News • Stansted Mountfitchet Parish Council

PARISH NEWS

John Hudson — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 21:00:00 +0000

12th July - Wine Tasting and Quiz Evening in Support of New Skate Park in the Day Centre.

for tickets contact the Parish Council 813214. £1 Raffle tickets also on sale.

Summer Fayre - 5th July, Station Road

organized by Stansted Business Forum

Next Parish Council Meeting: Open Spaces 25th June

Agenda

Barclays to Open Weekly Pop-Up Bank in the Day Centre from 27th June.

Following closure of the branch on 20th June, Barclays is offering a 4-hour Fridays trial scheme lasting six week to assist customers with the variety of services offered by the bank read more...

Barclays Poster

Stansted in Bloom Competition, Entries by 27th June

[posted 4th March] Information and Entry Form

Parish Chair Geoffrey Sell Stands Down after 8 Years

[posted 23 May] Long Standing Parish Council Chairman, Geoffrey Sell announced his decision to stand down at the Annual Parish Meeting on 8th May after eight years of valuable service to the community. The new chair of the PC is Maureen Caton. His comments on the occasion can be read in the Bishops Stortford Observer Article of 15th May. read more.

Geoffrey Sell with the incoming Chair, Maureen Caton

Farnham School Staying Put

[June 16] The governors of Farnham Primary School have decided not to expand into the former St. Mary's School in Stansted. This will leave Essex C.C. with the task of refurbishing the building for exclusive use by Stansted Village & environs to accommodate the rapidly rising number of entrants. The work required includes renewal of central heating and electrics to latest standards, but there is no intention to change the basic room layout or increase the floor area. At a public meeting earlier in the year, ECC officers said the costs could reach about £450k for Health and Safety Issues and £750k for Infrastructure in order to accommodate 120 children.

Primary Care Centre Inching Closer

Update 1 June: Some final issues between the WECCG and the current Stansted PCT, are close to resolution and the site in Lower Street will shortly be transferred to the building contractor.

[posted 12 Mar] Dr Christopher Leeman and Dr Sue Humphrey, GPs at the existing Stansted Surgery, West Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (WECCG), NHS England and NHS Property Services have now reached agreement on the final business case. The project will move to demolition of existing buildings in April and construction starting early summer 2014. read more

Health Centre Drawing (PDF)

Site Plan (PDF)

Winter Fayre: 5-6th December 2014

This event will be held in Crafton Green Car Park this year.

West Essex Clinical Commissioning Group Seeks Volunteers

[posted 11 May] Would you like to help shape your NHS in west Essex? Have you experienced health and care services in West Essex? If not yourself, perhaps there’s a loved one, someone you care for, or a community you can speak on behalf of? Read more...

Background Document

Personal Competancies and Required Skills

Mass Village Action Call Over Barclays' Stansted Bank Closure.

[posted 24 April] The Parish Council has been doing its best to exert pressure on Barclay’s Bank to reconsider its decision to close their branch in the village but unfortunately we have had no indication they are prepared to compromise in any way on their plan.

To have any chance of getting Barclay’s to compromise we feel that they need evidence that the Parish Council’s line is supported by the local community. We have seen in other campaigns that concerted opposition to a proposal in the form of a mass letter writing to senior staff can pay dividends.

Download the full message (Word Doc) containing suggested items for inclusion: Statement from the Parish Clerk

West Essex Children's Support Service to Close

[posted 22 April] The Local Authority carried out a formal consultation in the Autumn Term 2013 on proposals to close the West Essex Children’s Support Service with effect from 31^st August 2014. Following the completion of the consultation process and the decision by Cabinet to proceed with the proposal to close the LA sought the agreement of the Secretary of State for Education in line with the required process for a pupil referral unit in special measures. The Secretary of State has given his permission to close with effect from 31^st August and the closure process is now in effect. Officers are making arrangements for all pupils affected by the closure and will meet with their parents to discuss the transition to new provision in September 2014

Uttlesford Approves Local Plan, Tues. 8th April.

[posted 8 April] The draft local plan was approved by 23 votes to 14 at the UDC Council meeting on 8th April, against much barracking from members of the public, who were threatened with removal from the chamber. The plan will now go to a pre-submission consultation for six weeks in April-June and will be submitted to the government inspector in July for approval by the Autumn. If approved the plan will be adopted in Spring 2015. Comments submitted during the consultation period will all be taken into account by the inspector. A link to an audio record of the meeting can be found at

http://www.uttlesford.gov.uk/councilcabinetandcommittee

3.4 Ha of land around Foresthall School is earmarked for education, Crafton Green earmarked for commercial redevelopment, small scale commercial development around Sworders. read more...

Foresthall Sch. Crafton Green

A North-East Bypass for Stansted ?

The aim is to limit congestion on Grove Hill, Lower Street and Chapel Hill in the event of significant housing expansion in Elsenham and shift it to Cambridge Road. See Appendix D, circa p 128, of the Uttlesford Draft Local Plan Highways Impact

Exit Barclays, Enter Sainsburys Local.

Information obtained by District Councilor Alan Dean is that the building was sold by Barclays to Mr Hagon 8 years ago and leased back for a 25 year period. Mr Hagon was apparently unaware of the transfer of the lease to Sainsbury.

Stop Stansted Expansion Calls for Independent Noise Watchdog

ECC Consultation on Moving Farnham Primary School to St. John's Road, Stansted.

[posted 26 Feb] Essex County Council and the Governing Body of the Farnham & Rickling Federation of Church of England Schools have commenced a public consultation on linked proposals to relocate Farnham CE Primary to St John’s Road, Stansted and enlarge the school from 56 to 210 places on a phased basis, with effect from 1 September 2015. Comments will be received up to 4th May.

more details and public meetings..

http://www.essex.gov.uk/Education-Schools/Schools/Delivering-Education-Essex/School-Organisation-Planning/Pages/Consultations.aspx

St Mary's Former School

Make Comments on the E. Herts District Plan

[posted 7 March] The consultation runs from 27th Feb for 12 weeks; the housebuilding near Tesco will impact Stansted Parish from the south on the A120 due to increased road traffic. Links to the consultation can be found at www.eastherts.gov.uk/districtplan

Work starts on Demolition & Rebuild of Mead Court

http://www.pcs.planningportal.gov.uk/pcsportal/ViewCase.asp?caseid=2208075&coid=106762

Outdated Stuff

John Hudson — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 16:38:00 +0000

Deadline Expires for "Helsenham" Opposition

[posted 10 June] The building of 2000+ houses between Elesenham and Henham, in line with the current UDC development plan, will impact severely on Stansted due to increased road traffic. The planning inspector, who will decide the issue, is receiving representations about the plan up to 2nd June. Read the Save Our Villages letter to the community here.

There are two levels of comments to oppose the plan. At simplest download the contact information page, add your name and address and return to the Parish Council Office, Crafton Green. Each member of a household can return a contact form. Emailing it in to parishcouncil@stansted.net is probably OK. Save our Villages will collate and send them to the inspector with its own arguments.

For more detailed representations the Uttlesford District Council Local Plan Pre-Submission Representation Form can be downloaded here and will explain all the options available for district residents.

NWEEHPA-AGM

[posted 12 May] The North West Essex And East Herts Preservation Association has its AGM on Friday 27th June 2014 at 8pm.

Silver Jubilee Hall, Brewers End, Takeley CM22 6QJ Read more...

Bentfield Planning Enquiry Report

[posted 12 Nov] The public inquiry over Taylor Wimpey's appeal against Uttlesford District Council to refuse their application for 140 houses at Bentfield Green concluded on 7 November. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Jamie & Gail Hogg, Simon Thompson & Alan Storah for their hard work at the inquiry. They were assisted by many other supporters of Save Stansted Village. I am very pleased that the Parish Council was associated with SSV as a joint third party. I am grateful to my parish council colleagues Catherine Dean and Peter Jones for being present at most of the inquiry. Ruth Clifford our Parish Clerk was very helpful in supplying promptly information that would be helpful to our case. It was a novel experience being cross examined by a leading barrister. Thanks to all those who came to the Inquiry and those who spoke. These included Cllrs Alan Dean, Janice Loughlin & Joe Rich.  Other speakers also included Alison Mansfield Chair of Governors at Bentfield Primary School and local residents Ken Gerard and Ray Woodcock. I dread to think what would have happened if SSV & SMPC had not been present. I was proud to have been part of the team that fought to defend Bentfield Green. Now the wait will be at least a month. (Reported by Geoffrey Sell)
     Closing Statements by SSV and SMPC
     Closing Statements by Appellants (4MB)

     Closing Statements by UDC (2MB)
In relation to Walpole Farm, for which Bloor Homes recently obtained planning permission for 160 homes, it has been established that there is no legal means to prevent development of the rest of their area, apart from the normal planning application process.

