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Ampney Crucis Times Edition Number 2 |
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Contents |
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Ampney Crucis On-Line !Thanks to the hard work of resident Frank Skinner, Ampney Crucis now has its own web site on the Internet. Those of you with online access can view the site at www.ampneycrucis.f9.co.uk/ . Although there is a great deal of interest on the site already (including a copy of ACT and the Parish newsletter as well as links to all sorts of other sites), there is plenty of room for more. Frank would welcome contributions and comments from village clubs, societies, individuals and businesses to build on the content and make it really useful. Photos, text and computer files can easily be scanned in so provide the information in whatever format you can. Contact Frank Skinner, Ampney Crucis; É654597 or email |
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Neighbourhood WatchThe Neighbourhood Watch Group active at the west end of the village invited villagers to a meeting in February in the Village Hall, where David Bragg, Cotswold Neighbourhood Watch Officer and PC George Lager spoke about the issues involved in setting up a Group. Now, some residents are looking into the possibility of starting groups in the Pleydells and around the vicinity of Dudley Farm Corner. David Bragg advises against making a group cover too large an area, but if you are interested in setting something up in your own neighbourhood, contact him on: É01242 276543 for advice. For further information about the new groups contact John Pizzey (Pleydells) or David Vessey (Dudley Farm Corner) via the web site < |
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Millennium EventWhen asked in the Appraisal, to make the most of the lovely summer weather and long warm evenings in our lovely location, villagers chose to celebrate the Millennium during the summer of the year 2000. In response to this it is planned to hold the Ampney Crucis Millennium Day on Saturday 8th July The Millennium Day will take the place of the Village Fete in this year's social calendar, so the organisers will try to incorporate everyone’s favourite activities, raise money to support the church and village hall and give us all the opportunity to meet old and new friends. During the day there will be two linked celebrations. The first activity will centre on the church, comprising an afternoon of music and historical reflection. The second will be held later in the day at the Clarke’s Barn, Hilcot End. This will be a family event, including a mini fete followed by a Barn Dance and lamb roast. As usual, the team will be calling for help to organise and manage the event. They NEED volunteers for a whole range of tasks from selling raffle tickets and running stalls to setting up straw bales and serving at the bar. The team will meet again at the beginning of April and would be pleased to hear from anyone with their suggestions and comments.
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Millennium ImprovementsThe Parish Council is pleased to announce that a 25% grant has been awarded by CDC’s Historic Areas and Buildings Fund to help pay for much needed repairs to the War Memorial. It is also applying for funding to help pay for repairs to the fencing around the Memorial as well as all the benches in the village. The Gardening Club has offered its help in replanting the Memorial area and Harold Stevens has kindly agreed to attend to the village notice boards. These much needed improvements will greatly enhance the appearance of the village and be a fitting way to mark the new century.< |
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Annual Parish MeetingThis will be held on Monday May 8th at 7pm and is an opportunity for you to hear about what your council and other local groups have been doing during the past year. If local organisations wish to present or have read out an annual report on their activities, please send them in advance to the parish clerk, Helen Tonks, 1 The Smithy, Cirencester. É< |
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Spring Clean Day - 8th AprilMany of us expressed a desire in the village appraisal to have a regular spring clean, so we are joining in with Cotswolds District Council’s Spring Clean Campaign in April. 6-8 teams of volunteers are needed to litter pick along the lanes and main roads around the village. Family groups particularly encouraged. Sacks and gloves will be available for collection at the Village Hall from 10 a.m. until 12 noon on Saturday 8th April and refreshments will be available.< |
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Ampneys Gardening ClubThe Gardening Club also held its AGM in March and announced its programme for the forthcoming year. As always, it is an interesting and varied combination of local visits, social meetings and talks on gardening and related themes. Some events to look forward to include:
May 18 A Gardener’s Cornucopia June 15 Social evening at the Kelly’s July 13 Visit to Painswick Rococo Gardens Aug 17 Enjoying and using herbs Sept 21 Autumn- the forgotten season Oct 19 Nature in the garden Nov 16 The Windrush Valley Jan 18 New Year’s Dinner Feb 15 The History of the bouquet
New members can be sure of a warm and friendly welcome – you don’t have to be a green-fingered expert; there’s plenty of help and advice on hand! The club meets generally on the third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Village Hall, unless a visit has been arranged. Membership: £5.50 per year. Contact Joyce Cutts |
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Conserving roadside vergesIn many parts of Gloucestershire, all that remains of species-rich hay meadows can be found on roadside verges. The Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust has identified a Conservation Roadside Verge in this parish and is looking for a few interested volunteers to learn about this area and monitor it on their behalf. If you are interested or would like to know more, contact Rosie Cliffe, É 01452 3833333 |
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Talking about planning applicationsOne of the regular items on the agenda of every Parish Council meeting is a review of the progress of current planning applications. A request to be better informed about planning applications was expressed in over half the replies to the Village Appraisal. |
