Plumpton Parish Council
Archive
Update for Residents from Plumpton Parish Council on Additional housing targets for Lewes District Council (LDC)
Update 17 May.
An Inter-Council working party has been formed to fight the Eton College ‘New town’ threat and will also work together to oppose any unplanned and unwanted development. This group is made up of councillors from East Chiltington, Plumpton, Chailey, Hamsey, Barcombe, Wivelsfield, Streat, Westmeston and Ditchling. The group recently met with Sussex representatives from the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) who briefed us on a recent CPRE meeting with our MP, Maria Caulfield, held to discuss the current failure of planning policy and resulting threat of unplanned development.
We are grateful to the CPRE for sharing their pre-meeting notes which can be found here (CPRE Pre-meeting notes). This explains very clearly the reasons behind the unreasonably high housing target and how the current situation was created by changes in Planning Policy which weakened local democracy and strengthened the hand of land speculators and developers.
Maria Caulfied was apparently supportive of the following points:-
- The Housing Delivery Test should be abolished.
- The assessment of local housing needs should be based on the most up-to-date evidence available.
- The “affordability factor” should be removed from the process of assessing housing need and the standard method as this increases housing targets in the most profitable areas and will therefore do nothing for the government’s ‘levelling up’ agenda.
The post meeting follow up letter to Maria Caulfield can be viewed here.
Plumpton Parish Council thanks CPRE for their permission to publish these documents which are well worth reading.
We also would like to thank neighbouring Parish Councils who have supported us and taken the time to send in their objections.
Annual Parish Meeting – Newsletter 2021
Due to CV-19 restrictions the Parish Council were unable again to hold their Annual Parish Meeting. Therefore a newsletter has been put together to advise on what the council have been doing over the past year along with reports from local groups and organisations.
Changes to Bus Services
Government has asked bus operators and local transport authorities to reduce bus services to the minimum level of service necessary to support essential journeys safely. From next week there will be a number of temporary changes to bus services in East Sussex, still providing for a basic level of provision for those who still need to travel. A summary is attached. Regular updates continue to be provided on our website page:
https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/public/buses/bus-service-changes/
From Monday 18 January concessionary bus pass holders in East Sussex will be able to travel for free before the usual 9.30am time restriction. This will also assist pass holders who need to travel by bus to early morning COVID-19 vaccination appointments. This temporary change to the concessionary bus scheme is expected to continue until schools fully reopen, after which buses before 9.30am are expected to be busy again.
East Sussex Highway’s Rural Tree Survey
You may already be aware of the pink/yellow/orange dots on trees on the side of the road in your area. These have been put there are part of East Sussex Highway’s rural tree survey across the entire road network of East Sussex, being carried out by a professional arb surveyor, or by one of East Sussex Highway’s team. They indicate trees with faults that have been noted and require remedial works. Trees that are being inspected may be owned by ESH or may be private. They are including in the survey any tree that may impact the highway should it fail. If a tree is privately owned, the owner will be contacted as soon as possible with details of the tree(s) and a time-frame for the work to be completed. The remedial works may be as low-key as severing ivy or removing overhanging limbs. However, if the tree is in a critical condition such as being dead or showing signs of internal decay (fungal fruiting bodies), then the required work may be to remove large sections or entire tree.
Information for residents – Covid-19 testing centre at the racecourse
This new site will be operated by Sodexo and testing started this afternoon 2nd October.
ESCC has issued the following
Plumpton – Gateway to the Downs
Skatepark Reopens
Covid-19
Current government advice:
- Only go outside for food, health reasons or work (but only if you cannot work from home).
- Stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people.
- Wash your hands as soon as you get home.
You can spread the virus even if you don’t have symptoms.
Remember, this advice is there not only to reduce the spread of the virus but also to protect NHS resources.
For up to date information please see https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england
Coronavirus Support Group
If you are able to help others or need help please contact the Plumpton and East Chiltington Coronavirus Support Group (email: Covid19@geniuswithin.co.uk) or the Parish Council.
If you know an older person who is concerned about leaving the house, make sure you:
- Stay in touch over the phone.
- See if they need any help shopping.
- Encourage them to stay active in the house.
If older members of the public have concerns about anything else, including welfare, care or housing, they can contact Age UK’s free advice line, 8am-7pm, 7 days a week: 0800 055 6112
Village Hall and Pavilion Closed
Update 1 July 2020: Following the Government’s announcement last week that only two households up to a maximum of 30 from both households can meet indoors, the Parish Council have made the decision to keep the Village Hall and Pavilion closed until further guidance is received. The Parish Council has a duty of care both to the users but more importantly to its employees.
Petition Improve Road Safety on the B2116
Crisp Packet Recycling
Collect crisp packets to raise funds for the Kent, Sussex, and Surrey Air Ambulance
Recycle Schemes in support of AAKSS – Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex
Proposed Gypsy and Traveller Site
Update 29th December 2019
Further to the Local Plan Part 2 Hearing in public last April 2019, the Inspectors report is now released and is available here :-
Blue Badges
County Councillor Sarah Osborne reported at the last Parish Council meeting that people with less visible disabilities can now apply for blue badge. To see if you qualify please click on the following link https://www.gov.uk/apply-blue-badge.
Pavilion Refurbishment
The refurbishment was part-funded by a LEADER grant from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (£49k), and the remainder from our New Pavilion Fund (£28k) and the Parish Council (£7.5k).
With many thanks to Des Lambert, who helped us navigate the grant application process, and to parish councillor Emma Elford, who led renovation programme, got the grants, liaised with everyone involved.
The refurbishment has included:
- removal of the old kitchen to open up the space
- re-positioning of a new kitchen and utility room into the old committee room
- recovering of the floor throughout
- reconfiguring of the changing rooms
- increased storage facilities
- substantial replacing of rotten timbers throughout the infrastructure
- replacement of multiple doors
- replacement of window glass
- part installation of new composite cladding and sofits
- substantial re-plastering work throughout
- roof repair.
Steve Bodsworth was the contractor. We owe him many thanks for doing a fantastic job to a very high standard and completing on time.
As with all building jobs, we found some unexpected problems along the way that Steve responded to quickly, which allowed us to keep on schedule.
Now the work is complete, it has highlighted other parts of the facility that are looking a bit tired. Plumpton Parish Council will be costing further work to maintain this valued facility within a long-term preventative maintenance programme. We’ll provide further details in due course, later this year.