Boundary Commission Final Recommendations

[posted 2 Nov] These were published on 22 October and will apply to Stansted as of the general elections in May 2015. Letter to Chief Exec Press Release Maps

ECC Consultation on Childrens' Services

[posted 20 October] Essex County Council is starting a consultation on 17 October on the future of children’s centre services. The consultation details can be found here ECCchildrens...

Update to Bishop's Stortford North development plan

[posted 11 october] The A120 could get very congested: from the Bishop's Stortford North Consortium. Read more...

Essec C.C. Highways Impact Document Released

but not much of relevance to Stansted. read more (7MB pdf)..from WeAreResidents or UDC website...

Essex C.C. To Review West Essex Children’s Support Service (Pupil Referral Unit)

[posted 11 October] Essex County Council has commenced a public consultation on a proposal to discontinue the West Essex Children’s Support Service (Pupil Referral Unit), with effect from 31st August 2014. Parents are invited to open drop-in meetings in Harlow Read more....

Essex C.C. To Review School and Local Free Bus Services

[posted 9 October] Essex County Council (ECC) is running a twelve week formal public consultation 16 September - 9 December which includes local bus services. It currently pays £7.9m and £25m p.a. for local and school bus services. However maintaining expenditure at this level in the current financial climate is unsustainable and the council is looking for efficiency savings.
The consultation, at this stage, is asking residents about their travel needs and what types of services are most important to them, rather than particular bus services.

More information at Local Bus Services School Bus Services

UDC PlanningDecisions

[posted 4 October] 160 houses approved for Walpole Farm. Objectors present at the meeting included Save Stansted Village and Local District Councillors Alan Dean, iris Evans, Joe Rich and Parish Chair Geoffrey Sell. The vote was nine in favour and one against.

Elms Farm application for 58 house (approx) approved by 6 votes in favour, 3 against and 2 abstentions. Cllrs. Janice Loughlin and John Salmon spoke in favour, which is also the Parish council's stand.

(report by Cllr. G Sell)

The application by Fairfield for 800 houses near Elsenham has been refused by 7 votes to 6. This development would have severely affected traffic in Stansted, especially Grove Hill. (report by Cllr. J Salmon). The decision is apparently now subject to review, pending further Highways Studies, at the Oct 23 meeting.

Skate Park may be moved (but not too far)

[posted 6 Sept] Under pressure from parking demand for the proposed PCT/supermarket/dwellings at 2 Lower Street (a development with planni

Magna Carta Meeting, Wednesday 5th February, Forest Hall School.

UDC Opens Consultation on Revised Housing Numbers

[posted 19 Nov.] Uttlesford is seeking comments on modifications to their development plan to accommodate additional numbers of houses (circa 2,200) and sites. Technical reports and on-line forms can be found on their web site at

http://www.uttlesford.gov.uk/developinguttlesford

The consultation runs from 18 November to 13th January.

Planning Refused at 14 Cambridge Road

[posted 28 August] Planning Application UTT/13/1126/FUL for 14 dwellings rear of 14 Cambridge Rd. (near Tesco) was near-unanimously voted down by elected members of UDC's planning committee on Wednesday 28th August in spite of supportive recommendations by officers. The Chair and Vice-Chair abstained. Cllr Catherine Dean addressed the meeting on behalf of Stansted Parish Council. An appeal by the developer is possible in the future.

Stop Stansted Expansion, High Court Hearing 22nd Nov.

[posted 23 Nov] SSE secured a hearing as above to review possible conflicts of interest related to Stansted Airport and the Airports Commission Report, in particular the employment of Mr Geoff Muirhead by the Airports Commission while he was alledgedly still an advisor to Manchester Airports Group. Representations were received by Judge Paterson from 11:00 am to 13:00 from SSE and 14:00 to 16:00 from MAG. The Judge will make a decision shortly. The Commission's draft report is expected to appear on 17th December this year and the final report in 2015.

Read Campaign update and more information at http://www.stopstanstedexpansion.com

Stansted Police Crime and Prevention Event 30th Nov.

[posted 13 Nov] 10-12 AM. Saturday 30 November in the Day Centre. It is intended that there will be a stand displaying and selling security locks. Residents can also bring items (such as bikes and other personal effects) to be security marked by the police. The police will be present to give advice on any problems. read more... (Rapporteur Valery Trundle)

Parish Councilor Vacancy

[posted 2 Nov] The resignation of Denise Oliver has created a vacancy for Stansted South on the Parish Council. Anyone interested should contact Ruth Clifford on 813214 or email parishcouncil@stansted.net.

Linden Homes Proposed Pines Hill Development - Exhibition

[posted 2 Nov] Linden Homes are mounting a public exhibition at the Free Church Hall, off Chapel Hill, 3 - 8 pm on Monday 4th November. read Linden's Flyer (2MB). Development of up to 70 homes of 1 to 5 bedrooms, 40% affordable dwellings.

Bentfield Planning Enquiry, 5th November

This 3-day enquiry, called by Taylor Wimpey to overturn the refusal for 140 homes at Bentfield Green, will commence Tuesday 5th November at 10 am at the Council Chamber, UDC, London Rd., Saffron Walden. As many villagers as possible are encouraged to attend. Read more..

Assistant to the Parish Clerk

[posted Sept] The Parish Council is the most local level of government and deals with the aspects of life which we believe make a difference to our community. Recent enlargement of the parish has required a review of our way of working: the staff needs to grow to continue to provide a good level of service. This will require us to consider, with the successful candidate, the opportunities available in a training and development plan.

Initially the post will be 20 hours per week and the salary will be based on NALC recommended rates, dependent on experience. For an information pack please phone Ruth Cifford on 01279 813214 or email ruth.clifford@stansted.net. Forms must be returned by 14 October and interviews will be held during the week commencing 28th October.

Caring for the Frail and Elderly

[posted 10 Sept] The West Essex Clinical Commissioning Group is looking for people interested in being carers from 2014/15 on as part of a new seamless way of working in West Essex to promote independence and working closer to home. There is a workshop on 18th September in the Latton Bush Centre, Harlow for carers and patients, full details of which are here . Please contact Alice Vye on 01992 566138 ext. 1467 if interested.

Join in the Local Health Debate

[posted 7 Sept] ‘Big Debates’, held across Uttlesford, will be led by GPs, other professionals and staff from West Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (WECCG). Next is Wednesday 11 September, 6.30pm – 9.00pm Foakes Hall, Stortford Road, Dunmow, CM6 1DG. Other locations and more details can be found here.

If you would like to attend please confirm your place by emailing we.ccg@nhs.net or ringing 01992 566140.

P. Council Approves New Crafton Community Hub

[posted 23 May] This design has been steered by Peter Jones for a number of years; final plans were enveiled on 22 May following the public exhibition in March. A modern economical building will replace the Library and Parish Offices at Crafton Green. In future, the Council will share office space with a police presence, a gateway to District Council services and the CAB while council meetings will migrate to the Day Centre. The scheme was unanimously approved and will be submitted for planning approval at UDC. Future use of the present Council Office building is uncertain while the Medical Centre will move to Lower Street. Available to view are architects floor plan and a computer generated external view

Stansted in Bloom Results

The entries will be judged on 22 July and Prizes awarded in the Day Centre on Saturday 27 July between 3 and 5 pm.

Elms Farm Planning Application Refused

[posted 6 June] UDC planning committee today voted to refuse the planning application for 58 houses on the Elms Farm Site. Voting was close with 6 councillors in favour, 6 opposed and the chair cast the deciding vote. The main reason for refusal was the Metropolitan Green Belt issue and the vulnerability of the rest of the park, though the green space benefits to the village were understood. Several councillors pressed for the MGB to be modified to exclude Elms Farm Buildings and flood plain. More details of the discussion will be posted shortly.

[Elms Farm up for Planning Decision: Thu. 6th June]

Lower Street - Changes in Parking Restrictions

[postged 13 June] The North Essex Parking Partnership/ECC are proposing changes to the parking regulations. New Double Line restrictions on the West Side, south of No. 27. North of Grove Hill: relaxation of regulations on both sides, to permit 1 hour parking with no return in 4 hours, Mon-Sat 8am to 9pm. The Parish Council's Highways Cttee had been pushing for the relaxation to assist local traders in Lower Street while continuing to prevent airport and commuter parking, but only until 4:30 pm rather than 9pm. read more. Objections can be sent to parking@colchester.gov.uk by 5th July.

Planning Application made at Bentfield Green

[posted 16th May] Taylor Wimpey have submitted outline planning application UTT/13/1203/OP for Bentfield Green.

Proposal: Erection of up to 140 dwellings, primary school, allotments, public open space, sports pavilion and associated parking, village green provision, landscaping, and associated infrastructure and access.

Pdf application file available here (4 MB) BentfieldApplic. The provisional deadline for comments is 13 June 2013 at UDC planning website.

