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BISHOPSTONE PARISH COUNCIL News for March Post Office Closures and Changes After 6 weeks of consultation the Network Change Programme for West Berkshire and Wiltshire came to a conclusion in mid-February with the announcement that all the planned changes would go ahead. Now call it disappointment or sour grapes or bad losing but the result seemed amazing
We might have expected on the balance of statistical probability that a couple of the proposals would have to be changed because new information had come to light or a misjudgement had occurred. No, instead all proposals had been found to stand up in the face of public scrutiny. There was nothing in the 3,700 contacts to cause a reversal of any of the plans. If you wish to read what your Parish Council and District Council wrote then click here The lessons to be learnt are probably that everyone has to retain an optimism about public consultation. The new meaning of public consultation is clearly "we have made our decision but if you tell us something new it might result in a revised decision". Hence everybody should be encouraged to participate since somebody may well input a new fact that changes opinions. We need 12,400 new houses here Locally, between now and 2026, Salisbury district has to find space for 12,400 new houses and provide premises and facilities for 14,000 new jobs. Where to put these new homes and other facilities, and how to protect the local environment at the same time, are among the pressing issues on which you are being urged to give your view as part of a six week public consultation being carried out by Salisbury District Council that started on 28 February and runs up to 11 April. The council is preparing a major policy document, called the Local Development Framework (LDF), which will help shape what happens locally over the next two decades. The consultation will ask local people their views on what should appear in the 'core strategy' of the LDF which sets out the long-term development plans for south Wiltshire. The draft core strategy was developed following the first stage of consultation that took place last year. Over 6,000 individuals and organisations responded to 'Our Place in the Future', the first stage of consultation on the LDF. Feedback on the wide range of issues has been sifted and refined into a set of preferred options for the future of the area. It these options that are the subject of the new consultation. A special consultation version of the draft Core Strategy can viewed or downloaded from the council website. Copies can also be viewed or collected from council offices. Over the next six weeks you will have the chance to have your say through a series of public meetings and exhibitions, press advertising and the council's website. Once this consultation is complete, the draft Core Strategy will be further refined. There will be a further chance to comment when this version is submitted to the government in June 2008. There will then be a final opportunity early in 2009 when the Local Development Framework will be subject to an 'examination in public' led by a government Planning Inspector. Only when this has been done, can the LDF be formally adopted as planning policy for the district. The draft Core Strategy is available online at www.salisbury.gov.uk/preferred-options and you will also find details of how to comment there. Alternatively you can view the documents at Salisbury Library, see them at Michael Herbert Hall, Wilton on 4th April (13.00-1800) or attend a public meeting at that hall at 7.00pm on 4th April. Is this important for you ? YES IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT IF YOU CARE ABOUT WHO BUILDS WHAT AND WHERE.
On yer bike If you are a keen cyclist then you will already be familiar with the National Cycle Network. For the rest of us go to www.sustrans.org.uk and click on Get Cycling to learn all about cycling freedom. Rural Development Programme For England This is a seven year programme launched in February, worth billion nationally, and jointly funded by the EU and HM Government. It aims to safeguard and enhance our rural environment and foster competitive and sustainable businesses and thriving rural communities.
The programme will provide financial support for a wide range of
activities in rural areas including environmental stewardship, skills
development, farming and forestry diversification, resource management,
renewable energy supply chains and community-led development.
