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APRIL 2000

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

In this Millennium Year of 2000 AD the Billericay District Residents' Association will be 74 years old. It began life as the Billericay Residents' Association in 1926 when about 70 commuters joined together to provide a footpath which gave access to the railway station from Mountnessing Road thus saving railway travellers a long tiring walk. At that time the population of the town was approximately 5,000 people and the local authority was the Billericay Rural District Council which consisted of representatives of each of the Parish Councils. There were no party politics in those days and all matters were judged solely on their merits.

How times have changed. The Association now has a membership of over 7,000 houses to which copies of this newsletter are delivered by over 100 volunteers, it is well known for its coach trips and is responsible for the installation of the Christmas Lights on the High Street to which it contributes a significant amount of money. It is represented on several local bodies and makes a significant contribution to local development policies.

The first issue of "The Resident" was circulated in May 1978 following the merger of The Buttsbury Residents' Association and the Billericay Residents' Association to form the Billericay District Residents' Association. It superseded The Buttsbury News and The Mayflower, the newsletters of the two previous Associations.

So the Association has been successful and prospered but to maintain its position in the town it has to adapt to changing circumstances and to do this we need new members. People who will help shape its future, with new ideas and an abundance of energy, to sit on its committees and be involved in the day to day running of the organisation. If there are many hands the task need not be hard work indeed I have found the work quite interesting and satisfying.

Why not come to the Annual General Meeting on Friday 12 May 2000 which will be held in the Canon Roche Hall on Laindon Road at 8.00pm, meet committee members and discuss matters which interest you over a cup of tea and a piece of cake? There will be a guest speaker from the Essex County Council Transport Department whose subject will be Passenger Transport and related matters. Quite a good evening I would think.

TOWN AND PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS

Just a reminder that the Town and Parish Council elections will be held on Thursday 4 May and it is important that residents take the trouble to vote in these elections. As I said in last month's newsletter the ability of the Councils to tackle projects and achieve acceptable results is directly proportional to the support they are perceived to have from the electorate and a low turn out does nothing to enhance this perception.

Be aware that elections for Councillors to serve on the District Council will also be held on Thursday 4 May so be quite sure for whom you are voting to which Council.

PLANNING APPLICATION No BAS/1107/99

This application seeks permission to demolish two dwellings (bungalows) at 69-77 Perry Street, Billericay and erect 1 detached 4 bedroomed house fronting Perry Street and 4 detached 5 bedroomed houses served by a private drive to the rear. The layout accompanying the application is shown below where the hatching indicates the extent of the proposed development and the position of the existing bungalows is shown by full lines under the hatching.

Site Plan BAS/1107/99

The application was first considered by the Billericay Area Committee (BAC) at its meeting on 13 January 2000 where it was concluded that the development would amount to over development of the site and be detrimental to the visual and residential amenities of the surrounding area. The Billericay Town Council objected to the development on grounds of highway safety, inadequate access for emergency vehicles, detrimental impact on amenities of neighbouring dwellings, over development of the site, out of character with surrounding area, backland development and suspected drainage problem. The Billericay District Residents' Association objected on similar grounds. Additionally 21 letters of objection were written by residents living in the vicinity of the proposed development. Officers of Basildon District Council (BDC) recommended that planning permission be granted.

In accordance with procedure established by BDC when the recommendations of members of the BAC are in conflict with those of the officers the application was referred to the Environment Committee for determination. At a meeting held on 26 January 2000 members of the Environment Committee decided to defer consideration of the application to allow a site visit to be arranged to "view a demonstration of the proposed height of the houses and for further discussions with the applicant." The site visit took place on Thursday 16 March 2000 at 5.30pm. Subsequently, on 26 March 2000, the Environment Committee met again and decided that the application should be given conditional planning permission.

