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Objection to 200 London taxis storage
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Objection over storage area for 200plus London taxis
A company's planning application to be allowed to continue to store more than 200 London taxis on Green Belt land in Thornwood has been unanimously opposed by the parish council. North Weald Bassett Parish Council's planning committee has expressed strong views over the use of the land at Weald Park Farm, off Duck Lane, where the vehicles have already been parked for a year. Documents submitted by GB Taxi Services to Epping Forest District Council as part of its retrospective planning application state that the company has some 212 vehicles on the land. It adds that the taxis are not currently needed because of the downturn in the taxi trade during the COVID-19 pandemic. The company is seeking temporary permission, for one year from Spring 2021 to Spring 2022, to store the vehicles on the land. However the parish council was told the vehicles have been on the site since April last year. Councillor Terry Blanks said: "This is a totally inappropriate use of a farm, it's more like a field than a farm. "There are 200 older taxis parked there already. They started off (parked) relatively neat; some are clearly being repaired. This is not a place to park old cabs." He added North Weald Airfield would be a "far more appropriate" place to park the vehicles than a farm. Councillor Sheila Jackman called on the parish council to lodge a "strong" objection". She said: "They (the taxis) have already been there for a year. They've been breaking the regulations. "If it was to be given permission it's effectively giving permission for two years and I really don't think that's on." Councillor Anne Grigg said: "It's simply inappropriate development in the Green Belt."
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Local Hospice opens up to explain “we are more than you think”
As part of this year’s Dying Matters Week – running 10-16 May, St Clare Hospice will be opening its virtual doors to local people to show them, ‘we are more than you think’. The West Essex and East Hertfordshire charity will be sharing its news in two Open Hospice events, taking place on Tuesday 11th May at 1pm for health and social care professionals and Tuesday 11thMay at 7pm for supporters, via meeting platform Zoom.
Attendees will hear from a range of speakers who will demonstrate the wide-range of services and support available to local people, explaining how people can get involved, and hear about the Hospice’s future plans.
Sally Muylders, Community Engagement and Involvement Manager at St Clare Hospice, said: “When our community think of St Clare, they often associate us with caring for people in the last days or weeks of their life, on our Inpatient Unit in the Hastingwood hospice. At our Open Hospice events we want to open our doors, virtually, and show that we offer so much more than that. Many people don’t realise that as well as our 8 beds in the Inpatient Unit, at any one time, we are also caring for around 100 people in their own beds, at home.”
“Not only that,” said Sally “but we care for people from the point of diagnosis of a life-limiting condition, offering support and therapies to empower people to remain independent and live their life to the full. Many people are known to St Clare for a number of years, and are supported in different ways to make the most of every moment. We are also here for the whole circle of family and friends, as well as the patient, and offer a holistic service that includes spiritual, social and emotional care – supporting the family through grief too.”
Commenting on her role as Community Engagement and Involvement Manager, Sally Muylders said: “Our aim is to be an open and welcoming place that sits at the heart of our community, and supports local people in the way that they want. It has been through listening to what local people need when facing death, dying and loss, that we have recently developed our new bereavement café groups and bereavement support helpline. Our Open Hospice events will offer a chance for that conversation with local people around what they need to continue, so that the future plans of the Hospice respond to the needs identified by our community.” The Open Hospice events are free, and open to everyone. However, those looking to attend will need to first register on Eventbrite. They will then be sent the details so that they can join one of the two Zoom events.
To register for the event for local healthcare and voluntary sector professionals at 1pm on Tuesday 11th May visit:
stclarehospice.org.uk/event/open-hospiceprofessionals
Laptops for schools scheme open for donations
Essex County Council has re-opened its appeal for old laptops to be donated to help children in need to study. Since December 2020, the council has distributed 5,000 laptops, tablets and Chrome Books to schools and colleges to give to families whose children don’t have access to a device at home.
During lockdown, when schools and colleges were closed, the Closing the Digital Divide Scheme helped thousands of children and young people to join online lessons and continue learning. Now schools are back, more devices are needed for children who need to self-isolate suddenly or for homework or home-schooling. Access to online learning is also important for children in social care, with mental health issues or who cannot attend school for medical reasons.
Anyone with an old or unused laptop can drop it off at their local library during opening hours. Please adhere to social distancing. They can take laptops of any age, make or condition but not other devices. All laptops received will be thoroughly cleaned inside and out with all data and programmes removed securely by our partners, EOL IT Services. No data on the device will be accessed during this process. Any that can’t be re-used will be sold for parts and the income used to buy new devices. Businesses upgrading their IT systems can also donate. Interested business owners or residents who feel there is an opportunity to engage with their employer and would like to know how the scheme can work with businesses, can email TSLaptop.Donations@essex.gov.uk. They have already had some very generous donations from Essex businesses. Nicole Wood, Essex County Council’s Executive Director for Finance and Technology said: “Online . By providing these devices we are closing the digital divide and helping all children and young people to have the opportunity to learn, develop and thrive.” Closing the Digital Divide builds on the Department for Education’s ‘Get Help with Technology’ initiative which saw 2,000 laptops provided to disadvantaged pupils in Years 3 to 6 in Essex. The county council’s scheme widens availability to other families and ages where children and young people have no access to a device at home or, perhaps, have had to share a parent’s mobile phone or laptop.
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Barriers at The Parish Hall, Thornwood
Barriers are being installed at the entrance to The Parish Hall, Thornwood, by North Weald Bassett Parish Council, following an increase in anti-social behaviour surrounding the hall and in the car park.
Councillors have approved spending £5,463 on barriers and their installation. I have recently been informed that whilst two people were walking behind Bookers, one of them was attacked by a dog. The lady involved confirmed she did not provoke the dog, she did not kick out during the attack and remained calm but despite this she was bitten on both legs by the dog. The dog was a tan/ brown dog.
The incident has been reported to police, I have also been informed that in this particular area other people have come across the same dog. Please be cautious, particularly if you are walking in that area with children or dogs.
I have also been informed of a dog being attacked by three boxer type dogs in the village. I don’t know any other details but the owner had to take the dog to the vets.
Keeping shoppers safe on the High Street
A project to tidy up Epping High Street, while improving opportunities for social distancing is already underway.. The project, funded by Epping Forest District Council, will see the end of the wind-blown temporary orange barriers, with wider pavements, attractive planters, more bike racks and more outdoor seating. Local contractor WH Construction has been appointed by the Council to undertake the works and replace the temporary pavement widening with a more professional and appropriate finish. The work will be scheduled around the popular Monday market and is expected to last two to three weeks during which we will attempt to minimise disruption. A Council spokesman said: There will inevitably be some disruption at times during the construction works, but we will aim to keep residents, shoppers and businesses informed throughout the process and minimise disruption. Works will be completed between markets and we hope local people will bear with us as we work to remove the unsightly rows of orange barriers – a short-term solution to encourage social distancing at the beginning of lockdown – with proper, level-access pavements. The changes are time limited and expected to last 12-18 months. There are three main sections to be widened, outside M&S, outside McColls/Post Office and outside Barclays bank. A Council spokesman continued: These works will ensure the High Street can operate safely, restore local confidence and help keep our residents safe.
