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 June 2015 Planning Committee meeting are:

41 Rushendon Furlong, 15/01673/ACL, single storey rear/side extension and conversion of garage into family room.  Application for Certificate of Lawfulness only.

Also for discussion

Land to the rear of Vicarage Road, 15/00139/AOP, outline application with all matters reserved for the erection of a residential development of up to 68 dwellings, estate roads and associated works: AVDC invite comments on the Geophysical Survey and Transport Statement

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 18 June 2015

 

Pitstone Parish Council has launched the consultation into the pre-submission version of the proposed Pitstone Neighbourhood Plan.  The consultation runs from 1 June to 13 July 2015 inclusive.

Please find below copies of the formal consultation notice and the plan itself.   Please also find attached a copy of the leaflet that has been delivered to every home in Pitstone, with details of the two engagement events at the Memorial Hall on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 June – do come along and find out more details.

The final attachment is:

Pitstone Neighbourhood Plan – a roadmap
Which is a short guide to why we need a Neighbourhood Plan, what it does and how it does it.

Paper copies of the proposed Plan may also be inspected at the following locations:

► Pitstone Parish Council, 9 Warwick Road, Pitstone, Bucks LU7 9FE      Monday to Friday, 9am – 3pm (and by arrangement at other times, tel: 01296 660791)

► Beacon Villages Community Library, Icknield Way, Ivinghoe, Bucks LU7 9EL      during normal opening hours: see www.bvcl.org.uk/contact for further details

► The Village Health Centre, Yardley Avenue, Pitstone, Bucks LU7 9BE      Monday to Friday, 9am – 12 noon and 2pm – 5pm (closed Wednesday afternoons)

► Yardley Lounge (Vale of Aylesbury Housing Trust), 159 Yardley Avenue, Pitstone LU7 9BD      at any time: residents of Yardley Avenue sheltered housing only

Representations on the proposed Plan can be made, up to and including 13 July 2015

► by email, to NeighbourhoodPlan@pitstone.co.uk

► by post, to Pitstone Neighbourhood Plan, 9 Warwick Road, Pitstone, Bucks LU7 9FE

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 3 June 2015 Planning Committee meeting are:

1. Land off Station Road, Ivinghoe (affecting rear of Rushendon Furlong), 15/01491/AOP, outline application with access to be considered and all matters reserved for the erection of up to 60 residential units and associated infrastructure (Gladman 2^nd application).  The land falling within the parish of Pitstone is shown as public open space with no properties proposed under this scheme.
2. 4 Queen Street, 15/01634/APP, single storey rear and front extensions.
3. 10 Church Road, 15/01620/APP, first floor side extension and single storey rear extension.
4. 14 Durham Road, 15/01709/APP, two storey side extension (replaces withdrawn planning permission 15/00977/APP for two storey side extension and conversion of garage into habitable room)

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 3 June 2015

 

The Parish Council is seeking quotations from companies that can maintain and supply street lighting.   To find our further details, please contact the Parish Clerk on parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk, 01296 660791, 9 Warwick Road, Pitstone, LU7 9FE.

Thank you.

Please find below the link to the contact details, and committee information, for all the parish council members.

councillor details poster for notice boards

4 new members joined the Parish Council, and 2 new district councillors were appointed, at the election on 7 May.

The attached tells you a little about them:

New members after election 2015

Welcome one and all.

The entire Parish Council look forward to the forthcoming four years and serving our community.

Laurie Eagling, Clerk to Pitstone Parish Council

Pitstone Parish Council is hiring the portable skate park again in the half term holiday.   AVYFC staff, who run our youth café, will be on hand to help you improve your skills or just have fun.

Weather permitting, you can catch up with the skate park in the Memorial Hall car park between 1-4pm on Thursday 28 May 2015.

Ramps will be supervised.  Beginners welcome.  Suitable for use by skate boards, scooters, roller skates or BMX bikes.

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 two commendation awards but not won the overall competition.

Judging will take place in June and the whole community can play their part.   Please help to keep our village tidy.