The RDPE has three priorities for rural development: 1. Improving competitiveness of the agriculture and forestry sectors 2. Improving the environment and the countryside 3. Improving the quality of life in rural areas and encouraging diversification of economic activity If you wish to see the details of the programme then you can download this file containing the prospectus. The South West of England
Regional Development Agency (RDA) will deliver priorities 1 and 3 with a
budget of .8 million over the seven years. Details of what they are
doing can be found under "Local Action for Rural Communities" at their
website www.southwestrda.org.uk Broad Chalke Conservation Area You really must see the review document for the Broad Chalke Conservation Area. It is very well produced and makes fascinating reading. Read it online at www.salisbury.gov.uk/planning/conservation/conservation-area-appraisals.htm or at Salisbury Library or Salisbury Planning Office. The background is that Salisbury District Council are required to review and update their 70 conservation areas. This may result in additions being made or some houses being removed. The extent to which the council receives planning applications from the conservation area determines the priority for review. Thus we can expect that it will be a long time before they reach Bishopstone. Nevertheless you may care to read the Broad Chalke report versus how you may wish to influence the eventual Bishopstone study. Study into Central Car Park and Maltings redevelopment The possibility of developing a revitalised 'cultural centre' in Salisbury is to be investigated as part of a study into the potential redevelopment of the city's Maltings and Central Car Park area. The area is highlighted within the Salisbury Vision as a potential major retail development incorporating shops, restaurants, cafes, housing, offices and parking as well as new public and green spaces and enhanced riverside. There is also the potential to develop the idea of a cultural centre around the Salisbury Playhouse, a refurbished or replaced City Hall and, if Wiltshire County Council agrees, an expanded library. The Maltings was developed in its present form in the 1980s and has not been an outstanding commercial success, with Priory Square performing particularly badly. The Sainsbury's store is located at first floor level making access more difficult than to nearby rivals and the store is also small by modern standards. Property and planning consultancy, Alder King, has been appointed to carry out the study. They will look at what could be achieved on the site taking into account long term objectives, aspirations of existing occupiers, constraints and market demand. Their report is scheduled for the end of May when the findings will be examined and a decision made on next steps. This could involve seeking a development partner to work with Salisbury District Council on taking the project forward. Do you need a new pair of slippers ?
In the UK, 28-33% of over 65s and 32-42% of
over 75s will fall each year leading to serious injuries such as hip
fractures. The county council is organising a series of "slipper exchange"
events, the aim of which is to promote the well-being and health of older
people living in their own homes and an opportunity for older people to see
the range of services that are available to support them.
People can bring along a pair of old,
worn-out slippers and exchange them free for a new pair which will be fitted
by trained fitters. The new slippers are comfortable, warm and safe and will
help reduce the risk of falls. The event will be held in the Banqueting Hall
in the Guildhall, Salisbury on 8th April. It's open to the public between
10.30 a.m.- 3.00 p.m.
Want
to know more about your back yard ?
Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs Area
Of Outstanding Natural Beauty is planning an informative, enthusiastic
historic landscape talk.
So if you are a member of a historic or
heritage siciety, a history enthusiast or interested in archaeology then you
should be getting in touch so that you can be invited to this free event at
Nadder Hall, Tisbury at the end of March.
Phone 01725 517417 or e-mail
emmarouse@cranbornechase.org.uk
Police Reports Our Neighbourhood Police Team send out regular reports on recent incidents and suspicious goings-on. Reproduced here are messages received. 9th January 2008 We have had a couple of thefts reported in the area from Manor Farm at Broadchalke and Woodminton Farm at Bowerchalke. A large quantity of roofing slates have been stolen from Manor and a break in to containers at Woodminton. A vehicle was seen in the area going down the lane at Woodminton which as most of you know is private and shouldn't be there. It was a white Ford Transit Van P778XFX. I have checked this out but we believe that the address given for this vehicle is false so probably up to no good. 11th January 2008 I have just received information that a truck with a low loader has been seen in Knighton casing a premises where there is currently an extension going on. I believe that this vehicle has been used in the past for theft of scrap metal. It is a Ford Iveco Tipper registration J565UHB. It has a black cab with a black flatbed with only 3 sides. It is open ended at the back and also has an orange/yellow coloured crane mounted on the flatbed. There were 2 males on board one wearing a yellow fluorescent jacket. 1st February 2008 I have just received this e-mail about the Drove at Bowerchalke: Just thought I'd let you know of the latest "sport" on the ox drove. Having spent Dec/Jan hedge planting up along the ox drove by Poor Patch (i.e. where the travellers were) I discover that some sick person(s) has been along and removed the plastic guards (approx 30 of them) (put on to protect the young plants), chucked them into the field and then proceeded to go along and chop off all the tops of the plants - luckily leaving about 4inches of plant (rather than down to ground level or even pulling them out) so they still have a slight chance of survival. Needless to say I was not impressed. I thought it may have been deer, but they are not that clever plus the plants have definitely been cut and I even found (and kept) the evidence of the cut off bits. Who ever did this needs to be taught a lesson and perhaps a good dose of hard graft would not go amiss?! 29th February 2008 Recently reported a Ford Transit dropside registration L519KVJ seen in the area. Occupants are predominantly distraction burglars who prey on the elderly / vulnerable. They will also thieve anything that isn't bolted down - even if it is they will probably have oxy-acetylene!
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