Litcham
Parish Council
August 2008
The Local Development Framework
An Explanation
In June
your Councillors received a presentation from Breckland District
Council about their site specific proposals and village guidelines
within the Local Development Framework (LDF). Breckland are at the
stage with their LDF where they are conducting a public consultation
with you, the public, about the impact their plans will have on Litcham
over the next 20 years. This public consultation runs from the 30th
June 2008 to the 26th September 2008.
Firstly to explain a bit
about the process, Breckland have targets to build new homes and to do
that they need land to build on. They have received a range of
suggestions from landowners across the district about possible sites
for housing and industrial development. The planners have assessed each
of these suggestions and classified them into three groups: Conforming,
non-conforming, and unreasonable. Conforming sites meet requirements to
have houses at open market built on them, subject to planning.
Unreasonable sites are sites that Breckland consider unsuitable for
development as the site, for example, may be too large for Litcham or
be unsuitable because of location. Finally, non conforming sites are
those where houses or industrial development could be built if there is
a policy change or the guidelines are moved. There may be other sites
of course which have not yet come forward, and they would be similarly
classified.
The sites for Litcham are shown on the map
above, which also shows the current guidelines. To explain what guidelines
are-if there are no guidelines within a village this means that no
development would be allowed unless there are exceptional circumstances
which would be considered when a planning application is submitted. If
guidelines exist then development may take place within them subject to
planning approval.
You can make your views known on line at
www.breckland.gov.uk, and you will see a map of Litcham showing the
sites. You can write to Breckland Council in Dereham or the Parish
Clerk at the address below. You can send a fax to 01362 656297, or an e
mail to planningpolicyteam@breckland.gov.uk.
Your final option
would be to attend our open meeting on the 1st September 2008 at 7.00
pm at the Jubilee Hall when the Parish Council will put forward its
proposals for discussion and after the meeting will forward its
decision to Breckland. You can of course do all the above, because the
more response the Council get the clearer we/they will be about how the
village feels on this very important issue.
Clerk: Bryan Leigh
Riverside Cottage River Lane East Bilney Dereham NR20 4HS
Tel: 01362 861112 or mobile: 07746550201 : e-mail: clerk@litcham.org
PROPOSED MINERALS AND WASTE SITE ALLOCATIONS
The
Parish Council would like to draw your attention to Norfolk County
Council’s proposals for Mineral and Waste sites in this area for
the next 15 years.
As part of it's Mineral and Waste Development Framework, Norfolk County
Council has identified 104 possible sites within the county for mineral
extraction and waste disposal works. Two of these sites fall within the
Parish of Litcham.
The first of 169 hectares, part of which falls within the north of our Parish, has been submitted by Lexham Estates.
The second, of 224 hectares around Grenstein Farm in
in the East of the Parish, and has been submitted by Mr. R. Ellis.
The Parish Council will be making
representations on the proposed sites that are likely to affect this
area but would like to ensure that all Litcham residents are fully
aware of these proposals.
All comments are to be made by 28th March. Full details are available at www.norfolk.gov.uk/nmwdf and
your comments can be made at the relevant section on the website. NCC
is offering a cash prize draw as an inducement to respond by this
method.
There is a written response form
available via Planning Services, Norfolk County Council, Planning and
Transportation Department FREEPOST NC22093/8,County Hall, Martineau
Lane Norwich NR1 2BR or by telephone 0844 800 8020.
There will also be an opportunity to
inspect the proposals and discuss them with members of the Planning
Department at a ‘drop-in ‘ session at Breckland
Council’s offices at Elizabeth House, Walpole Loke, Dereham, (at
the back of Tesco’s) on 17th March from 12.30 to 4.30p.m.
Any comments you may have on these
proposals should be made directly to Norfolk County Council, but it
would assist the Parish Council to receive a copy for possible
incorporation into our representations.
A meeting to discuss these proposals
is to be held at The Jubilee Hall Litcham on Monday 10th March starting
at 7.30p.m. All are welcome to attend to put your point of view to the
Parish Council.
Bryan Leigh, Clerk to the Council
New Parish Clerk
On
the 1st August 2007 Bryan Leigh took over as Parish Clerk, replacing
John Relph. Bryan, who lives in East Bilney, is also Parish Clerk of
Beeston & Bittering and Beetley Parish Council.
He can be contacted:-
by phone 01362-861-112
by e-mail at bryan.leigh@btinternet.com
or in writing to: Bryan Leigh, Riverside Cottage, River Lane, East Bilney, Dereham, Norfolk, NR20 4HS
NOMINATIONS for PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS
Three nominations have been received for the Parish Council Elections due to take place on the 3rd of May 2007
They are:
1. HOLLAND, David Christopher HOLLAND of Oaklands Farm, Litcham - proposed by Peter J Britton
2. LAWRENCE, Claire (Retired Teacher) of Lime Kiln House, Litcham - proposed by Elizabeth P. Christie
3. OLDFIELD, Michael James of Stableside, Mileham Rd. Litcham - proposed by Sarah H.White
There will therefore be no need to hold an election in Litcham for the
Parish Council.