Laurie Eagling, Clerk to Pitstone Parish Council

The Parish Council would like to welcome Kris Weber, Colin Starling, Margaret Crutchfield and Jo Groom to the Council.  All four have been involved in the Neighbourhood Development Plan process and will be welcome additions to the council.

Our commiserations go to Brian Brooks and Alison Hawkins who were not re-elected on this occasion.  Our sincere thanks go to both individuals, plus Klaus Ginda and Brian Richardson who retired from council, for their hard work and dedication to the residents of Pitstone throughout their terms of office.

The following existing councillors have been re-elected to office: Robert Saintey, Ben Blunt, Gillian Arney, Annie Stack, Steve Mattey and Dave Nicholls.

The count results can be viewed on the AVDC web site by following the link below:

http://www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/news/2015/may/town-parish-council-elections-2015/

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 May 2015 parish council meeting are:

42 Glebe Close, 15/01340/APP, part single and part two storey rear extension

30 Albion Road, 15/01544/APP, single storey 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 21 May 2015

 

Pastor Dave Clifford has been instrumental in a number of local groups including co-ordinating and driving for the Community Car Scheme, running the Silver Surfers Club and organising the Souper Lunches.

Dave Clifford was presented with his certificate and cheque at the Pitstone Annual Assembly on 21 April 2015.

A huge thank you to Dave from both the members of Pitstone Parish Council and all the residents who have had the pleasure of benefitting from his work.  Dave will be missed when he leaves our community in the summer, and he is still looking for volunteers to fill his shoes and help keep these important community facilities running.  If you can help, please do get in touch.

There are many people in our village that give up lots of their time to help other residents or community groups.  If you know someone that deserves a special thank you, please send their details to the parish clerk so they can be considered for the 2016 award.  The winner is presented with a framed certificate and cheque at the Annual Parish Assembly and is also entered into the AVDC Volunteer of the Year scheme.

The Parish Council has a small grant/donation budget each financial year to support local groups that benefit the Pitstone community.   During the financial year that has just finished, the amount provided exceeded £5,200.   The Parish Council also funded the works to remove asbestos from the Memorial Hall (instead of providing equivalent funds to the hall as a grant) which amounted to a further £15,820.

If you think your community group would benefit from support by the Parish Council please see the information on the link below and read the application details in our Grant Awarding Policy.

http://pitstone.co.uk/ppcinfo/grant-policy/

The next quarterly grant review will take place at the April council meeting so information should be submitted by 20 April, and then the July council meeting for which applications should be submitted by 20 July.

Laurie Eagling, Clerk to the Parish Council

Please find attached copies of the Statements of Persons Nominated and Notice of Poll for the Election of Parish Councillors and District Councillors on 7 May 2015.

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 30 April 2015 parish council meeting are:

14 Durham Road, 15/00977/APP, two storey side extension and conversion of garage into habitable room

Barley End, Aldbury Lane, 15/00819/APP, demolition of existing dwelling and outbuildings, erection of replacement dwelling with detached garage and annexe above and stable courtyard incorporating garden store and glasshouse

7 Castle Close, 15/00576/APP, conversion of garage into habitable room

28 Albion Road, 15/01254/APP, single storey rear extension and new pitched roofs to existing flat roofed elements to side and rear.

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 30 April 2015

 

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 March 2015 parish council meeting are:

Land rear of Vicarage Road, Pitstone, Bucks – 15/00139/AOP – outline submission with all matters reserved for the erection of a residential development of up to 68 dwellings, estate roads and associated works

3 Railway Cottages, Cheddington Road – 15/00808/APP – first floor rear extension and replacement front entrance porch (rework of application following refusal of 14/02303/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 25 March 2015

 

The youth of the village have not been forgotten and the Parish Council is still working with AVDC towards the installation of a new play space, skate park and multi-use ball court by the Recreation Ground.   These projects have all been delayed due to complications arising from the Pitstone Development Area (PDA) proposals.    We are hoping that the development will enable the ball court as this was defined in the 2005 adopted policy by AVDC, and that following the grant of planning permission for the PDA that the Parish Council may be able to secure the necessary land sale to enable the play space and skate park.   Unfortunately, the timing of these leisure facilities is dependent upon the progress of the proposals for the PDA, so it out of the control of the Parish Council.  We have been declined permission to install the leisure facilities at present.  The combined cost of the leisure enhancements will be approximately £300,000.

