iPETITION

NO to housing on our playing field and green fields

To sign up, please visit http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/chapel-en-le-frith/  

REVOCATION OF REGIONAL STRATEGIES

On 6th July, the Secretary of State has issued a REVOCATION OF REGIONAL STRATEGIES with immediate effect.

Please visit http://www.highpeak.gov.uk/planning/localframework/CoreStrategy/RegionalPlanletter.pdf for further information. See paragraphs 10-13.


All of this means that if Councils want to chance their housing target they need to hold a Housing Needs Assessment as soon as possible. High Peak is doiong this, so it is important for as many residents as possible to respond to the Housing Needs Assessment consultation in October.

Plans for 85,000 homes dropped after scrapping of regional housebuilding targets

Please read this article http://www.housing.org.uk/default.aspx?tabid=212&mid=828&ctl=Details&ArticleID=3092

An extract is given below..............

Almost 85,000 planned homes have been scrapped by councils across England in the wake of the Government’s decision to axe regional housebuilding targets, according to a campaign group. An independent report, commissioned by the National Housing Federation, found many town halls have substantially reduced plans for new homes following the decision by ministers to advise them to ignore the previous government’s regional housebuilding targets and the subsequent abolition of the targets altogether. Communities Secretary Eric Pickles wrote to local authorities in May outlining the Government’s commitment to abolishing regional strategies. This followed a letter sent to local authorities last year by Caroline Spelman, who was then shadow Communities Secretary, announcing the Conservative party’s intention to abolish regional targets following the election. On 6 July, Mr Pickles formally revoked the regional targets with immediate effect saying: “They were a terrible, expensive, time-consuming way to impose house building.”

Since the closure of the HPBC Consultation on the draft Joint Core Strategy (15 July 2010) it has become clear that two organisations have an interest in housing development in Chapel-en-le-Frith.

(1) High Peak Land, represented by John Rose of JRConsulting

http://highpeak-consult.limehouse.co.uk/common/search/advanced_search.jsp?id=349306&sortMode=response_date&lookingFor=representations&tab=list

Look for High Peak Land's views on the Options CA and CB.

Also scroll down to the bottom of the page to see the recent response and map GOP-2.pdf

(2) Barratt Developments PLC, represented by Alan Knott of JRConsulting.

http://highpeak-consult.limehouse.co.uk/common/search/advanced_search.jsp?id=452137&eventId=0&sortMode=response_date&lookingFor=representations&tab=list

Again, scroll down for details of how Barratt Homes wish to build on the grounds of Chapel High School and the surrounding fields including those adjacent to Crossings Road.

It comes as no surprise that landowners and prospective developers wish to support the housing proposals under the draft Joint Core Strategy ....... BUT, their views demonstrate a conflict of interest between the needs of this area and their desire to profit from a housing development.

There remains no justification for broad area housing development in Chapel-en-le-Frith.

Chapel-en-le-Frith Parish Council has prepared a detailed response to the 'Joint Core Strategy' consultation. The response may be viewed at http://www.chapel-en-le-frithparishcouncil.gov.uk/newsletter.htm

Only a short time remaining to register your comments ..........

We have until 15 July to register comments and observations on the Core Strategy Document - Draft Plan. High Peak Planning Officers told us on 5th July that comments received after 5th July would be considered, but the official close is midnight on 5th July. Many comments are now visible on the online 'Consultation Portal', with some people making clause-by-clause comments and others submitting a structured argument at the top of the document. Of course, you may comment by post or e-mail ... details in the early part of this blog. If you haven't done so already, please send your comments .... as everyone keeps saying ... it's important to have your say !

Joint Core Strategy .... online comments

Responses on the Joint Core Strategy may be made online at

http://highpeak-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal/planning/jointcorestrategy/derbyshire_dales_and_high_peak_joint_core_strategy_-_draft_plan_49?pointId=1163093#document-1163093

By visiting the 'Consultation Portal', you can read the comments that people have already made.

Don't miss chance to have your say

..... just in case you missed the article in the Buxton Advertiser today.

Click on the image to enlarge it. Thanks to Joan for clipping the article.

