The parish council would like to thank PRS Office Furniture, based in the Pitstone Green Business Park, for their kind donation of 5 metal benches to be installed at the pavilion sports ground off Marsworth Road.   We are sure that all the football spectators will be very grateful to have somewhere to sit and watch the beautiful game.

To find more about PRS and the furniture/services they can provide, please visit their website: http://www.prs-officefurniture.com/

Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan – consultation by Aylesbury Vale District Council

From 7 July to 5 September, Aylesbury Vale District Council (AVDC) will be consulting on their latest draft of the Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan (VALP) and are inviting comments from local residents and other interested parties on any aspect of the draft.

Scroll down to read more about:

• what the VALP is, and why it is important for all of us;
• the consultation exercise that AVDC is carrying out; and
• Pitstone Parish Council’s views on the latest draft of the VALP.

What is the VALP and why is it important?

The VALP is the district-level Local Plan which sets out AVDC’s vision for delivering growth in the District up to 2033. Most importantly it is the document which, in conjunction with Neighbourhood Plans such as ours, will be used to determine planning applications (and all other planning-related matters) throughout the Vale.  The VALP replaces the ill-fated Vale of Aylesbury Plan (VAP) which was withdrawn by AVDC in February 2014 and will, once adopted, formally replaced the rather elderly Aylesbury Vale District Local Plan (AVDLP) which dates back to 2004 and only certain parts of which still apply.

AVDC’s consultation exercise

The consultation exercise runs from 7 July to 5 September and we would encourage all residents to take part in it.

To inform the process, AVDC are running a number of consultation drop-in sessions throughout the summer.

(*) planning officers present from 4pm onwards

Whether or not you are able to visit one of these sessions, you can find out more about the draft VALP – in particular the background to it, and its policies on housing, transport, and environment – on the AVDC website: http://www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/vale-aylesbury-local-plan-draft-plan.

AVDC’s website also explains how you can respond to the consultation exercise and comment on the latest draft of the VALP. This is your opportunity to influence any part of the Plan that is important to you, before it goes in front of the Government’s Planning Inspectorate during Spring 2017.  The Parish Council will naturally, in due course, also be responding to the consultation.

Pitstone Parish Council’s views

During June an unapproved draft of the VALP, on which they were intending to consult, was made available by AVDC. They have now published the approved consultation draft.  The Parish Council’s views are, similarly, now based on the version of the Plan upon which public consultation is taking place.  There have been no material changes to the draft VALP (or to our views) since the pre-consultation version.

The VALP is positive for Pitstone

The Parish Council’s initial view is that the latest draft of the VALP is a positive one for Pitstone. This is particularly so given the high level of support within the village for our own Neighbourhood Plan that 97% of you voted in favour of adopting back in March.  The policies of the emerging VALP remain closely aligned with those of our own Plan, which reflects well on both the VALP and the neighbourhood planning process that we recently went through.

In various ways the VALP expressly seeks to achieve the same objectives that you voted in favour of – objectives such as protecting the “areas of special landscape value” south of the immediate centre of our village, and ensuring that sites designated for employment purposes (such as the ‘data hub’ site on Westfield Road) are not given over to additional housing. In addition the VALP strongly resists development in open countryside that is not adjacent to an existing settlement; and it is based on a detailed “land availability assessment” which reaches the same conclusions as our Neighbourhood Plan steering group during 2015, namely that the various greenfield sites which adjoin our village are also unsuitable for housing.

In other respects the VALP supports the policies and objectives of our Neighbourhood Plan in an indirect manner, by leaving numerous detailed “non-strategic” local matters that are consistent with the VALP’s objectives to the neighbourhood plan itself. This means that our NP will continue to be the primary point of reference in respect of matters such as:

• the settlement boundary of our village;
• its community facilities;
• the ‘design principles’ to be applied to any new housing that is built in the village; and
• protecting designated “local green spaces” such as the land opposite The Crescent;

What about housing numbers?

The one area where the VALP has caused some confusion is the amount of new housing envisaged for villages such as Pitstone. The VALP as a whole contains lots of housing numbers that are connected with the esoteric objective of achieving a “five-year housing land supply” across the Vale – a complex mathematical process based primarily on statistical assumptions.  The important number for any village to focus on is its “residual housing number” (the amount it is actually expected to provide) which, for Pitstone, is 149 new homes.

The Parish Council recognises that, as this target does not include the Rushendon Furlong expansion (c.40 houses) for which outline planning permission has already been granted, it could result in Pitstone having a slightly higher new homes target than the 170 that were envisaged in the Neighbourhood Plan. This increase can be attributed to two things.

