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.
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.
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.
Through Safer Essex Roads Partnership, ECC is offering free cycle training until the end of March 2022. They have courses available for Children, Adults (beginners to advanced) and even families. Sessions are led by qualified instructors and range from 45 minutes to 3 hours!
If you are interested then you should register your interest here.
Other updates
Essex Police
Essex Police has recently published issue 15 of their local news update. It is a decent read with much to interest, e.g. spiking, property closed due to anti-social behaviour and joint patrols with RMP. There’s also a nice snippet on ‘Disruptor Teams’ who look into and tackle crimes such as anti-social behaviour within communities. It rounds off with an article on cycle security and contact information to help victims of domestic abuse. You can read the whole update below.
Community Updates
This is a much slimmer document with more white space than words, however, items of interest are:
Finally, it gives details of the ‘Community Enabling Team’; their remit is to reach out and help find local solutions to issues. The Community Enabling Officer covering West Bergholt is Mark Healy, contact details are: tel: 07817 889992 email: [email protected].
Essex County Council, in partnership with Aran Insulation, are trying to improve household insulation with the offer of grants of up to £10,000. Funding is available for energy efficiency improvements to help make your home more cosy. Making your home more energy efficient will help save you money on future energy bills.
Nominations have now closed for the 2021 Elections
6th May 2021 Elections will take place for:
Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner for the Essex Police Area;
One County Councillor to represent the Constable Division; and
One Borough Councillor to represent the Lexden & Braiswick ward.
Candidates for each of these are listed below. If you haven’t already checked out the COVID-Safe arrangements you can read about those further down. It is still not too late to register to vote – details also below.
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