Save Stansted Village Public Meeting: Tue. 4th June

[posted 25 May] Following a succesful meeting with 200 attending, SSV are encouraging resdents to write or email individual comments to UDC Go to SSV web page.

SSE Issues Press Release

[posted 25 May] Following the purchase of Stansted Airport, Stop Stansted Expansion issued a press release 23 May calling for a balanced approach to rail services. The call comes following pressure from Stansted owners Manchester Airports Group (MAG) for a 30 minute journey time between the airport and central London. Read Full Article

Make Architects' proposals for a Stansted Airport 4-runway expansion and new rail lines can be found at their web site. Link to Make's web page.

Mountfitchet Roadshow

[posted 8 July] Saturday 20th July 12 noon - 4pm.

on the Green at Mountfitchet Estate

Water Games, Beer Goggles, Bouncy Castle, Dog Chipping, Property Marking, Refreshments

Organized by Uttlesford District Council with the support of Essex police, Essex Fire Service, Spangles Childrens Centre and Neighbourhood Watch

Save Stansted Village Public Meeting: Tue. 4th June

[posted 25 May] Following a succesful meeting with 200 attending, SSV are encouraging resdents to write or email individual comments to UDC Go to SSV web page.

Summer Fayre

Saturday 6th July 2013 10am - 2pm. Station Road, Stansted

Stalls, bouncy castle, crafts, beer tent, kids assault course and more...

Organised by Stansted Business Forum

Jazz Afternoon at Ashton Hall

[posted 20 June] Ashton Hall Gardens, Sunday 30th June from 1pm. In support of Uttlesford CAB. read more

P. Council Submits Consultant's Bentfield Report to UDC

[posted 14th June] The report on the Taylor Wimpey Bentfield development (UTT/132/1203/OP), commissioned from Hives Planning Consultants by the Parish Council, has been released and can be downloaded here. It was submitted to UDC on 13th June. The UDC planning web page is closed for comments on this issue, but representations can still be sent directly to Andrew Taylor at UDC. Contact the Parish Council for more information.

Newspaper reports on the Bishops Stortford North development, slowly advancing north on Essex, can be found here Observer BSNorth2. and here BSNorth1. The Bishop Storford North Consortium web page (when working) is here.

The Bentfield Green planning application will to come to the 4th July UDC Planning Meeting around 2pm. Officers have recommended approval, subject to conditions: officers' report. The Parish Council is debating the issue on Wednesday 3rd July at their Full Council meeting (along with 14, Cambridge Road Site).

Please note: People intent on addressing the Bentfield planning application UTT/13/1203/OP at the District Council’s Planning meeting in Saffron Walden on Thursday 4 July, must register their name with Peter Snow. Call 01799-510510. You will not be allowed to speak unless you register.

Elms Farm

[16 May] The Elms Farm Development is awaiting a letter of approval from the Environment Agency in relation to the proposed flood mitigation works. The closing date for UDC planning web page comments has expired, but representations and comment can still be made directly to UDC via m.tourvas@uttlesford.gov.uk

P.Council Response to UDC on Elms Farm

[posted 10 May] Following the Full Council debate on 8th May the Parish Council's letter to UDC planning Dept. on Elms Farm Outline Development can be found here PC letter to UDC. The letter from the Environment Agency to UDC regarding flooding can be found as document 134 of 134 here UTT/13/0386/OP or on the Parish Web site.

The Environment Agency reports on potential flooding were posted on the UDC planning page earlier in the year and can be found here (big files ~7MB ). Flood Modelling Report Feb2013 Flood Risk and Drainage AssessmentFeb2013 A list of all 134 Elms Farm related documents and links can be found here: UTT/13/0386/OP

P.C. to Decide Response to Elms Farm

[posted 4th May] The Full Council Meeting 8 May will discuss the Elms Farm Redevelopment. Location: Day Centre. Public Partiicipation at 7:45 pm.

Panoramic view of the development S.East-N.West Housing extends from Church Road to the end of the wooded area over the rail line and half the width of the flood plain from the rail line going South.

The Church Road Area View to the North West From the Park

The Castle View Park View from the South Park View from the N.East

County Council Election Results for Stansted

[posted 5th May]

Raymond Gooding    Conservative    2262
Geoffrey Sell    Liberal Democrat    1766
Peter Barclay    UK Independence    944
Ian Davies    Labour    402
Martin Wybrew    Green    186

Reminder: Stansted in Bloom

[posted 11th April] Competition entries need to be registered by 30 April. Download from here or see April Stansted Link Magazine.

Neighbourhood Watch Meeting

[posted 4 May] The next meeting of Neighbourhood Watch is on Wednesday May 22nd at 7.30 pm in the Day Centre

Join the Sustainable Homes Network

Thursday 16th May starting at 8pm, Council Chamber, UDC, London Road, Saffron Walden.
Presentations by Stuart Monk from Ecoliving Essex on air source and ground source heat pumps with case studies of installed local examples and Jonathan Cooke from Dragon Contracts on PV, Solar Thermal and Biomass (log, chip and pellet) with case studies of installed local examples. LinkToUDCWebPage

a) Tuesday 21 May 19.30 pm Simon Thompson will be using public participation at UDC full council in relation to the Bentfield Green planning application. The UDC meeting is at Saffron Walden council chamber 7:30 pm.

800 House Planning Application Elsenham/Henham - Object Now !

[posted 24th April] This development will greatly affect traffic in Stansted and the number of houses could grow to 3,000 over the years. Save Elsenham and Henham Villages Campaign is online at www.saveourvillage.co.uk where a template to object to the application can be downloaded - deadline 2nd May. Envelopes with forms are also being delivered by hand in Stansted over the next few days. The original planning application can be found here Fairfield Application. and a press release here.

Essex County Council: Notice of Poll, 2nd May

[posted 27 April] All ECC Councillors are up for re-election. Details of Stansted Candidates and Polling Stations

Gridlock World

[posted 5th Apri] Fairfield Partnership has sent in its planning application for 800 homes NE of Elsenham. If allowed this will generate a lot of through traffic using Grove Hill in Stansted, Lower Street and Chapel Hill. The new Health Centre is also using the same roads.

14 Cambridge Road Development - Public Exhibition Sat. 27th April

[posted 16th April] Land Charter Group are holding a Public Exhibition of the Proposed Development in respect of 14, Cambridge Road, Stansted Mountfitchet on Saturday 27th April, 2013 between 10am and 3pm at the site entrance.

Elms Farm Development

[posted 13th April] There will be a presentation by Shrimplin Brown (agents) at the P.C. Meeting Wednesday 17 April shortly after 8:00 pm in the Day Centre.
The latest planning application, March 13th, can be found here.

County Council Election Called

[posted 26 March] NOTICE OF ELECTION OF COUNTY COUNCILLORS for the
DUNMOW, SAFFRON WALDEN, STANSTED AND THAXTED
Electoral Divisions of the County of Essex. 2nd May pollling day.

Call for Nominations, request a Postal Vote. All at UDC, Saffron Walden. More details at EEC Elections

UDC approves Health Centre Parking

29th March: Uttlesford D.C. cabinet has approved the Pelham Structures submission to modify the parking arrangements for the New Lower Street Stansted Health Centre as item 12 on the agenda.

UDC Cabinet 26 March 2013

Elms Farm Development

Parish Forum Meeting 18th March

UDC's recent parish forum presentation at Gt. Dunmow can be viewed here ParishForum18Mar13

Compendium of Stansted Housebuilding Plans

Below is the totality of all presently known building plans in Stansted of which two are already active on the UDC planning portal.

[1] Taylor Wimpey (Bentfield) 170 dwellings www.bentfieldgreen.co.uk. First presented to the P.C. in July 2012 https://stansted.net/uploads/SFC_11-7-12.pdf

[2] Bloor Homes (Walpole Farm) 160 dwellings http://publicaccess.uttlesford.gov.uk/online-applications/search.do?action=simple&searchType=Application Bloor will put up details of their plan on the website in the next couple of days at www.Bloorhomes.com. First discussed by the P.C in July 2012 https://stansted.net/uploads/SFC_11-7-12.pdf

[3] Knight Group (Elms Farm) 58 dwellings. Shrimplin Brown’s Elms Farm Presentation UDC application UTT/13/0386/OP at http://publicaccess.uttlesford.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=MIEOFPQN01O00 On Green Belt, but the P.C. supports limited development here as in the LDF response below.

[4] Robert Church (Pines Hill) 60 dwellings. https://stansted.net/uploads/LindenHomesPinesHill.pdf First discussed by the P.C. in July 2012 https://stansted.net/uploads/SFC_11-7-12.pdf On Metropolitan Green Belt.

[5] Land Charter (Sworders Old Yard 14 Cambridge Road). Approx 20 dwellings as outlined in the draft at 14 Cambridge Road. First discussed in March 2012 and, at that time, opposed by the council, this area has had two failed planning applications by a different developer in 2012. Last discussed by the council on 16 Jan 2013 Full Council 16Jan13.