• Housing targets in the VALP are no longer expressed as a fixed number (the previous draft, dated October 2015, specified 100 new homes for every “larger village” such as Pitstone) but, instead, on the basis of a percentage uplift to current housing numbers in any particular village.
• 12,000 of AVDC’s total of 33,000 new homes are required because of “unsatisfied need” in other Districts: in other words AVDC’s target, which would otherwise be just 21,000 new houses, is being increased by more than 50% because other nearby District Councils (such as High Wycombe) are building fewer new homes than they should be.

Equally, the VALP makes it clear that any housing target it lays down for any particular village is on the assumption that sufficient land is available – and it expressly recognises that, in some cases, it won’t be. The Parish Council’s view is that our Neighbourhood Plan clearly demonstrates how, save for the land intended to take our 170 new homes, no other suitable sites exist; and this is something we will be conveying to AVDC when commenting on the current draft of the VALP.

Next steps

It is also important to remember that the VALP, and the requirements it lays down about housing numbers, are still in draft and subject to both consultation and further refinement. AVDC have already indicated that they will be robustly seeking to minimise the additional housing required across the Vale (and, in turn, in individual villages such as ours) as a consequence of other Districts failing to take their fair share.  In its response the Parish Council will also be seeking to ensure, as best it can, that the interests of our village are protected to the maximum possible extent.  The many positive aspects of the VALP for Pitstone and its environs should, of course, also not be forgotten as work progresses on turning it into a robust, sustainable Plan for the Vale as a whole.

13 July is the last youth café for this academic year.

We are delighted that the Ivinghoe & Pitstone United Cricket Club will be in attendance coaching in cricket skills.

We are also pleased to say that there will be a BBQ again this year.  Please ensure that you/your child brings extra cash to pay for any food that they would like.

Have a wonderful summer holiday.

Please note that there will be no youth café on Wednesday 20 July as Brookmead are hosting a performance that evening.

The last youth café this term will be on Wednesday 13 July.

We hope that you all enjoy your summer holiday and look forward to seeing you next term.

From 7 July to 5 September, Aylesbury Vale District Council (AVDC) will be consulting on their latest draft of the Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan (VALP) and are inviting comments from local residents and other interested parties on any aspect of the draft.

Scroll down to read more about:

• what the VALP is, and why it is important for all of us;
• the consultation exercise that AVDC is carrying out; and
• Pitstone Parish Council’s views on the latest draft of the VALP.

What is the VALP and why is it important?

The VALP is the district-level Local Plan which sets out AVDC’s vision for delivering growth in the District up to 2033. Most importantly it is the document which, in conjunction with Neighbourhood Plans such as ours, will be used to determine planning applications (and all other planning-related matters) throughout the Vale.  The VALP replaces the ill-fated Vale of Aylesbury Plan (VAP) which was withdrawn by AVDC in February 2014 and will, once adopted, formally replaced the rather elderly Aylesbury Vale District Local Plan (AVDLP) which dates back to 2004 and only certain parts of which still apply.

AVDC’s consultation exercise

The consultation exercise runs from 7 July to 5 September and we would encourage all residents to take part in it.

To inform the process, AVDC are running a number of consultation drop-in sessions throughout the summer.

Whether or not you are able to visit one of these sessions, you can find out more about the draft VALP – in particular the background to it, and its policies on housing, transport, and environment – on the AVDC website: http://www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/vale-aylesbury-local-plan-draft-plan.

AVDC’s website also explains how you can respond to the consultation exercise and comment on the latest draft of the VALP. This is your opportunity to influence any part of the Plan that is important to you, before it goes in front of the Government’s Planning Inspectorate during Spring 2017.  The Parish Council will naturally, in due course, also be responding to the consultation.

Pitstone Parish Council’s views

(NB.  The synopsis which follows is based on a version of the draft VALP that had still to be presented to various AVDC scrutiny committees for approval during late June.  It is possible that the VALP ultimately published for consultation may differ from the version which existed at the time of writing.  This article will be updated to the extent necessary when AVDC confirm the final draft.) 

The VALP is positive for Pitstone

The Parish Council’s initial view is that the latest draft of the VALP is a positive one for Pitstone. This is particularly so given the high level of support within the village for our own Neighbourhood Plan that 97% of you voted in favour of adopting back in March.  The policies of the emerging VALP remain closely aligned with those of our own Plan, which reflects well on both the VALP and the neighbourhood planning process that we recently went through.

