If it's not in your calendar it should be

Wildlife among the gravestones

The Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Wildlife Trust seems a  good cause to me given the potential threat to our fauna, not mention flora. 

You might have seen recent news about a dramatic decline in bees and the possible impact this could have on pollination. A representative of the BCN WT will be meeting with some parish councillors in the churchyard today to discuss identifying a small section that could be designated 'wildlife friendly'. There should also be a rep from the Bedfordshire Living Churchyard Scheme. Hopefully we will learn some of the practical benefits and not adopt this proposal just because it feels good.The Parish Council maintains the Churchyard in good order.

Cranfield Churchyard

The Churchyard and the village cemetery are, I think, the two most interesting and appealing pieces of open space in the village. They fuse human history found in the gravestone inscriptions with present day wildlife and vegetation. In the case of the cemetery, the view over the Vale is immense.

Cranfield Cemetery

Last week  the Trust and 24 other UK wildlife organisations published the "State of Nature" Report – the first of its kind in the country – revealing that 60% of species studied have declined over recent decades.

Read it at Wildlife Trust News

Duke of Burgundy butterfly

Cranfield in colour

Did you always think that we lived life in black and white in Cranfield? 

Maybe that was because all the piccies in Cranfield Express were in black and white reflecting our sad monochrome lives.

But no more. Issue 158, June 2013 brings you the village in glorious polychrome and puts a whole new perspective on things. It's out this weekend

WITH NEW ADDED STAPLES

Well done to editor and proprietor Pete Hinson for moving things along.

Footpath closure in Mill Road

I note repairs to the Mill Road footpath are now scheduled to start on 10 June according to a new yellow temporary sign. Same cautionary comments from my previous blog posting apply. In addition, if the process results in more people, for the time being, parking their car on the road it will be specially congested.

Back filling and parking

Since it is now open season for garden developers (approval of application for two houses in the back of 34 Mill Road)  perhaps we should now be looking at a traffic management scheme for Mill Road in addition to Flitt Leys. And NOT, repeat NOT, footpath parking - saw one resident struggling with her triple buggy over the weekend.

Mill Road parking is becoming quite a headache.

34 Mill Road application approved

The PC had objected to a planning application which involved 'backfilling' at 34 Mill Road. Unfortunately its objections have been overruled. The reasons why CBC has passed this application are stated below.

Planning Application CB/12/04398/FULL, for the erection of two three bedroom dwellings with associated garages at the back of 34 Mill Road, has been granted by Central Beds. with the following conditions:

1)      The work shall commence within three years of the date of the permission;

2)       A  scheme shall be submitted for written approval by Central Beds. setting out the details of the materials to be used for the external walls and roof to protect the visual amenities of the building and of the area generally;

3)     The garage accommodation on the site for Plot 1 shall not be used for any purpose other than as garage accommodation unless Central Beds. agrees in order to retain off-street parking provision and thereby minimise the potential  for on-street parking which could adversely affect the convenience of road users;

4)     Prior to the occupation of the flats (N.B. in the design statement it refers to the two dwellings as family homes) the approved car parking, landscaping scheme, the wall  on the northern boundary and other boundary treatment shall be completed to protect the amenities of the adjacent properties;

5)     Before the premises are occupied the proposed development shall be carried out and completed in all respects in accordance with the access siting and layout, surfacing of the vehicular areas, parking provision and turning area as illustrated in the approved drawings to ensure that the development of the site is completed insofar as its various parts are interrelated and dependent one upon another and to provide adequate and appropriate access arrangements at all times;

6)     Details of a refuse collection point located outside of the public highway shall be submitted  to and approved by Central Beds. prior to the occupation of any dwelling. The scheme shall be fully implemented prior to occupation of any dwelling and shall be retained thereafter in the interest of amenity and in order to minimise danger, obstruction and inconvenience to users of the highway and the premises;

7)     Development shall not commence until a scheme detailing provision for on site parking for construction workers and deliveries for the duration of the construction period has been submitted to and approved in writing by Centra l  Beds., and the scheme shall be implemented throughout the construction period, to ensure adequate off street parking during construction in the interests of road safety.

