The East Herts District Council draft District Plan has at last been published and the Buntingford section would appear to contain some recognition of the requirements of our Town going forward.

The need for a new First School has been identified along with a preferred location to the South of the Town, opposite the new Fairview development. This location is a huge improvement on the pevious plan which put it adjacent to the Town sewage works! Common sense and decency would seem to have prevailed here.

There is also some potential relief regarding ongoing development in the Town. The Plan says, and I quote: "In recognition of the amount of development that has been approved in the Town since 2011, no further site allocations for residential development are proposed as part of the District Plan Strategy."

I am not sure if this gives us some protection over the proposed 400-dwelling Bovis application that has yet to be put before EHDC Development Management Committee. Along with the Town Council we will keep this vey much on our radar.

On a connected note, the Buntingford Community Area Neighbourhood Plan has been allocated an Inspector who is currently reviewing the plan. We have had sight of a few minor queries which are being addressed.

On Sunday 9th October the River Rib clean-up took place. Members of the Civic Society Executive Committee were joined by members of the public to spend a couple of hours wading along the river from the Ford to the municipal dump at Aspenden, removing many bags of rubbish from the river along the way. Our grateful thanks go to all concerned but especially the members of the public who turned out to support this event.

The Civic Society has paid for and installed a sign at the front of the Police Station to advertise the Community Garden. This is a facility that is little used - maybe because people are not aware of it. Hopefully the sign will remind people and prompt them to make more use of the garden.

Sadly the Herts County Council arborist has condemned two of the big trees on Market Hill outside the Manor House. They are diseased and will have to be cut down at some time in the near future. The Civic Society intends to work with the Town Council to ensure that suitable replacements are procured.

Finally, a quick mention of the Fireworks Display at the Bury on Sunday 6th November starting at 19.00. This is the only organised firework event in Buntingford and is arranged, at some considerable expense, by Buntingford Town Football Club. Please give it your support if you can.

Graham Bonner, Chairman, Buntingford Civic Society

If you have any queries about Buntingford Civic Society or issues you would like to raise, you can email the Chairman direct at chairman@buntingfordcivic.org.uk.

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