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| March 2007 No New Surgery Yet |
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| NEW POWER STATION AT BRADWELL Bradwell has been revealed as one of the most suitable places in the country for a new nuclear power station. A recent Government report about the future of nuclear power says that new power stations should be developed alongside renewable energy sources and this could be literally the case in this location. If given the go ahead the new power station could be sited just a few hundred metres from a ten turbine wind farm. A Government Consultation Document has listed Bradwell as one of the top three prime locations for a new generation of power stations. The two major schemes have attracted mixed feelings on the Dengie Peninsular - the majority being in favour of the power station but opposed to the wind farm. I would suspect that this would not be the case in Mersea - we shall see! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| B>PROPOSED CHANGES TO FLOOD SIREN ALERTS There is to be a review of the use of coastal Flood Sirens. The Sirens used in Mersea today for flood warnings are the same ones that were used during World War 2 to warn of enemy action. Maintenance of these sirens is proving uneconomic and they will cease operating in July 2008. In the meantime an alternative "Flood Warning Direct System" will be put in place. We are not quite sure yet what this "alternative" system is or what it involves (perhaps a man on a bicycle blowing a bugle!). Rest assured will let you know when we find out more. |
| OLD SHEDS – NEW PLANS Lay and Wheeler have submitted new plans for the old Oyster Sheds in Coast Road. The sheds comprise two linked buildings overlooking Cobmarsh Island – Thornfleet and Mersea Fleet and lie within West Mersea Conservation area. Permission is being sought for a change of use from a private corporate venue to an A3 class use restaurant with additional car parking. The proposed new car park will be sited on the Victory Boatyard below and against the existing mature hedge. the proposals include 21 parking spaces on the Victory boatyard - an automatic entrance - exit barrier and cycle racks The proposed plans for the sheds show a 48 cover restaurant with south and west facing balconies (to maximise the view of the saltings and the sunset!) Business hours will be 6 days and 6 evenings a week – 11am to 11pm. The restaurant will be open to the public during normal hours but Wheelers Cellars will also run special functions for their clients throughout the year. Lay and Wheeler hold the leasehold interest and business of the Peldon Rose These plans have complied with certain restrictions as laid down by English Nature and the Environment Agency. The proposed Plans include a new gable end wall which will be predominantly constructed in glass to take advantage of the view – existing timber walls to be finished in cream colour washed weatherboard – and roof will be covered in tan (old sails?) coloured roofing sheets. Full details of the plans can be seen in the Council Offices in Melrose Road Latest - At the last Planning Meeting - West Mersea Council agreed to recommend these plans be passed with certain conditions imposed < ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| NO CROSSING FOR BARFIELD ROAD Public demand for a zebra crossing in Barfield Road has led to a survey of traffic and pedestrian use being carried out recently. The calculations indicated that the site only achieved a quarter of the required criterion for a crossing - therefore it was determined that the installation of a zebra crossing was not recommended. |
| b>LINK ROAD A recent letter from Cllr Hume, Highways and Tranportation - Essex County Council concerning the proposed Link Road stated the following:- "We are disappointed to learn that the earliest possible funding for this scheme may not be through by 2011-2016 when it will be considered against other requests from around the county". |
| SECTION 106 "PLANNING GAIN" CASH LEFT UNSPENT A local newspaper has recently revealed that Colchester Borough Council have spent just £1.2million of the £19.5million they have received as part of "Section 106 Agreements". Councils allow developers to put up housing and as part of the planning agreement they have to invest in community facilities. It appears that this money is sitting in Council coffers rather than being spent on the communities it was meant for. Colchester has said that a large proportion of the cash had been given to Essex County Council for spending on education and highways. In the past the council had lost money because it has failed to keep track of Section 106 agreements which had then lapsed but that much had been done to prevent similar occurrences. |
| PARISH CHURCHYARD MAINTENANCE At the last Finance Meeting it was agreed that the The Town Council pay the annual Churchyard maintenance payment of £950 to the Parish Church |
| WIND FARM AT BRADWELL Energy giant Npower have won their appeal to place 10 wind turbines on farmland at Bradwell. The Planning Inspector stated that this would mean a major change to the appearance of the Dengie Peninsular but he was satisfied that the essential character of the area would not be lost. The wind farm will power on average between 8,000 and 10,000 local homes. The turbines will stand at 121 metres tall on farmland to the south of St Peter's Chapel and will be clearly seen from Mersea. |
| p>PLANNING MATTERS OLD OYSTER SHEDS The Town Council have received a renewal of the existing approval to take down the existing oyster sheds, refurbish and renovate timber frame walls and roof, re erect walls and extend shed for use as a private oyster tasting and luncheon/dining suite. This application did not include parking but did include "bussing" clients from the Peldon Rose. Several letters have been received expressing concerns about this plan mainly on grounds of highway problems. The Town Council recommended refusal of this original plan on the same grounds as the original refusal. |
| PROPOSED INCREASE IN PRECEPT Due to the extra financial burden placed upon the Council by legal fees for the Enquiry over village green status for the Youth Field - the Finance Committee have recommended to Council an approximate 17% increase in our Precept this year. It will be a one off increase and will revert again next year. This equates to an approximate increase of £8 for each household in West Mersea rated on a Band D property The Finance Committee have also approved an average increase in expenditure overall of 3% this year - this increase does not include our additional legal fees. PCSO'S The Finance Committee also discussed the question of costings for PCSO's. We are still not sure how much more we will have to pay towards the cost of our PCSO's (Community Police Officers) next year - we await more information on this matter in due course. |
| PROPOSED CHANGES TO AIRSPACE IN THIS AREA Airspace over south east England is used by aircraft heading to or from airports in this region (i.e.Stanstead) . Direct flight paths burn less fuel and create fewer emissions and continuous descent approaches reduce noise and improve fuel efficiency by keeping aircraft higher for longer Changes in aircraft routes with some of the aircraft now stacking over the Sudbury area would be relocated potentially increasing the concentration of aircraft over Mersea and the Blackwater area. They would like your views on these proposals. Website - www.nats.co.uk/TCNconsultation |