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Handling planning applicationsIn an average year, the Parish Council will be asked to consider between 70 and 80 applications; most will be for full planning permission, others will be for amendments to applications in progress and for tree orders. Applications, which can arrive at any time, require a response within four weeks and it would be impracticable to call a Parish Council meeting just to consider a planning application. Instead, for most routine planning applications, responsibility is delegated to the chairman or clerk to respond after consulting with other councillors. The Parish Council, of course, has no power to accept or refuse a planning application; that is the responsibility of the District Council Planning Committees (made up of elected District Councillors) guided and advised by CDC’s full-time professional planning officers. The Parish Council is, however, invited to comment on every planning application. |
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Planning policy Overall planning policy is laid down in the Cotswold District Local Plan which, in broad terms, covers the circumstances under which development may and may not be permitted. Each parish is considered separately and special conditions for individual parishes may be incorporated as part of the Plan. The Plan is a statutory requirement and is the basis of all CDC planning decisions. It is not a rigid set of rules; planning proposals effectively ruled out by the Local Plan could be permitted if there were special material considerations that might outweigh it. However, the Plan does not stand on its own as it is approved as complying with the County Structure Plan which sets out planning strategy for the whole of Gloucestershire and which, in turn, is itself approved as complying with government policy. |
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Considering planning applications Every application for planning permission has a ‘supposition in favour’ i.e. the answer is ‘yes’ unless there are sound planning reasons for refusal. First and foremost, the Parish Council has to reassure itself that any planning application complies with the Local Plan. Provided it does, any further comment is restricted to land use planning matters such as access, layout, design, the type of building materials, privacy and the effect of the proposed land use on the appearance or character of the neighbourhood. Financial loss or alleged property devaluation are not land use planning matters. The Local Plan also has specific rules covering listed buildings and developments within a Conservation Area. The Parish Council may also request that specific applications are considered as a departure from the Local Plan if, overall, it feels there are sufficient material considerations which, if taken into account, might outweigh the Local Plan. Significant departures from the Local Plan could well be referred to the Secretary of State. |
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Planning applications and you Details of all planning applications are displayed on the village notice boards and specific details have, by law, to be displayed on the property itself. Given the volume and turnaround requirements, it is not realistic to use the newsletters as a means of informing the village about them. The Parish Council always seeks comments from people most affected by the application. Any objections from the Parish Council are always made in writing and copies of the letter are displayed on village notice boards. There is, of course, nothing to stop individuals writing in support or opposition to planning applications but it should be remembered that, generally speaking, only planning considerations will be taken into account and that copies of all letters are sent to the applicant. < |
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Village Hall AGMAt their recent AGM, Committee Chairman, Ann Bridges reported a successful year for the Village Hall, with bookings up and several improvements and repairs completed. Although the Luncheon Club has sadly had to close, the Mother and Toddler Group has restarted along with a regular pre-school music club. Cirencester College has used it as a venue to run very successful computer courses and hopefully will continue to use it in future. Several social and fundraising events were held during the year, including the annual quiz, car boot sale wine tasting and an evening of Christmas carols and entertainment. A set of carpet bowls was borrowed from Gloucestershire Rural Community Council for trial purposes. Some interest was shown and the Committee is now wondering whether to purchase a set. Feedback from villagers about this would be very welcome. More events are already being planned for the year, including a Reminiscence evening on 11th May, when long-standing residents of the village will share their memories with the rest of us. < |
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FootpathsWalking the dog There will be a more detailed note on footpaths in a later edition; this early item is in response to a specific request from the farmers regarding walking with dogs. The woodland areas in the parish are often used for pheasant rearing and you are requested to keep your dogs under close control when the footpaths run through such areas and to keep your dogs out of the woods altogether where there is no footpath. |
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Church Path This is getting difficult to walk in the winter as the surface is in poor condition. The path will be repaired in the spring with the County Council picking up half the cost and the balance being met jointly by the Parish Council and the Parochial Church Council.< |
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Classified AdsFor sale / wanted /services offered/required There seems to be a demand for a means of local advertising via this newsletter and therefore we have decided to introduce a classified ads column. For this service we feel it is reasonable to request a donation of £1 per advert. Adverts will be placed on a first come, first served basis and space is limited to up to 5 ads per issue. |
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Early riser required for
help with busy newspaper round, some weekend working involved but good rates
of pay plus generous car allowance, or car provided if required. Flexible
approach. Call Carol Richardson, |
Reliable local
Garden Maintenance service offers mowing, hedge cutting, strimming, tree
surgery, fencing. call Rob É850871. |
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Energetic and responsible teenager offers services for babysitting, pet care, horse and stable management; dog-walking. Call Jo Huckle É851498. |
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Copy deadline for next issue (June):Monday 15th May Send to: Fran Huckle |
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