Chapel-en-le-Frith Parish Council meeting 06 July

A short presentation against the Chapel West element of the 'Joint Core Strategy' will be given during the 'Open Forum' agenda item of the Parish Council Meeting from 19:30 at Chapel Town Hall. Please visit

http://chapel-en-le-frith.blogspot.com/2010/06/chapel-parish-council-planning-meeting.html

Extended surgery times with Andrew Bingham MP

Many residents have asked about the support available from Andrew Bingham MP. Recently, Andrew has indicated that he will extend the normal surgery hours on Saturday 10 July to include an earlier start time of 09:00.
Full details available at http://www.hpca.co.uk/accessible.php?sectionid=106

Some questions to which we're seeking answers .........

During a meeting with HPBC Planning Officers on 05-July, we are seeking to obtain answers to the following ..........

1. Why does the Joint Core Strategy document differ from the Summary document in terms of the JCS showing several possible areas for broad development whereas the Summary paper shows only Chapel West for the Central Area ?

2. Why has an open field site been proposed for Chapel West when various in-fill and brown-field sites are available ? The Joint Core Strategy Justification paper states that previously developed land should be prioritised.

3. Is it reliable to base a 20 year growth plan on a very small proportion of questionnaire responses throughout HP / DD ? Is HPBC aware of a local housing needs survey, recently commissioned by Chapel Parish Council ?

4. Has HPBC given any thought to the likely cost of upgrading the road infrastructure to support this development ? Without upgrading, all benefits accrued from the construction of the A6 bypass will be negated. Note also that road access to the A6 would be through the centre of Chapel and Whaley Bridge.

5. Although the green field of the proposed development area for Chapel West are not greenbelt, do you agree that these should be considered as important greenfield (and therefore possibly redefined as greenBELT) land given the detrimental affect the proposed plan would have on the valley and natural environment for which the area is renowned and which defines the town's whole character and sense of place ?

6. Is High Peak BC aware of the possible in-fill and brown-field sites in and around Chapel-en-le-Frith ?

7. To what extent will High Peak BC listen to Chapel-en-le-Frith Parish Council’s views ?

8. If central government targets are reduced following the review expected later in July, will there be a review of the Joint Core Strategy including following normal guidelines of using in-fill and brown-field sites ?

9. If the Joint Core Strategy is reviewed, will there be a further round of consultation ?

10. HPBC have stated that they value the character of the High Peak rural landscape. Has HPBC consulted with PPPB in view of the proximity of the site to the PP boundary, and the open views over the site from the PP, as there is no abrupt visual demarcation between the PP and the proposed site ? Chapel is an ancient and historic small town – much more so than surrounding towns. Do you wish Chapel to be submerged by surrounding estates and become a commuter settlement ?

11. It was the Local Authority policy that they “did not want to see more of the same” when Downlee Close was at the planning stage. So if property is built in the vicinity of Marsh Hall Farm/Downlee Close will you confirm that the same policy applies ?

12. We cannot understand the justification for th broad area housing development in Chapel West. A balanced document of this nature should clearly address the following: (a) Why do it ?, (b) Why do it now ? and (c) Why do it this way ? The advantages and disadvantages of every option should be covered.

13. Has the HPBC considered that any development could be a precedent to the further encroachment into open country ?

14. Is HPBC aware that the proposed Chapel West area has serious drainage issues ? Please note that all properties in the neighbouring areas of Cockyard and Combs treat waste via septic tanks with treated water outflows via normal water course drainage usually into Combs reservoir, if there is an increase in the surface water table then septic tanks will flood and raw sewage will contaminate water course and reservoir.

15. Is there any truth in rumours that the proposed housing development is intended to house overspill from Hattersley ?

16. Is it true that HPBC has established that the proposed land in Chapel West is ‘available’ ? If so, what discussions have taken place, what other land has been identified as available, and has any surveying been done already ?

17. Who instigated the idea of building on these fields - HPBC or some higher authority ? Has there been any external influence on HPBC in respect of the proposed broad area development in Chapel West ?

18. Why were so many of us not informed of the consultation process, instead hearing about it after the public meeting and consequently having insufficient time to properly analyse and respond ? Please note that many people (some without internet access) have found it very difficult to inform themselves in the short time available.

19. Given the above, can the deadline of 15 July be extended ?