Parish Council and Supporters Update 6 November 2020
Covid-19 and the Further Lockdown
We trust everyone remains well and coping with the current challenges.
We continue to maintain very close contact will all our Parish, District and County Councillors and are grateful to them for their on-going help. We will continue with these monthly newsletters until such time as we can arrange a further public meeting and rely on reactions from everyone to help keep us up to date.
Please do let us know if there is anything you become aware of which would be helpful. Our general e-mail address continues to suffer an access fault so please feel free to contact me direct: iain.muspratt@hemingfordsactiongroup.co.uk
Astro Turf Site – Planning Application Reference FMW/072/19
Our request to meet senior officers on an informal and ‘without prejudice’ basis to again raise our continuing concerns particularly in relation to Section 73 was granted and the meeting took place virtually on 28thOctober. Senior CCC Planning Officials and Lawyers were joined by myself, John Blyde and Tony Jackson together with our Lawyer. Our County Councillor, Ian Bates listened in.
As a preamble to our meeting CCC had indicated that the matter was now likely to be decided and referred to CCC Planning Committee early in 2021 and not before.
We reiterated our previous concerns that the application did not fall within Section 73 parameters and as well as referring to all the previous points we had made our lawyers outlined further concerns that the new application exceeded approved boundaries. Our impression was that CCC were taking our concerns very seriously and that they needed further guidance from their lawyers and advisers.
We intend to leave the remaining large banners in place until this matter is resolved.
HEMINGFORD ABBOTS GOLF RANGE, SHOP & CONFERENCE CENTRE
American Golf’s new venture is proving very popular. We recently wrote to the most senior Board Member of the holding company and requested a meeting and await a response. It is not clear what effect new Covid regulations will have but we wish the venture every success.
NEW DRAFT WASTE AND MINERALS PLAN
On Wednesday we received the amendments following the Public Examination. As HM Inspector suggested these are intended to take into account the following points which we made viz:
The requirements for extensions to existing sites should be subject to the same criteria as new sites
We do not believe that the plan should contemplate ‘local’ sites being permitted as an adjunct to local housing developments
We wish to see the ‘Astro Turf Site’ omitted from the list of current sites on the basis that it does not have an environmental permit or exemption nor has it been properly operational for some years and should not therefore be included as existing Waste Management Areas on the Policies Map which forms part of the draft plan
We are reviewing the changes with our lawyers and will formally respond by the of the consultation period - 15thDecember 2020
HEMINGFORD GOLF CLUB CAR PARK
The bungalow does not now appear to be occupied and the Car Park has almost totally been cleared. This may be in preparation for any visit which CCC planning Committee may make in connection with the Astro Turf Site.
Sub-committee to assist with the process of preparing a detailed proposal for the Hemingford Golf Club to be granted the status of a Community Asset et seq.
This matter remains outstanding and will not be progressed until we have established a dialogue with American Golf.
E-mailing lists
We are rationalising these to minimise duplications. If you know of anyone who would like to be added please e-mail Audra Green at audra.green@hemingfordsactiongroup.co.uk
Can you help please?
We still wish to strengthen our Board and would be pleased to hear from anyone who has experience in local planning and land development matters. If you are interested please e-mail: iain.muspratt@hemingfordsactiongroup.co.uk
Stay Safe and Keep Well everyone.
Iain Muspratt – The Hemingfords Action Group
6thNovember 2020
