Sainsbury's proposal for Newmarket

This is a copy of Sarah Dodd's letter to the ELDC planning committee.

You might need to click on the image to be able to read it!

Meeting 8th June

Minutes of last meeting 8^th June 2011

Special Guest: David Robinson OBE gave a short, fact filled history of Louth Museum. From the early beginnings in 1884 when five teenage boys, who were interested with the natural world, filled a greenhouse in Aswell St. with specimens and artefacts, to the latest home for Louth Museum on Broadbank, David relayed all of the important achievements of the Museum with passion and enthusiasm and most impressively without any notes!

Meeting attendees :Brian Shaw, Di Dray, Brenda Nutt, Eileen & Eric Howard, Judith Hall, Anita Hammond, David & Sandra Jaines, Sandie Trafford, Sylvia Scott, Cllr G.Horton, M Hatrick, Mick Graves,Cllr J Hough,Cllr S Dodds, Betty Pinfold, Cllr J Makinson-Sanders, D Heal, Cllr S. Locking, Bas Odedra, P Rayayrumar, Jason Abrams, James Pocklington

· Sainsbury’s application: Cllr Dodds gave a brief review of the current situation and informed the meeting that the proposals had been “called in” which meant that they would have to be discussed at a meeting of district councillors. Cllr Dodds said that it was vital that the residents have their say on the possible impacts of such a development in their community. Cllr Horton explained that there had to be some structure to the objections and not just an “out of hand” rejection. There followed a general discussion on the specific concerns with the proposals, the key ones mentioned were: Problems with access to the site from an already stressed highway. Issues with moving the bus stop closer to the entrance to Watts lane, restricting vision. Building close to the unadopted, single track status of Watts lane will create additional problems for local residents. Possible flood risk. The moral issue of placing unfair competition so close to existing independent stores. Cllr Dodds closed the discussion by suggesting that a further residents’ meeting is held prior to the planning committee meeting and that residents’ concerns be organised into a structured objection. It was hoped this would be in the first week in July.

· There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.45pm, giving residents’ the opportunity to study the full set of plans of the Sainsbury’s proposal.

Minutes of meeting 11th May 2011

Minutes of meeting 11^th May 2011

Special guest : Patrick Purves presented a very enjoyable history to the bagpipe. Using his own collection of bagpipes Patrick introduced each type of instrument and explained the development of the bagpipe over the centuries. Patrick showed us the tiny reed that sits in the bagpipe chanter, the hall then resounded to the remarkable sounds of the pipes as Patrick played each instrument in turn, amazing how something so small as a reed can make such a loud noise! Thanks to Patrick for a very enjoyable talk and demonstration.

Apologies: Carol Leslie, John Prior, Gary Dray, Sarah Dodds

· Eileen mentioned that there had been a problem with discarded hedge cuttings in Watts Lane, but that eventually they had been cleared away.

· The “Meet the Candidate” evening which enabled residents to meet the prospective election candidates was reported as being a success by those that attended.

· The meeting agreed that it would be useful for the dog warden to attend a subsequent meeting to discuss residents’ concerns with increasing amounts of uncollected dog waste.

· There were concerns about the continuing use of the Robinson’s Lane/Watts lane footpath being used by motorcyclists.

· The issue was raised with regard to the salt bins promised by the town council, it was agreed that these bins needed to be in situ well before the time they would be needed. There was also a brief discussion on the need for the authorities to have a timely approach to gritting Little Lane before the next winter.

· Brenda Nutt expressed concern over the lack of a regular bus route out of Louth up Church Street and that the absence of such an amenity resulted in her using her car more times than need be.

Meeting closed at 8.45pm

And the winner is!

John Mawer won yesterday's "Big lunch" golf competition!

The photo shows a jubilant John receiving his fruit basket trophy from Cllr John Hough.. in the background you can just see Brian, the organiser of the golf competition, hoping to get a banana!

Admire John's winning stroke!


