Archives: PPC News

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.

B489/B488 Church Road, Ivinghoe, Buckinghamshire 08 February — 08 February Delays likely Traffic control (two-way signals) Works location: Outside No 5 Works description: – Responsibility for works: Buckinghamshire County Council Current status: Advanced planning

B489 High Street, Ivinghoe, Buckinghamshire 09 February — 12 February Delays possible Some carriageway incursion Works location: Outside 36a Works description: – Responsibility for works: SGN Current status: Advanced planning

B489 Marsworth Road, Pitstone, Buckinghamshire 08 February — 10 February Delays unlikely Traffic control (give & take) Works location: Btwn Queen Street And Albion Street Works description: – Responsibility for works: Buckinghamshire County Council Current status: Advanced planning

Hollyfield, Tring, Hertfordshire 09 February — 11 February Delays unlikely Some carriageway incursion Works location: Side Of 46 In Footway Works description: Remedial Work To Replace Path Edgings Responsibility for works: SGN Current status: Advanced planning

The Crescent, Pitstone, Buckinghamshire 09 February — 11 February Delays unlikely Traffic control (give & take) Works location: O/S 3 And O/P 6 Works description: – Responsibility for works: Buckinghamshire County Council urrent status: Advanced planning

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

 

THE BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

(VICARAGE ROAD, PITSTONE)

         (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF THROUGH TRAFFIC) ORDER, 2016

 

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has made an Order, which will temporarily prohibit any vehicle from proceeding, except for access, in that length of Vicarage Road, Pitstone, located outside ”The Coach House”.

 

The alternative route for vehicles affected by the closure will be via Upper Icknield Way, Tring Road, Church Road, High Street, Marsworth Road and Vicarage Road.

 

The closure is required whilst new water connection works take place and it is anticipated that the works will commence on 23 February 2016 and will take approximately 3 days to complete.

 

The Order will come into operation on 23 February 2016 when the appropriate signs are lawfully displayed and will continue for a period not exceeding eighteen months or until the said works have been completed whichever is the earlier.

 

Penalties for not observing these restrictions will be as prescribed by the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and the Road Traffic Act 1991.

 

Dated 10 February 2016.

The parish council has notified the Tring school bus service and will pass on any information we receive in return.

We are delighted to note that there are a number of fledgling bee orchid plants growing on the grass banks by Short Hale and Dover Close.

At the moment, you’ll just be able to make out the leaves close down by the grass, so please watch where you are treading.  The flowers should appear in June, but may be as early as May.   Bee Orchids don’t flower each year, but we may be lucky and get a good display.

The Wildlife Trust website says “The Bee Orchid gets its name from its main pollinator – the bee – which is thought to have driven the evolution of the flowers. To attract the pollinating bees, the plant has evolved bee-like flowers; drawing them in with the promise of love, the bees are naturally attracted to the flowers and fly in to attempt a mating. As they land on the velvet-textured lip of the flower, the pollen is transferred and the poor bee is left frustrated. Sadly, the right species of bee doesn’t occur in the UK, so Bee Orchids are self-pollinated here. Look out for their diminutive flower spikes on dry, chalk and limestone grasslands from June to July.

How to identify

A small orchid, the Bee Orchid has a rosette of leaves at ground level and two leaves that grow up the stem as a sheath. The stem displays a number of relatively large flowers with pink sepals that look like wings and furry, brown lips that have yellow markings just like a bee.”

We are blessed to be able to find such beautiful orchids growing in the wild on our banks and verges.  Please do visit them over the coming months and watch their glory unfold, but leave them in situ rather than pick them or dig them up.    If you see some areas of uncut grass, you will know we are trying to preserve these lovely plants.

 

The Parish Council was delighted to award a grant of £1,500 to the Friends of St Mary’s Church to assist towards the installation of a water supply at our beautiful historic church.

At present, water for refreshments, the flower festival etc, has to transported to the site in water bowsers and wheeled by hand up Church Road.