In various ways the VALP expressly seeks to achieve the same objectives that you voted in favour of – objectives such as protecting the “areas of special landscape value” south of the immediate centre of our village, and ensuring that sites designated for employment purposes (such as the ‘data hub’ site on Westfield Road) are not given over to additional housing. In addition the VALP strongly resists development in open countryside that is not adjacent to an existing settlement; and it is based on a detailed “land availability assessment” which reaches the same conclusions as our Neighbourhood Plan steering group during 2015, namely that the various greenfield sites which adjoin our village are also unsuitable for housing.

In other respects the VALP supports the policies and objectives of our Neighbourhood Plan in an indirect manner, by leaving numerous detailed “non-strategic” local matters that are consistent with the VALP’s objectives to the neighbourhood plan itself. This means that our NP will continue to be the primary point of reference in respect of matters such as:

• the settlement boundary of our village;
• its community facilities;
• the ‘design principles’ to be applied to any new housing that is built in the village; and
• protecting designated “local green spaces” such as the land opposite The Crescent;

What about housing numbers?

The one area where the VALP has caused some confusion is the amount of new housing envisaged for villages such as Pitstone. The VALP as a whole contains lots of housing numbers that are connected with the esoteric objective of achieving a “five-year housing land supply” across the Vale – a complex mathematical process based primarily on statistical assumptions.  The important number for any village to focus on is its “residual housing number” (the amount it is actually expected to provide) which, for Pitstone, is 166 new homes.

The Parish Council recognises that, as this target does not include the Rushendon Furlong expansion (c.40 houses) for which outline planning permission has already been granted, it could result in Pitstone having a slightly higher new homes target than the 170 that were envisaged in the Neighbourhood Plan. This increase can be attributed to two things.

• Housing targets in the VALP are no longer expressed as a fixed number (the previous draft, dated October 2015, specified 100 new homes for every “larger village” such as Pitstone) but, instead, on the basis of a percentage uplift to current housing numbers in any particular village.
• 12,000 of AVDC’s total of 33,000 new homes are required because of “unsatisfied need” in other Districts: in other words AVDC’s target, which would otherwise be just 21,000 new houses, is being increased by more than 50% because other nearby District Councils (such as High Wycombe) are building fewer new homes than they should be.

Equally, the VALP makes it clear that any housing target it lays down for any particular village is on the assumption that sufficient land is available – and it expressly recognises that, in some cases, it won’t be. The Parish Council’s view is that our Neighbourhood Plan clearly demonstrates how, save for the land intended to take our 170 new homes, no other suitable sites exist; and this is something we will be conveying to AVDC when commenting on the current draft of the VALP.

Next steps

It is also important to remember that the VALP, and the requirements it lays down about housing numbers, are still in draft and subject to both consultation and further refinement. AVDC have already indicated that they will be robustly seeking to minimise the additional housing required across the Vale (and, in turn, in individual villages such as ours) as a consequence of other Districts failing to take their fair share.  In its response the Parish Council will also be seeking to ensure, as best it can, that the interests of our village are protected to the maximum possible extent.  The many positive aspects of the VALP for Pitstone and its environs should, of course, also not be forgotten as work progresses on turning it into a robust, sustainable Plan for the Vale as a whole.

The parish council is currently working on a dedicated planning application section for the web site.   In the meantime, following your feedback, we will post details of applications in this news section so that you can find them more easily.

Applications for consideration at the 21 July 2016 Planning Committee meeting (7.30pm in the Millennium Room):

11 The Pightle, 16/02340/APP, change of use of adjoining land into residential garden to form part of curtilage of existing dwelling

The plans may be viewed online by going to http://eplanning.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk and searching using the planning reference number.

Any comments, representations or objections you may have should be submitted directly to AVDC as the planning authority, by the date shown on the yellow site notice, quoting the planning reference number.  This can be done on-line or you can post comments to:

The Head of Development Control, Aylesbury Vale District Council, The Gateway,
Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP19 8FF

If you wish the parish council to take your comments into consideration when making our recommendation, please also supply the details to us before noon on the day of the meeting to allow sufficient time for the information to be circulated to all councillors.

Laurie Eagling, Clerk to Pitstone Parish Council

Pitstone parish council sets aside a small budget each year to help local groups with expenses for equipment or events.  It is able to offer grants to community and voluntary bodies provided they meet our criteria. 

Criteria:

•  All applicants must provide services that benefit the residents of Pitstone.
• The council reserve the right to prioritise applications that meet identified needs or other areas of focus that may be determined.
• It must be within the legal power of the parish council to supply a grant for the requested purpose.

