Newmarket Supermarket appeal decision

It has been reported that the Planning Inspector has approved the plans for supermarket and housing on the Newmarket site. This overturns the rejection of the plans by East Lindsey District Council.

It's also reported that the supermarket will be a Co-op food store and could be finished by 2014.

Without seeing the Inspectors report it's difficult to know on what grounds it has been allowed but I suspect it's to do with the current government policy of a presumption in favour of sustainable development.
Local opinion, existing competition and question marks over access to the site carry no real weight in current planning policy. The thinking behind this policy is that if we build more shops we'll spend more and revive our ailing economy..I'm afraid I can't quite see the logic in that if it means the demise of existing shops and puts additional pressure at an already stressed junction.

We'll find out more when the report arrives and discuss options available to the residents.

The Big Lunch Sunday 2nd June 2013

We're having a "Big Lunch" get together this Sunday 12.30-2.30pm.
The Big Lunch website
It's your chance to meet the neighbours for an open air meal in the grounds of
St Michael's Church Hall, Mount Pleasant.
We'll provide the drinks and crockery..you just bring food to share :)

Fun and games for young and old...and a hanging basket planting session for our latest
idea for residents to "Adopt a basket of flowers".
We've currently got 17 baskets ordered by residents for hanging on the street side
of their properties...if you'd like one please get in touch. The baskets are free you
just need to care for them during the summer...it's easy!

Minute of  a meeting of the Pleasant Residents’ Association

13^th March 2013– 7.30 pm

Present:-

Chairman James Pocklington             Eileen and Eric Howard       Sylvia Scott           Mick Kingswood

Dave Heal              Neal  Overton      Alan and Liz Beadle             Paul Overton        John Prior

Patrick Purves      John Hough           Sarah Dodds                          Di Dray                   Sam Piccard and Lisa Bogg

Apologies Gary Dray, Carol Leslie, Brenda Nutt, Richard Scott.  John Prior’s prior apologies noted for minutes

•              Sam Piccard and Lisa Bogg of ELDC, engagement and monitoring officers responsible for liaison between refuse collection and the public, addressed some issues residents had raised.  The system was “task and finish”, which explained the rush.  The Council had stopped monitoring collections.  Levels of pay could not be revealed –they did not know.  The speed keeps the traffic moving.  Crews who refused  contaminated bins supposed to leave stickers to explain, any issues should be reported to “Customer Services” at ELDC;  they then left the meeting after being thanked.

•               Minutes –produced by James, read and approved

•              Arising – Sarah reported the Newmarket Brown’s site was under appeal by Sainsbury and others were interested for various possible purposes.  Dog muck was still a worsening issue.  Dave Heal mentioned the new estate plan in the context of flood insurance.  Evidently new infrastructure and drainage were planned.

•              Stagecoach buses  - There was a Buses round table at the Town Hall on 28^th March at 10.30

•              Watts Lane -  John Hough recommended resurfacing.  A meeting would be set up with LCC officials to try to get a recommendation of a contractor to mend holes and install proper speed bumps.  Signs indicating “access only “ were in place.  The proposal for this was seconded by James and Sarah said she would vote some funds in.  After costing the residents would be approached – the working party to include John, James and Patrick

•              Brown’s Garage Site – Rubbish and vermin, hedge cuttings etc were highlighted by Eileen and Dave.  James volunteered t go and do a litter pick one Saturday morning.  Brian and Eileen would join in.  John Hough pointed out that rats could be a District Council responsibility.

•              The AGM was set for 10^th April.

There being no other business the meeting closed at about 8:30 pm

Pleasant Residents’ Association

Minute of meeting held 13^th February 2013 at St Michael’s Church Hall, Mount Pleasant

Present: Di Dray, Dave Heal, Keith Scott, Mr & Mrs A Beadle, Neal Overton, Paul Overton, Richard Scott, Cllr Sarah Dodds, Cllr John Hough, Eileen Howard, Sylvia Scott, Brian Shaw, James Pocklington.

Apologies: Patrick Purves, Gray Dray, Brenda Nutt, Eric Howard, Rosie Leak.

·        The meeting commenced with a general discussion on the proposed housing development on the Pleasant Gardens site at the end of Mount Pleasant.

·        Cllr Dodds explained that after the environmental impact assessment had been approved by ELDC there had been no submission for planning permission.

·        Local residents expressed their concerns over the initial proposals for the site, these were: 

#  Over intensification of housing which would result in high traffic volumes through Spire View and on to Wood Lane.

# Increased surface water flood risk to neighbouring properties

# Additional strain on infrastructure, i.e. sewers

# Increased traffic on Mount Pleasant , gaining access to North end of site.

# Impact on local residents responsible for unadopted road at the end of Mount Pleasant.

·        It was reported that 99% of Spire View residents were opposed to the scale of the development.

·        After discussion it was decided to wait for the applicant to submit final plans and then reconvene a meeting to decide on a community response.