I have written before in this newsletter of the difficulties faced by people who want to object to planning applications and I think this example demonstrates the situation. The developer has consulted with the planning department and consequently the quantifiable aspects meet the minimum requirements of the various guidelines and are irrefutable. So the decision areas are those which call to some degree for subjective opinion eg damage to residential amenities, over development of the area, damage to visual amenities. In this instance planning officers were of the opinion that there were insufficient grounds on which to object to the proposal, consequently should permission be withheld and the developer appeal against the decision the BDC would lose and may well have to bear the costs.

Members of the Environment Committee based their decision on the drawings provided by the developer, their visit to the site, which was attended by the applicant but not by the residents, and statements made by local people at the public area meetings; on these criteria I am surprised that they were able to grant planning permission. I have to confess I feel strongly about the manner in which the whole planning process seems unable to respond to justifiable anxieties voiced by the public, to the considered opinions of their elected representatives and to those of the residents' groups however I am not too sure what can be done, if anything, to improve matters. It seems to me that where final decisions rest on matters of subjective opinion then, to be fair to all interested parties, some applications which are opposed as strongly as this one should be allowed to go to appeal in order to establish precedents for future guidance. Not that this is intended to call into question advice given by officers of BDC, on the contrary, it would establish the validity of their advice from a source which would not be influenced by internal policies.

This situation can not continue indefinitely otherwise every bit of land on which houses can be built will be developed to the detriment of the visual and residential amenity of those living nearby. It is to be hoped that common sense and pragmatism can prevail and a procedure introduced which will give due regard to to aspects which cannot be accurately quantified and rely on subjective opinion.

GRANGE GREEN DENTAL PRACTICE.

The Grange Green Dental Practice opened for business in Grange Road on 15 November 1999 with two dentists both from South Africa, one of whom has been practicing dentistry for 25 years and the other for 10 years and it is anticipated that, in time, the practice will expand. A full range of dentistry is provided on the NHS whilst cosmetic work is undertaken on a private basis. Opening times are fairly flexible to accommodate working patients, appointments can be made for early mornings, alternate Saturday mornings and occasionally a late night. The practice wishes to express its thanks to people who have already become patients and extends a warm welcome to prospective patients at Grange Green Dental Practice, 42 Grange Road, Billericay. Telephone 01277 627055.

TUESDAY 23 MAY - SATURDAY 27 MAY 2000 - Billericay Operatic Society present "Me and My Girl" at the Civic Theatre, Chelmsford. The Smash-Hit family musical features the songs "Lambeth Walk", "The Sun Has Got His Hat On", "Me and My Girl" and many more. Tickets £6.50 - £9.50. Saturday matinee. Box Office 01245 606505. Show commences at 7.45pm.

BASILDON AND DISTRICT BRANCH OF THE NATIONAL TRUST.

TUESDAY 18 APRIL at MARKHAMS CHASE SPORTS CENTRE, MARKHAMS CHASE, BASILDON, from 3.30pm to 5.30pm. CHILDREN'S EASTER DISCO (under 10 years). There will be an Easter Bonnet/Egg Competition. Please bring your entries with you. Tickets £3.00. For additional information and tickets ring 01277 622935.

THURSDAY 4 MAY from 10.00am to 12.30pm. NCT TEA PARTY at Ingaway Evangelical Church, Ingaway, Basildon. For details please ring 07932 641904.

SATURDAY 6 MAY from 2.00pm to 3.30pm. CAKES, PLANTS, NEARLY NEW TOYS, GAMES, BOOKS AND PUZZLES SALE at Christchurch Hall, Wickford (next to Somerfield) For details please ring 01277 632012.

BILLERICAY TWINNING ASSOCIATION

SUNDAY 14 MAY - PENSHURST PLACE AND GARDENS, TONBRIDGE, KENT. The fortified manor house dates back to 1341 and has been the ancestral home of the Sidney family since 1552. The Mediaeval Barons Hall, where Kings, Queens and great soldiers have dined, and the Staterooms contain fine collections of furniture, pictures, tapestry, porcelain and armour from the 15th - 18th centuries. There are 10 acres of walled Tudor Gardens to visit, a Toy Museum, Gift Shop, Venture Playgrounds, a Nature Trail and a Plant Centre. There will also be a special event for children "Treasure Island" in the Stage Garden. Cost £15.00 - includes a Guided Tour of the Gardens, a Cream Tea and entrance to the House. Booking ring 01277 623519. Depart GG - 09.00am, OA - 09.05am, LR - 09.10am, SG 0915am, back in Billericay about 6.30pm.