We will continue to strive for the realization of these aspirations and will keep the community updated.  The proposals have been included as part of our Neighbourhood Development Plan.  The funds are secured and ring-fenced at AVDC and within the parish council.

Make sure you check out the new Pitstone Neighbourhood Development Plan section of our web site

http://pitstone.co.uk/pitstonendp/

and ‘like’ the Facebook page to get updates straight to your home page

https://www.facebook.com/pitstonendp?fref=ts

What matters to you in your local area?

Is it the state of the local park, the need for more activities for young people, improving services for older people, making the roads safer or ensuring that local businesses can thrive?

Whatever needs changing in your neighbourhood, you could be just the person to change it by becoming a local councillor. No other role gives you a chance to make such a huge difference to quality of life for people in your local area. It is a good time to start thinking about standing as a councillor as the District and Parish Council elections will be taking place on 7 May 2015.

What do councillors do?

Councillors are elected to the local council to represent their local community, so they must either live or work in the area. Becoming a councillor is both a rewarding and privileged form of public service. You will be in a position to make a difference to the quality of other people’s daily lives and prospects.

Being an effective councillor requires both commitment and hard work. Councillors have to balance the needs and interests of residents the political party they represent (if any) and the council. These will all make legitimate demands on a councillor’s time, on top of the demands and needs of their personal and professional lives. Before you consider becoming a councillor you may want to discuss it with your family and friends to make sure they understand what you are taking on. You will need their support as you’ll have to spend some of your spare time on council business.

Independent or political?

Over 95 per cent of councillors are members of political parties, but you don’t have to be a member of a political party to stand for election as a councillor. You can either stand as an independent candidate or as a group or party political candidate. The political parties in your local area are already looking for people interested in representing them and will be pleased to hear from you. They will be able to support your election campaign and your work as a councillor.

Don’t worry if you’re not already a party member as they will be able to go through all the options with you. Some parties have special training and encouragement schemes for new candidates. Some places have organised residents’ associations or community groups which put candidates up for election.

Next steps to becoming a councillor

Once you decide you want to take it further and put yourself forward as a candidate, what’s the next step? The answer depends on whether you want to represent a political party or group or would like to stand as an independent candidate. If you want to represent a political party then the next step would be to get involved with your party locally as soon as possible. This will help you find out more about what the role entails, who you will be working with and what it takes to win elections.

Ultimately it’s up to the political parties’ local groups to decide whether to select you as a candidate, so you need to make contact with them as soon as possible and get involved with their work. Political parties will expect you to be, or become, a party member.

If you are thinking of standing as an independent candidate your next step is to start building your profile so that local people know who you are, and working out your position on local ‘hot’ issues such as crime, traffic, the environment and schools. You will need to know what your local council is doing about these issues and how your own opinion differs from the political parties. Nearer election time, as you start going door to door persuading people to vote for you, you will be challenged on your opinions.

Whether you have been selected by a party or are standing as an independent candidate, you must make sure that you are officially nominated as the election date draws nearer. Election packs will be available from the parish council clerk from 17 March 2015.  All packs have to be returned to AVDC by 9 April.

The web site below gives you more information about parish councillors in general, and the attached leaflet gives you information about Pitstone parish council.  We look forward to hearing from you.

 

http://www.beacouncillor.org.uk/

 

It is understood that Gladman have lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate for non-determination by AVDC in respect of outline planning application number 14/02002/AOP for up to 70 dwellings on land off Station Road in Ivinghoe (which also included some dwellings across the brook into a field behind Rushendon Furlong in Pitstone).

There will therefore be a Public Enquiry into this application.  At the moment, the timing of such an enquiry is unknown, but it is estimated that it is likely to take place in the summer.   The Parish Council will keep you advised of any further developments.

Laurie Eagling, Clerk to Pitstone Parish Council

Come along and try out AVYFC’s new Rocket Go Karts!