The next quarterly grant review will take place at the July 2016 full council meeting.   Any applications need to be received by noon on 18 July 2016 so that they can be included on the next agenda.   The subsequent grant panel will be in October.

If you think your Pitstone based club or group may wish to apply, please ensure you read our attached “Grant Policy” for full application details.

Thank you to all the residents that submitted feedback to the highways proposals consultation.

We are delighted to confirm that the Bucks County Council Local Area Forum has agreed to provide £2,460 during the current financial year towards undertaking a Road Safety Audit to assess all the locations identified in the Ben Hamilton-Baillie report.   Pitstone Parish Council will be supplying an equivalent amount of match funding so that the report can be commissioned.  The same will be happening in Ivinghoe.   Once the report is available, we will share this with the community.

Once the Road Safety Audit has been undertaken, and further discussions have taken place between all the parties, Area Scheme Delivery will be able to prepare a budget estimate for the completion of a feasibility design using both our Ben Hamilton-Baillie report and the Feasibility Stage Safety Audit.

The orchids have started to come into flower, so please do come up to Westfield Road by the Warwick Road turning to see them.

http://www.spotapumpingstation.co.uk/

Anglian Water would like to hear from you if you know of a private pumping station

This week is National Volunteers Week and we would like to take this extra opportunity to thank all our youth cafe volunteers for the wonderful work they do, and the commitment and support they show to the youth of Pitstone.

We couldn’t run the cafe without them, and we are most grateful that they are part of our team.

THANK YOU!

If you would like to find out more about volunteering at the youth café (6.30-8.00pm on Wednesday’s during term time) please contact the clerk on parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk

We have young people aged 11 to 16 years at our youth café that would love to learn more football skills, cricket skills especially bowling, play rounders and join in with crafts.

Our young people are also asking for beauty, make-up, nail polish and hair styling tips.

If you have skills in any of these areas and could spare some time to volunteer between 6.30 and 8pm on Wednesdays during term time at our youth café, we would love to hear from you.

You could come for just a few weeks in a row to give our young people short workshops, or join our group of permanent volunteers.

Please contact the parish clerk on parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk or 01296 660791 for more details.

Thank you.

The Parish Council was delighted that a number of the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group members were able to attend the Pitstone Annual Assembly and receive a small token of thanks from the Council on behalf of the community for the numerous hours of time they all devoted to researching and implementing the Pitstone Neighbourhood Plan.

A huge thank you to all the members of the team, including those that couldn’t attend the event, and also to all the residents who interacted with our Neighbourhood Plan events, consultations and referendum.

You can view the Neighbourhood Plan anytime at the library or on the website: http://pitstone.co.uk/ppcpubs/pitstone-neighbourhood-plan/

Now the summer weather has arrived and more people are out enjoying the sunshine, remember to keep an eye on your bicycle.  Leaving it in your garden whilst you pop indoors, or leaving your garage door open whilst you go round to the back, may be the only opportunity the thief needs.

http://www.bikebiz.com/news/read/bikes-top-mobile-phones-in-top-insurance-claims-list/019562

Did you know that if you are disturbed by aircraft noise over your property you can complain to Luton airport on the following email address:

noise@ltn.aero

So if you find aircraft noise an issue at night, or during the day, ping them an email each time you are disturbed and it will keep up pressure on the airport to monitor and adjust their flight practices.

The parish council is currently working on a dedicated planning application section for the web site.   In the meantime, following your feedback, we will post details of applications in this news section so that you can find them more easily.

Applications for consideration at the 26 May 2016 Planning Committee meeting:

2 Railway Cottage, Marsworth Road, Pitstone, 16/01594/APP, two storey and single storey rear extension

Victor House, Westfield Road, 16/01704/APP & 16/01705/ALB, conversion of building from office (B1) use to provide 8 flats including internal and external alteration

Plus minor amended plans for land behind Rushendon Furlong/Glebe Close.

The plans may be viewed online by going to http://eplanning.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk and searching using the planning reference number.

Any comments, representations or objections you may have should be submitted directly to AVDC as the planning authority, by the date shown on the yellow site notice, quoting the planning reference number.  This can be done on-line or you can post comments to:

The Head of Development Control, Aylesbury Vale District Council, The Gateway,
Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP19 8FF

If you wish the parish council to take your comments into consideration when making our recommendation, please also supply the details to us before noon on 26 May 2016 to allow sufficient time for the information to be circulated to all councillors.

