Sutton Bonington
Mike Elliott 0115 937 6506 elliottnews@btconnect.com
COUNCIL. Parish councillors at Sutton Bonington have raised various comments on plans for 95 houses on land at Landcroft Lane in their village.
At the last Parish Council meeting councillors discussed the application by Gladman Developments and agreed that they should submit various comments to air their views of the scheme.
On highways issues they said the footpath from the proposed site into the village does not currently meet the width requirements and is unlit and remote. The parish council say that whilst the proposal refers to improvements to the footpath there is no possible way to increase the width of it.
“The only alternative access from the proposed site to the village is via a public footbridge at the top of Bollards Lane, this footpath is impractical for pushchairs, wheelchairs and bicycles and again is unit.”
The council have pointed out the bridge is the property of Network Rail and it has been proposed that it is removed as part of the line electrification. “No viable alternatives have been provided,” point out the parish.
The council have pointed out there are serious concerns about the impact on the already dangerous road junctions that a development of 95 properties will create.
On the question of the capacity of the physical infrastructure, the council say there are serious concerns about the capacity of the current physical infrastructure of the village if a development of this size is allowed to go ahead.
The parish say the sewage and drainage systems often flood at the bottom of Marle Pit Lane Hill and this development would add to the pressure of the current system.
It is also claimed on the question of social facilities there are currently limited social facilities in the village, including a small Doctors surgery with limited possibility to extend, a small primary school, again with limited space to extend.
On the question of noise or disturbance, the comments from the council say the documentation submitted by the develop makes reference to the railway noise but there is no reference to noise from the airport which continues until the early hours of the morning and flying at approximately 1,000 ft above the proposed site.
Government and planning inspectorate requirements are included in the parish council comments in which say as part of the Rushcliffe Borough Council Local Plan Part 2 report, Sutton Bonington has one allocation at Park Lane for 80 properties and there are concerns about land supply.
It is claimed by the parish there would be an adverse impact on nature conservation interests and biodiversity opportunities and the development will reduce the green field sites and reduce access to natural habitat of the local wildlife. “There will be loss of outlook of open space which provides character to the area.”
Councillors also raised concerns about several inaccuracies relating to travel plans, transports, drainage, etc. which present a risk to health and safety.
The parish said councillors were encouraged by the reference in the papers to affordable housing but would request that should the development be approved that local residents are given priority access to these properties.
“In summary, Councillors feel that the development is too large for the area in question, the current infrastructure and facilities and would request that the comments of the Parish Council and Sutton Bonington residents are taken into consideration when a decision is being made.
HALLOWEEN TRADITIONS. A lot of people regard the activities associated with Halloween as an American import, but they are much older church traditions.
In this month’s issue of Sutton Bonington Church magazine, it is explained that many of the activities we associate with Halloween such as fun and games, trick and treat, the evening before All Saints Day, November 1 are in fact linked to All Souls Day, the day after All Saints Day on November 2.
This is the date when the church prayed for those who had died and before the Reformation under Henry V111, beginning in 1529 and completed in 1537,masses were said for the departed to earn less time in Purgatory, a place believed at the time to be between Heaven and Hell.
Like many festivals, in many cultures, children enjoyed going out in the dark and calling their neighbours, demanding food or money. On All Souls Day the children asked for Soul Cakes.
PLAYGROUP. Places for pre-school children are available at Sutton Bonington Pre-School Playgroup.
The playgroup operates in term-time only and places for three and four year old children are available from 9 am until 3 pm Monday to Thursday and 9am until 1 pm on Fridays.
Sessions for two year olds run on Wednesday mornings from 9am to 1pm.
Organisers say that at the playgroup parents and children “will discover a safe and caring environment full of fun and stimulating activities.”
The focus is on ‘learning through play’ and the approach helps children to develop and extend new skills, build friendships and self-confidence.
The organisers say staff are fully qualified in early years care and education and that they regularly update their teaching skills.
The playgroup is situated behind St. Michael’s Church in the old school building and the cost is £5 per hour for unfunded sessions.
Children are entitled to receive 15 hours of funded childcare from the start of the school term after their third birthday.
Children aged between three and four years may receive 30 hours of funded childcare if their parents each work more than 16 hours a week and neither parent earns more than £100,000.
For more information about the playgroup people should email info@ suttonboningtonplaygroup. org. Their website is www. suttonboningtonplaygroup. org