.

Trees saved

2007-09-06T12:40:00.000+01:00

Thanks to a decision by the Development Control committee this morning (to reject the YMCA extension) two mature pear trees at the back of gardens around 43 Whiting Street will now not be felled.

It is rather alarming to think that I had to call in this application from being delegated to an officer, and yet I think the vote in committee was unanimous!

Is SID on his way?

2007-09-06T12:28:00.000+01:00

I have just been telephoned by Suffolk County Council to say that an assessor is to visit Southgate Street to determine whether there is a safe and appropriate place to leave SID (Speed Indication Device?) following my recent request. For the record, the job number is 753433!

Let's hope this space is worth watching.

Abbeygate Street new barriers

2007-09-05T11:21:00.000+01:00

http://www.stedmundsbury.gov.uk/sebc/live/documents/reports/Y185%20Abbeygate%20Street%20Barriers.pdf

I am delighted to report that the new style gates at the top of the street will be replacing the worn out temporary "road closed" sign. These will be more suited to the Bond Street of Suffolk than the Old Kent Road trappings of cones and temporary signs.

Full report and pictures in the link above.

B***er the begonias!

2007-09-01T07:27:00.000+01:00

One of my electors (not the first) has been asking me about safety improvements for children crossing Westgate Street at the Bridewell Lane end. Those from the Southgate Street/Saxon Gate area walk up Maynewater Lane and have difficulty in crossing to reach the Guildhall Feoffment school. Their only safe alternative is to walk all the way to the Catholic church end and use the crossing there - and walk all the way back.

As David has said in my previous post, such improvements are always difficult to obtain, and in this case funding for a refuge has not been forthcoming from SCC this year.

That's not much use to my elector or other mums/dads, and after a few polite exchanges an email finished:

'We need to protect our children and provide a safe environment for them to get to school and back. I am not willing to see a middle class and mature population shape the future of Bury St Edmunds, to be honest Paul I do wish to say "bugger the begonias and look after the children of Bury".'

This was a reference to an earlier post of mine about floral improvements to the junction of Maynewater Lane and Southgate Street, which look even better now:

This gentle (and I think justifiable) chastisement led me to discuss the subject again with the officer concerned, and I hope there may be a way forward - albeit a long way.

Anyway, my elector (who is extremely pleasant) got my attention and action. It was a better ploy than calling me boastful (see BFP letters).

Queens Head - the result

2007-08-30T14:54:00.000+01:00

At this morning's hearing the application was amended substantially by the applicant - who was represented by my fellow councillor and serial blog commenter David Nettleton (right).

Instead of extending the closing time by 1hr 20mins the applicant requested an extension of just 30minutes on Sundays, Thursdays and weekends.

Despite this climb-down the application was still rejected by the sub-committee, who seemed to recognise my simple argument that:

1. There is inevitably outside noise and disturbance created when any pub closes

2. This is predominantly a residential area and the law upholds the rights of residents

3. Closure at 12.30 Fri/Sat would mean residents (woken at 5 by refuse collection) would have their opportunity of sleeping further reduced.

4. This constitutes a public nuisance under the 2003 Act

5. Therefore the sub-committee had no option but to reject the application.

The Week Ahead

2007-08-27T05:57:00.000+01:00

On Thursday 30th the Queens Head application for a variation in their premises licence will be determined by a licensing sub-committee at 10am in the chamber of the borough offices at Angel Hill. Members of the public may attend.

The application seeks to extend the hours of opening from 23.00 to 00.20 on Sundays, from 00.00 to 00.20 Mondays to Wednesdays, and from 00.00 to 01.20 Thursday to Saturdays.

In my capacity as local ward councillor I shall be representing 11 interested parties (neighbouring residents) at the hearing, under the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003 Guidance. This allows local councillors, if they wish and are instructed, to represent residents. However, I do not believe it has been used in St Edmundsbury before, so it may be a first for us all.

On Saturday 1st September I shall be at my regular surgery in Bury library from 10am - noon. Why not drop in?

Good News on Shop Front!

2007-08-21T15:45:00.000+01:00

I have just come back from a meeting of Town Centre Management, the independent group which promotes Bury St Edmunds. You can read more on their website. I was delighted to hear the latest monitoring report of empty shops, which are often cited as a problem by those whose glasses are half empty rather than half full. In fact the opposite is true, and here are the details to prove it.

On the 17th August 2007 there were 412 shop premises in Bury, of which 14 were empty – equating to less than 4% vacant shops. The national average is much higher, currently standing at 13%, with a number of major towns having up to 25% vacant shops. The commercial agents in Bury all said that virtually as soon as a shop becomes available then it is taken: properties do not stay on the market very long. Within Abbeygate Ward the details are as follows.