Cranfield Parish Council objected to this application for the following reasons (these are given with the responses of Central  Beds.):

1)     Overbearing to neighbouring properties, and properties in Lordsmead (An overbearing impact would be considered development that would dominate the adjacent properties; it is considered that with the spacing between these properties – the closest  relationship being some 13 metres- would not be considered dominating or overbearing);

2)     Access- the development site is opposite to the junction of Longbornes, the visibility along Mill Road is poor ( It has been advised that there are suitable relationships with this junction and adjacent roads, the access is already constructed, as it services the existing flats. It is considered that the movements for two additional dwellings would not cause such an intensification that it would  become unsuitable );

3)     Insufficient parking causing cars to be parked on Mill Road which is already congested, causing traffic to weave (Plot 1 has parking in accordance with the Central Beds. parking strategy; Plot 2 has an extra parking space in accordance with the Central Beds. parking strategy. It is considered  that the additional space is reasonable; the garages accord with the size standard prescribed);

4)     Overdevelopment of the site (the site is 800 sq, m. , the site would approximately equate to 25 dwellings per hectare, which is considered a reasonable density for a village setting . In addition to this the garden space equates to the standards (approximately 100sqm) for family sized dwellings are met, and the parking standards are also met. It is not considered that this overdevelopment).

Bank holiday sunshine

Trouble in Cranfield hopes everyone who stayed in Beds for the bank holiday had a great time in our blissful spring weather. Waking during the night I could hear the rain thundering on the conservatory roof and thought 'That's good'. It'll help the plants I put in yesterday. 

Then I remembered the gas BBQ had its first outing this year over the weekend and was still sitting out the back uncovered and no doubt very fed up. 

And of course England didn't enforce the follow on on Sunday and batted for ever yesterday raising New Zealand hopes that a washout will avoid a whitewash.

The sun shines on Bradman as he scores 103 for Australia at Leeds in 1938

The plants are great the BBQ is now covered and how the cricket will end is anyone's guess.

In case there's no play today here are some recorded highlights of Test Match Cricket at Leeds. In 1953. Enjoy

The Australians come to Headingley

Filling the vacuum

So, if we don't want Covanta or anyone else putting a mega-incinerator in Rookery Pit, what should go in there? In Marston they are trying to get this debate going and hoping that others will join in. Here's a message (below) from Stewart Long secretary of MMAG which has played a leading role in the anti-Covanta campaign. Check out MMAG at http://mmetag.wordpress.com/

Marston Vale Lakes - a Greener Option

In last week’s Times and Citizen, Nadine Dorries asks local people to suggest better uses for Rookery Pit and MMAG are happy to start the debate. There is a clear need to develop our green infrastructure in an area under constant development pressure. A tourism opportunity exists that builds on current and approved activity, including the Bedford-MK canal and Center Parcs. Link up, Brogborough Lake (wind surfing), Lidlington & Marston Lakes (angling), Millennium Country Park, including both Rookery Pits (wildlife lakes), Stewartby Lake (water-sports) and the country park and rowing lake at Willington.

Economic boost, good for small businesses, good for future generations. A little imagination and a focus that doesn’t condemn the Marston Vale to waste management is all that’s needed.

RBL says no to WWI centenary poppies

We were due to have a speaker at the PC meeting on 5 June from the local Royal British Legion to discuss their World War I centenary commemoration  next year. This involved sowing 10,000 poppy seeds in open space the village. 

We understand this project has now been cancelled by the RBL because, they say, gardeners are worried the poppy seeds will blow into their gardens.

As a result, representatives of the RBL will not be attending the meeting. I hope they will change their minds (about both the plan and discussing it with us) as I cannot believe the objections are that widespread.