Total 464 homes proposed, against the UDC draft plan allocation to Stansted of only 60. Expert opinion from the developers is that UDC will bundle all the applications into a one-day super application, from which the planning committee will select the most favourable while the rejected plans will go to appeal.

The Parish Council’s response to the the Local Development framework can be found at

https://stansted.net/uploads/Response%20on%20Local%20Development%20Framework%202012.pdf

Bloor Homes Exhibition

Bloor Homes exhibition (on Walpole Farm, see below) is at St John’s Church Hall, St John’s Road, on Saturday, 2 March from 10 am to 5 pm. At the Full Parish Council meeting, 6th March the appointment of a traffic consultant to report on related issues is on the agenda for discussion.

Saffron Walden Museum - William Morris Lecture

Monday, 11 March 2013 8.00 pm St Mary's Parish Rooms, Museum Street, Saffron Walden William Morris: An Overview of His Life & Work. Speaker: Fiona Rose Visitors most welcome £3, under 16 free.

www.swmuseumsoc.org.uk

Meet the Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex

A series of public meetings hosted by Nick Alston, PCC for Essex, have been scheduled for Chelmsford, Great Dunmow, Rochford, Colchester and Brentwood. The Uttlesford meeting is at 18:30 to 20:30 pm, Thursday March 7 at Helena Romanes School, Parsonage Downs, Great Dunmow, CM6 2AU. More detail here.

Walpole Farm - Bloor Homes to stage exhibition

Bloor Homes is staging an exhibition at St John’s Church Hall, St John’s Road, on Saturday, 2 March from 10 am to 5 pm. in relation to their proposed 200-house developement at Walpole Farm. This plan was the subject of a successful scoping submission to UDC in January this year but was first presented to the Parish council in 2011. Some relevant opinion by parish, district and county councilors can be found at FC minutes 6th April 2011.

Government Policy for Major House Building Applications.

There are now three major housing schemes in Stansted, all initiated by developers. In the North West are

Taylor Wimpey plan for 170 homes near Bentfield

Bloor Homes plan for 200 near Walpole Farm for which a screening decision by UDC, that an Environmental Impact Assessment was unnecessary, was published on 11th February.

off Church Road Shrimplin-Brown is working on a smaller development of 58 homes at Elms Farm This now has full planning application UTT/13/0386/OP. Objections can be made on UDC web site at

http://publicaccess.uttlesford.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=MIEOFPQN01O00

Research by Cllr Sell has found some national precedants in very similar circumstances. The links to two documents below give an insight into government logic and indicate that rejection by a council, of commercially-led large scale housing plans may well be reversed at an appeal stage unless the council has a credible plan already in place to reach their target number of homes on a 5 year horizon. The success of these and other appeals means that developers perceive their chances of success outweigh the costs of putting a development plan together in areas like Uttlesford where there is a hiatus in the local development framework.

Homelands Farm Appeal: 450 houses, Bishop's Cleeve, Glos. BBC news item

*** Latest News*** 20 Feb: Birmingham High Court rejects Tewkesbury Borough Council's appeal against Bishops Cleeve houses and backs Secretary of State's original decision. BBC news 20Feb

More detail at Out-Law.com on Tewkesbury

Highfield Farm Appeal: 250 houses, Tetbury, Glos. Tetbury Campaign

Return of the Green Waste Skips

These start again Saturday 2 March in the Lower Street car park, available 9am – 3pm. and will be a fortnightly service.

Stansted in Bloom competition to run this year.

See forthcoming Link magazine for details and forms. Judging time around the end of June.

Pooper-Gooper

The Parish Council has aquired industrial size yellow spray cans to mark out canine faux pas, particularly on green areas.

Preliminary Planning Application at Walpole Farm

John Hudson — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 11:47:00 +0000

UTT/13/0101/SCO: Mixed development of up to 200 homes, up to 2,500 sqm of B1 floor space with areas of public open space, landscaping, parking , footpath links and new access. Search in

http://publicaccess.uttlesford.gov.uk/online-applications/search.do?action=simple&searchType=Application

NB: This is only a screening application at this stage. This explanatory document explains the procedure: Environmental_Impact.

Elms Farm Plans Online

Shrimplin Brown has sent a copy of their plans for Elms Farm development, presented on 13 Feb. to the Parish Council. Download here (caution - big file, 14MB). Elms Farm Presentaion

To accompany the presentation view their Elms Farm web site.

The plans lodged at UDC for for a screening opinion can be found here, or search for "Elms Farm" on the UDC planning page.

PARISH RESPONSES

The parish response to these areas of village development was discussed in the March 2012 Link magazine: LinkMar12
And, at a special meeting of the Council on 22 February 2012, the village sites selected for potential development in UDC's LDF was discussed. This followed an exhibition in the Day Centre on 8th Feb 2012.

Development of 14 Cambridge Road.

Mr Darlington has agreed to allow his draft proposals for 14 Cambridge Road, similar to the presentation to the Parish Council on 16th January, to go online: 14 Cambridge Road.

Return of the Green Waste Skips

These start again Saturday 2 March in the Lower Street car park, available 9am – 3pm. and will be a fortnightly service.

Faster Broadband for Village Businesses

ECC is surveying villages for demand for better internet access. Register at superfastessex.

Parish to Determine Response to Bentfield Green Houses

John Hudson — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 10:54:20 +0000

At the Full Council Meeting on Wednesday 13th Feb. the parish's response to Taylor Wimpey's plan for 170 homes, on 13 Hectares West of Bentfield Green, will be discussed. The building plan will be submitted for planning approval in the spring, at which point UDC will seek the Parish Council's views.

Proposals by Mr Darlington for housing on the former Sworder's yard site, unveiled at a previous council meeting, are also up for discussion

The meeting starts at 8:00 pm in the Day Centre.

The developer's web site and plans can be found at www.bentfieldgreen.co.uk.

Pennington Lane/Bentfield: Exhibition of Plans

John Hudson — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 12:56:00 +0000

Taylor Wimpey will be holding an exhibition in respect of a proposal for residential development at Pennington Lane/Bentfield Green (see link below). Leaflets will be distributed in the locality in the near future.

The number of homes proposed is the region of 170 on a site area of 13.7 Hectares. This is not on Green Belt designated land so there are no legal impediments to this proposal. Playing fields, allotments and space for a school are promised.

The Parish Councl has negotiated an extra evening session and two exhibitions will be held at different locations as follows:

Thursday 7 February, St. John's Church Hall, 1pm - 6pm

Thursday 7 February, Free Church Hall, 7pm - 9:30pm

both in Chapel Hill.

Building Site Ground Plan.

ROAD SALT STOCKS

Salt stocks have run out but new delivery arriving 25 Jan and then we will re-fill all the grit boxes.

Councilor Valerie Trundle wins Neighbourhood Watch Award

Newly elected Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex, Nick Alston, congratulated Valerie Trundle on the award and said “The test of any scheme is its sustainability and now four years on, Valerie is still leading the way and the village still has full coverage".

Development of Land at 14, Cambridge Road

John Hudson — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 15:15:03 +0000

At the full Parish Council meeting, 16 January 2013, Mr H Darlington of Land Charter Group presented some tentative options for developing the land behind Tesco and the old furniture shop. This plot has had two refusals from UDC planning committee in 2012 for development of 100% housing submitted by Belway Homes.

Mr Darlington outlined plans for a smaller number of terraced houses with integral garages.

Combined with

(i) a number of small business units of about 400 square feet each, an idea which has worked successfully in Newport

(ii) a roadway from Cambridge Road, connecting with Crafton Green car park.

However the financial constraints are such that these options could not both be done profitably on the limited plot size. Also ECC Highways has not approved the through road.

LIBRARY SERVICES COMMENTS ON COMMUNITY HUB

John Hudson — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 12:06:04 +0000

INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM ESSEX LIBRARY SERVICE RELATING TO THE PROPOSED NEW COMMUNITY BUILDING AT CRAFTON GREEN

The library will be open everyday. Not necessarily staffed by library staff but there will be self-service machines and a human on hand if they get stuck.

The money from the developers has to be used for something for the community or the money will go back and if we do not use it for the library there is a chance that the library as it is will close. If the ‘hub’ is built then Stansted Library will definitely not be in line for closure. It is either progress or possibility of closure.

There will be lots of new stock and extra computers.

There will be a police presence in Stansted making it safer. There will be the Citizen’s Advice Bureau and also Uttlesford Council will have staff members on site so you do not have to travel to Dunmow or Saffron Walden to speak to them. Although the building as it stands is a lovely feature in the village it has lots of problems that come with a building of its age e.g. cold and draughty, damp etc. The library needs to be bigger because Stansted is doubling in size. There are lots of families moving to the area so we need a larger children’s section. Our toddler time is a great success and it would be fantastic if we had more room and increase the attendance to
these sessions.

