Join the fight for a safe crossing of Colchester Road!
Introduction
West Bergholt Parish Council, with the support of its County Councillor Lewis Barber, has been trying since the adoption of the Neighbourhood Plan in 2019 to obtain agreement from Essex County Council to provide a crossing, of some sort, across Colchester Road. A crossing and/or traffic calming will allow residents, especially those from the new and proposed housing sites, to safely access all the village’s facilities, including children and families walking to Heathlands School. In fact, a crossing of Colchester Road and/or traffic calming was part of the Neighbourhood Plan proposals which ECC generally endorsed. Money has already been or is being collected by Colchester City Council towards the cost through s106 contributions1 from the developers of Colchester Road.
West Bergholt continues to actively campaign against the National Grid Pylon project as part of the Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk Pylons Group (ESN). On Tuesday 13th February we were pleased that Cllr Brian Butcher and Parish Clerk Laura Walkingshaw were able to host a site visit from James Ryan, NSIP1 Project Manager, Colchester City Council (CCC) and CCC Cllr Sara Naylor.
Statutory Consultee
As many of you may know, the CCC are the statutory consultee on the Parish Council’s behalf to the Government on this project. Given that, our working relationship with James and his colleagues are vital to being able to explain the impact that it will have on rural life for us and our neighbouring villages.
Meeting on 13th November 2023. the Planning & Development Committee discussed a consultation on new parking guidance before addressing new applications. Cllr Savage was then tasked with responding to the consultation.
Four planning applications were then discussed and all of them were supported although two with a number of observations. These applications were for properties in Albany Road, Mumford Road, Hall Road and Chapel Lane.
It was also noted that two applications (one each in Nayland Road & New Church Road) had now been reviewed by CCC who supported the Committee’s decisions.
Read the official minutes below:
Planning and Development Committee Meeting
Meeting held on Monday 13th November 2023 at 7.30pm in the John Lampon Hall
It is the aim of the Parish Council to seek a high standard of design for all new developments and extensions in the Village.
The Parish Council will take into account the Village Design Statement, the West Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan, Government National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and CBC Planning Policies when commenting on individual applications.
Planning Committee Members:
Cllrs Bob Tyrrell (Chair), Sara Cullis (Vice Chair), Andrew Savage, Brian Butcher, Paul Chamberlain
Also in attendance:
Julie Gillott (Asst Clerk), and one member of the public
Agenda items:
1. Welcome & Apologies for absence:
None
2. Declarations of interest:
None
3. Minutes & actions from previous meeting
Previous minutes were agreed with no amendments, and no actions required.
4. Public participation and to receive any pre-application representations.
No pre-applications presented, and no input from the member of public.
5. To discuss Essex Planning Officers Association (EPOA) Parking Guidance Consultation Notification.
Comment: Having considered all the details of this application, the Parish Council has decided not to comment
Decision: Support
232435 Church Cottage, Hall Road, West Bergholt CO6 3DU
Loft conversion and other internal alterations along with the addition of a pool house to main house. Erection of an outbuilding consisting of a car barn, workshop, home office, kitchenette and bedroom on the first floor.
Comment: Having considered all the details of this application, the Parish Council has decided to support the application with the following comments:
The variation from the previous application of the pitch to the roof gable at the side is out of keeping with the rest of the property.
The ribbon windows should be unopenable.
The Annex/car barn should be ancillary to the main building, and used solely by people associated with, and users of, the main dwelling, nor should it be sold or let separately to the main dwelling.
There is no roof plan indicating the need for the roof lights in the main house.
Decision: Support
232383 The Church Hall, Chapel Lane, West Bergholt Colchester CO6 3JG
Change of use of the church hall to a day nursery. The change will be 2 internal stud walls to create different rooms for 0 – 1-year-olds, 1 – 3-year-olds and 3 and over year-olds. A secure play area will be taken from the adjacent blue area.
Comment: Having considered all the details of this application, the Parish Council has decided to support the application in principle. However, they feel the following areas should be given further consideration:
There should be adequate prevention of noise pollution as a possible nuisance to neighbours.
The adequacy of parking on site and site access.
The lack of footpath in Chapel Lane for direct pedestrian access from Chapel Road.
Councils across Essex are working together to develop a new Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy for the next 30 years. They developed the previous strategy in 2007, and much has changed since then, including the significant climate change challenge that we now face.
Waste management is a major contributor to climate change, accounting for about 4% of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK. Improving environmental efficiency by making different choices about how we collect and treat waste will help reduce these emissions. Waste prevention can also deliver benefits by reducing greenhouse gas emissions in other sectors, such as agriculture, transport and manufacturing.
New Strategy
The new strategy will focus on the following key elements:
Appointing Transport and Public Rights of Way Representatives,
An update on Handymen including a number of relatively minor issues to rectify in the playground following ROSPA inspection also some concerns about mowers, truck and other equipment,
Progress on wildlife areas on parish council owned land,
Discussion of a tree inspection with some mixed news,
The condition of village ponds,
How to continue undertaking some local works given the cessation of the Essex Highways Devolution scheme.
Once again, Steve Hallam led a successful Dawn Chorus walk through Hillhouse Wood on 6th May. This year it was one of 19 bird walks taking place in Essex over the Coronation weekend.
Steve Hallam reports:
Well, it looks as if I must have done the odd good thing in a previous life. Despite the distinctly dodgy weekend weather forecast, we had a lovely morning for our 2023 Dawn Chorus walk. Not that we could see this of course, at 03.45, but at least we knew we’d be staying dry. A nice number of 14 people also turned out, despite the distraction of a certain Royal event later that morning. Also different this year was that we had folded the walk into the programme of The Big County Birdwatch, organised by the Essex Birdwatching Society. This had been moved to take place in Spring, rather than Autumn. It was pleasing to welcome EBWS people to the walk.
The Dawn Chorus Walk 2023 is taking place on a busy weekend with Bird walks all across Essex. It will form part of the “Big County Birdwatch ’23” which being organised by the Essex Birdwatching Society. First, though, a report by Steve Hallam on the recent Spring Flower Walk at Hillhouse Wood.
It is always a dilemma as to which date to set for the Spring Flowers walk. This is because the timing of when the various species flower can vary considerably between early and late seasons. This year I anticipated that the season would be early – so naturally it has been late. The solution was obvious, and so the ‘Bluebell’ walk was re-christened as a ‘Spring flowers’ one. The forecast for the afternoon was either for sunny periods or rain showers, depending on which forecaster you looked at. Either way, undaunted, a pleasingly large group of 22 assembled at the appointed hour and starting point.
A Cleaner/Caretaker is required for the Orpen Hall Complex, Lexden Rd, West Bergholt.
This is a permanent position, based at the Orpen Memorial Hall for up to 16 hours a week on average. Exact cleaning times will be agreed with the Hall Administrator but will typically be:
First, Voter ID, but if you want to skip to A12 Roadworks starting on 4th February, click this link. If you want to see where all upcoming roadworks are visit this page on our website. If you are wondering what the unusual smell is click this link.
Photographic Voter ID Now Required
The Council Elections taking place on 4th May 2023 will be the first at which registered electors will need to show an approved Photo ID in order to vote. If you don’t have a valid ID you can apply for a free Voter ID Card.
Your Photo ID doesn’t have to still be ‘in date’ as long as it still looks like you so expired Passports etc… can still be used.
