Report from I.W. Councillor Roger Mazillius

Posted by Admin on 16 September 2009, 12:00 am

COUNCILLOR ROGER MAZILLIUS
I.W. COUNCILLOR FOR COWES SOUTH & NORTHWOOD
21 OXFORD STREET, NORTHWOOD
ISLE OF WIGHT PO31 8PT
Tel: 01983 295556
Email: roger.mazillius@iow.gov.uk

REPORT – OCTOBER 2009

VILLAGE GREEN APPLICATION

The application was adjourned earlier this month to appoint an independent expert to advise the Council Committee on the complex legal and evidential issues which the case had exposed during the preliminary hearing.

The Landowner’s London Barrister applied to dismiss the application on the grounds that there was insufficient evidence to warrant the case being determined. Fortunately the Committee unanimously disagreed and found there was enough evidence to support the matter being properly and fully determined at a public hearing.

I am very grateful to those residents who attended to support my application. In this regard, I will be contacting those who made statements in support to clarify certain details of their use of the field in question.

I have already received new statements in support and would welcome any resident who used the field during the 1970s to the 1990s and beyond to contact me if they have not already done so because we require as much evidence as possible to support the 20 Years of Use rule.

Just to remind them that the field is the one between Wyatts Lane and Pallance Road containing public footpath CS14 and known as The Football Field, The Daisy Field, Round A Ground, Down Through or the Whistle Field.

WYATTS LANE 20 MPH ZONE –
NORTHWOOD PRIMARY SAFE ROUTE TO SCHOOL

The static 20 mph signs are now erected and the 20 mph flashing speed signs are programmed to be erected on 22nd to 24th September. This is part of an Islandwide and mainland scheme to make routes around schools safer and to encourage pupils to walk or cycle to school.

I will be meeting shortly with the School and the Council’s Schools Travel Advisor to update our Travel Plan with particular reference to the additional two years of pupils staying at the school from the ages of 9 to 11 from 2010.

In the meantime I have seen photographic evidence of inconsiderate parking across local driveways during term times which has stopped homeowners from leaving or entering their own driveways. In one case this led to a missed doctor’s appointment. May I urge parent motorists to ensure they do not park across these local driveways without the permission of the homeowner.
Finally may I also urge local motorists to observe this lower speed limit. Evidence detailing the number of accidents on Island roads has shown an 18% reduction in the number of collisions where speed reactive signs have been installed. Of course in this particular area of Northwood we are looking not just at vehicle collisions but the safety of vulnerable small children.

Please keep all of this in mind when driving near schools.

ALLOTMENTS

I will be giving up my plot at the end of this month to make way for someone on the waiting list. I have a good size garden and took a plot to support the project and because there were vacancies at the beginning of the scheme.
The soil is very productive. Indeed one plot-holder, Paul Morris of Newport Road/Coronation Avenue won the Largest Marrow prize at this year’s very successful Northwood Village Produce Annual Show. Also my potato yield (Desiree variety) produced a massive 10lbs from one seed potato alone!

Any local resident who would like to go on the now-shortened waiting list of one or two should contact Parish Clerk Barbara Herbert whose details are on the front of the Parish Council page. Finally I would like to thank all plot-holders for their enthusiasm and support during this important first year of Northwood allotments.

HILLIS GATE RIDING STABLES

I am sorry to report that a large portable toilet block and caravan have recently appeared on this quiet rural site, despite planning permission having been refused by the Planning Committee and by a Planning Inspector on appeal.

Vigilant local residents have supplied a report on this with photographs to the Council’s Planning Enforcement Unit and letters have already been written requesting removal of these “buildings” which are parked on concrete sites contrary to the planning decision.

I expect enforcement procedures to quickly follow to protect this site and I will report further on this in due course.

COWES, NORTHWOOD AND GURNARD PUBLIC REALM IMPROVEMENTS

The IW Council has recently embarked on a £200,000 improvement project which includes replacing old and tired-looking railings and bollards, cleaning street signs, cleansing and replacing bus shelters, erecting new street nameplates and refurbishing street lighting columns.

These improvements will also see new litter bins for old ones, old public benches being replaced and trees which have died being replaced. (Indeed such a replacement scheme will shortly take place in Woodside Close).

Residents may particularly have noticed the new railings along Cowes Esplanade by the old Grantham Hotel apartments. Three new bus shelters are also planned for Northwood.