VACANCIES
After the elections on 3rd of May there are four vacancies on Litcham
Parish Council waiting to be filled by anyone keen to take an interest
in local issues. If you think you would enjoy the cut and thrust if
Village politics then please get it touch with me, John Relph, Parish
Clerk, Wychwood, Rectory Meadow, Litcham tel: 01328 700 813 or e-mail clerk@litcham.org or simply turn up at our next meeting on Monday the 14th of May. (April 07)
Litcham Relief in Need Charity.
The Parish Council remains very concerned at the continuing dispute and is monitoring the situation closely and
is continuing to liaise with the Charity Commission over this matter.
Apart from the power to appoint two trustees the Parish Council had no
powers to intervene in the working of the Trust.
The Charity Commission have so far refused to determine from the
evidence available who are the current legal Trustees, which they say
is a matter for the Trustees alone to determine. The ultimate
responsibility for resolving the matter lies with the Trustees
themselves and in particular with the two Parish Council appointees. (Jan 07)
Streetlighting:
The Parish Council has considered a request from two residents
of Wellingham Road for additional Street lighting, especially in the
vicinity of the Primary School, and the introduction of brighter sodium
lighting in Litcham. Litcham was is in an area classified by Norfolk
County Council as a ‘Rural Dark Area’. In these areas the
installation of sodium lights is contrary to current N.C.C. policy,
also all new lighting in such areas has to be justified by a
‘proven traffic issue’. Council also considered a leaflet,
submitted by a villager, from an organisation called ‘Night
Blight’ which is actively campaigning against light pollution of
the night-sky and seeks to reduce the level of street-lighting,
especially sodium lighting, in rural areas.
Although some additional lighting will
come with the new Children’s Centre at the Primary School, this
will only really be intended to light the extended car park.
Council concluded that the current level of street-lighting in Litcham was adequate. It did, however, agree with Headmistress Christine Watts agrees that extra street-lighting
outside the Primary school would be a good idea and that
an extra street-light might be useful outside the Primary School in the
light of plans to build a Children’s Centre there, this
suggestion will be added to comments made on the planning application. (April 07)
Allotments: Litcham Allotments and Leisure Gardeners
Association was formed in November 2006. The first AGM took place on 15th
January2007. (more).
The Bus Shelter: The Jubilee Hall Trust met on Wednesday 22nd November. A petition and a letter from Judith Bentley all against the
boarding up of the shelter all presented to the Trustees. No
decision was taken to remove boarding – I have a copy of a letter
from Jonathan Boston (to Trust members) explaining the reasons for his
actions. Plus letter supporting the boarding up of the shelter that
also complains about teenagers doing “trick or treat”.
The trust had a second meeting at which they agreed to allow the
boarding to be moved back about a meter to allow bus passengers to
shelter from the elements.
The Management Committee met again on 11th Dec and decided that this proposal was impractical and too expensive.
They have informed the Trust that they intend to remove all the
boarding unless otherwise instructed, the Trust meet again on the 10th
January.
Flooding Druid Lane:
I have reported instances of flooding to Highways, you may have noticed
the temporary Flood Warning signs. It appears the culprit is a
blocked drain on the school side of the road just before the bend. The
system has now been jetted and cleared and is now working but needs
some additional work on the outfall of the pipe at the ditch end to
keep it trouble free. (Sept 06)
Village Appraisal Published: The
Village Appraisal - started in 2001 was published in June 2005 and
copies distributed to all villagers Village. If you have any
trouble obtaining you copy please get in touch with me on 01328-700-813. You can view a PDF of the document here. Village Appraisal - Draft PDF
Trees in the Conservation Area. Before you cut down or prune any
tree within the Conservation Area you should contact Breckland
Council for permission. There have been cases recently where villagers
have had work done on trees without first consulting Breckland,
both the owner of the tree and the contractor can end up being
fined in such cases.
Here is a summary of the regulations from the The Town and Country
Planning Act (1990).
1. Approval of the Breckland Council is required before carrying
our any works to protected trees.
2. The maintenance and safety of all trees in your ownership remains
your responsibility. Periodic inspection by a competent person
is recommended.
3. Where a protected tree is removed you may be required to replace
it with similar tree.
4. All work must be carried out by a competent (qualified) arborist.
5. Due attention should be paid to Health and Safety issues.
6. Contractor's Public Liability Insurance is highly desirable
and Employers Liability a legal requirement.
7. Breckland should make a decision on applications within 8 weeks
for TPOs and within 6 weeks for trees in a Conservation Area.
PDF of Regulations
and Application form
Map
of Conservation Area
Letters from Litcham Youth Group.