The provision of water on site will greatly aid the running of the Festival of Art, Craft and Flowers which is a vital fundraising tool, and will enable a greater range of activities during the spring and summer months, to both raise money and widen the appeal of the church for the benefit of local residents and increasing tourism.

We wish the committee every success with their project.

If you would be interested in joining the committee and helping to preserve our 700 year old church, they would be delighted to hear from you.

If you are a community group and would like to apply for a grant from the parish council, please consult our Grant Awarding Policy in the first instance and get in touch with the parish clerk.

http://pitstone.co.uk/ppcinformation/expenditure/grant-information/

 

Brookmead has issued a note to parents today to say that they have been made aware of two recent incidents locally, whereby attempts have been made to beckon young children towards a vehicle. In connection with this matter, the school is in contact with the Police who are closely monitoring the situation. They have been advised that there will be a TV alert later today.

Please make sure that you speak to your children about stranger danger and encourage them to remain vigilant, travelling to and from youth cafe etc in groups.

If anyone has any advertising or articles that they wish to appear in the next edition of Pitstone Parish Post, please ensure that they are received by the Editor, Sue Nicholls, by 20 January 2016.

Email address: pppeditor@pitstone.co.uk

Thank you.

The Parish Council would like to wish all its residents seasons greetings.  We hope that you have a peaceful yuletide and that 2016 proves to bring happiness and good health to all.

The council offices will be closed until after the Bank Holiday.  If the matter is urgent, please leave a message on the answerphone at 01296 660791.

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 the7 January 2016 Planning Committee meeting:

Land off Cheddington Road, 15/04303/APP, erection of one new dwelling and garage and formation of new access

3 Old Farm, 15/04239/APP, demolition of existing conservatory and erection of two storey rear extension and single storey front extension

also for discussion, a revised layout for the Vicarage Road development

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

 

We would like to wish all the young people that attend our youth café, along with all our volunteers and café staff, an amazing Christmas break followed by a 2016 full of love, laughter and happiness.

Please note that there is no youth café now until 13 January 2016, 6.30-8.00pm at Brookmead (no café on 6 January).

Laurie Eagling, Clerk to Pitstone Parish Council

Just a reminder that Rennie Grove Hospice Care will be bringing Santa’s sleigh around Pitstone tonight and tomorrow night (16th and 17th). Please listen out for him and give generously to make the event a success. Our thanks to all the residents that volunteered to help and ensured this event could take place.

As you will have been aware, Gladman went to appeal over AVDCs refusal of their planning application for the site off Station Road in Ivinghoe and across the stream to the rear of Rushendon Furlong in Pitstone.

The appeal was held during October and the Planning Inspectorate have now released their report, dismissing the appeal and refusing planning permission.

Excellent news for our communities.  The inspectors report can be found on the link below:

http://ivinghoepc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/APPEAL-DECISION.pdf

Vision for county’s transport future

 

A vision for the future of transport in Buckinghamshire goes live today (Monday December 7). And residents and businesses are being asked to say what they think about it. It’s published by the County Council, and comes in the form of a new draft Buckinghamshire Local Transport Plan – a blueprint for travel covering all types of transport, looking ahead to 2036.

An extended public consultation starts today, through the County Council’s online ‘Have Your Say’ web page, and runs until January 29 Launching the consultation, Mark Shaw, Cabinet Member for Transport, said good transport systems were essential to grow Buckinghamshire’s economy, serve its residents and businesses well, and make the county a great place to live and work.

‘Planning for the future of transport in the county is critically important, and we don’t get a second chance at it,’ said Mark. ‘I want to make sure we really understand the people of Buckinghamshire. With their feedback I believe we’ll be able make this a practical working plan for change, that will benefit everyone in the county.’ He said that as well as supporting good roads, public transport, cycleways and footpaths, the draft Local Transport Plan aimed to:

• Encourage links to local, national and international destinations that promote a flourishing economy.