1-3pm on Tuesday 17 February 2015 in Pitstone Memorial Hall Car Park

Minimum age 8 years.  Helmets provided.  Please make sure you come in sturdy footwear with no loose clothing.

Free event organised by Pitstone Parish Council and Aylesbury Vale Youth for Christ for the benefit of the youth of Pitstone.    No need to book, just turn up and join in the fun.

If you are a member of the Pitstone Youth Café, you can sign up for a trip to the Pioneer indoor skate park at St Albans during half term – Wednesday 18 February.

Please visit the Facebook page for more details, or pick up a form from youth café tonight.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/pitstoneyouth/803236476424810/?ref=notif&notif_t=group_activity

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 February 2015 parish council meeting are:

 

Erlegh Manor, Vicarage Road, Pitstone, Bucks – 15/00312/AOP – Outline submission with access and scale to be considered and all other matters reserved for the erection of one dwelling.
It was resolved to advise AVDC that the parish council was opposed to this application as development would fall outside the observed settlement boundary

4 Hever Close, 15/00170/APP – conversion of garage into living accommodation including replacement of garage door with window
It was resolved to advise AVDC that the parish council had no objection to this application

Please note that the following application has been withdrawn by AVDC and will no longer be considered at the Parish Council meeting on 26/2/15 :  Land rear of Vicarage Road, Pitstone, Bucks – 15/00139/AOP – outline submission with all matters reserved for the erection of a residential development of up to 68 dwellings, estate roads and associated works

 

 

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 25 February 2015

 

Pitstone is now a little bit safer thanks to the Village Health Centre in Yardley Avenue and the local sports clubs.   A new external defibrillator has been purchased and mounted outside the surgery.  In the event of a cardiac emergency, the 999 operator will provide the release code and the defibrillator will talk you through the process of giving life saving treatment to the patient whilst the ambulance is on its way.   Please make sure that you familiarise yourself with its location, as you never know when you might need it.   Please also look out for community training sessions that will provide you all with a chance to see how the unit works so that you are more confident in the event of an emergency.

Our very grateful thanks to The Village Health Centre in Yardley Avenue for funding the purchase and ongoing maintenance costs of the defibrillator itself, and to all the following local sports clubs for funding the purchase of the external lock box that makes this vital life saving equipment available to the whole community: Ivinghhoe & Pitstone United Cricket Club, Pitstone & Ivinghoe Junior Football Club, Pitstone & Ivinghoe United Football Club, Tring Town Football Club and Envirologistics Football Club.

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 29 January 2015 parish council meeting are:

Land west of 120 Vicarage Road, Pitstone, Bucks – 15/00140/AOP – outline submission with all matters reserved for the erection of one bungalow
The Parish Council received no objections from members of the public.  After consideration at the meeting, it was RESOLVED to advise AVDC that the Parish Council had no objection to the application.
Planning application now approved by AVDC.

27 Campbell Lane, Pitstone – 14/03189/APP – erection of 6′ fence  The Parish Council received no objections from members of the public.  After consideration at the meeting, it was RESOLVED to advise AVDC that the Parish Council had no objection to the application.
Planning application now approved by AVDC.

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 29 January 2015

 

Some roads seems to be a particular hot spot for some irresponsible dog owners that fail to clear up after their pets at present.   The Parish Council has repeatedly tried to educate and encourage owners in responsible dog ownership and provides plentiful number of both dedicated dog bins and ordinary refuse bins in which the deposits can be placed.    However, there appears to remain a number of repeat offenders.

If you notice a deposit on the public footpath outside your house:

• Please inform AVDC Community Spaces team on 0800 389 3395 or email CommunitySpaces@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk, and request they send the street cleansing team to remove the fouling and clean the footpath.  You will need to tell them the exact location and which property it is outside.
• Please don’t assume someone else has noticed and will phone them, and please report it as soon as possible, before it is trampled and spread.
• The more often the street cleansing team are called out to a particular problem hot spot, the more regular cleansing patrols are likely to be assigned to the area.