Music evening in Cranfield

Enjoy a varied concert of beautiful music presented by  Manor House String Quartet 

 

ST PETER AND ST PAUL CHURCH
Court Road, Cranfield MK43 0DR

Saturday 8th June 2013 
from 7.30pm


Tickets £10:00
£5.00 students
Includes a glass of wine or soft drink
 
 

For tickets call: 
Andrew 01234 75 13 58 
Trevor 01234 75 13 21
Rev Hugh 01234 75 02 14 


 
 

Just clicking round

 Just clicking and found this, tweeted today by  Trevor Monk ‏@CardingtonSheds

Its an atmospheric and evocative image of Cardington airship sheds, a link between pre-ward Bedfordshire and the early aviation industry in the UK. 

 

CBC and Central Motors site

Following the Parish Council's letter to leader of CBC Cllr James Jamieson about the Central Motors Design Brief we have received the following answer. See below.

Cllr Jamieson is proposing that the executive lead for sustainable development (i.e.planning) Cllr Nigel Young meets with us to discuss the issues raised by the planning brief for Central Motors involving a school. That sounds like a sensible way forward though whether any remedy can come out of the meeting is anyone's guess. 

On that, Cllr Ken Matthews reported to the PC last week that talks were continuing with the developer at Flitt Leys /Central Motors to establish if there were alternative accesses. Again, I would not recommend the placing of any significant wagers.

And, finally, CBC is supposed to be working on a traffic management scheme NOW for the current parking nightmare that is Flitt Leys.   

Ready for a bracing bank holiday weekend?

No party in  the park this bank hol weekend so what to do in the neighbourhood? Go fly a kit or watch top kite experts do it  in Bedford's Russell Park on Saturday and Sunday. And on Monday the so-called Battle of the Bands.

Check out the deets on the Kite Festival link.

I don't think there's going to be any shortage of motive power.

And here's the weather for Saturday afternoon. 16 degrees isn't bad and no rain

Parish Council 5 June

Parish council agenda  for 5 June...please note speakers at 7 pm and 7.30 pm

I HEREBY GIVE YOU NOTICE that meetings of the under-mentioned Committees of the above named Parish Council will be held at Holywell School, Red Lion Close, Cranfield, MK43 0JA.

Wednesday 5^th June 2013 at 7.00pm

All members of the Committees are hereby summoned to attend for the purpose of considering and recommending upon the business to be transacted at the meetings as set out hereunder.

……….………………………….. Clerk of the Council

BUSINESS TO BE DONE

In attendance: 

To receive apologies for absence:  CB/PCllrs:

To receive declarations for Members in relation to: (a) Personal Interest or (b)   Prejudicial Interest in any Agenda item.

7.00pm:  Tom Ashley, Turnberry Planning Limited – 1 – 2 High Street

7.30pm:  Lynda Nash – RBL – Sowing of poppy seeds to commemorate the centenary of the Cranfield branch of the RBL

1.     General Purposes Committee

1.1.  To elect a Chairman and Vice-Chairman

1.2.  Beds. Fire Service – supply of defibrillator  (suggestions for suitable sites)

1.3.  Notice Boards

1.4.  LATP – suggestions for schemes

Reports - Correspondence - Agenda Items

2.     Environment Committee

2.1.  To elect a Chairman and Vice-Chairman

2.2.  Cranfield British Legion – sowing of poppy seeds.

2.3.  Townsend Green

2.4.  Skate Park

2.5.  Woodland Trust – free trees

Reports - Correspondence - Agenda Items

3.     Burial Grounds

3.1.  To elect a Chairman and Vice-Chairman

3.2.  Wild flower area – churchyard

3.3.  Baby burial area

3.4.  War graves

3.5.  Consecration of cemetery extension

Reports - Correspondence - Agenda Items

4.     Planning Committee

4.1.  To elect a Chairman and Vice-Chairman

4.2.  General Planning Matters

4.3.  Cycleway

4.4.  Marston Vale Liaison arrangements

Reports - Correspondence - Agenda Items

5.     Finance & Grants Committee

5.1.  To elect a Chairman and Vice-Chairman

5.2.  S137 Grants

5.3.  Bank accounts

5.4.  Lone Worker Policy

5.5.  David Rawle – increase in hours  to accommodate topple testing

Reports - Correspondence - Agenda Items

Gimme my money please

We are supposed to be getting an ATM at the Coop in Mill Road. Long overdue. Hopefully it will be voice operated.