• Empower communities to support their own local transport solutions.

• Enable and promote travel choices that improve people’s health.

‘The draft Plan is very clear about maintaining and enhancing our county’s special environment, and helping residents and businesses thrive and develop to become one of the strongest and most productive economies in the country,’ said Mark. The draft Plan also supports a number of vital transport improvements; for example East-West Rail, which Mark said would stimulate an estimated £72 million boost to the local economy. It would open up a public transport cul-de-sac for the county and bring connections to the north, west and east of the country within convenient reach of the whole of the county.

Achieving the Plan’s aims will require strong partnerships with central government, the district councils, communities and businesses, said Mark, along with innovative approaches to make the best use of taxpayers’ money in a climate of austerity.

A link to the ‘Have Your Say’ survey can be found at https://democracy.buckscc.gov.uk/mgConsultationDisplay.aspx?ID=1117 and those with no internet connection can see it at Buckinghamshire libraries.

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 January 2016 full council meeting.   Any applications need to be received by noon on 20 January 2016 so that they can be included on the next agenda.   The subsequent grant panel will be in April.

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.

You may be aware that the Parish Council recently submitted an application to Aylesbury Vale District Council to register the open land in front of The Crescent as an Asset of Community Value.  The informal allotments were registered by AVDC, but the open parkland was declined on grounds that it “is not of community value” and “does not further the social wellbeing or social interests of the local community”.  We find this hard to believe and we need your help to show AVDC how valuable it is.

The Parish Council leased this land from Bucks County Council in 1984 to provide open space, fruiting trees and a tranquil area for the community to pass time.  The parish requested a renewal of the agreement when the lease expired in 2005, but this has been declined to date.  We have also offered to purchase this land for community benefit and this has also been declined to date.  The Parish Council continues to manage this land on behalf of BCC, using its own resources to do so.  Bucks County Council recently expressed an interest in building on this land, which we know our residents are opposed to.  If the land had been accepted onto the register of Assets of Community Value, it would ensure that BCC would have to delay any sale for a period of up to 6 months to allow the Parish Council (or the wider community) the opportunity to put together a bid to purchase the land.  As part of the Pitstone Neighbourhood Plan, we are seeking to designate this land (and the neighbouring allotment plots) as “Local Green Space”.  Such a designation would essentially prevent any building on the land and ensure its continued protection as public open space. As you will know, AVDC are currently consulting on our proposed Neighbourhood Plan.  That consultation closes on 22 December.  It would be immensely helpful if you could write to or email AVDC before then in support of the proposed Local Green Space designations, and tell them why you value this open area and how you use it.  Perhaps you pick the cherries, apples and blackberries? Use it as a space for quiet reflection?  Picnic on the bench?  Meet friends there?  Enjoy the daffodils?  Exercise your dog?

To write to AVDC, send a letter to: Forward Plans, AVDC, The Gateway, Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury HP19 8FF.  Or email planningpolicy@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk.  Make sure you include the words “Pitstone Neighbourhood Plan” in your letter or email.

All information submitted to AVDC is also supplied by them to the independent examiner appointed to “examine” (and, hopefully, approve) our Neighbourhood Plan.   Help us to ensure that AVDC and the examiner are aware of the level of local support for these areas of Local Green Space.   Your comments need to be submitted by 22 December 2015.   Hopefully the evidence will also help the council submit a renewed bid to put the open parkland onto the Asset of Community Value register as well, to provide an additional layer of protection to this valuable open space.

Thank you.

Laurie Eagling, Clerk to Pitstone Parish Council

Please follow the link below to the Bucks County Council website where you can find full details of the changes being implemented on the above bus services due to low passenger uptake.

http://www.transportforbucks.net/Buses-and-trains/Changes-to-buses-162-164-165-and-175.aspx

YOUR VIEW OF THE HILLS IS AT RISK.  PLEASE WRITE TO AVDC (BEFORE 4 DECEMBER) TO RETAIN OUR AREA OF ATTRACTIVE LANDSCAPE.

