Vandalism – Two parishioners attended the meeting and brought the Parish Council’s attention to incidents of vandalism and ant-social behaviour that had occurred in the village over several weekends. They reported that the worst incidents had occurred on Saturday 17th September when people leaving a private party at Castle Hedingham Club had caused damage to houses and cars in Church Ponds, Crown Street and Nunnery Street. There had also been an attempt to overturn the ‘One Way’ signs at the junction of Church Ponds and Church Lane and to set fire to the Tennis Club House. Problems have been experienced on Friday and Saturday nights between 11.00 pm and 2.00 am and the parishioners present requested that the Parish Council put pressure on the police to have a visible police presence in the village at the problem times to address these problems. The parishioners also stated that some parishioners were considering taking matters into their own hands by taking vigilante action. The parish council consider vigilante action to be an unacceptable way forward. The parishioners were advised that at a meeting attended by the Vice Chairman and District Councillor Scattergood the new chief constable had made a commitment to increasing the number of Policemen on the beat and ensuring that rural areas receive the support they require. It was agreed that the parish council would contact the chief constable and remind him of the commitment he made to addressing rural issues and ask for police patrols on a Friday and Saturday night to address these problems. Parishioners should dial 999 if they hear or see any more incidents of vandalism or anti-social behaviour.
Primrose Lines, Majendie Lane - Church Ponds – Essex County Council have advised the Parish Council that as it is illegal to park within 10 m of a junction. The parish council’s proposal for primrose lines in Majendie Lane would suggest that this is not the case and it would be possible for vehicles to be parked right up to St James Street and obscure sight lines. Councillors discussed this matter and it was agreed that Primrose Lines up the whole length of Majendie Lane would exacerbate parking problems in St James Street, it was therefore agreed to advise Essex County Council Highways that the parish council do not wish to proceed with Primrose Lines in Majendie Lane.
Appln. No.: 05/01392/LBC - Alteration to staircase, removal of brick tiles hearth surrounds and addition of two dormer windows to rear of property - End Cottage, 132 Nunnery Street, Castle Hedingham and Application 05/01612/LBC– Proposed removal of existing modern first floor ceiling and installation of new high level ceiling above collars - 16 Church Ponds, Castle Hedingham – No objections as it is to be overseen by English Heritage. This has occurred because of the fire in the adjoining property and seems an ideal opportunity to get rid of a modern addition to an ancient building.
Application 05/01668/TPOCON - Carry out works to trees - 8 Queen Street, Castle Hedingham - No objections this application as the trees in question are of little consequence and the proposals are quite reasonable.
Application 05/01712/FUL - Proposed rear extension – 98 Nunnery Street, Castle Hedingham – No objections
Planning Appeal – 05/00023/FUL Residential development of four dwellings - Land to the rear of Blue Boar House, 24 St James Street, Castle Hedingham. The Clerk had received notification that the applicant is appealing against the District Council’s decision to refuse this application. It was noted that the District Council advised that the second application for this site (05/01454/FUL – Conversion of existing builders’ yard and workshops into 2 no. houses and 1 no bungalow - Land to the rear of Blue Boar House, 24 St James Street, Castle Hedingham) will be considered separately by the Planning Department. It was agreed to submit the Parish Council’s comments on the application to the Planning Inspectorate as follows:
The Parish Council object to this application on the following grounds: Nature of the Site – The site is referred to as ‘Brown Field’ in the application the Parish Council are not aware that this is or ever has been designated as a Brown Field site; Density – The Council has concerns regarding the density of the development and its impact on surface drainage to adjacent properties – these concerns have also been voiced by parishioners; Style – The Council is concerned that the style of the properties is inconsistent with the existing architectural style. This style has already been rejected by the District Council when considering an application at Ibstocks in Castle Lane, Castle Hedingham; Archaeological Site – The Council is concerned that the development is potentially on an archaeological site of considerably significance over what are the old town ramparts and Hanging Ditch which have been loosely filled in. This could make the construction of the buildings problematic. The Parish Council ask that an archaeological investigation is completed before any development is undertaken and, Precedent - The Parish Council is concerned that a precedent could be created by allowing a development of this nature, serviced by a shared driveway, in the village’s very valuable conservation area.
12th October and 23rd November 7.45 p.m. Old Court House, Castle Hedingham.
Open Meeting - Village Design Statement - Monday 10th October, 8.00 pm, Memorial Hall, Castle Hedingham