Litcham Parish Council has
receive two letters from the Groovy Movers Youth Club that meets
Thursday evening in the Jubilee Hall.
The first is a letter of
thank you for the Parish Council's recent donation of £135
for the purchase of a playstation, which is now in regular use
at the club. The second concerns the recent vandalism of the murals
in the bus shelter, produced by the Primary school and defaced
a short while ago by a group of teenagers.
The letter wishes to
assure the Council that none of this act of vandalism was nothing
to do with any members of the 'Groovy Movers' club and goes on
to name those they believe were responsible.
The Council will
discuss the letter at the meeting on the 20th of March.
'The Mystery Machine' by Sydney
Hood - member of the Litcham Youth Group.
New Counsellors. In January 2005, Trevor Carter
of Lexham Rd. and Christopher Mitchell of Drury Lane were appointed
Parish Councillors. They replace Carol Hilton and Tim Angell who
have both resigned from the council in December 2004.
Anti-social Behavior
The Council has received a letter complaining
of 'Anti-social' behavior in Church St. mainly centered on the
Jubilee Hall. I have contacted Breckland's Anti-social Behavior
Officer and now have leaflets and diaries. If you witness any
anti-social behavior then please let me know. If we
are to deal with this problem Breckland and the Police need accurate
evidence of disturbances. The subject will be top of the agenda
at the next council meeting and Breckland's Anti-social Behaviour
Officer will be there to explain how Breckland Council and the
Police can help us deal with Anti-social Behaviour.
Dog Fouling
The Parish Council has received a steady
stream of request for a dog fouling scheme so earlier this year
the Parish Council decide look for suitable sites for notices,
(many thanks to those that sent in suggestions). Breckland provids
the signs for FREE but as bins start at £170, so there are
currently no plans to provide bins. As Litcham does not have many
lamposts the Parish Council erected wooden posts where there
was no other suitable fixing. There
are fifteen sites in all, six of which are lampposts [click here to see a map], hopefully these signs and a little publicity will hhelp reduce the problem.
In line with the 2005 'Clean Neighbourhood Act' all
areas within the 40 mph speed limit signs are covered by Breckland dog
fouling scheme. Any instances of persistent fouling should be reported
to the Dog Warden at Breckland. On receiving
a report the area is inspected and cleaned up, if the owner(s)
of dog(s) can be identified then they are given written warning.
If problem persists then fix penalty fine of £50 is given
with 14 days to pay. Non-payment can lead to a fine of £1000.
Currently the Dog Warden for Breckland is Steve O'Brien and he can be
reached by e-mail at steve.obrien@Breckland.co.uk. or via the contact
centre on 01362 656 870.
Graveyard 'Memorials'
survey
In July 2005 the Mid-Norfolk
family History Society
completed a survey of gravestones
and memorials in All Saints graveyard. It was delivered to Jonathan
Boston in book form and they were kind enough to let me have a
copy on computer diskette. The book includes maps and full text
of all inscriptions.The society are happy for me to allow anyone to
browse the records but are reluctant to have it published here on the
website or for me to make copies. If you are interested in obtaining a
copy please get in touch with the society.
Tree
preservation Order - Mileham Rd. - In July 2005 Breckland renewed a tree preservation order on about ten lime trees on
the Mileham Rd. They are the trees on the left as you enter the
village from Mileham Rd. immediately after the left turn into
Druid lane. They are in the gardens of the house in Rectory Meadow.
No reason was given, presumably it's to protect the 'leafy' ambience
of this entrance to the village.
Public
Telephone Boxes - BT want to remove the cash payment facility from the
two pay-phones in Litcham, (Church Street and Weasenham Rd), which
means that in order to make a phone call from these boxes you
would have to use a debit/credit card or reverse the charges,
emergency calls would still be free of course. They say that these
two phones have extremely low usage and "should be converted
to a cashless payment option as an alternative to removal".
The Council has no objection to the withdrawal of these facilities
from the phone box in the Weasenham Rd but feels strongly that,
because of the proximity of sheltered housing in Manor and the
School, the phone box in Church St. should retain it's cash payment
facilities.
Full text of letter from BT. (PDF)
and Parish Councils Reply
Development of the Wellingham
Triangle
There are no firm plans to develop the
Wellingham triangle at present but the council received a
request from Breckland seeking comments on proposals
to allow development of 'social housing (low cost starter homes & retirement homes etc.) on vacant and surplus
land' within the Weasenham Rd./Wellingham Rd. 'triangle'. Breckland
have been set targets by the Government and so have been looking
for suitable sites throughout Breckland. However Litcham is not high on their list because it
lacks employment and public transport. The Parish Council replied that while
the council accepts the general need for housing the letter points
out that it this should not threaten the fabric of that is a relatively
small community. Read
full text of letter...
Clerk of the
Council
John RELPH
Contact the Clerk
Letters from Litcham Youth Group.