 

As part of their current Issues and Options planning consultation, Aylesbury Vale District Council would like your views on whether they should retain Areas of Attractive Landscape and Local Landscape Areas and include a policy to enable the assessment of planning applications and appeals, or whether they can remove these categories and rely on assessing applications against the National Planning Policy Framework.

They are inviting comments from residents and interested parties and will use this information to identify and confirm support for areas of local landscape designation, which will help formulate their decision.

Pitstone has one such area of Area of Attractive Landscape, extending from St Marys church across to Pitstone windmill and joining the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the other side of the B488.   Through the Neighbourhood Development Plan process we know that you value this vista, and would like to preserve it from development, so we need you all to write to AVDC (before 4 December) and tell them.

You may like to mention that it is important to preserve our landscape area because:

• The area is rich in heritage significance for our village including:
  • a Grade I listed church and Grade II* listed windmill, which as well as being an important vista locally also form important landmarks when viewing from a distance and the Chilterns AONB.
  • It includes a medieval moated site (a Scheduled Monument thought to mark the site of Pitstone Manor, believed to be in occupation in 1086) and buried archaeological features.
  • Roman and Saxon settlement indications have been found at Church End.

 

• The current Area of Attractive Landscape (AAL) has important geological significance in the parish because:
  • Although a relatively small area compared to other Areas of Attractive Landscape in the district, the Pitstone AAL provides cohesion and unity with the Chilterns AONB from which it is only separated by a road, and acts as an important mechanic to extend and enhance the important natural environment in this location and protect it from ‘urban creep’.
  • It includes an area of ancient woodland and area of calcareous grassland.
  • The openness of this lower escarpment forms an attractive foreground and strong setting for the spectacular views of the AONB slopes both from within the village and when viewed from higher vantage points such as Pitstone Hill.
  • We want to fight to preserve and enhance the natural environment on this side of the parish, concentrating any development in areas less harmful to nature, welfare, biodiversity and tourism.
• There are huge social, physical and psychological benefits for our community and the wider area:
  • The preserved open space provides a valuable network of easily accessible permissible footpaths that are well used by local residents both for pleasure and for accessing the adjoining village of Ivinghoe.
  • These footpaths connect to the Public Rights of Way across the Chilterns AONB and across Pitstone Hill to the Ashridge estate beyond providing important access for residents and bringing walkers to the village.
  • The uninterrupted views across the landscape to the Chiltern hills provide a sense of delight in their surroundings for local residents who enjoy tending their allotments and utilising the footpaths to get fresh air and exercise.
  • The health benefits of access to natural environment are well documented.  This gentle area of foothills immediately adjacent to the settlement provides important easy access for residents.
  • The vista across the open fields to the Chilterns AONB is incredibly important to the local residents and when attracting new families to move to the area.
  • Let’s make the Pitstone Area of Attractive Landscape the one with the most local support !
  • If you are interested in reading the full report, it can be found on the Aylesbury Vale District Council website using the link below:  http://www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/supporting-evidence and then clicking on “Areas of Attractive Landscape and Local Landscape Areas Advice to Aylesbury Vale DC – Final Draft Report (October 2015)”.
  • AVDC is seeking comments on this study by 4 December 2015 – please send to planningpolicy@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk or post to Planning Policy, Forward Plans, Aylesbury Vale District Council, The Gateway, Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury, Bucks HP19 8FF.

Feeling sad today, to see such vandalism to the youth shelter on the village green.

We are arranging to have the rest of the panels removed.  If you hear any young people complaining that their youth shelter is now rather draughty, you know why.  It is a shame that a few spoil things for the majority.