There are 51 shops in Abbeygate Street, 2 of which are empty. The shop that used to be Star Chamber (31 Abbeygate Street) has now been let and will be opening shortly. The shop that used to be FotoDen (12 Abbeygate Street) and the shop that is boarded up (46-46a Abbeygate Street) are vacant. The agent for both is Merrifields.

There are 21 shops in Churchgate Street, 1 of which is empty (formerly Vinch Finch).

There are 14 shops in Langton Place, none empty

There are 28 shops in Hatter Street, 2 of which are empty. The shop that was Bury Book Shop (28a Hatter Street) is vacant, and the agent is George Hazell. The shop that was La Femme (22a Hatter Street) is vacant and the agent is Matthew Fullerton.

There are 14 shops in Guildhall Street, with none empty

There are 14 shops in Whiting Street, with none empty

There are 57 shops in the Buttermarket, with none empty. The shop that used to be MusicZone has now been let.

There are 31 shops in Cornhill, 2 of which are empty. The building that was the Woolwich Building Society (Market Cross) is vacant, and the agent is Donaldsons. The shop which was Moben Bathrooms (61 Cornhill) is vacant, and the agent is Marshall Buck.

There are 10 shops in Central Walk, Woolhall Street, and Kings Road, 2 of which are empty. 1-2 Woolhall Street is possibly under offer depending on planning permission, the agent being George Hazell. The other empty shop was Jennifers Florists in Central Walk, and there is no agents sign.

There are 26 shops in Angel Lane, Angel Hill, Looms Lane, 1 of which is empty. This used to the Richard Green estate agents (24B Angel Hill). The agent is Merrifields.

The smoking ban continued...

2007-08-15T04:39:00.000+01:00

I have decided that the only way of ensuring that the effects of the smoking ban may be taken into consideration when licensing decisions are made is to amend the local licensing policy. Cllr Richard Rout and I have therefore written to the Licensing Authority, requesting that a new clause be inserted as follows:

"The 2007 smoking ban has increased the potential for disturbance outside premises after 11 pm and the Licensing Authority will as appropriate take that fact into consideration when determining applications, variations or reviews."

We will not know whether this amendment has been accepted until the end of the current consultation period at the end of the year.

The smoking ban

2007-08-12T11:18:00.000+01:00

I am currently involved in local research into the effects of the new smoking ban on drinking establishments. I am concerned that it forces customers onto the pavements, causing a potential noise nuisance late at night.

You can find out more by visiting my informal blog, where you can also vote on the subject or even leave a comment.

BFP (not)

2007-08-11T17:45:00.000+01:00

The following story should have appeared in the BFP this week, had not some pages from the Stowmarket edition accidentally substituted the pages on which this piece about our speeding campaign appeared:

http://www.buryfreepress.co.uk/news?articleid=3098320

...now you don't (see it)

2007-08-10T15:30:00.000+01:00

Two days ago I requested that some road markings should be refreshed. Here is the worst example. Do you know where it is?

I am pleased to say that the following day a reply came back from SEBC Highways saying the necessary arrangements had been made.

I look forward to photographing the finished product and posting it below - but thought I'd get in early with the original...

Community Speedwatch

2007-08-07T21:28:00.000+01:00

This evening Richard Rout and I joined our Safer Neighbourhood Team of police officers to trap drivers exceeding the 20 mph limit in the historic core of Bury. This is part of an awareness raising strategy which we hope will lead to our taking part in Community Speedwatch. This brings together the police, councils and residents, so that people from the community can run their own speed testing sessions. The testers record the registration numbers of the offenders, who get a police letter the first two times and a visit from the police on a third occasion.

Watch this space for further information.

This week's highlights:

2007-08-06T15:16:00.000+01:00

1. A copy of my latest newsletter will be delivered to all homes this month. The Southgate corridor received theirs today and I hope the historic core will tomorrow.

2. One day this week Richard Rout and I will be with the police in the historic core, catching speeding (ie 20mph +) drivers.

STOP PRESS

2007-08-02T14:24:00.000+01:00

The Police Investigation Centre application on Romany Way off Rougham Road has been approved this morning, despite the opposition of many in Abbeygate ward. Residents from Southgate Green, Beech Rise and Southgate Street were among those who signed a 200+ signature petition which I handed in before the meeting.

Surgery

2007-08-02T14:19:00.001+01:00

As usual I shall be holding a surgery with my fellow borough councillor Richard Rout this Saturday from 10 - noon. I am already expecting some Whiting Street residents, concerned about the Batt House (YMCA) application for a new building and increased accommodation. I also expect there will be some more people from Mill or Kings Roads, wanting to know what is happening about the development around the Hanchets former site.

Why don't you drop in, just for a chat about anything?