If you notice someone not clearing up after their dog when it has fouled the public footpath, or notice someone dumping sack loads of dog fouling beside the dog bins in the village, please:

• Take a photograph of the incident.
• Report them to Enforcement Officer for Bucks County Council on 07793 721911 or email drounding@buckscc.gov.uk providing your evidence, particularly if you have a photograph and/or know the name/address/car registration number of the person involved.

Thank you for your assistance with helping to keep our footpaths free of toxic waste.

Please note that this only applies to public footpaths and not fields or Rights of Way etc.

The Parish Council and Pitstone Allotment Association are delighted to announce that there will be no price increase for allotment plot rental for the 2015/16 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.

The Parish Council is delighted to award a grant of £93.95 to the Ivinghoe & Pitstone with Cheddington Guides, to fund the cost of a replacement personalised flag.   The outgoing flag is now over 30 years old, doesn’t reflect the current branding or name, and even has Pitstone mis-spelt on it.

The council wishes the Guides every success for the forthcoming year.

Laurie Eagling, Clerk to Pitstone Parish Council

Happy New Year to everyone that attends the Pitstone Youth Café!  We hope you have enjoyed your Christmas holidays.

The Youth Café will be open on Wednesday 14 January 2015 from 6.30pm to 8pm at Brookmead School, and every term time Wednesday for the rest of term.   No session on 7 January as AVYFC are not available.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Laurie, 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 8 January 2015 parish council meeting are:

8 Crispin Field, 14/03608/APP, two storey side extension and removal of chimney breast

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 8 January 2015

 

Just a reminder that the last youth café this term is tomorrow night, Wednesday 17 December 2014, 6.30-8.00pm at Brookmead.

Café will be back on Wednesday 7 January 2015.

We would like to wish everyone who attends, all our volunteers, and everyone from AVYFC, a magical Christmas.

Laurie Eagling, Clerk to Pitstone Parish Council

The Parish Council is delighted to announce that it has been awarded a grant of £6,500 from the Supporting Communities in Neighbourhood Planning programme that will enable us to provide our Neighbourhood Development Plan Steering Group with professional support and to commission a necessary Strategic Environmental Assessment report.

Supporting Communities in Neighbourhood Planning is a £9.5m programme of expert support and funding to help communities across the country create neighbourhood plans.  The programme is run by Locality in association with RTPI/Planning Aid England, Community Development Foundation, Urban Vision Entertprise, Eden Project and URS, and funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government.  It is available through the My Community Rights website.

The Parish Council is considering taking on devolved services from Bucks County Council.   The contract would include grass cutting within the 30mph limit, rights of way clearance, hedge cutting, cleaning road signs, siding out footpaths, weed spraying, trimming vegetation obstructing signs/paths etc.

If you are a company, with £10m public liability insurance, and would be interested in quoting for to undertake this work within our parish, please contact the parish clerk for more information.

parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk
9 Warwick Road, Pitstone, Beds, LU7 9FE

Please note that the Pitstone youth café has been cancelled on Wednesday 26 November, but should be open again the following week (3 December).

A number of issues have arisen on the same night, meaning that we would have been unable to adequately supervise the young people that attended on 26/11/14.   If your child enjoys attending youth café, please ensure you have volunteered for the rota – it simply can’t run without enough support.

Laurie Eagling, Clerk to Pitstone Parish Council

The parish council has received formal notification from Aylesbury Vale District Council that our neighbourhood area (defined as the whole of our parish) has been approved.

This was the first step necessary in the production of a Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) and allows our community to submit an NDP for the publicity consultation and examination to be undertaken.

Our NDP Steering Group, made up of volunteers from the community and parish councillors, is up and running.  Look out for more information from them shortly and a dedicated section on the website.   It is not too late to get involved, so if you can spare some time to join one of the sub-groups please get in touch via neighbourhoodplan@pitstone.co.uk.

Laurie Eagling, Clerk to the 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 27 November 2014 parish council meeting are:

35 Chequers Lane, 14/03208/ACL, single storey side and rear extension  No objections were received from residents.  The parish council considered the application and resolved to submit no objections. 