Minute of last meeting (09/01/13) read and approved.

Matters arising,

·        Cllr Dodds apologised that the refuse collection representative had not been available for the February meeting but hoped they might be ok for March meeting.

·        The meeting heard that a new campaign against dog fouling had been launched. Cllr Dodds explained that it was important that residents notify the dog warden if they had information on dog owners that failed to “scoop the poop”.

·        Cllr Hough reported from the Bus round table meeting that the re-routing of buses up Church St was being reviewed and asked residents to make their feelings known at the next meeting on the 28^th March, 10.30 am at the Town Hall. As Dave Skepper the area supervisor for Lincolnshire Road Car would be in attendance.

·        The lack of provision for motorcycle parking in town car parks was briefly discussed.

·        James reported that the local grit bins had been refilled recently, following repeated requests by Cllr Hough and local residents.

·        Cllr Hough explained that he had correspondence with Ian Mickleburgh of Lincolnshire Highways who confirmed that 20 mph speed limits were being discussed within the authority, and that he would be in touch if there were further developments.

·        Inconsiderate parking was discussed. James explained that following the neighbourhood police panel he had recently attended, it was clear that the total obstruction of a pavement was a matter for the police and urged residents to contact the PCSO’s with evidence of this. Cllr Hough mentioned that Mick Pheonix is the parking services manager at LCC and any concerns on bad parking hot spots should be addressed to him so that scheduled enforcement visits might be taken.

·        James reminded the meeting that anyone who would like to host a hanging basket or floral display on their property as part of the Louth in Bloom to please get in touch. It was agreed that the committee would get together to discuss this matter further to improve the attractiveness of the neighbourhood.

Meeting closed at 8.40pm

Church st growing space

This is what you get for not giving Chris Fairburn what he wants...

The growing space at the bottom of Church St has been demolished.

Did he let me know he was about to do it...no

Did he admit that it was because we didn't give his plans for Mount Pleasant the thumbs up...yes

Did I call him a "Cheeky B*****d!"...yes

Next Meeting 13th March

Just to confirm that we shall have two representatives from ELDC to receive feedback on the standards of refuse collection in our area. Lisa Bogg and Mrs Sam Pickard who are monitoring officers for ELDC will be happy to hear your views so please come along and contribute your experiences..good or bad!

Also on the agenda for the next meeting is the condition of Watts Lane road surface. It would be great to
get some progress on this for the benefit of all residents in the area but particularly those who live on Watts Lane.
Please come along and discuss the issue with a view to agreeing a practical solution to improving the road surface.

Thanks
James

Minute of  a meeting of the Pleasant Residents’ Association

9^th January 2013 – 7.30 pm

Present:-

Chairman James Pocklington                                                             Eileen and Eric Howard

Sylvia Scott                                                                                            Di Dray

Brenda Nutt                                                                                         Mick Kingswood

Carol Leslie                                                                                           Richard Hardesty

Rachel Jacques                                                                                      Dave Heal

Patrick Purves                                                                                      Di Dray

Apologies- Cllr Sarah Dodds, Brian Shaw, John Prior and Gary Dray      

•        Minutes –produced by James, read and approved

•        Arising –

John reported on matters outstanding with the Highway authority (Dave Mickleborough) including signing at the end of Mount Pleasant, the lack of a parking restriction at the end of Little Butcher Lane and parking restrictions on Little Mount Pleasant - these were all on the waiting list

James had spoken to the PCSOs about skateboarders

Bins were still seen as a problem.  The manager of refuse collection would be invited to the February meeting

•        Chris Fairburn bungalow proposal.

John reported that the previous application had been lost, and again on appeal.  CF now wanted Cllr Sarah Dodds to get a recommendation from residents for his new, revised application. and "call it in" for consideration by Councillors.  This would bypass the planning officers, who were not in favour of the plan.  Sarah would only do this if we were in favour.  The application had not been submitted yet, and clearly the hope was to get a favourable indication before spending on elevations and detailed plans.

It was clear that differing views went through the spectrum of opposition via indifference to mild enthusiasm

After discussion, all agreed Patrick's suggestion that the Association abstain from conmment either in favour or against.

•        James reported on the Watts Lane restriction.  Use otherwise than for access is an offence which ultimately could lead to points on licences and even a ban.  A request had been put in for appropriate signage

•        Brian Shaw had proposed that Association funds be applied to beautifying our area, e.g. hanging baskets, some effort into planting.  This was approved

•        Dave Heal suggested it was time to get the Dog Warden along again in view of big problems with fouling.

•        Mick mentioned the routing of buses along Church Street.  It was agreed this was now due to be reviewed in light of the improved parking situation in town.  It would remain on the Agenda.  Motorcycle parking was mentioned, there are (it turns out) a couple of spaces opposite the Cinema and a couple more at the lamp-post in the Market Place

•        There being no other business the meeting closed at 8:20 p.m.