Buzzard cull

Worrying news for Buzzards - being culled so that pheasants can be bred and then shot. Crazy and wrong as far as I am concerned. Read about it  plans to cull buzzards
Don't know what they make of it in Leighton Buzzard.

Colette Paul

I blogged recently on the quick turnover of Bedfordshire chief constable in modern times (compared to the 1800s).  Our likely new chief is Colette Paul (pictured), now Deputy Chief Constable of South Wales. Her appointment will be recommended to the police and crime panel when it meets next month and members will make the final decision. 

Ms Paul was selected by a panel including  Mr Martins, the former Chair of the Police Authority Peter Conniff and Carolyn Dhanraj from the College of Policing.  They were supported by former Chief Executive of the National Policing Improvement Agency Peter Neyroud

For the record

Here are the full minutes of the April meeting of the full parish council - for the record. We were very pleased to co-opt Daryl Saint as anew PC member.

In Attendance: Mrs R J Davey-Hunt. Mr D Saint (later joined the meeting).

^1.            To receive apologies for absence:  Mrs Sue Clark, V Cosbie-Ross.

        

^2.            To receive declarations of personal and/or prejudicial interests in any matter.  

^3.            To confirm the minutes of the last meeting dated 20^th March 2013; RESOLVED that the minutes of that meeting (previously circulated) be confirmed as a true record.

^4.            Clerks Report

4.1.    The Government has announced today that as part of the Safer Cycle Routes plan a grant of £125,000 is being given towards the cost of building a cycle path between Cranfield village and Cranfield University. CB/PCllr Mrs Sue Clark circulated a plan of the proposed route to all members.

4.2.    National cycleway – Route 51.  Work started today to repair the surface damage on Cycle Route 51 caused by water run-off. The work will be concentrated along Bridleway 12 towards Rectory Farm and The Thrift. As a result the Bridleway will need to be temporarily closed whilst the works are undertaken. It is not expected to take longer than 5 days, but an agreed alternative route has been agreed with the Forest of Marston Vale along their tracks through the new plantations.

^5.            Health and Safety

5.1.    Play Equipment: No problems reported, however PCllrs Mrs Laura Moore and M Phillips reported that the fence at the High Street recreation ground has been damaged.  The Clerk undertook to contact David Rawle to request prompt action to repair it.

^6.            Reports from Committees:

6.1.    Planning Committee and additional planning matters.  The Council received a report from the Chairman of the Committee (minutes previously circulated); it was RESOLVED that the report is approved and the recommendations therein be accepted. 

6.1.1.    The planning application relating to Barretts Yard Cranfield was deferred to the meeting of the Planning Committee in May.  The Clerk undertook to request an extension to deadline for comments to 3^rd May.

6.1.2.    PCllrs Mrs Delise Ball and R Baker will attend the Landfill Liaison meeting on behalf of CB/PCllr Mrs Sue Clark.

6.1.3.    It was reported that the first Neighbourhood plan has been passed.  It was agreed that this Council will register for the newsletter in order to track developments on the process with a view to assessing its value to this council.  CBCllr K Matthews reported that Barton le Clay and Toddington are in the early stages of the process.  Funding will be available from May 2013.

6.2.    General Purposes Committee.   The Council received a report, read by PCllr A Morris, from the Chairman of the Committee (minutes previously circulated); it was RESOLVED that the report is approved and the recommendations therein be accepted.  Mr Daryl Saint, the recommendation to co-opt him to the Council having been approved, signed Acceptance of Office and handed in his Members' Disclosable Pecuniary and Other Interests Form.  PCllr D Saint joined the meeting.