5 Rowland Close, 14/03219/APP, single storey rear extension and formation of front canopy  No objections were received from residents.  The parish council considered the application and resolved to submit no objections.  It was agreed to request that AVDC stipulate that construction traffic should utilise Rowland Close and not the private driveway off Vicarage Road.

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 November 2014.

 

You are now able to submit your nominations for the Pitstone Volunteer of the Year, so if you know of someone that it giving up their time and making a difference to the lives of the people in Pitstone, then please let us know.    As well as being an opportunity for you and the parish council to thank them in public, they may win a £50.00 award, framed certificate and entry into the AVDC Volunteer of the Year award.

Please email or write to the parish clerk on: parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk or at 9 Warwick Road, Pitstone, Beds, LU7 9FE providing the full name of the person you wish to nominate and the reasons why you think they deserve to win.   All submissions must be received by the end of January 2015.

It takes an ambulance between 15 and 20 minutes to reach Pitstone when you make an emergency call.   If you have suffered a sudden cardiac arrest, you have only 5 minutes to receive life-saving treatment.   If you are lucky, one of our local volunteer Community First Responders will be on duty & will rush to your aid.   However, if they are not on duty, you will soon be able to access a life-saving defibrillator.

The parish council is extremely grateful to the Village Health Centre in Yardley Avenue who have agreed to purchase and externally mount a defibrillator at their site; and also to the Pitstone & Ivinghoe Junior Football Club, Ivinghoe & Pitstone United Cricket Club, Envirologistics Football Club, Tring Town Football Club and Pitstone & Ivinghoe United Football Club who between them have funded the purchase of the necessary external lock-box.

You will all receive an invitation to come along to the hall to hear about the benefits of defibrillators and see just how easy it is to work one. The machine has voice prompts throughout and will not shock a patient who would not benefit from it, so there is no chance you could do any damage to the patient.   Make sure you come along – you never know if it might be one of your family & friends that needs your urgent assistance.

Taylor Wimpey (TW) has started to work with Bucks County Council to define and carry out all the remedial works required before BCC will consider adopting the highway along Westfield Road, the industrial estate and the residential areas.   The highways then need to be maintained at adoptable standard by TW for 12 months before BCC will accept the transfer.

The areas of open space will transfer to Aylesbury Vale District Council (apart from the two play areas which are already owned by the parish council).  Phases I and II have already transferred and Phase III is in the process.   The other phases will follow.

The parish council has been working with Royal Mail to hopefully obtain a letter box along Windsor Road.   Historically, Royal Mail has declined to consider an additional box, however they are now reviewing the position for Castlemead and we hope to be able to secure one before Christmas.

Highway Works 

Both Cheddington Road and Glebe Close are due to receive extensive patching and repair as part of Transport for Bucks Severe Weather program of works.   The former should be complete in October (road closure will be in place) and then the white lines will be renewed.   Glebe Close should follow before Christmas.

 Cycle Path along Northfield Road 

Herts County Council has now received the funding contribution from Taylor Wimpey via Bucks County Council and are now making good progress on plans for the cycle path down to Tring station.   There are still some hurdles to overcome and funding to secure, but they hope that it may be installed within the next 18 months – 2 years.

Path to Marsworth

Unfortunately this has suffered a further delay.   The majority of this initiative falls within the control of Marsworth Parish Council who had hoped to submit a bid for New Homes Bonus funding in September 2014, but this did not occur.  They now hope to prepare a bid for the next round of funding in September 2015.   In the meantime, Pitstone parish council is looking to see if there are alternative ways to get the Pitstone stretch of this footpath installed, which will run from Westfield Road up to the railway bridge and are currently working with Transport for Bucks to investigate options.

Following feedback from residents as part of the Love It, Loath It survey and the Leisure Survey carried out over the last few years, the parish council has been working with Bucks County Council Transport for Bucks (TfB) to gain agreement to visually improve the roundabout. This process has been frustratingly slow.   Once again, TfB has declined permission for their roundabout to be converted to enable shrubs/trees to be planted, however they are prepared to now discuss a horticultural licence which would permit us to manage a number of flowering planters on the roundabout and at other locations throughout the village, such as by the village gates and around the village sign.