Laurie Eagling, Clerk to Pitstone Parish Council

Traffic problems are at the forefront of everyone’s minds these days in both Ivinghoe and Pitstone.  Ben Hamilton-Baillie is an architect who ha worked for a number of years in the fields of housing, transport and planning.  His particular expertise is in implementing innovative solutions that “reconcile the need for efficient traffic movement with quality public open spaces”, particularly in rural communities such as ours.

Thank you to everyone who attended the public meeting on 10 May 2016 at Pitstone Memorial Hall.  We hope that you found Ben Hamilton-Baillie’s presentation both inspiring and motivational.

Please find below copies of the two reports produced for Pitstone and Ivinghoe.  Hard copies of the reports are also available to view in the following locations:

Beacon Villages Community Library
CuriosiTEA/the Hub
Brookmead School reception area
Little Rothschild surgery
The Village Health Centre, Yardley Avenue

The parish councils welcome your feedback and comments on these proposals.  Please email your thoughts to parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk or write to 9 Warwick Road, Pitstone, LU7 9FE.

Closing date 10 June 2016.

The Parish Council has once again entered into the Best Kept Village competition.  This is awarded to villages that are free of litter, display evidence of community involvement and have well maintained public buildings and areas.  It is not related to Britain in Bloom.   In the past the parish has received several commendation/runner up awards but not won the overall competition.

Judging will take place between 6 June and 8 July, and the whole community can play their part.   Please help to keep our village tidy.

Laurie Eagling, Clerk to Pitstone Parish Council

Can you create amazing hairstyles? Are you a whizz at beautiful nail art? Can you provide make-up tips? Would you be willing to demonstrate your skills to our young people and teach them how to do it for themselves?

We have young people (11-16yrs) interested in these activities and would love you to volunteer at our youth cafe from 6.30-8.00pm on Wednesdays during term time.

Please get in touch you would like more information.

Thank you.

We are delighted to say that the Pitstone Neighbourhood Plan has now been officially ‘made’ by Aylesbury Vale District Council and will be used to help determine any future planning applications.

AVDC placed the following announcement on their web site (includes a link to their web site):

Pitstone’s neighbourhood plan is now in place

Can you play basketball? Volunteers needed to help 11-16 year olds enjoy basketball and other outdoor sports at our youth cafe 6.30-8.00pm on Wednesdays during term time. Please email parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk if you can help.

The parish council is currently working on a dedicated planning application section for the web site.   In the meantime, following your feedback, we will post details of applications in this news section so that you can find them more easily.

Applications for consideration at the 28 April 2016 Planning Committee meeting:

Land to the rear of Glebe Close and Rushendon Furlong, 16/01130/ADP, approval of reserved matters pursuant to outline permission 13/03491/AOP relating to appearance, landscaping, layout and scale for the erection of 40 residential dwellings together with new access, associated parking and informal open space and attenuation pond.

The plans may be viewed online by going to http://eplanning.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk and searching using the planning reference number.

Any comments, representations or objections you may have should be submitted directly to AVDC as the planning authority, by the date shown on the yellow site notice, quoting the planning reference number.  This can be done on-line or you can post comments to:

The Head of Development Control, Aylesbury Vale District Council, The Gateway,
Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP19 8FF

If you wish the parish council to take your comments into consideration when making our recommendation, please also supply the details to us before noon on 27 April 2016 to allow sufficient time for the information to be circulated to all councillors.

Laurie Eagling, Clerk to Pitstone Parish Council

Pitstone parish council sets aside a small budget each year to help local groups with expenses for equipment or events.  It is able to offer grants to community and voluntary bodies provided they meet our criteria. 

Criteria:

•  All applicants must provide services that benefit the residents of Pitstone.
• The council reserve the right to prioritise applications that meet identified needs or other areas of focus that may be determined.
• It must be within the legal power of the parish council to supply a grant for the requested purpose.

The next quarterly grant review will take place at the 28 April 2016 full council meeting.   Any applications need to be received by noon on 18 April 2016 so that they can be included on the next agenda.   The subsequent grant panel will be in July.

If you think your Pitstone based club or group may wish to apply, please ensure you read our attached “Grant Policy” for full application details.

The parish council is currently working on a dedicated planning application section for the web site.   In the meantime, following your feedback, we will post details of applications in this news section so that you can find them more easily.

Applications for consideration at the 11 April 2016 Planning Committee meeting:

Land to the rear of Pitstone Orchards, Marsworth Road: 16/00904/AOP: outline application with access to be considered and all other matters reserved for the erection of a farmhouse

The meeting will also be discussing pre-application information supplied by Croudace Homes re Rushendon Furlong 13/03491/AOP (sent by Croudace to all homes in Rushendon Furlong & Glebe Close, but is not available on the AVDC web site, therefore please contact the clerk if you wish a copy)

17 Church Road, 16/01045/APP, single storey rear extension.  Demolition of front outhouse and reconstruction of single storey front extension and canopy.    Plus 16/01046/APP, erection of outbuilding to frontage.