6.2.1.    Ben King, CBC, writes to invite Town and Parish Councils across Central Bedfordshire to bid for transport funding to deliver important schemes in the local area. The funding is part of the Central Bedfordshire Local Transport Plan (LTP) integrated transport budget allocation (details at http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/Images/LTP3_tcm6-20737.pdf#False .)  Details of the LTP Rural Match Fund and Bidding Guidelines circulated to all members on 3^rd April, together with a copy of the application form which should be returned as soon as possible.  It was agreed that this matter should be brought to Full Council, and that members would read the document and forward all comments to the Clerk - no comments were received.  PCllr L Pollock advised that the deadline for bids is July 2013, and proposed that members of the General Purposes committee familiarise themselves with the process with a view to discussing the matter in May at the meeting of the committees.  Possible projects include a pedestrian crossing at Mill Road (PCllr D Allan undertook to get further information to the Clerk to enable Amey to cost the work) and renovation of the university bus shelter; further suggestions to be put forward.  Match funding will be required and will therefore need to be included in the budget for 2014-15.   

6.2.1.1.    Steve Hall wrote some time ago stating: ‘Overall crossing of Mill Road at this location ought to be easier now as there is less distance to cross (whilst there used to be an island it was not used as a pedestrian refuge) and -  vehicle speed should be reduced and vehicle direction should be more obvious. Previously any vehicles approaching from High St could have been going either along Mill Rd or Bedford Road and it would not always have been obvious - even if they indicated. For those crossing to the Co-op from Portnall Place I would have thought that again the reduced speeds and clarity of the direction of approach of the cars would help pedestrians.  Mr Hall asked for any additional information that could help in producing estimates for a crossing. 

6.3.    Burial Grounds Committee.  The Council received a report from the Chairman of the Committee (minutes previously circulated); it was RESOLVED that the report be approved and the recommendations therein.

6.4.    Environment Committee. The Council received a report from the Chairman of the Committee (minutes previously circulated); it was RESOLVED that the report is approved and recommendations therein be accepted. 

^7.            FINANCIAL MATTERS AND ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT. 

7.1.    In consideration of the above, and having heard the comments and a proposal that the accounts presented are approved for payment from the Chairman of the Council; RESOLVED that those accounts detailed in Appendix A be approved for payment.

^8.            CORRESPONDENCE

8.1.    Consultation on Draft Revised Local List of Validation Requirements for Minerals & Waste Planning Applications within Central Bedfordshire.  The consultation period starts on Monday 8 April 2013 - comments must be submitted in writing to Roy Romans, Minerals & Waste Planning Team Leader, Central Bedfordshire Council, Priory House, Chicksands, Shefford SG17 5TQ or by e-mail to MWApplications@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk by 17.00 hours on Monday 20 May 2013.  Correspondence circulated to all members on 13th April.  The matter to be referred to CB/PCllr Mrs Sue Clark.

8.2.    Dawn Fowler, Leys Farm, Moulsoe Road (opposite Nissan and the Technology Park) writes to advise that the area where she lives is devoid of hedging and trees.  Mrs Fowler would like to plant a hedge between the farm fields and the roadside verge and is looking into funding from the farm stewardship scheme to help pay for hedging.  If nothing is forthcoming she asks if there are any funds available from this council.  Benefit would be for people using the footpath from the village and it would also act as an extra corridor for wild life to use.  Correspondence forwarded to all members on 12^th April 2013.

8.3.    The Department for Communities and Local Government is conducting a short informal survey which gives an opportunity to feed back direct to DCLG on the implications for this council of the Localism Act. The aim of the survey is to develop a better understanding of how town and parish councils are embracing community rights to empower their neighbourhoods to take action and influence local services. The survey is open until 10^th May 2013.