Last summer 291 children in Stansted took part in the Summer Reading Challenge.

At the moment we are not in a position to hold class visits are the library is too small, it would be a great way to get more children in through the door if we increase in size.

Here is a selection of stats:

We had 276 new members in 2012 (Jan-Dec)

We have an active membership (people that use library on a regular basis) of 1,258.

Our Reading Groups total 16 which is a huge number for a small village.

PROPOSALS for COMMUNITY CENTRE & EXHIBITION

John Hudson — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 14:40:42 +0000

There will be an exhibition of the proposed new-build Community Centre and Library at Crafton Green

Thursday to Saturday 10-12 Jan 2013

10am - 4 pm

at the Day Centre

Plus, on Saturday 12th., Architects, Library Staff and Members of the Parish Council will be present to answer questions.

Successful Village Fayre

John Hudson — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 07:16:03 +0000

The first Stansted Village Fayre for many years, held over the weekend 7-9th Dec., was pronounced highly succcessful. More details to be written up as time allows.

One of the choirs performing on Sunday:

https://stansted.net/uploads/P1010120_choir8z.jpg

and a first prize winner:

https://stansted.net/uploads/P1010107_prizewin3z.jpg

Village Fayre 7 -9th Dec

John Hudson — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 22:48:37 +0000

Provisional Programme of Events

Potty Patrick Shows

U3A and Bishops Stortford Choirs

Winning Junior Poster: Catherine Trenett of MMCC

Stansted Bonfire - Saturday Evening !

John Hudson — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 14:47:40 +0000

Elms Farm, Church Road

6:30 pm open

7:00 pm Bonfire

7:30 Fireworks

Sir Alan Hazelhurst opens new play equipment in Stansted

John Hudson — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 09:32:09 +0000

Stansted Mountfitchet Parish Council was delighted to celebrate the opening of brand new play equipment on Mountfitchet Green and at the Recreation Ground on Saturday 27 October.

Sir Alan Haselhurst MP officially declared the equipment open for use by cutting a ribbon at the Recreation Ground. The photo below shows Sir Alan and some of the team which organized the funding.

New Play Equipment

Sir Alan Hazehurst to open new play equipment in Stansted

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 09:31:40 +0000

Fullers House Listed Building Status Turned Down

John Hudson — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 08:26:45 +0000

An application by the Parish Council to have Fullers House listed has been refused. This building dates from 1883 and was financed by a grant from the The Fullers Almshouses Trust first established in 1803. It was taken over by a housing association in the 1960's. Reasons for refusal are the extensive internal modifications and a lack of significance in the large number of buildings of this period.

The full report can be found at English Heritage - Fullers Almshouses

Lower Street Health Centre Approved

John Hudson — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 15:40:13 +0000

Uttlesford Planning Committee approved Bamptons's revised application for the combined health centre, apartments and retail units at 2, Lower Street on 17 October. 12 councillors voted in favour and 2 abstained. As the financial provision set up by West Essex PCT would have expired in March 2013 this is just in time to carry the Bampton concept through and prevent it falling into limbo before expiry of the PCT itself.

The existing car park nominally fell outside the scope of the planning application but was a decision bottleneck and many interested parties expressed concern over whether parking provision was adequate. The possibility of an S106 agreement to built a multi-deck car park was mooted when and if parking space proves insufficient after a period of use.

Read the Report on Viability of Proposed Health Centre

John Hudson — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 22:57:10 +0000

The parish council recently commissioned a report from consultants Mark Liell & Son on the viability of the proposed Health Centre in Lower Street and particularly of the adequacy of car parking provision. The report, received 12 October, can be dowloaded from here

Mark Liell Report

Election of a Police and Crime Commissioner

John Hudson — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 14:30:09 +0000

NOTICE OF ELECTION

An election is to be held for a Police and Crime Commissioner for the Essex police area.

Forms of nomination for the election may be obtained at the Civic Centre, Duke Street, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1JE from the Police Area Returning Officer who will, at the request of an elector for any electoral area, prepare a nomination paper for signature.

Nomination papers must be delivered to the Police Area Returning Officer, Civic Centre, Duke Street, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1JE no later than NOON on Friday, 19th October 2012.

The full election notice can be downloaded here

Revised Health Centre Application- 17 Oct at UDC

John Hudson — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 13:15:55 +0000

Revised plans for the health centre at 2 Lower Street submitted to Uttlesford D.C. by Pelham will be considered by the Planning Committee on 17 October at UDC 2 pm. The parish council has submitted comments to UDC on the building, particularly on parking provision. The full application can be found on the UDC web site: www.uttlesford.gov.uk

Revised Plans for Health Centre and Housing

John Hudson — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 11:30:38 +0000

Recently refused planning applications for the Health Centre at 2 Lower Street and Belway Homes on Cambridge Road are to be revised and resubmitted.

Bill Bampton of Pelham Structures will revise the Health building plan to a more traditional structure and resubmit in a matter of weeks.

Belway Homes have resubmitted plans for housing on the old Sworder's site on Cambridge Road. The new plan includes a through footpath from Crafton Green car park and has eliminated the gate at the front entrance onto Cambridge Road.

Health Centre and Sworders housing bids both rejected by UDC

John Hudson — Thu, 31 May 2012 08:23:46 +0000

The plans for Stansted’s new Health Centre plan were plunged into doubt when the planning committee at UDC turned down the mixed development at the old TVR site in Lower Street at their meeting on 30 May. The bid was narrowly rejected by 7 votes to 6. Earlier, discussions had centred around the height and obtrusive bulk of the building, the combination of flats and supermarket in the same building, surrounding traffic levels, adequacy of parking provision in the Castle car park and pedestrian hazards for patients.

At the same meeting, Bellway’s bid to develop 14 luxury homes on the old Sworders site on Cambridge road behind Tesco was also refused. The reasons for refusal included the permanent loss of a commercial area which has offered local jobs for more than a century, the absence of pedestrian access through from the Crafton Green car park to Tesco/Coop which would relieve parking and traffic congestion on Cambridge road, the "gated community" aspects and finally the lack of smaller houses. It was noted that the number of houses was just below the threshold needed for a mandatory affordable housing allocation. Thus the design failed to address the specific shortage of smaller homes in the district and rather seemed to be aimed at maximising developer’s profit rather than serving the district's needs. A proposal to reject the application was narrowly carried by 6 votes to 5 with one abstention.

Full minutes of the meeting will appear on the UDC web site at uttlesford.gov.uk

Stansted Land Banking: beware

John Hudson — Sat, 19 May 2012 14:17:51 +0000

Building Plots in Stansted : Beware Investors

An organization is currently selling speculative building plots in Stansted Mountfitchet village, near Broome End Care Home.

However the District Council (Uttlesford) is close to deciding on how many new houses are actually to be allowed in the village's 15-year development plan to 2028: likely to be around only 60. Moreover the speculative plots also lie in the Metropolitan Green Belt and access is a problem from an already overloaded highway so the District Council is most unlikely to allow building there in favour of other parts of the village which are more suitable. Therefore these plots, while technically feasible for building, are unllikely to realize any gain until that date at least !

New Council Committee Members

John Hudson — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:05:06 +0000

DRAFT - New Parish Committees 9 May 2012

Parish Election Results

John Hudson — Mon, 07 May 2012 10:54:39 +0000

Stansted South

Stansted North

Parish Council Elections...

Tudor Owen — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 19:43:07 +0000

...will be held on May 3rd. But you knew that! Polling cards have been delivered to all those eligible to vote.

There are FOUR polling stations now. Six councillors for the north ward and nine for the south are to be elected.

Nominations are below...

Community Speedwatch...

Tudor Owen — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 22:04:31 +0000

As many of you may have seen, our Community Speed Watch volunteers have been active around the village on several occasions.

The photograph shows one group on their first outing towards the end of March. We hope that everyone will regard this as a welcome initiative to help reduce speed in our village.

As many of you may have seen, our Community Speed Watch volunteers have been active around the village on several occasions.
The photograph shows one group on their first outing towards the end of March. We hope that everyone will regard this as a welcome initiative to help reduce speed in our village.

The Windmill...

Tudor Owen — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 17:32:35 +0000

What has been happening at the mill? Many will have noticed that once again it has ben stuck in one position for some time. In fact, until recently, the cap hasn't moved since before last christmas when the worm stuck fast against the brickwork around the curb.

The last 'fix' had reset the worm fractionaly closer to the mill to give it more purchase and stop it from forcing itself away from the curb. But alas! It was to close and stuck on the brickwork above the top window.

To make things worse the sails were now facing north and so subject to tail winding more often from the prevailing southwesterlies. The resulting extra pressure on the shutters has caused the contol rods to bow.