The plans may be viewed online by going to http://eplanning.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk and searching using the planning reference number.

Any comments, representations or objections you may have should be submitted directly to AVDC as the planning authority, by the date shown on the yellow site notice, quoting the planning reference number.  This can be done on-line or you can post comments to:

The Head of Development Control, Aylesbury Vale District Council, The Gateway,
Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP19 8FF

If you wish the parish council to take your comments into consideration when making our recommendation, please also supply the details to us before noon on the date of the meeting.

Laurie Eagling, Clerk to Pitstone Parish Council

Friday 18 March

97% of those voting in yesterday's village referendum did so in 
favour of AVDC adopting the Pitstone Neighbourhood Plan.

This is a terrific result from a high turnout of voters and the 
Parish Council, the NDP Steering Group and the "Vote Yes" campaign 
would like to thank everybody involved, for supporting the Pitstone 
Neighbourhood Plan and everything it stands for in such a resounding manner.

More to follow, in the next edition of PPP and at the forthcoming 
Annual Parish Assembly on 17 May 2016; but in the meantime, our 
thanks once again.

Delighted to say that 97% of those that voted today, voted in favour of Aylesbury Vale District Council using the Pitstone Neighbourhood Plan to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area.

Please find attached the official Declaration of Result of Neighbourhood Plan Referendum.

The parish council would like to thank everybody that took the time to vote today.  We’d also like to thank all the members of the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group, who have contributed hundreds of hours of voluntary time over the last 18 months to research and prepare this plan on behalf of our community, and thank those in the Yes campaign group. A thank you as well to the staff who manned the polling station, working from 6am to 11.30pm today.

Laurie Eagling, Clerk to Pitstone Parish Council

The Pitstone Neighbourhood Development Plan Referendum is taking place today.

Please remember to go to the Memorial Hall at Pitstone Memorial Hall between 7am and 10pm today to vote.

We are delighted to say that Royal Mail has now installed the new post box on Windsor Road by the children’s play area and it was made operational today.

Collection times : 4.45pm Monday to Friday and 9am Saturday.

Our thanks to Gary Plummer at Royal Mail for his assistance with this project over the last 24 months.

Laurie Eagling, Clerk to Pitstone Parish Council

Volunteers urgently needed to help at Pitstone Youth Café, 6.30-8pm Wednesday’s during term time at Brookmead school.

If you can spare just 90 minutes once a week, or once a fortnight, to play card/board games, serve refreshments, chat to our young people and/or join in with activities, sports or crafts we would be delighted to hear from you.

Aged 18yrs+.  No qualifications necessary.

Please see the attached poster for more details.

Volunteers Urgently Needed Poster March 2016

Please find attached the above notice of poll published by AVDC with reference to the referendum on the adoption of the Pitstone Neighbourhood Plan on Thursday 17 March 2016.

You will recall that the parish council sought planning permission to replace the playground equipment at the Recreation Ground by the Memorial Hall.  The installation of the equipment was delayed due to a land issue and the original planning permission expires in June.

The parish council is keen to ensure the planning permission remains valid, so that we are ready to move quickly once able.  AVDC no longer permit applications simply to extend the permission.  Therefore, we have re-applied for permission for the same playground and the application is currently live on the AVDC Planning Portal under planning reference 16/00682/APP.

As a recap, this is the playground that won the tendering process, following engagement with all ages of local children:

NEW PLAY SPACE IS REVEALED

AVDC are accepting comments until 31/3/16 via: https://publicaccess.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/online-applications//search.do?action=simple&searchType=Application

B489 High Street, Ivinghoe, Buckinghamshire
03 March — 07 March
Delays possible Some carriageway incursion
Works location: 47 & 49
Works description: –
Responsibility for works: Anglian Water
Current status: Advanced planning

The Independent Examiner has completed his report and final amendments have now been made in line with his recommendation. These have been accepted by Aylesbury Vale District Council and we are delighted to announce that all eligible residents of Pitstone will have an opportunity to vote in a referendum on the Plan on;

Thursday 17^th March 2016

Voting cards will be issued soon and the vote will take place in the Memorial Hall between the hours of 7am to 10pm.

Can we please ask that you read the Plan carefully and considerately and that all people where possible come out to vote.