More success on the surface

2007-07-31T14:00:00.000+01:00

Now with yellow lines...

Thank you!

2007-07-24T17:23:00.000+01:00

Many people (whether from Abbeygate ward or not) who walk down The Butts may or may not notice that the tank I wrote about below..

(http://paulfarmerdotcom.blogspot.com/2007/07/please-remove.html)

...has been removed by St Edmundsbury Council's Waste Management staff. A big thank you to all concerned, particularly Karen for "issuing the ticket", putting up with my nagging, and chasing the job.

Not bad work on a day when they are all stretched with Bury in Bloom judging!

PS: In the unlikely event of anyone wanting to post a comment, please note that I shall be away from my PC until Saturday, and therefore unable to post it until then.

Queens head update

2007-07-24T09:58:00.000+01:00

So far eleven "interested parties" have asked me to represent them at the hearing. (See earlier post for details.) If you live within the vicinity and would like to be added to the list, please email me: mail@PaulFarmer.com. Remember that if you do then you must not make any representation (including writing in to object) of your own: I will do that for you.

Success on the surface...

2007-07-19T17:53:00.000+01:00

Before

After

Earlier this year I asked Highways if the potholes in Chalk Road South could be filled, not expecting action soon. I was delighted when the road was patched quite quickly, with a promise to dress the surface in the summer, resources permitting. Today the work was done, so that's another happy story to tell the doom-and-gloom merchants.

Please remove!

2007-07-15T11:44:00.000+01:00

This old ugly tank has been in a ditch by the "Butts" footpath near Almoners Field for as long as I can remember. Now that the border between the footpath and new development is being tidied up I am asking the Council to remove it.

Watch this space...

Monday update: Waste Management will carry out a risk assessment on the tank's removal, and if satisfactory will go ahead...keep watching...

STOP PRESS

2007-07-13T16:03:00.000+01:00

The Queen's Head, Churchgate Street, has applied for a licence variation under the 2003 Licensing Act. Although I have only just been told this, I understand that the proposal is to serve alcohol until midnight on Sundays - Wednesdays, and 1 am on Thursdays to Saturdays. There are other changes in the application, which will be available on-line very shortly, possibly by tomorrow, at:

http://www.stedmundsbury.gov.uk/sebc/live/licence-applications.cfm

Although I am not allowed to make any representation in my own right, I believe that as ward councillor I may if I wish make representations on behalf of specific named residents who live "in the vicinity". In this capacity I am able to write in and if necessary appear at the hearing on their behalf. Please contact me if you think you would like me to consider doing this:

mail@PaulFarmer.com

Leylandi: useful screen or oppresive hedge?

2007-07-09T15:32:00.000+01:00

Today I visited someone who had asked me to help with a Leylandi problem. I explained that there was little that I could do, and that for the Council to be involved under the High Hedge legislation she would need to demonstrate that she has sought mediation. Even then it would cost over £300 to get the Council's view, which might not be the view (excuse the pun) she wanted.

I also spoke to her next door neighbour, who much appreciates the screening effect of this hedge in relation to the buildings behind it. He only wants it trimmed a little at the top, not cut by half as much as is above the fence, as his neighbour does.

I shall write to the owner of the hedge (who I am told is very co-operative), suggesting it is cut to two lengths according to the neighbours' wishes; but I have told both not to hold their breath!

Former Hanchets and area development

2007-07-07T16:05:00.000+01:00

Click on this link to see the area that is likely to be developed, then press the "hybrid" button to see more.

On Wednesday Cllr Richard Rout and I informally met the developer and architect hoping to build on the former Hanchets land and beyond. Their plan is eventually to build about 100 houses on the whole of the land from the back gardens of Mill Road in the East, to the gardens of Shillitoe Close in the West, and from the gardens of Kings Road in the North to below Jacqueline Close in the South – plus all of the former Hanchets site

The accesses will be: Kings Road (new), Jacqueline Close, Shillitoe Close (new) and Mill Road (pedestrian/cycles only).

The developer will contact those most affected with copies of a masterplan and other details which they can comment on. This masterplan needs to be approved by the Council. Once approved, planning applications can be considered, providing they stick to the masterplan’s principles.

The first application is likely to be for 14 properties on the former Hanchets site, with Kings Road access only.

Email: mail@PaulFarmer.com if you have any questions.

Today's "Surgery"

2007-07-07T14:32:00.000+01:00

Today's surgery at the library (1st Saturday of every month from 10 - 12) was very busy. In fact we had a queue most of the time. Several people had come to see us specifically to ask about the Hanchets and area development off Kings and Mill Roads, which is the subject of my next post.

STOP PRESS

2007-07-06T09:24:00.000+01:00

Click here to see today's Bury Free Press story and picture about the Crown Street crossing sign.