EDP reported under the headline "No bar to chocolate company's proposal" that a mini chocolate factory will begin operating in Brooke after the scheme won planning approval. The Norfolk Truffle Company will now set up at Park Farm in the coming months. Save Loddon Police StationThe campaign to save Loddon Police Station, earmarked for closure in 2007/8, continues with myself and Adrian Gunson trying to change the Police Authority's decision. Whilst the transfer of the station to Poringland may not impact Brooke, the effect on Mundham, Seething and the 38 villages to the east is severe. If the decision to close the station is final, then we will campaign to have the mobile police station positioned there for several mornings per week. Over 80 local people have written to the campaign to explain why the station should remain open and you can see their comments at www.snca.org.uk . A Few Requests to pass on information...Mr Blue Sky Friends of Brooke SchoolDiana Wilde had asked me to draw attention to the performance of 'Mr Blue Sky' to be held in Brooke during half-term, proceeds of which would aid the Friends of Brooke School. However, as the event is Sold Out it's a bit late to advertise via this newsletter! Seething Tower146 Talks: Winter Program 2005/6Pat Everson has asked me to publicise the Seething Control Tower talks, held at Brooke Village Hall on the first Tuesday of the month at 7.30 [£1.50. incl Refreshments]. Everyone is welcome and Tom Neil's personal story from the Battle of Britain in the same month as we celebrate the Battle of Trafalgar, should not be missed.
Speeding in KirsteadA resident of Kirstead has asked me to pass-on this message to you all about speeding between the main road and the village limits: 'To the road racing fraternity of Kirstead Green.' he writes, "You may have noticed several signs posted at the side of the road with the number “30” at the top. These signs mean that 30 miles per hour is the maximum speed allowed by the law between any two such posts. "On the eastern side of Kirstead Green several concealed entrances exist and we should be mindful that not too many years ago two people were killed outside one of these entrances. The main cause of this accident was excessive speed by a passing motorcycle combined with a resident emerging from one of the concealed entrances. "My reason for bringing this to everyone’s attention is an endeavour to prevent a recurrence of such an accident. Behind these entrances children and pets live. "It is not the speed per se which does the damage but the kinetic energy contained in a moving vehicle which is proportional to the square of the velocity. This means that the energy at 40 mph is close to twice that at 30 mph! So please try to keep your speed to a maximum of 30 mph. Business News - Broadband steps up a gearSouth Norfolk Council has won substantial funds from EEDA to install wireless broadband across the district. You'll remember that I campaigned hard for this last year and it's pleasing to see that the project has been successful. What it means is that a series of 'hot-spots' [about 50 of them] will be set up across the district so that mobile workers and local residents can use their computers to connect to their work or the internet, perhaps even from the road lay-by on the Poringland road. Even people hiring boats on The Broads will have a wireless broadband connection too. As the press release says, "This project will provide more than 50 networked wireless access points at key locations across South Norfolk and neighbouring areas to create one cohesive network of hotzones and use hotzones to offer extensive tourist information and provide business connectivity to mobile devices right across the area." Environmental Health Goes French!Hygiene is important when you're selling food for public consumption so it's good to see that, to help the French traders, the Council produced a leaflet in French which explained basic hygiene and temperature control requirements.... in time for the French Street Markets in Wymondham and in Diss during September. The Political BitThose of you who know me well know that I am completely focused on keeping the Council Tax within affordable limits. But there could be bad news in store next year as the Government feels that it doesn't have to 'bung' Councils extra money in advance of a general election. Last year, South Norfolk received much more money that it ever expected to keep Council Tax down to 2.9% before the election. This year the smart money is on an increase in Government Grant to Councils of a paltry 0.8% with the difference being made up with the Council Tax. But the even worse news is that the Council is going to have to pay a lot more in final salary pension contributions and to subsidise the Free Off-Peak Bus Travel for the over 60's in addition to massive increases in fuel costs. At LibDem South Norfolk, an overspend of £500,000 is already been forecast for this year and a worst-case scenario of a 10% increase next year has been published. My job as leader of the Conservative opposition is to ensure that the LibDem Administration concentrates on the Council Tax and becomes more efficient so that the Tax burden is not increased beyond affordable means. Contact MeDo you know anyone else who might like to receive this letter? Please feel free to print this and give it to them or you can ask them to register their email address with This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and I will add them to my distribution list. Cllr John Fuller The legal bit - Promoted & Published by John Fuller The Old Hall Coach House, The Street, Brooke, NR15 1LB
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