A fix is in hand for all these problems. With help from Tony Wellings Richard Thomas and William Frogley the cap was manualy turned around 180 degrees where the shutters and rods will be more easily accessible.

All being well it should be turning again by the spring

What has been happening at the mill?
Many will have noticed that once again it has been stuck in one position for some time. In fact, until recently, the cap hadn't moved since before last christmas when the worm stuck fast against the brickwork around the curb. The last 'fix' had reset the worm fractionaly closer to the mill to give it more purchase and stop it from forcing itself away from the curb. But alas! It was too close and stuck on the brickwork above the top window.

To make things worse the sails were now facing north and so subject to tail winding more often from the prevailing south-westerlies. The resulting extra pressure on the shutters has caused the contol rods to bow. A fix is in hand for all these problems. With help from Tony Wellings, Richard Thomas and William Frogley the cap was manualy turned around 180 degrees where the shutters and rods will be more easily accessible.

All being well it should be turning again by the spring.

April update... Sadly all is now not well. One of the legs of the cradle holding the worm has cracked and needs replacing. It will take a little longer to get things moving.

Take a look at the Windmill's facebook page for regular updates.

Community Plan ......

Tudor Owen — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 12:14:27 +0000

After many months of writing, editing and checking by a group of hard working volunteers, our Community Plan has now been published! A copy will be delivered to each home, shop and office, hopefully before Christmas. It is available to download from this website as a PDF and additional copies can be obtained from the Parish Council offices.
May we take this opportunity to wish all our parishioners a Happy Christmas and peaceful New Year.

Annual Fireworks....

Tudor Owen — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 17:45:22 +0000

Yes, it is nearly that time of year again. Please ensure that you have the date of our Bonfire and Firework Night event in your diaries. Last year’s event was very well supported and this year should be even better as we have increased the budget available to spend on the fireworks. The venue, as usual, is Elms Farm on Church Road, but entry is via the roadway under the Gatehouse on Church Road and not through the main farm entrance.

The gates open at 6.30 pm. Entry charge is £4 adults, £2 children (under 5’s go free) or £10 family ticket (two adults and two children). The bonfire will be lit at 7 pm and the firework display will start at 7.30 pm. Whilst we are happy for people to bring their own sparklers along, please do remember that this is a HORSE’S FIELD. Nasty injuries can occur from the metal sticks if dropped on the ground, so please take the sticks home with you or use the bins provided by the refreshment tent to dispose of them.

If you have any clean (no metal) wood to donate for the bonfire, please contact the Clerk as soon as possible.

The Windmill Fete...

Tudor Owen — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 11:08:28 +0000

... Teddy bears flew, pop guns popped and china smashed on a mostly fine bank holiday Monday as this annual village event was enjoyed by all those who turned out to make it a successful day.

A few spots of rain at lunchtime gave way to a fine afternoon. The Bric-a-brac, bouncy castle, and of course the cakes, were as popular as ever and many enjoyed a Hot Dog or two from the BBQ as they took in the many stalls on Windmill Field. Tours of the renovated windmill were also on offer and many saw the sails turning in the breeze.

Many thanks to all those who attended and to all the helpers and sponsors that made this year's fete a success.

Kerbside Textile Recycling...

Tudor Owen — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 08:59:08 +0000

... will begin soon.

From the District Council:

"We are pleased to inform you that a trial of kerbside textiles recycling will be commencing across the district shortly. Some of you may have already received recycling bags and an explanatory leaflet. If you haven’t yet received this it should be arriving shortly.

The trial is being run in partnership between Essex Textiles and Uttlesford District Council and will run for 1 year as agreed by the Environment Committee in November last year.

Essex Textiles are offering two services to residents. Those residents living in urban areas will receive a fortnightly collection of textiles on the same day as their recycling collection, and those resident living in more rural areas will receive a “call and collect” service, whereby they can call Essex Textiles if they have any items for recycling and book a collection.

The bags will be collected by Essex Textiles in their own vehicles which will be fully liveried with the Essex Textiles logo.

Any residents who have problems with missed collections, or do not receive bags or a leaflet should contact Essex Textiles on their free phone number: 0800 787 9071

This new service will be an improvement to the waste and recycling services offered to residents and will help the authority to improve on the already excellent recycling and composting rate of 55% which was achieved in 2010/11."

Annual Parish Meeting....

Tudor Owen — Mon, 09 May 2011 09:37:20 +0000

...will take place on wednesday 11th May.

Litter Picked...

Tudor Owen — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 17:32:35 +0000

... last weekend, the 5th and 6th of March.
As part of Uttlesford District Council's clean-up campaign - they provided all the gear - a group of eager volunteers turned up on Saturday and Sunday last to try and improve the village scene so often blighted by careless litterbugs.

This isn't something that need be restricted to last weekend!

ANOTHER EXHIBITION FOR ELMS FARM...

Tudor Owen — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 23:33:22 +0000

...On Saturday 26 February, the Gemmill family will unveil the proposals for development on the sensitive site at Elms Farm. The exhibition will be at Crafton Green between 9 am – 4 pm. Please let the Gemmill family and the Council have your views.

UPDATE: The proposals are available to download as a pdf... part A Part B Questionnaire

CLEAN UP THE VILLAGE...

Tudor Owen — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 23:29:42 +0000

........... litter remains a problem so please give some time if possible on the mornings of 5th & 6th March (10 am each day).

Meet at Crafton Green to clear litter from Lime Kiln Lane, Pennington Lane and Church Road.

...litter remains a problem so please give some time if possible on the mornings of 5th & 6th March (10 am each day).

Meet at Crafton Green to clear litter from Lime Kiln Lane, Pennington Lane and Church Road.

So, it's Lower Street...

Tudor Owen — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 22:38:16 +0000

... Or is it?
At the public meeting on Monday the PCT outlined their plans for the health centre. Their preferred location is the Castle garage site in Lower street, although they have taken up the option on the land at Forest Hall and will continue with both projects in parallel. The developers will have until the end of the year to show significant progress on plans for the Lower street site or the PCT will proceed at Forest Hall.

Whichever path is taken, Stansted should have a new health centre by the end of 2012.

Your Parish Council Chairman, Geoffrey Sell, writes...

NHS West Essex announced tonight at a public meeting that their preferred site for our much needed health centre is that of Castle Sportscars, Lower Street, Stansted. The existing car sales business would relocate to Parsonage Farm Industrial Estate.

They have made it clear to the developers of the Lower Street site that they expect to see substantial progress made by the end of this year. This would include, for example, submitting a planning application to the District Council. If progress is not made then they would commit resources to develop the Foresthall Park site at Walson Way. It was stressed that time was now short and that real progress had to be made. West Essex Primary Care Trust is due to be abolished in 2013.

The health centre would include the surgery, clinic and an NHS Dentist. Mr Abdul-Ghani, who was in the audience, currently practices at Saffron Walden Community Hospital.

If all goes well with the Lower Street site then work would commence in 2011 with completion by 2013. One concern is the highway implications of development on this site. It is envisaged that traffic movements to the health centre would be up to 400 per day. The developers also want to have a combination of retail and residential space on this site.

NB There will be a public exhibition of the proposals for the re-development of the Castle Lotus site on 27 January. This does include the plans for the new health centre. It will be run by the developers and held at the site, and run from 11am - 8pm.

Update...

14 February 2011 ................ awaiting the submission of a planning application following the exhibition of proposals on

27 January.

14 February 2011 ................ awaiting the submission of a planning application following the exhibition of proposals on 27 January.

Negotiations still on-going.

..... no done deal.

The West Essex Primary Care Trust and the developers are still in negotiations particularly over rental terms. Even assuming agreement and a planning application, there are still significant uncertainties over the pre-letting of the retail space and the issues of access and highways. A quick resolution is needed to ensure that the parish obtains the new health facilities so badly needed.

The Health Centre...

Tudor Owen — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 10:44:09 +0000

... again!
The PCT will be holding a public meeting to discuss the Health Centre on Monday 18th October, 7pm, at the Mountfitchet Maths and Computing College.

Nearly Gone...

Tudor Owen — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 11:54:15 +0000

...but not quite.
The rest of the willow will be removed on the contractor's second visit - in case you were wondering - which shouldn't be too distant an event.

The fountain triangle will be renovated and a replacement found for the willow.

Conservation Day at the Brook...

Tudor Owen — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 19:53:22 +0000

... Last Sunday 12th September saw a bunch of volunteers clean up a section in Water Lane near the Scout Hut.

Councillor Jo Freeman writes...

If you go down to the Brook today

You’re in for a big surprise,

If you go down to the Brook today

It’s a place you may not recognise........

Because gathered there were quite a few

In Water Lane to give you a clue

There for the Conservation Day Clean Up!

