LINDFIELD RURAL PARISH COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN’S ANNUAL REPORT 2008
This report attempts to record the important events over the past year that affect our Parish.
1. Housing Development Issues – We appear to spend a substantial amount of time every year on this subject and this year is no exception. A year ago we were on tender-hooks over the Small Scale Housing Allocation for the parish. We lost out then with the Appeal’s Inspector accepting the proposal to build 65 dwellings on the corner of Lyoth Lane/Gravelye Lane, but fortunately all other sites were rejected by the Inspector including the sites at Anchor and Costells Woods. Now we are awaiting the outcome of the Core Strategy (future housing projects in the Mid Sussex area up to year 2026) and the only site to which there is concern, at present, is the area of Gravelye Lane/ Scamps Hill where the proposal is to build at least 500 dwellings. Your Council has made strong representations to MSDC in an attempt to ensure this area is not included on the list of potential sites.
NB - There is a handout detailing “The Production Stages of Core Strategy”
2. The Council viewed 73 planning applications (83 last period) over the past year, most of which we felt were acceptable to the community. However, there were some notable exceptions including the proposal in Gravelye Lane to remove two established houses and build seven large dwellings on the site. This development has just been refused and we are awaiting further proposals.
3. Inter-Parish Cooperation - We are continuing to develop our relationship with our neighbouring parish, Lindfield Urban Parish Council and have recently commenced the joint funding of the village diary. Furthermore, both Councils have budgeted for funding the proposed extension to the burial ground at Walstead. This joint venture should lead to a greater understanding and possibly clear the way to an eventual amalgamation of the two parishes. The latter, however, will not be realised without a clear mandate from the residents of both parishes and to this end we will be canvassing the views of the residents for a clear guide of the way forward.
4. Council Tax Increase – I believe the parish precept increase (Council Tax) for 2008/9 of over 18%, requires an explanation from your Council. For many years we have been drawing on our reserves in order to ensure a minimum increase in our precept but there comes a point when we are unable to sustain this method of operating particularly when the Council needs to purchase land to extend the burial area at Walstead. We will still need to draw on our reserves for this acquisition but to place the 18% increase in the context of the Council tax amount for the County, the parish percentage amounts to only 0.3% of the whole.
5. Children’s Playground – Scaynes Hill - After several years of attempting to enhance the facilities on the playing fields we were finally successful in a joint venture with MSDC and WSCC in introducing a new play facility and enhancing the existing play apparatus. The new facility was opened in the summer by Margaret Hersey (Chairman of MSDC) and several of the local school children. Further improvements to the playground will be implemented this year.
6. Other news as follows.
a. The Allotment Gardens - Gravelye Lane, Lindfield continue to flourish thanks to the dedication of George Mason and a small band of plotholders who are willing to assist. We still have a vacancy for the Allotment Supervisor but in the meantime I continue to allocate the plots. I can report that we still have a waiting list but only with residents who are outside the parish boundary. The Allotment Cup this year is awarded to Jason Lainchbury.
b. Street lights in Scaynes Hill. The Council has upgraded 4 lights in Orchard Close and installed two new columns. Also upgraded one light in St. Augustine Close and installed one new column. These lights will be adopted by West Sussex County Council for maintenance and supply thereby reducing the costs to the Parish Council.
c. Scaynes Hill Common Car Park – the bellmouth (entrance) has been re-aligned and re- surfaced to reduce the amount of flooding in that area.
d. Bench on Ouse River Bridge - The old bench that was located along the Ardingly Road adjacent to the junction with Park Lane, Lindfield, has been removed and a new bench has been installed on the bridge over the River Ouse. It was felt that the new location would facilitate an appreciation of the view along the river. The Parish Council is considering further works to enhance the appearance of the vicinity.
e. Corner of Gravelye Lane/Lewis Road – EDF (Electricity Company) found it necessary to remove certain branches of the existing trees to stop the branches of the trees snagging on their power cables. The removal of the branches left the trees in a somewhat sorry state so it was considered by WSCC to be appropriate to remove most trees from the area and replace them with more appropriate species. LRPC funded the removal of the trees and WSCC supplied the new trees – Thank you WSCC.
f. Scaynes Hill Village Sign – the sign was in danger of becoming a health and safety hazard so it was felt appropriate that at the same time as making the sign safe we would arrange for it to be refurbished. The Council is particularly pleased with the results.
g. Bus Shelter – Scaynes Hill - The Council has recently approved the replacement of the bus shelter on the A272 after receiving representations concerning the condition of the existing structure. Whilst on the subject of transport, the Council responded to a resident’s request to move the bus stop for east travelling vehicles on the A272 in Scaynes Hill to the lay-by adjacent to the playing fields car park. We are grateful to WSCC for their prompt action.
h. Traffic Calming – Little progress has been forthcoming over our objectives for the Ardingly Road, Lindfield and A272 between Bedales Corner and Scaynes Hill, but due to a change in advice to Councils from Government we are now more confident that we can achieve the 40mph buffer zones we have requested.
After losing Tracey as our Assistant to the Clerk, we are very happy to welcome Irene. We are pleased to see she has settled in so well.
Finally, I would like to thank all Councillors, Clerk (Karin), Assistant to Clerk (Irene) and Margaret Johnson (WSCC) for their substantial assistance and support in another very busy year.
John Dumbleton
7 April 2008
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