As most of you will probably know by now, Herts County Council have agreed that the Library will remain on the High Street - well at least for the next 18 months. That is good news for the many people who petitioned for this outcome, but it is worrying that HCC have decreed that no money will be spent on the Library during the 18-month period and that includes the S106 money that has already been 'awarded'. The draft District Plan has been issued by EHDC and is under review by Councillors. It is not expected that it will be ready for final approval until March next year. The plan does not recommend any more housing for Buntingford to the year 2032, but that is hardly surprising given that the already approved developments mean an additional 1000+ dwellings with a further 400 in the pipeline. In liaison with the Town Council we will continue to do all we can to influence the built form of new housing to try to keep it in character as much as possible. Our Neighbourhood Plan, once approved, wll help in this. At the time of writing, our Neighbourhood Plan still sits with EHDC awaiting an inspector to start work on it. Once the inspector has approved the Plan it will still need to go to a referendum but a recent proposal by central Government does give some hope of getting the plan accepted in a shorter timescale as they have stated: "It requires local plan makers to have regard for an emergency neighbourhood plan which has reached 'post-examination' stage, i.e. after being approved by an independent examiner but before the plan has been put to a local referendum, when considering applications for planning permission". We are therefore working with the Town Council to push EHDC to get the Inspector working on our Plan as soon as possible. As preciously reported, we are arranging a litter pick and general clean-up of the River Rib on Sunday 9th October, meeting at the Ford at 10am. If anyone would care to join us we would be very happy to welcome you. Wear your wellies and we will provide (via EHDC) the litter picking equipment. If you can help please let me know at graham_bonner123@yahoo.co.uk. I am sure you will have noticed the new addition to the Manor House car park in the shape of the new Christmas tree. This is a permanent feature and hopefully a more ecologically sound solution as it will avoid the annual disposal of un-rooted trees. Its size will also give a far better presence at the annual Lights of Love ceremony. Finally our thanks to the organisers of the Classic Car Show - another great event in our town that went off without incident, providing wonderful entertainment for residents and visitors alike. 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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