Cllr Jo Freeman, Mike Byrne along with fellow scout leaders & scouts worked alongside the BTCV certainly didn’t have time for a picnic on Sunday 12th Sept 10 – the programme of works put in place was to cover much needed pruning & clearing back of shrubbery enough to fill 2 skips. The weather on the day was dry & sunny which made it altogether ideal. Although there is still more to do it is now more attractive & safe to walk.

If you go down to the Brook today
You’re in for a big surprise,
If you go down to the Brook today
It’s a place you may not recognise........
Because gathered there were quite a few
In Water Lane to give you a clue
There for the Conservation Day Clean Up!

Cllr Jo Freeman, Mike Byrne along with fellow scout leaders & scouts working alongside the BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers), certainly didn’t have time for a picnic on Sunday 12th Sept 10 – the programme of works put in place was to cover much needed pruning & clearing back of shrubbery enough to fill 2 skips. The weather on the day was dry & sunny which made it altogether ideal. Although there is still more to do it is now more attractive & safe to walk.

The Willow...

Tudor Owen — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:53:46 +0000

...will be felled at the end of next week. Around September 10th. There may be some traffic disruption, but it's hoped to keep this to a minimum.

Last weekend a windy Sunday brought down a branch from the tree which turned out to be rotten to the core, so the demise of this village landmark should be seen as timely and wise. In due course the fountain area will be tidied up and a replacement for the willow sought.

The Health Centre...

Tudor Owen — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 11:53:12 +0000

... the saga continues.

Yes, that's Rochford's; or Foresthall park as it's now known, and it could be the location of the long promised health centre after all. At a recent meeting between the Primary Care Trust and local interested parties chaired by your Parish Council leader Geoffrey Sell, the PCT announced that it had failed to agree terms with the owner of a central site it had been looking at for the last eighteen months.

There will be a meeting of the Parish Council to discuss the location of the health centre on Wednesday 21st July 2010 at 7.30pm.

Geoffrey explains the current situation:

For many residents of Stansted and surrounding villages their health care is met by the

Doctors' practice located in St John’s Road. It has been recognised for many years that

the building is unsuitable for the provision of medical facilities fit for the 21st century as

the property is cramped and does not comply with disability discrimination legislation.

The landlord of the property has also made it clear that he wants the practice to find

alternative accommodation.

The question we now face is not 'do we need comprehensive medical facilities for our

growing population' but where should they be located?

NHS West Essex Primary Care Trust, the body responsible for the delivery of our

medical care, has had the task of finding suitable premises big enough to accommodate

both the clinic currently at Crafton Green and the Doctors' surgery. Bigger premises will

enable the practice to offer facilities such as blood tests for which patients currently have

to travel to Herts & Essex Hospital in Bishop's Stortford. The Primary Care Trust also

plans to offer the services of a NHS Dentist which, at the moment, the village lacks.

As part of the planning conditions for the development of Foresthall Park, Uttlesford

District Council negotiated a Section 106 Agreement with the developers. This included

the provision of land for a health centre.

The former Chief Executive of the Primary Care Trust attended a public meeting in May

2008 where he explained that long running negotiations for a site in Cambridge Road,

Stansted, had not been fruitful. The Trust intended to develop the site at Foresthall Park.

The announcement was met with considerable opposition from many residents who were

concerned about the loss of medical facilities from a central village site. The majority of

respondents to the Parish Plan questionnaire of last year also supported this view, so the

Parish Council asked the PCT to look again at other central sites before they made their

decision. This the PCT undertook and spent most of 2009 and the first six months of

2010 investigating a central site for the new health centre. However, at a recent meeting

chaired by myself, the Chief Executive of the PCT explained that they had now drawn a

line under negotiations for this site as they had failed to reach an agreement with the

landlord.

The PCT has now been given a series of questions drawn up by the Parish Council to

which they have been asked to respond by the 12th July. We want to satisfy ourselves that

the PCT has fully evaluated all the options.

We understand the strong feelings about the location of the new health centre and we

know that many residents are concerned about moving other key community facilities,

such as St Mary’s Primary School, to Foresthall Park. However, the PCT has spent years

looking for a central village health centre site and it's time that progress was made.

There will be a meeting of the Parish Council to discuss the location of the health centre

on Wednesday 21st July 2010 at 7.30pm. The venue will be Stansted Day Centre,

Crafton Green, where parishioners have the opportunity of addressing the Council in the

public participation session at the start of the meeting.

We should stress that the Parish Council, although a consultee and a stakeholder, is not

the decision maker. All we can do is reflect the views of the village as a whole and make

representations to that effect.

When the PCT decides upon its location, with or without the Parish Council’s agreement,

a planning application will have to be submitted to Uttlesford District Council.

For many residents of Stansted and surrounding villages their health care is met by the Doctors' practice located in St John’s Road. It has been recognised for many years that the building is unsuitable for the provision of medical facilities fit for the 21st century as the property is cramped and does not comply with disability discrimination legislation. The landlord of the property has also made it clear that he wants the practice to find alternative accommodation.

The question we now face is not 'do we need comprehensive medical facilities for our growing population' but where should they be located?

NHS West Essex Primary Care Trust, the body responsible for the delivery of our medical care, has had the task of finding suitable premises big enough to accommodate both the clinic currently at Crafton Green and the Doctors' surgery. Bigger premises will enable the practice to offer facilities such as blood tests for which patients currently have to travel to Herts & Essex Hospital in Bishop's Stortford. The Primary Care Trust also plans to offer the services of an NHS Dentist which, at the moment, the village lacks.

As part of the planning conditions for the development of Foresthall Park, Uttlesford District Council negotiated a Section 106 Agreement with the developers. This included the provision of land for a health centre.

The former Chief Executive of the Primary Care Trust attended a public meeting in May 2008 where he explained that long running negotiations for a site in Cambridge Road, Stansted, had not been fruitful. The Trust intended to develop the site at Foresthall Park. The announcement was met with considerable opposition from many residents who were concerned about the loss of medical facilities from a central village site. The majority of respondents to the Parish Plan questionnaire of last year also supported this view, so the Parish Council asked the PCT to look again at other central sites before they made their decision. This the PCT undertook and spent most of 2009 and the first six months of 2010 investigating a central site for the new health centre. However, at a recent meeting chaired by myself, the Chief Executive of the PCT explained that they had now drawn a line under negotiations for this site as they had failed to reach an agreement with the landowner.

The PCT has now been given a series of questions drawn up by the Parish Council to which they have been asked to respond by the 12th July. We want to satisfy ourselves that the PCT has fully evaluated all the options.

We understand the strong feelings about the location of the new health centre and we know that many residents are concerned about moving other key community facilities, such as St Mary’s Primary School, to Foresthall Park. However, the PCT has spent years looking for a central village health centre site and it's time that progress was made.

There will be a meeting of the Parish Council to discuss the location of the health centre on Wednesday 21st July 2010 at 7.30pm. The venue will be Stansted Day Centre, Crafton Green, where parishioners have the opportunity of addressing the Council in the public participation session at the start of the meeting.

We should stress that the Parish Council, although a consultee and a stakeholder, is not the decision maker. All we can do is reflect the views of the village as a whole and make representations to that effect.

When the PCT decides upon its location, with or without the Parish Council’s agreement, a planning application will have to be submitted to Uttlesford District Council.

Comments?

St. Mary's Meeting....

Tudor Owen — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 13:53:00 +0000

...1st July
Stakeholders are invited to attend an exhibition at the School between 3.30pm and 7.30pm on Thursday, 1^st July 2010, where there will be an opportunity to view the plans that have been prepared. Officers from Essex County Council, the architectural design team and representatives from the School will be on hand to discuss the proposals.

Statutory Notice: St Mary’s C of E Foundation Primary School

Exhibition and Presentation - St Mary’s CE Foundation Primary School, St. John's Road, Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex, CM24 8JP

On 17 June 2010, Essex County Council published a Statutory Notice to enlarge St Mary’s CE Foundation Primary School, to be achieved through the relocation of the School to a new site at Rochford Nurseries.

At 6.30pm, Councillor Stephen Castle, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Education & the 2012 Games, will attend the exhibition to give a presentation about his decision to proceed with the publication of the Statutory Proposals, to answer questions from those present and also to hear their views. Anyone with an interest in this matter is welcome to attend both the exhibition and presentation.

...

David Mason

School Organisation and Planning

The Restoration of the Windmill....

Tudor Owen — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 23:09:52 +0000

...is very nearly finished!

By the middle of next week the contractors, 'IJP Owlsworth', will have handed the site back to the village after five months hard work. You may have noticed the sails facing the Rec' this week, something that hasn't been seen for over a hundred years.

The Mill will be open to visitors at the end of May and there will be some sort of reopening 'bash' in June.

The Health Centre...

Tudor Owen — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 10:12:34 +0000

... still hasn't been built. Indeed the PCT still haven't applied for planning permission, a fact that concerned a number of residents at the Annual Parish Meeting at the Free Church on the 24th March.
So what progress has been made? It seems negotiations are still ongoing between the PCT, developer and landowner, held up by efforts to agree on the type of lease. It takes eighteen months from planning to completion so any new services are still some way off.