 

 

 

C70 Station Road, Tring, Hertfordshire

25 November — 01 December

Delays likely due to Streetworks

Road closure at C70 Station Road, Tring, Hertfordshire (Station Road)

Diversion route at C70 Station Road, Tring, Hertfordshire (Diversion)

Responsibility: Hertfordshire County Council Status: Planned

Our thanks to Transport for Bucks for clearing the drains in Cheddington Road and fixing the flood by the railway bridge.  The carriageway is now clear again.

 

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 November 2015 Planning Committee meeting at 7pm on 26 November 2015.

Land adjacent to 17 Chequers Lane, Erection of one new bungalow, 15/03769/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

 

The dog bin on the path by the allotments has unfortunately been vandalised and lost its lid and bottom.  Our contractors have been advised and will shortly remove the broken unit.  An order has been placed with AVDC for a replacement dog bin and installation.

We apologise for any temporary inconvenience.  Please continue to dispose of your bags in a responsible manner whilst the bin is missing and utilise any of the alternative dog bins around the village, utilise an ordinary litter bin, or simply take your bags home and dispose of them in the green-lid wheelie bin.

Thank you.

The PNP covers the period 2013-2033

The designated neighbourhood area covers the same area as the Pitstone Parish Council.

Details of the plan

On adoption, the PNP will form part of the development plane, against which planning applications in the area will be assessed.

The PNP looks to shape development making allocations for housing and community facilities, safeguards land for future D1 education use, supports employment development and also designates Local Green Spaces within the parish.

Latest Progress

After many months of hard work and community engagement, Pitstone Parish Council has now submitted it’s final version of the Pitstone Neighbourhood Plan. Aylesbury Vale District Council are now required to undertake a six week publication period to provide an opportunity for all parties to comment on the submitted proposals before the plan goes to examination. The consultation commenced on Tuesday 10 November 2015 and will close at 5pm on Tuesday 22 December 2015.

Consultation documents

You can view all of the consultation documents by clicking on the links below.

• Pitstone Neighbourhood Submission Plan
• Pitstone Neighbourhood Plan Basic Conditions Statement
• Pitstone Neighbourhood Plan Consultation Report
• Pitstone Neighbourhood Plan Habitats Regulations Assessment
• Pitstone Neighbourhood Plan Local Green Spaces Report
• Pitstone Neighbourhood Plan Strategic Environmental Assessment

Alternatively the documents of the publication material are available to view at the following locations:

Deposit Points	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Yardley Avenue Village Health Centre, Pistone LU7 9BE	8:00am to 12:00pm 14:00pm to 18:00pm	8:00am to 12:00pm 14:00pm to 18:00pm	8:00am to 12:00pm 14:00pm to 18:00pm	8:00am to 12:00pm 14:00pm to 18:00pm	8:00am to 12:00pm 14:00pm to 18:00pm	Closed
Little Rothschild Surgery, 71 Marsworth Road, Pitstone LU7 9AX	8:15am to 13:00pm 14:00pm to 16:30pm	8:15am to 13:00pm 14:00pm to 16:30pm	8:15am to 13:00pm 14:00pm to 16:30pm	8:15am to 13:00pm 14:00pm to 16:30pm	8:15am to 13:00pm	Closed
Beacon Villages Community Library, Old Town Hall, High Street, Ivinghoe LU7 9EP	Closed	14:00pm to 17:00pm	10:00am to 12:00pm	14:00pm to 17:00pm	14:00pm to 17:00pm	10:00am to 13:00pm
Parish Clerk (by appointment only), 9 Warwick Road, Pitstone LU7 9FE	9:00am to 15:00pm	9:00am to 15:00pm	9:00am to 15:00pm	9:00am to 15:00pm	9:00am to 15:00pm	Closed
AVDC, The Gateway, Gatehouse Road Aylesbury, HP19 8FF	8:45am to 17:15pm	8:45am to 17:15pm	8:45am to 17:15pm	8:45am to 17:15pm	8:45am to 16:45pm	Closed

How can I submit my comments?