This would be the second project as part of the plan to brighten up and enhance the village, the first having been the hundreds of daffodil bulbs planted along Marsworth Road which provide such a glorious display in the spring-time.

If there was sufficient local interest, the parish could enter the In Bloom competition in the future. Alternatively, the parish council may run a more local competition with each container sponsored by a local community group or individual and prizes awarded for the winners; or even seek local commercial sponsorship from interested local firms.   If you have any thoughts, or can spare a little time to get involved in the beautification scheme, please get in touch (01296 660791 or parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk).

Finally, whilst discussing the roundabout, TfB think that the central light and all the surrounding fixtures should be replaced before Christmas.   The main light didn’t work at all for 2 years and then for the last 2 years they have been unable to turn it off so it has been lit 24 hours a day!   It has taken much effort over many years to get agreement for the works but we are told that the equipment is now at least in the warehouse and they are just waiting for available time to install it.

The parish council are pleased to be able to support the 1^st Ivinghoe and Pitstone Scout Group by supplying a grant of £640 towards their target of £2,500 to purchase much needed camping equipment for the different troops of Beavers, Cubs and Scouts.   If you can assist them in any way, please get in touch with Keith Steers on 01296-662781 or 0789-9696722

Please find attached a leaflet that is currently being printed and will shortly be distributed to every home in Pitstone by Pitstone Parish Council.

It shows you all the sites that landowners have put forward for residential development over the next 5 years, and more worryingly the ones that could potentially be subject to speculative development such as the Gladman application that recently hit Ivinghoe.

As Aylesbury Vale District Council won’t have their new Local Plan signed off until 2017 at the earliest, the only way to obtain any security for our village is by producing a Neighbourhood Development Plan, which would carry as much weight and provide tangible grounds for AVDC to refuse planning permissions.

The parish council is prepared to find the necessary funding of £10-15,000 to prepare such a plan.   However, the work involved has to be a joint effort between the community and the parish council.   Therefore, if you want to make your voice heard, we need you to come forward and volunteer to join the Steering Committee.  The plan would need to include any impact on education, any additional community facilities that we need, what new infrastructure is required etc.

If we get enough volunteers come forward to make the project viable, there will be some initial work between the Steering Group, Community Impact Bucks, RCOH and Aylesbury Vale District Council.  Then we would be able to hold open meetings for the whole community.

Without resident volunteers coming forward to support this initiative, we will be unable to produce a Neighbourhood Plan.  This will mean that the community & council has very little power to fight any speculative or other planning applications.

Please take the time to read the attached leaflet and volunteer to help us protect and shape our parish.

 

 

 

Pitstone parish council has applied to Aylesbury Vale District Council (AVDC), as our planning authority, for the designation of the whole of our parish as a neighbourhood area.

This would enable the parish to produce a neighbourhood plan, which would give our residents a voice in the future development of the parish – not just housing, but education, leisure, employment & protection of our community assets etc.

AVDC will now commence a 6 week consultation period which will run from 22 September until 3 November 2014.  You will see the consultation in the local press and the AVDC web site.

The parish council will need the help and commitment of everyone in the parish to produce a neighbourhood plan as they can’t be prepared by a council alone.  If you have been worried about school or pre-school capacities, the number of proposed residential developments or a lack of facilities, now will be the time to speak up and get involved.   The parish council will shortly be distributing some literature to all households and erecting notices, giving you more information and telling you how you can get involved.

Attached you will find a copy of our application letter and the associated parish map.

 

Just a reminder that the Pitstone Youth Café re-opens at 6.30pm on Wednesday 10 September.

Remember to bring your £1 entrance money or speak to Dave and the team about termly payment options.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Laurie Eagling, Clerk to Pitstone Parish Council

Transport for Bucks has advised that Cheddington Road in Pitstone will be closed for 5 days during the period 13/10/14 to 7/11/14 between the hours of 07.00 and 19.00 for highways works.