Update... June 2010... They couldn't agree on the lease... back to square one!

Comments?

It's that time again...

Tudor Owen — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 16:35:15 +0000

Along with The Link magazine all households should have received the papers for use at the Annual Parish Meeting which describe the work of the Council, a financial Review and future objectives.

In addition there will be a presentation relating to the Parish Plan and the recent questionnaire as well as an exhibition in the lobby on re-equipping and developing the play areas following discussions with manufacturers and after site visits.

Along with The Link magazine all households should have received the papers for use at the Annual Parish Meeting which describe the work of the Council, a financial Review and future objectives. In addition there will be a presentation relating to the Parish Plan and the recent questionnaire as well as an exhibition in the lobby on re-equipping and developing the play areas following discussions with manufacturers and after site visits.

Agenda

New Parking Restrictions...

Tudor Owen — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 18:30:44 +0000

... are proposed at the junction of Long Croft and Rainsford road, near the entrance of Bentfield Primary School. At school run times this area gets quite congested making it less safe for those on foot and often obstructing the bus service.

The notice can be seen here, which also includes other changes at Bentfield Causeway.

You have until the 26th February to give your thoughts on these proposals to the County Council.

Comment

"Eyesores...

Tudor Owen — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:02:18 +0000

... Are knocking nearby trade - council". Said a headline in the Saffron Walden Reporter this week.

Your council is concerned that buildings that continue to be left empty in the village are falling into disrepair and are damaging to the economic vitality of the village. The Three Colts public house and ex B&R carpets shop on Cambridge road are both becoming eyesores and if left to decay further may well end up like that other well known 'dangerous structure', Mont House in High Lane.

There is not a lot the Parish or District Councils can do about empty commercial properties except appeal to the landlord, so the Parish council has written to the owner of these properties to ask about his intentions and offer its assistance.

And Now...

Tudor Owen — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:45:49 +0000

...the end is near! The 'Fountain Willow' will be felled soon.

You may remember that after its last inspection the Willow tree was reported as being in a bad way - in need of some attention and surgery to a limb.

Well, it seems that removing the dangerous limb would destabilise the whole structure, making the tree surgeons already consulted reluctant to attend to the Willow. Arboriculturalist Dr David Brown has clarified his report's recommendation that the tree be removed and reluctantly the council has had to agree that this local landmark should be felled. 'If the tree were to be retained it would be for a short period, ... not be as attractive as it is now' and would 'have an increasing failure risk attached to it'.

Dr Brown's report can be found here.
And the notice of intent here

The fountain and 'island' are due to be renovated soon and a replacement sought for the Willow.

The Total Filling Station...

Tudor Owen — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 21:11:58 +0000

... site on Cambridge road could be developed for residential flats or 'units' as they are referred to in a recent planning application.
The filling station operator was not given an option to extend the lease on the site beyond 2010, the owner preferring to develop the site. They intend to demolish the garage and erect 14 2 bed dwellings in its place.

The application can be viewed here: UTT/1441/09/FUL

It will go to the District Council development committee on the 10th February. The report is here.

Update....

Uttlesford District Council rejected the proposals unanimously.

See this story here in the Saffron Walden Reporter.

Ray Woodcock raised a petition against the proposals with 327 names which he presented to the development control committee with this statement.

This is unlikely to be the end of these proposals so keep an eye out for an appeal or a revised application.

Comment?

As Another One Bites the Dust....

Oliver Treend — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:14:26 +0000

... the amenity value of trees in the village is further diminished. Despite many of the valuable and useful trees in the village being subject to tree preservation orders (TPOs) they are steadily and relentlessly being felled.

Of course they grow and and can endanger nearby buildings or block someone's precious sunlight - they become sick and structurally unsound or perhaps they're in the wrong place when a site is to be developed. But in the end they are victims of an expanding village that enjoys the rural open feeling they give, but can't always overcome the bureaucracy and health and safety issues that they cause in a more urbanised environment.

TPOs across the county have been revoked by ECC as responsibility for them passes to the District council who have to survey all the trees before reissuing them.

Keep an eye on your local trees and report any threats to their future. Remember they need to be looked after and not neglected so report any problems as well as attacks with chainsaws, which, incidentally, are more often than not quite legitimate. If you want to carry out any work on a tree with a TPO make sure you contact the district council first to seek permission.

Comment?

Bentfield Pond....

Tudor Owen — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 14:19:34 +0000

... is once again given some attention by the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers who made it for the third year in a row, aided by a few councillors on what turned out to be a sunny Sunday. The project is now complete for the time being and the Pond restored to a much healthier state. More...

The Windmill Works...

Tudor Owen — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:58:10 +0000

... have at last begun as the contractors, IJP, moved on site last Monday 2nd November. The works, which include repointing the brickwork, removing the cap and repainting the sails, should be completed early in the new year when we will see the cap turn the sails into the wind for the first time in one hundred years.
The first task was to arrange for BT to divert three telephone cables around the Mill to allow some working room for the cranes that will take off the sails and cap.

The Annual Fireworks...

Tudor Owen — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:44:53 +0000

... And bonfire at Elms Farm.

ELMS FARM, CHURCH ROAD, ENTRANCE VIA ARCHWAY COTTAGE

GATES OPEN 6.30 pm,BONFIRE 7.00 pm

FIREWORK DISPLAY 7.30 pm

ADULTS £3, CHILDREN £1

REFRESHMENTS AVAILABLE

WEAR WELLIES

TAKE SPARKLER STICKS HOME AS THIS IS A HORSE FIELD

If you can offer wood for the bonfire, please contact the Parish Clerk on 01279 813214

7th NOVEMBER

The Mile Iron....

Tudor Owen — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:48:24 +0000

.... Has been renovated! You may have noticed it gleaming in the sun at the Cambridge road Chapel hill junction oposite the Fountain. Originally placed near the fountain It's been in it's current position for quite some time and and been looking a little rusty - it's a solid lump of iron - until spotted by milestone enthusiast John Nicholls of the Milestone Society. He and his colleagues make it their business to revivie as many of these small pieces of history as they possibly can.

The Mile Stone Society have a website wher you can contact John if you know of any lonely and forgotten waymarkers or milestones. Their stated aim is: to identify, record, research and interpret for the public benefit the milestones and other waymarkers of the British Isles.

The public convenience...

Tudor Owen — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 23:05:29 +0000

...comes at a price! The 'superloo' in the Lower Street car park costs the district council £25,000 a year to maintain which, at a time when local authorities are feeling the squeeze and looking for cuts, makes it and others a potential target. Locked into a long lease they are unlikely to be able to close this necessary convenience which only attracts spent pennies to the tune of 20% of its outgoings, so are likely instead to ask the Parish if they'd like to foot the bill for the Loo.

Should the Parish pay?

It's a sign of tough choices ahead and just another in a stream of services, such as PCSOs, youth services and street lighting, that that should be financed at district and county level, being pushed onto the Parish - or face loosing them. The Parish does it's best to stretch the precept to these undoubtedly worthwhile services, but at a time when the village is set to grow significantly it's resources will be at the limit and obligations such as play equipment for our public spaces are left to be funded by grants and charitable subscriptions - if we're lucky.

It's an old dillema, cuts or higher taxes? And as relevant to us at the most local level as it is at the centre of central government.

The MUGA opens...

Tudor Owen — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 22:10:01 +0000

...At last. The new Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) facility on Mountfitchet Green was officially opened on July 18th. Anyone in the village can use it for five-aside, tennis, basket ball or netball.

At the Windmill Fete...

Tudor Owen — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 21:31:57 +0000

... The 'teddy bear parachuting' saw a minor mishap as George's most favourite thing in the world managed to get his 'chute snagged halfway up the Mill. After bravely clinging on for most of the Bank Holiday afternoon the intrepid bear was helped down to a nearby window with the aid of a very long stick, and reunited with his relieved owner.

The fête was a great success raising nearly £2500 to help maintain the soon to be renovated Mill. On completion of the works in the spring of 2010 the cap will be able to face into the wind and the sails turn properly as they did in 1910 when the Mill was last used. The project was made possible by an English Heritage grant and much fundraising and donations over several years.

Information about the Mill can be found here.

The Fountain Willow...

Tudor Owen — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 20:09:48 +0000

... at the junction of Chapel Hill and Cambridge road is due for the chop!
"At the end of its useful life", according to consultant arborialist David Brown, it will eventually have to be removed.

As a well known landmark and of some amenity to the village the Parish Council believes it should do what it can to maintain the willow as long as is reasonably possible, unless or until it becomes a danger. At the moment it looks like one limb needs to be removed and the crown reduced. Quotes are being sought, but what the tree may look like after major work remains to be seen.

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000