Comments can be made electronically or in writing by the following means:

• Emailed to: planningpolicy@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk
• In writing: posted to Forward Plans, AVDC, The Gateway, Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury, HP19 8FF.

You can request to be notified of AVDC’s decision to adopt the plan once an examination and referendum has taken place.

Please do not send duplicate comments (electronic or in writing) and please ensure that comments are received by the District Council before 5pm on Tuesday 22 December 2015.

What happens next?

Following the period for comment, AVDC will collate the responses and submit them to an examiner for the document to be examined.

– See more at: http://www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/pitstone-neighbourhood-plan#sthash.EHKO8hGH.dpuf

B488 Upper Icknield Way, Pitstone, Buckinghamshire

10 November — 11 November Traffic control (Stop/Go boards)

Delays likely due to Streetworks – at Nr Ent To Nature Reserve Upper Icknield Way Pitstone Buckinghamshire Hp23 5qe

Responsibility: BT

Pitstone Memorial Hall needs YOUR help! We know we need to continue to upgrade the hall to make sure can provide the facilities the village needs but we only have limited funds, so we need to focus our efforts.

We are pleased to report that Bucks County Council are replacing the faulty lighting on the Marsworth Road roundabout between Monday and Thursday this week.  Hopefully the new lighting will be operational Thursday evening.

Christmas Collections

AVDC has notified of the following changes to bin collections at Christmas:

Friday 25 December moves to Tuesday 29 December 2015

Friday 1 January moves to Monday 4 January 2016

Bad Weather and Bin Collections

The wintery weather sometimes causes problems for collections, so to keep up to date in extreme conditions (or just to check which bin is on which date), check our website homepage for the latest news: www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk

 

B489 Marsworth Road, Pitstone, Buckinghamshire 19 October — 21 October Some carriageway incursion Delays possible due to Streetworks – at R/O 17 To R/O 21 Old Farm, Marsworth Road Responsibility: BT EToN status: Advanced planning

Tringford Road, Tring, Hertfordshire 19 October — 19 October Some carriageway incursion Delays unlikely due to Streetworks Permanent Reinstatement To Be Completed at New Mill Social Centre Responsibility: Thames Water EToN status: Advanced planning

Cheddington Road, Pitstone, Buckinghamshire 19 October — 21 October Some carriageway incursion Delays unlikely due to Streetworks – at Jnc Marsworth Road, Cheddington Road Responsibility: BT EToN status: Advanced planning

The parish council is currently seeking quotations for a series of tree works (itemised on the attached sheet and associated location map).   If your firm is interested in quoting for this work, please supply details of your quote along with:

 

• copies of your public and employers liability insurance
• details of the British Standard you work to
• the qualifications of your staff
• details of any professional organisations to which you belong
• any special measures/considerations given that these trees are located on public open space / in a children’s playground

Quotations/registers of interest to be received by 20 October.

 

Please contact: Mrs Laurie Eagling Clerk to Pitstone Parish Council 9 Warwick Road Pitstone Beds LU7 9FE Tel: 01296 660791 Email: parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk

Pitstone Parish Council is currently inviting quotations for two replacement items of playground equipment.

1. The rolling log is situated in our Hever Close playground, LU7 9FH.  Set in wet pour.  The log has not rolled for some time and now the log is also displaying signs of wood rot.  Photograph of existing equipment attached.   If you stock a similar item of equipment, please provide a quotation for the removal & disposal of the existing log plus supply & installation of the replacement.
2. One of our toddler swing seats was vandalised beyond repair and has been removed.  This item is located in our Vicarage Road Recreation Ground playground, LU7 9EY.  This particular item has quite a low frame and therefore short chains.  Please find attached two photographs, one of the whole unit and one close up of the fixings.  If you stock a similar item, please provide a quotation for supply and installation.

Should you require any further details, please get in touch.  Email: parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk.

Quotation should preferably be received by the close of Thursday 15 October.