8.4.    PCSO Juliet Wright writes detailing recorded crime in the past 28 days (see appendix C).  Correspondence forwarded to all members on the 17th April.

8.5.    Mark Connell (Highways), writes regarding the proposed development at Flitt Leys Close.  He says that officers and members recently met with the developer for the site (Bellway), to discuss an alternative access to Flitt Leys Close; at the meeting, Bellway were encouraged to consider an alternative access for accessing the proposed new lower school and undertook to talk with landowners in the area to assess whether an alternative access could be feasibly achieved. Mr Connell went on to say that in the Executive meeting, where the development brief was formally adopted, Cllr Spurr identified that the Traffic Management Team would investigate a solution to the current parking issues in the area neighbouring the take-aways. This process will be subject to public consultation in the near future.  The Clerk undertook to ask for a timeline for the investigation.

 

^9.            REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES, CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE COUNCILLORS

9.1.    CB/PCllr A Bastable reported

9.1.1.    that at the CBC Committee meeting last night, it was recommended that the following councillors are to serve on committees as follows:

                                   Cllr K Matthews - chair of Planning; sustainable communities

                                   Cllr Sue Clark – planning and children’s services

                                   Cllr A Bastable – planning, sustainable communities

9.1.2.    The fencing at the access by Townsend Close is to be rebuilt.  PCllrs Mrs Delise Ball and A Bastable met with the university to agree the work.  The fence will be constructed using concrete posts and chain-link – to a height of six foot.  The area will be cleared of brambles, leaving a green area which will be the responsibility of this Council.  PCllr Mrs Delise Ball asked members to look at it and consider what to do with the land.

9.2.    CBCllr K Matthews reported that the annual meeting of CBC will take place tomorrow.

9.3.    PCllr L Pollock reported upon the disappointment of the Hartwell Charity in light of the rejection by CBC of the recent planning application relating to the alms houses.

^10.        HIGHWAYS.  Written reports passed to the Clerk for action. 

^11.        DATES OF NEXT MEETINGS:  Meeting of the General Purposes, Environment, Burial Ground, and Planning Committees: 1^ST May 2013 at 8.00pm (7.00pm Beds Fire Service – defibrillator); Annual meeting of the Full Parish Council, 15^th May at 8.00pm.

Appendix C

CRIME INFORMATION

18^th March – Theft from vehicle on Bedford Road. Location of offence is a driveway at the address whereby an unknown offender has crawled underneath the vehicle and removed and stolen the catalytic converter.  No signs of entry to the vehicle were made.

21^st March – Burglary in a building other than a dwelling on High Street.  Location of offence is an empty public house; offenders have used bolt cutters to cut off the padlock on the back door.  The premises have been stripped of all the copper piping and the copper boiler. Premises have since been secured.  No witnesses and no CCTV.

23^RD March – Burglary dwelling at Willow Springs. Location is a four bed detached house in which offenders have entered the rear garden and used a wheelie bin to climb on the conservatory roof and gain entry.  A tidy search was made and a small safe was taken, entry into the garage was made and tools and spanners were taken. Weight training equipment and jewellery were also taken.  House to house enquiries have been completed, no cctv and no witnesses.

25^th March – Theft from vehicle on Millards Close. 4 wheel trims have been removed from the vehicle at the location. No CCTV and no witnesses.

26^th March – Theft from vehicle at Portnall Place. Location of offence is a private car parking area.  An unknown offender has removed two power tools from a work vehicle which was insecure.

ANTI SOCIAL INCIDENTS

26^th March – Bourne End Road, abandoned vehicle.  This matter was resolved without officers attending.

3^rd April – Coronation Road, abandoned vehicle.  A 7 day order has been applied for.

4^th April – Mill Road, anti-social behaviour. Officers attended. The team are aware and are dealing.

6^th April – Lincroft, Rowdy/inconsiderate behaviour, noisy party at location, officers attended and advice was given.