Please go to this link to read the Plan : Pitstone Neighbourhood Development Plan

Sports and Leisure

The Parish Council was delighted that the Pitstone & Ivinghoe Bonfire Festival moved to the sports ground on Westfield Road this year and that a record number of people attended, despite the torrential rain earlier in the day.  Our thanks to the Pitstone & Ivinghoe Entertainments committee for all their hard work (and soaking) during the day to set the event up.

It was disappointing to see the back panel of the youth shelter, the sleeve of one litter bin, a dog bin and a toddler swing vandalized during the period.  The back has been removed from the shelter and it won’t be replaced in the short term, a replacement toddler swing has been installed by the Memorial Hall, a replacement dog bin has been installed by the allotments and repair works carried out to the bin.

A replacement rolling log for the Hever Close playground (the old one had developed wood rot) has now been installed, and we are sure that you will all have seen the splendid new bench at the end of Glebe Close replacing the one that had reached the end of its life.  During January some necessary tree works have been taking place on the recreation ground following the annual tree risk assessment report and ahead of the planned leisure development.

The aspiration remains to install a new play space, skate park and open-access multi-use ball court on the recreation ground by the Memorial Hall.  For legal reasons, all are dependent upon planning permission being granted for the Pitstone Development Area site adjacent.  We hope to have good news within the next few months.

Work has begun to scope improvements to the football ground on Marsworth Road, with an eventual aim of extending the number of sports that can be played at the site, as well as improving the facilities for football.   We will update you with more news soon.  It is disappointing to see so many young people continue to break into the grounds and use the goal areas for casual football which ruins the pitch and generates thousands of pounds of repair work.  The pitch is carefully constructed to league standards and this means it is highly sand based to improve drainage, the downside being that the grass roots are delicate and can’t stand up to hours of continual use.  If you have a teenager that you know jumps the fence to practice there, please speak to them.  Apart from the obvious health & safety concerns of climbing the fence, and issues about non-visibility and lack of access for emergency services if they are hurt whilst trespassing, their actions are costing every household in Pitstone additional council tax for the council to keep repairing damaged pitch, goals, fencing, gates and guttering.  Young people should utilize the recreation ground for casual footie practice as this is public open space and easily accessible.

Improving our paths, highways and sense of place

The Parish Council commissioned a report by Ben Hamilton Baillie Associates to assess the local highways, and predominantly focus on the Marsworth Road issues.  We are working closely on this project with Ivinghoe Parish Council with the aspiration of improving pedestrian and cycle access around and between the villages, reducing traffic speeds, reducing HGV traffic and improving parking problems.  Any recommendations arising would form part of a long term project, spread over a number of years.   We hope to be able to start the dialogue process with all our residents with an initial presentation and consultation at some point in the spring so look out for some further details.

Herts County Council continue to pursue a foot/cycle path along Northfield Road to Tring station.  This is likely to cost in excess of £600k and funding is currently being sought concurrently with investigations to overcome a number of other outstanding issues.

Transport for Bucks have carried out a feasibility study into a footpath between Pitstone and Marsworth and the two parish councils hope to be informed of the results during  February.  We will keep you posted.

Castlemead

Royal Mail continue to progress the installation of a letter box on Windsor Road despite several delays.  Bucks County Council continue to work with Taylor Wimpey to bring the estate up to adoptable standard prior to handover – Taylor Wimpey were supplied with a list of remedial works some months ago.

Other service providers

We were grateful to Transport for Bucks for resolving the flooding problem under the Cheddington Road bridge and carrying out numerous re-surfacing works along Marsworth Road, Vicarage Road and the Westfield Road roundabout.   Our thanks also to Bucks County Council for finally replacing all the faulty lighting on the Marsworth Road roundabout.

We hope you took the time to respond to the Aylesbury Vale District Council consultation on their emerging Vale of Aylesbury Plan and the protection of the Areas of Attractive Landscape.

Our thanks to Vale of Aylesbury Housing Trust for replacing the knocked down bollards in Yardley Avenue and repairing the pot holes towards the Yardley Avenue garage block.

Please find attached a notice issued by Aylesbury Vale District Council, along with details of how to apply to register to vote or to vote by post or proxy.

Please note that the railway bridge by Cheddington train station is due to be closed from mid February for a period of 9 weeks.   This will affect all road traffic.

Pitstone Parish Council is delighted to be supporting the 2016 Party in the Park by providing the stage hire for the event (£1,400).

This annual event is organised by a team of local volunteers.   It is held on the recreation ground by Pitstone Memorial Hall and provides a popular afternoon with free music concert plus bar, refreshments, stands and plenty of activities to keep the children entertained.  Activities will take place inside the hall if the weather is inclement.