On behalf of the Pleasant residents' association we presented Cllr John Hough with a choice bottle of red wine as a small token of our gratitude for his 17 years of service as district councillor for our ward. Cllr Hough said that he was very grateful for the gift and that he would look forward to maintaining links with the residents in his continuing office of county councillor.

Thanks to everyone that came along to share in the fun, food and friendship!
Particularly Di and Linda for doing the washing up!

Big Lunch this Sunday!

Don't forget the Big Lunch this Sunday 12-2pm St Michael's Church Hall, Mount Pleasant.

Just bring yourself, your family and picnic food to share (homemade if possible)

Drinks will be provided free of charge.

Don't miss this great opportunity to meet your neighbours.

Hope the weather is as good as last year!

Minutes of meeting 13th April 2011

Attendance: Betty Pinfold, Eileen & Eric Howard , Sylvia Scott, Dave Heal, Carol Leslie, Brian Shaw, John Hough, James Pocklington, Chris and Carol Bromfield, Di & Gary Dray, Brenda Nutt.

Guest Speaker: Sgt Lee Willoughby for Neighbourhood Policing Team. Sgt Willoughby reported that there were two PCSO’s present in this area. He understood that the recent drug related arrests in Mt Pleasant had alarmed many of the residents but he offered assurance that the situation was being closely monitored and that these were isolated incidents and not symptomatic of a wider problem in the community. Sgt Willoughby explained that there was a Policing panel made up of local councillors, local business people and community groups. It meets once a quarter to discuss the priorities for crime prevention in the town. The priorities currently are illegal parking and “boy racers”. The panel is due to meet again in the next few days. He urged residents to always report a crime they might have witnessed. This is never a waste of time however insignificant it might be, as it helps the police to build a picture of criminal activity in the area. Sgt Willoughby’s mobile is 07500920231 or crime stoppers (anonymously) 0800555111. After a vote of thanks for attending Sgt Willoughby left the meeting.

Apologies: Sarah Dodds, John Prior

Minutes of the last meeting read and approved

· John Hough reported that no plans had yet been submitted for the proposed Sainsbury’s store on Newmarket. The application for an alcohol licence had been amended by Sainsbury’s at the very last minute to trading between 7.00am and 11.00pm 7 days week. This was approved at the recently held ELDC planning committee.

· The lights on the walkway are between Spire view and Watts lane are still not switched on, John believed that there was still an issue with permission for access to the land adjacent to the lights.

· Speeding on Mount Pleasant/ Little lane was discussed, there was general support for a 20mph restriction to be introduced if at all possible. James explained that Highways had agreed to install a speed monitor at some future date to determine whether a 20mph limit is appropriate. The limit can be imposed if vehicles average speed is currently already close to 20mph.

· Carol reported the attendance of a Fire engine to the building plot at 35 Mount Pleasant. The contractors had left an unattended bonfire on the site which had been reported by a nearby resident. John promised to raise the issue with the local authorities to prevent a similar occurrence. Carol reported that there was already a second bonfire being formed.

· James announced that this would be John’s last meeting as a district councillor as he was standing down at the elections next month. He thanked John for all his help and support as a district councillor but hoped he would still be coming to the meetings as a county councillor, John confirmed that he would. James invited John and Lesley to be our guests of honour at the “Big lunch” on Sunday 5^th June 12-2pm .

· James suggested that we hold a “Meet the candidates” event at the Church hall before the election date of the 5th May. This would be an opportunity for all the election candidates to meet informally with the local residents. James agreed to try and organise the event.

· Brian Shaw requested that we ask the Dog warden to the next meeting, it was agreed that this would be a good idea.

· James reminded the meeting that we would be printing hand out flyers to publicise the next 6 months meetings and asked for volunteers to distribute. Thanks to Gary, Eileen, Betty, Carol and Brian for agreeing to help.

Meeting closed 8.35pm

Bagpipe surprise!

Don't miss this month's meeting this coming Wednesday.
Patrick Purves has kindly agreed to come along with his collection of bagpipes and talk about the history and the operation of these fascinating traditional instruments.
See you there at 7.30pm!