ParishCouncilNews

Queen’s jubilee & planning applications

The hanging baskets went up in time for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend. This year they are red/white/blue to mark the occasion. It was lovely to see so many residents on Jubilee weekend at the ‘Old Ashington’ Exhibition, Vintage Teas at the Youth Club and the Ashington Scouts rifle range. Huge thanks must go to: Margaret Alford and Lee English for the Exhibition; Helen, Philip, Valerie, Pat, Wendy, Doreen, Bobby and Lewis for the Vintage Teas and activities at the Youth Club; David and Sharon Newland for the Scouts rifle range and to the many others that helped in any way. Still no news on the planning application for the Tearoom. However, we have a mobile coffee van coming to the site this summer so that’ll provide a service to both residents and visitors. Also, no news on the Chanctonbury Nurseries planning application and no update from Bellway Homes on their initial proposals for Church Farm. Planning doesn’t move very swiftly. The Parish Council recently supported the Ashington Community Centre Trust’s (ACCT) application to HDC to use Developer funds to extend their car park by a further 9 spaces. The money was given to HDC in June 2012 for use on Community Centre ‘extension’ projects but as it was £27k it wasn’t enough for any major extensions. A planning application needs to be submitted by ACCT and approved by HDC but hopefully this will be done before the funds expire in June 2022. In June 2012 we might reasonably have expected that additional Developer funds would have become available from new developments that we could combine to facilitate bigger village projects but there has been very limited new development in Ashington since 2012. www.ashingtonpc.org.uk

Roundup of local village news from the Parish Council

Village Hall Thakeham Village Hall has weekday daytime and evening slots available for regular hirers. If you are looking for a venue, please get in touch via email info@thakehamvillagehall.co.uk or call 01798 815 467. (Please note we are not looking to increase our exercise/ yoga/pilates classes at this time.) Recycling Thank you to everyone who continues to use the local recycling Sussex Green Living facility which is now available every weekday morning (9.30-12.30) at the Village Hall. For details of what materials are accepted, visit our website. Platinum Jubilee memorials A bench commemorating the Jubilee has now been installed at the Abingworth football fields, and a new specimen tree will be planted this autumn. Parish Councillor vacancies At time of writing we have two councillor vacancies, (although this may change by time of publication). If you are interested, contact the Clerk for information. Planning Most new housing schemes in Horsham district remain held up by the need to meet 'water neutral' requirements, due to pressure on resources in the Arun catchment area. This situation seems likely to continue to at least the end of 2022. Several local planning proposals, e.g. the 25-house site at the ex-Rushfield Nursery, are affected by this. Construction of the last 75-house phase of the Abingworth development is in full swing, and will run through to late 2023. However, the Parish Council has objected to the detail of Bellway Homes’ house design proposals, as they appear to imply a further increase in occupant numbers. There is no further news about the proposal for 30 new homes at the site South of Furze Common Road, which the Parish Council strongly objected to. Monaghans Mushrooms closure latest A further conversation with Monaghan’s managers is scheduled, and will update residents on anything we learn about their plans for the site. Kinsbrook Vineyard and Farmhouse

The doors of the new farm shop building will open soon at this local enterprise (just west of the B2139 near Picketty Corner, RH20 2RZ). As well as a farm shop and café overlooking the site, the visitor centre will offer wine-tasting and vineyard tours. Find out more at www.kinsbrookvineyard.com Road safety The Parish Council has asked WSCC Highways to consider reducing the speed limit on the B2139 north and south of the Picketty Corner junction with West Chiltington Road, due to the poor sightlines there. Football fields Works to improve winter drainage at the Abingworth football fields are complete and we are monitoring the recovery of the surface for the next season. Allotments The final scheme for the new Abingworth allotments is now agreed, and they are due be delivered mid-2023. As we have been able to increase plot numbers, the waiting list for plots has now re-opened! – contact the Parish Clerk if interested. Details are on our website. Thakeham Stride and Ride Our popular A5 booklet of local walking routes remains available from Meadow Stores for £1.50. Contact us Email: clerk@thakehamparish.co.uk Phone: 01798 815305 You can find Parish Councillors’ contact details at: www.thakehamparish.co.uk/councillors If you are new to the Parish, contact us to receive a welcome pack! www.thakehamparish.co.uk

Washington Parish Council

Residents’ meeting, survey, traffic, cable route & vacancies

Report from Washington Parish Council. From the Chairman, Cllr Patrick Heeley. A date for your diary Due to the pandemic, it has been several years since the Parish Council organised a meeting for residents of the parish. To make up for this, a special meeting will be held on Friday 23rd September at 19.00 at the Washington Memorial Hall (Chanctonbury Room). An agenda will be published on the Council’s website and noticeboards nearer the time. Andrew Griffith MP has kindly agreed to be our guest speaker, and he will outline his support and involvement in those issues which are of most concern in Washington Parish. There will be reports from the local members of Horsham District Council (HDC) and West Sussex County Council (WSCC), as well as Sussex Police. Members of the Parish Council will outline the key issues that the parish currently faces. After the presentations, there will be adequate time for questions and answers, and refreshments will be provided throughout. After the meeting, there will be an opportunity to chat informally over a glass of wine. Admission to the meeting is free and limited to residents of Washington Parish (including Heath Common and Millford Grange), subject to hall capacity. Residents will be required to show evidence of residency (e.g. driving licence, utility bill) to ensure that capacity is restricted to those who qualify. Please join us for what promises to be a most interesting evening.

Investing in our community As a parish with a “made” Neighbourhood Plan, WPC now receives 25% of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) which is paid by developers when consent is given. (For parishes without a neighbourhood plan, the amount is 15%). The Parish Council set up a working party to look at

Village Hall how these funds could best be utilised for the benefit of the parish. We now want to hear from residents, with a chance to have your say over local priorities, before final decisions are taken. This will be one of the topics discussed at the September meeting, but in the meantime, a survey is underway and leaflets and posters are in distribution. The easiest way to complete the survey is to visit the council’s Home Page at www.washingtonparish.org.uk and complete the online form before the closing date on 31st October 2022 or you can email the dedicated survey address at: cilresponse@washingtonparish.org.uk Traffic issues Two members of the council recently met with WSCC Leader Paul Marshall and the Highways team to discuss residents concerns about speeding in Washington Village. Police have recently provided surveillance and reprimanded motorists who illegally use the bus crossover from the A24 into the northern entrance to the village. Meanwhile, we are progressing the installation of a speed activated warning device in Rock Road, following the results of the recent speed survey commissioned by the parish council. Rampion 2 cable route Following recent survey activity in the village, we are informed that the next stage of the Rampion 2 windfarm expansion proposals will be the consultation feedback to the public during September. The Parish Council has pressed for alternative routing of the inshore cable route to avoid Washington Village. Parish Council vacancies We currently have vacancies for co-option in both the Heath Common and Washington Wards. All members are volunteers and there is no political affiliation. If you are interested in supporting your local community and having a say in matters that affect our area, please contact the clerk for further information and an application form. clerk@washingtonparish.org.uk Website For all information about the council, its members, meetings, agendas and minutes, visit www.washingtonparish.org.uk