Party in the Park also hosts the Find a Cure for Frankie event, raising funds and awareness of Retts Syndrome.

The event was first organised by the Parish Council to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee, and has since been continued by a local committee.  Previous events have been attended by thousands of local families who have enjoyed the sunshine and music.

This years event will take place on Saturday 16 July 2016, so pencil the date onto your calendars.

For more information about Party In The Park 2016 please email: pitp2016@gmail.com.

The Parish Council is once again offering local community groups and local charities the opportunity to have a free stand at the annual assembly so that they can promote their groups, encourage membership, recruit much needed volunteers etc.

The council will provide the table, publicise the groups attending and meet the hall hire costs etc.  Groups will just need to provide their own publicity materials, people to man their stands etc.

The Assembly will take place in the main hall at Pitstone Memorial Hall on 17 May 2016.

If your local group is interested in attending, please contact the parish clerk on 01296 660791 or parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk.

You will recall that many volunteers worked very hard the other year to plant several hundred daffodil bulbs along the grass verge up Marsworth Road, and we were all treated to the most wonderful displays each spring time.

The bulbs are starting to shoot again as it has been a mild winter.  So please make sure that you don’t park on, or drive over, the grass verge as this will damage the new shoots and our wonderful daffodils wont be able to grow.

You will  see reminder signs erected at the back of the verge, which will hopefully encourage visitors to our village to also behalf responsibly.   It is intended that the signs will be on display every year from January until the daffodils are in flower.

Thank you.

The Parish Council and Pitstone Allotment Association are delighted to announce that once again there will be no price increase for allotment plot rental for the 2016/17 season.

Therefore, annual subscription to PAA will remain at £6.50 per quarter plot, annual rental to the Parish Council remains at £8.50 per quarter plot, bringing the total charge to £15 per quarter plot per annum.

Residents are permitted to rent up to 4 quarter plots, subject to availability.   The next allotment year commences at the end of March.

If you are interested in finding out more about our allotments or adding your name to the list for a plot, please visit: http://pitstoneallotmentassociation.org.uk/ or email secretary@pitstoneallotmentassociation.org.uk.

Thank you.

Do you know the Snow Code?

The Department for Transport publishes guidance about clearing snow and ice outside your property, pathways to your property, or public spaces. The guidance says there is no law stopping you from doing this. Despite the myths, it’s highly unlikely you would be held legally responsible for any incidents on pathways you have cleared, especially if you:

●●Are careful

●●Use common sense to make sure that you don’t make the pavement or pathway clearly more dangerous than before. People using areas affected by snow and ice also have responsibility to be careful themselves.

If you are going to remove snow and ice, here are some tips:

●●Start as early as possible – it’s much easier to clear fresh, loose snow compared to compacted ice that has been compressed by people walking on it

●●Don’t use hot water – while this will melt the snow, it may replace it with black ice, increasing the risk of injury

●●Be a good neighbour – some people may be unable to clear snow and ice on paths from their property

●●If shovelling snow, think where you are going to put it so that it doesn’t block people’s paths or drainage channels

●●Make a pathway down the middle of the area to be cleared first, so you have a clear surface to walk on

●●Spreading some salt on the area you have cleared will help stop ice forming – table salt or dishwasher salt will work, but avoid spreading on plants or grass as they may be damaged by it

●●Pay particular care and attention to steps and steep gradients

●●Use the sun to your advantage – removing the top layer of snow will allow the sun to melt any ice beneath; however you will need to cover any ice with salt to stop it refreezing overnight

●●If there’s no salt available, sand or ash are good alternatives

The parish council is currently working on a dedicated planning application section for the web site.   In the meantime, following your feedback, we will post details of applications in this news section so that you can find them more easily.

Applications for consideration at the 18 February 2016 Planning Committee meeting:

3 The Pightle, change of use of internal garage to habitable room, 16/00185/APP

7 Morton Close, conversion of the existing garage into a living room, 16/00248/APP

The plans may be viewed online by going to http://eplanning.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk and searching using the planning reference number.

Any comments, representations or objections you may have should be submitted directly to AVDC as the planning authority, by the date shown on the yellow site notice, quoting the planning reference number.  This can be done on-line or you can post comments to:

The Head of Development Control, Aylesbury Vale District Council, The Gateway,
Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP19 8FF

If you wish the parish council to take your comments into consideration when making our recommendation, please also supply the details to us before noon on the date of the meeting.

Laurie Eagling, Clerk to Pitstone Parish Council