Northwood Parish Council

Posted by Admin on 19 February 2009, 12:00 am

NORTHWOOD PARISH COUNCIL
Chairman: Cllr John Pullen
86 Wyatts Lane, Northwood.
Tel: 01983 281250
Vice-Chairman: Cllr Paul Fuller
74 Wyatts Lane, Northwood.
Tel: 01983 289595
Chairman (Planning): Cllr Peter Brooker
28 Uplands Road, Northwood.
Tel: 01983 296958
Cllr Colin Cramp
37 Greenways, Northwood.
Tel: 01983 289996
Cllr Marie Ely
14 Wyatts Lane, Northwood.
Tel: 01983 299673
Cllr Roger Mazillius CC
21 Oxford Street, Northwood.
Tel: 01983 295556
Cllr Colin Palmerton
40 Greenways, Northwood.
Tel: 01983 282242
Cllr Eileen Turner-Palmerton
40 Greenways, Northwood.
Tel: 01983 282242
Parish Clerk & RFO: Barbara Herbert
11 Wyatts Lane, Northwood.
Tel: 01983 290086
Email: barbara.herbert@sky.com

The views expressed are those of the contributors, and are not necessarily those of Northwood Parish Council.

FUTURE MEETINGS OF NORTHWOOD PARISH COUNCIL:

All meetings are held in Northwood W.I. Hall, where the public and press are welcome to attend. Prior to each meeting there is an opportunity for attendees to ask questions.

Northwood Parish Council, 8.00pm, Tuesday 3rd March 2009

Agenda items to include: Quality Council Status and Allotments Selection

Northwood Parish Council (Planning Committee) 8.00pm, Tuesday 17th March 2009 (to be confirmed – contact Barbara Herbert on 01983 290086 for details).

NORTHWOOD RURAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING UPDATE
(Colin Cramp, Tel: 01983 289996; Email: colin.cramp@yahoo.co.uk)

At the Northwood Parish Council meeting on 3rd February Sharon Packer (Rural Housing Enabler based at Isle of Wight Rural Community Council), gave a presentation on the results of the Housing Needs Survey. Unfortunately no members of the public attended the presentation!

The principal outcomes were:

a) 9% of survey questionnaires were returned completed. This is some way below an average response.

b) 11 households have a local housing need at some point over the next 5 years. Therefore the provision of rural affordable housing in Northwood should be pursued.

c) 67% of respondents were supportive of a small scheme of affordable housing for local people.

d) Gurnard could be a “secondary” parish, meaning any rural affordable housing unfilled by residents with a Northwood connection could be filled by residents with a Gurnard connection.

The full Northwood Housing Needs Survey Report can be viewed online at http://www.iwrcc.org.uk. Follow the Affordable Rural Housing link.

HILLIS GATE RIDING STABLES
Planning Application – Appeal Dismissed
(Peter Brooker Tel: 01983 296958; Email: peter.brooker@waitrose.com)

The Parish Council is pleased to report that the appeal to the Planning Inspectorate against the refusal of the I.W. Council to grant planning approval for a seasonal caravan park at the site of the former Hillis Gate Riding Stables has been dismissed.

This planning application, lodged early last year, was vigorously opposed by the immediate residents. Their opposition was totally and actively supported by the Parish Council and our Ward Councillor. These combined voices – residents, Parish Council and Ward Member – persuaded the IWC Planning Committee to refuse the application, contrary to I.W.C. Officer recommendation.

In her judgement, the Planning Inspector cited harm to the character and appearance of the area, and the impact on the living conditions of the nearby residents, as justifications for dismissing the appeal. She felt in this case that these two factors outweighed issues of encouraging economic activity and the seasonal nature of the application.

The Parish Council is delighted to have been able to contribute to the outcome of this case. A charming area on the boundary of our community should now have its character and tranquillity maintained for all to enjoy.

Planning decisions do not always go the way the Parish Council would wish. It would be good to think that the views of residents on planning applications were expressed more often; and as cogently as they were in this case. See you at the next Parish Council meeting!

TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT WORKING PARTY
At last!! A chance to become involved!!
(Paul Fuller, Tel: 01983 289595; Email: paulfuller@onwight.net)

Are you frustrated by speeding traffic, pot-holes or indiscriminate parking? Do you feel there are things you would like to see done differently when shaping local transport priorities? Could more be done to promote a choice of transport alternatives? Could access to work or local schools be better, do you even have a ‘thing’ about redundant street signage. Do you (or somebody you know!!) have ideas that could make life easier for our community in Northwood?

If the answer to any of these questions is YES, we want to hear from you. The Traffic and Transport Working Party has been set up to make recommendations to the Parish Council and the Isle of Wight Council on speed limits and speeding traffic (especially in Wyatts Lane, Pallance Road, Pallance Lane, Nodes Road and Newport Road); highway, footway and cycleway improvements. The Working Party is interested in our local bus service, wants to work in partnership with local schools in developing Transport Plans and wants to make informed and relevant representations to current consultations (particularly the I.W.C.’s Speeding Review and priorities for the Private Finance Award Grants).

If you are interested in becoming involved within the Traffic and Transport Working Party, please give myself or Barbara a call!!

NORTHWOOD PARISH COUNCIL MEETING IN A NUTSHELL …
(Paul Fuller)

PC Lisa Paul reported that at the recent Cowes meeting of the Safer Neighbourhood Community Forum the top priorities highlighted were:

1. Lack of Parking;
2. Anti-social youth behaviour and
3. Lack of youth facilities.

Cowes Mayor, Cllr. Geoff Banks, Sgt Julie Cocks and I.W. Councillor Alan Wells were to investigate further … Councillors Roger Mazillius, John Pullen, Colin Palmerton and Eileen Turner-Palmerton attended on behalf of Northwood.

Grahame Deacon, IWC Environment & Neighbourhoods Officer for Cowes reported that dog walkers had been approached concerning dogs being off leads. Residents are reminded that dogs should, following recent changes to the law, be kept on leads in public places (except parks and beaches). Officers can use their powers to impose fixed penalties for this, as well as for dog-fouling, dropping of litter, graffiti, and smoking in enclosed public spaces …

The Northwood Community Partnership will undertake the two One Million Blooms projects at Coronation Avenue and Four Cross.

It is hoped the new allotments will be up and running soon. Lots would be drawn to allocate the location of plots to prospective allotment holders.

Northwood Parish Council has registered its interest in becoming involved with the national ‘Big Tidy Up’ initiative which takes place this month. The campaign was launched by Keep Britain Tidy in September and schools, voluntary groups, youth organisations and businesses have been asked to become involved.

If you have ideas or want to get involved please contact Barbara Herbert on 01983 290086. This will be discussed at the March meeting of the Parish Council.

CITIZENS ADVICE … IN NORTHWOOD
(Paul Fuller)

If you need advice on practical, up-to-date information on a wide range of topics, including benefits and housing, employment rights and discrimination; if you need advice on debt and tax issues the CAB can help, or if they can’t they can point you in the right direction!

The Citizens Advice Centre is based in Exchange House, St Cross Lane in Newport and is open from 10am – 4pm, Mondays – Fridays. The CAB also holds an outreach service on the ground floor of Cowes Medical Centre on Wednesday mornings.

For further information contact the Citizens Advice Bureau on 0845 120 2959 (24 hours) or see their website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk