Guilden Sutton Parish Council

Newsletter

December 2005, no 111

Green Lane. The public inquiry, at which the Parish Council was represented by the Clerk and the Vice Chairman, has now taken place and the Inspector has announced his decision.

After hearing evidence and making a site visit, the Inspector decided the route should be added to the definitive map as a byway open to all traffic. The decision is subject to further consultation as the Inspector disagreed with the County Council, which promoted the change in status, as to the basis on which the width of the route had been measured.

The Council was disappointed to learn during the hearing that the path already has the legal status of a byway and the issue revolved around its redesignation and recording on the definitive map.

Questioned by the Parish Council, the County Council insisted that no problems had arisen with a similar route close to a built up area elsewhere in Chester. It was also said that apart from the removal of stiles and fences, there would be as little change as possible to the character of the route.

At some point in the future, the path will be surveyed by the County Council to determine the extent of the work which will be necessary and the Parish Council has asked to be involved at that stage.

Trees. The Parish Council was consulted by the City Council on its proposals for a new tree policy for Chester district. Councillors agreed the proposed policy would provide a sound basis for the management of Chester's trees and welcomed recognition of the importance of involving the community.

The City’s Trees and Woodlands Officer had previously agreed that Guilden Sutton’s two tree wardens, Cllr Ron Bayton and Mr Alan Young, should be present when his review of trees in the parish took place.

The Parish Council also said that if tree preservation orders were to be reviewed, it would feel happier if existing TPOs were to continue and asked to be fully consulted before any action was taken.

The Council believes the village is fortunate to have the trees it has and would like to see more. If any land is available for planting where the trees could be enjoyed by the public it would be pleased to hear. Trees which are not protected can, of course, be felled but councillors would like to feel that occupiers would consider the possible alternatives and perhaps take advice before reaching that decision.

Housing allocations. The Council also had the opportunity to give its views to the City Council on proposals for a new social housing allocations policy.

The Council again said it supported the document but added that in the rural area, preference should be given to applicants with a local connection. The Council believed it important that applicants should be able to demonstrate a link with the parish in which the housing was located, rather than with Chester district as a whole. 

It was recognised that exclusions are a sensitive matter but the Council pointed out this is particularly important in the rural area where problems can have a disproportionate impact in a small community.  It felt that such tenancies should be given very careful consideration where there were only a limited number of properties.  

Highways Depot. Earlier in the Autumn, the Council was consulted on an application for major alterations to the highways depot which included proposals for the reopening of the rear access onto Guilden Sutton lane for cars.

This was closed, except for emergencies, when the dual carriageway was built and an access was provided off the A55.

The Council objected to any change in the use of the exit and argued that no
information had been provided which was sufficient to demonstrate any change in circumstances since the condition was imposed. 

Parish councillors made a site visit but were unable to satisfy themselves as to difficulties which were said to arise in relation to the use of the slip road off the A55. 

The Council pointed out that industrial premises throughout the country have to be managed in such a way as to avoid conflict between the movement of plant and equipment and of staff and visitors. Given the size of the site, councillors were unable to find any good reason why arrangements should not be made for vehicles entering via the main gate to disperse more quickly and for the small number of cars which at present park at the rear exit to be accommodated within the site next to the slip road.

The value of a proposed restrictor in prohibiting vehicles larger than cars from using the access gate was noted.

But it was felt this would not prevent the use of the access by site vehicles of a similar size to a car or by deliveries by smaller vehicles.

Councillors also argued the junction of the former Guilden Sutton Lane and the diversion was substandard in visibility terms. They felt that conditions were particularly hazardous for vehicles approaching the junction from the A41 and wishing to turn right.  The queuing of stationary vehicles in the carriageway at that point was said to be unacceptable particularly as the junction is used by HGVs visiting the adjoining industrial premises. 

At the time of writing, it appeared unlikely the application as originally proposed would go forward.

Have your say!

The Council is due to give its comments on three consultations. If you have any views, please contact any councillor.

`A bus strategy for Cheshire’, response due with Cheshire County Council by Friday 6 January 2006.

`Facilities for play’, response due with Chester City Council by Friday 13 January 2006.

`Draft rights of way improvement plan 2006 – 2011’, response due with the County Council by Monday 23 January 2006.

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Information. The Council's e mail address is info@guildensutton.org.uk and its web site is at www.guildensutton.org.uk

Future meetings: Future meetings of the Council are due to be held in the Village Hall on Mondays , 9 January, 6 February, 6 March, 3 April, 8 May, 12 June and

17 July, 2006. Provisional dates have been agreed for 11 September, 9 October,

6 November and 11 December, 2006. Residents are welcome to attend and all are preceded by public speaking time.

Contact Councillors Bob Armitage 300528, Pat Astbury 318276, Ron Bayton 301286, Danny Fisher 301398, Derek Hughes 300185, Trisha Paterson 300307, Julie Proudlove 300318 and Gail Young 301558 or the Clerk, David Norbury,

1 Orchard Croft, Guilden Sutton, CHESTER, CH3 7SL, 300783. Cllr Astbury 318276 is the Local Bus User Contact and Brian Lewin 301501 is the Parish Paths Warden. The Parish Tree Wardens are Cllr Ron Bayton 301286 and Mr Alan Young 301558.

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS COMPETITION

GUILDEN SUTTON PARISH COUNCIL CORDIALLY INVITES HOUSEHOLDS TO ENTER THEIR HOUSES

JUDGING IS NOW TAKING PLACE FOR A SMALL PRIZE

FOR DETAILS CONTACT

Cllr TRISHA PATERSON, 300307