Appeal Reference: 15/00008/8WEEK

Application: 14/02002/AOP

PI Ref: A[[/J0405/W/15/3002218

Appeal by: Gladman Developments Ltd

Site: Land at Station Road, Ivinghoe, Buckinghamshire

Reason: outline application with access to be considered and all other matters reserved for the erection of up to 70 residential units and associated infrastructure.

Aylesbury Vale District Council have notified that the Public Inquiry into the above mentioned appeal will start on 20 October 2015 in the Diamond Room, The Gateway, Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury, Bucks commencing at 10am.

The public are welcome to attend and observe the Inquiry which is expected to take 6 working days.  Each day will commence at 10am.  There is usually a lunch break of approximately an hour about 1pm and they hope to close business for the day at approximately 5pm.  All times are approximate and depend upon the matters being considered at the time and suitable break points being reached.  The public may attend for all, or part, of any day.

Copies of the appeal documents are available to view/download from the AVDC web site at www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk via public access, selecting the appeals link and entering the reference number at the top of posting.

The decision will be published on the Planning Portal at www.planningportal.gov.uk and on the AVDC web site above.

 

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 22 October full council meeting.   Any applications need to be received by noon on 15 October 2015 so that they can be included on the next agenda.   The next grant panel will be in January.

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 October 2015 Planning Committee meeting (date tba) are:

8 Albion Road, 15/03295/APP, single storey side and rear extension

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

 

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 September 2015 Planning Committee meeting (date tba) are:

131 Windsor Road, 15/02964/ACL, loft conversion with roof lights to front and rear

Honeysuckle Lodge, Groomsby Drive, 15/03141/APP, removal of one chimney & breast and reinstate roof

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

 

Please slow down during school travel times

September has arrived and the children are back at school. Soon the twilight hours will be upon us.   Please remember that more children and young adults will be on the streets, trying to get to their school bus stops and the local school/pre-school, both in the mornings and the afternoons. It would be greatly appreciated if all drivers could moderate their speeds around the village, especially at these key times. Even the most capable youngster can be prone to momentary lapses of attention when engaged in conversation with their friends, and last year two young people suffered traffic accidents on their way to school. Let’s make sure that this school year is accident free.

Thank you.

We are pleased to report that the parish council accounts for the year ending 31 March 2015 have now been passed by both the internally appointed auditor and the externally appointed auditor, Mazars.

The submission is attached for your information.

B489 Lower Icknield Way, Marsworth, Buckinghamshire

20 August — 02 September Road closure

Delays likely due to Streetworks – at Whole Length

Responsibility: Buckinghamshire County Council

EToN status: Advanced planning

It has been brought to the attention of the parish council that persons unknown have vandalised Pitstone Windmill, owned by National Trust, with spray paint.

If anyone has any information about this crime, or saw anyone acting suspiciously by the windmill, please advise the National Trust Estate Office in Ashridge on 01442 851227.

The parish is especially fortunate to have a Special Area of Conservation within our parish boundary, the Chiltern Beechwoods within Ashridge.  Such sites are of European significance and warrant extra special protection.

The parish council has therefore commissioned an update to the Habitat Regulation Assessment (HRA) initially produced by Aylesbury Vale District Council to assess any impact of development upon significant sites within the parish.  This report complies with Regulation 102 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010.

The HRA is available via the link below and we welcome any response to the consultation by close of play on Monday 14 September 2015.

The Parish Council is currently seeking quotations for a replacement public bench, in either recycled plastic or metal (not wood).  To be secured to concrete base.  Approximately 185cm long.    Must have back and arm rests/DDA compliant.

Seeking either (a) just supply or (b) supply and fit

If you are interested in submitting a quotation, or would like further information, please supply the details to the Parish Council by the close of August.

email: parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk
tel: 01296 660791
postal: 9 Warwick Road, Pitstone, Beds, LU7 9FE