Pitstone will also be affected by the closure of the Lower Icknield Way in Marsworth between Wingrave Road and Cheddington Road, for 6 nights during the period 15/9/14 to 10/10/14 between the hours of 19.30 and 06.00.

For further information, please refer to the Transport for Bucks web site.

Laurie Eagling, Clerk to Pitstone Parish Council

The school holidays are nearly over, so this is just a reminder that the youth café opens its doors on Wednesday 10 September (not Wed 3 September, even though you are all back at secondary school then).

Remember you can also now pay for your entrance fee either termly or monthly, as well as the original option of just paying £1 each week you visit.   Please speak to Dave Rollins or any member of the AVYFC team.

We look forward to welcoming all our new volunteers and young people!

 

Laurie Eagling, Clerk to Pitstone parish council

The parish council has been asked if it can help identify a few volunteers that can help at this years British Legion lunch and WWI commemorative event being held at Pitstone Memorial Hall on 14 September.

Helpers are needed to set up, help serve, clear away and man the WWI display.   The lunch itself runs from 12-1pm, set up from 10.30am and should be finished by 4pm.

If you can help for even a short while during this time, with any of these activities, please get in touch with the parish clerk on parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk or 01296 660791.

Thank you.

Owning a dog can be hugely rewarding in numerous ways.  However, we would like to encourage all residents to display responsible dog ownership when out with their pets.

Please:

• keep dogs on leads when walking around the residential paths – not all our residents are dog lovers and other walkers may become distressed or worried by your dogs behaviour if it approaches them.
• clear up all dog fouling when you are away from home – it is an offence to allow your dog to foul the footpath or other public places like our recreation ground.  Please bag all fouling whilst you are out walking and place it into one of the numerous dog bins or litter bins provided around the village.
• secure any fouling at home into bags and then dispose of in your green lid refuse bin.
• remember never to leave your dog in your vehicle, even for a short while, when it is hot.
• ensure your dog is micro-chipped – this is shortly to become compulsory, so please get in touch with your vet if you haven’t already chipped your dog and this will also help you to be reunited should your pet become lost.

Thank you.

 

 

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 August 2014 parish council meeting are:

Land off Station Road in Ivinghoe (but affects part of the rear of Rushendon Furlong in Pitstone), 14/02002/AOP outline planning application with access to be considered and all other matters reserved for the erection of up to 70 residential units and associated infrastructure.  Subsequent update:  the parish council resolved to oppose this application.

8 Castle Close, 14/02207/APP, conversion of part of an existing integral garage into living accommodation.  Subsequent update: the parish council resolved to tender no objections to this application.

3 Railway Cottages, Cheddington Road, 14/02303/APP, first floor rear extension and replacement front entrance porch   Subsequent update: the parish council resolved to tender no objections to this application.

The plans may be viewed online by going to http://eplanning.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk and searching using the planning reference number above or an appointment can be made with Councillor Robert Saintey on 01296 668633 to view the plans at 2 Albion Road, Pitstone.

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 21 August 2014.

 

The parish council has received notification from Aylesbury Vale District Council that Gladman have submitted an outline planning application with access to be considered and all other matters reserved for the erection of up to 70 residential units and associated infrastructure on land off Station Road, Ivinghoe.  Whilst the majority of this site falls within the parish of Ivinghoe, part of the site is on ground to the rear of Rushendon Furlong in Pitstone (the brook being the parish boundary).

You can access the planning documents on the Aylesbury Vale District Council planning portal, by searching for planning reference number 14/02002/AOP.

As the parish council only received the substantial application papers on 24/7/14 this application will not be considered by the parish council until our meeting on 21/8/14 to allow sufficient time to give the matter due consideration.

Please submit your comments to the planning authority (AVDC) by the date on the yellow site notice, quoting the application number.  If you wish, you can supply copies of your comments to either/both Pitstone parish council and/or Ivinghoe parish council for consideration.   Both parish councils will, of course, monitor the feedback on the AVDC website but this is not always 100% up-to-date as they sometimes have to scan in and upload correspondence, so if you feel your comments are particularly important it is always best to copy the parish council as well.

Subsequent update: the parish council resolved to oppose this application at their meeting on 21/8/14.