SUNDAY 14 MAY, 11.00am to 1.00pm. PLANT SALE at BRIGHTSIDE SCHOOL. For all your bedding and container plant needs. Many plants supplied by Trueloves Nursery.

SATURDAY 15 APRIL at 8.00pm - THE CHOIR FOR ALL SEASONS presents THE SINGING CHURCH - OUR EASTER HERITAGE at St Margaret's Church, Castledon Road, Downham. Tickets £5.00/£4.00 on the door, from "Presence" High Street, Billericay or ring 01277 656935

MILLENNIUM EVE.........BEEN THERE, DONE IT...........NOW BUY THE VIDEO!!!!!

Billericay certainly had a night to remember when over 5000 people gathered at Sun Corner to see in the new Millennium. Now, to use an advertising cliché, you can relive the event with "A New Start" the commemorative video. At only 30 minutes long it can only hope to give a taster of the evening. Edited highlights of the procession and Millennium choir precede the main features

"A New Start" will even look good on your video shelf since it comes in an attractive full colour box.

This souvenir of a once in a lifetime evening is priced at £5.00 and is available now from The Storyteller Bookshop and the Billericay Town Council Offices, The Loft, Crown Yard, (near to Belmonts Electrical Shop) Billericay, Telephone 01277 625732.

ROAD REP REQUIRED

An opportunity has arisen for a person who is under doctor's orders to take 25 minutes walking exercise a month to deliver The Resident to 63 houses in Pleasant Drive, Magenta Close and Invicta Court. We can guarantee no gates, easy letterboxes and nice people. All interested parties please ring John Adkins on 624298 - line open 24 hours.

BILLERICAY ARTS ASSOCIATION, THE FOLD, 72 LAINDON ROAD, BILLERICAY. TEL 01277 659286

SATURDAY 6 MAY at 7.30pm. GILBERT & SULLIVAN, WITH VIOLETS is a humorous evening performed by The Cameo Trio and is a musical look at the life of the duo seen through the eyes of Sullivan and a friend. Tickets £5.00, Members £4.00.

COACH TRIPS - TO BOOK PLEASE RING BILLERICAY 626287 - PAYMENT METHOD - by cheque made payable to BDRA and sent to D Osborn, 22 Raven Lane, Billericay CM12 0JA. NO COACH BOOKINGS WILL BE TAKEN BY ANSWERPHONE. DEPARTURE POINTS FOR ALL TRIPS:- GG - Gooseberry Green, bus stop on roundabout. OA - Orchard Avenue, approaching Stock Road. LR - Laindon Road, bus stop near Sun Corner. SG South Green, bus stop to Wickford, opposite The Plough.

Do not forget that a new booking system has been introduced such that no bookings will be taken for any trip until that trip has been advertised in this newsletter after that seats will be reserved on a first come, first served basis. Additionally there will be no standby lists for any trip except that which will provide for a replacement in the event of late cancellations.

SATURDAY 6 MAY - LIVING CRAFTS EXHIBITION, HATFIELD HOUSE, HERTFORDSHIRE.
(26TH YEAR OF EUROPE'S LARGEST & MOST PRESTIGIOUS EVENT)

Inclusive cost:-

Depart GG 09.00am, OA 09.05am, LR 09.10am, SG 09.15am. Back in Billericay about 7.00pm.
Please note the revised pick up times. An hour later than previously advertised.

SATURDAY 27 MAY - MILDENHALL AIR FETE 2000, BURY St EDMUNDS, SUFFOLK.
(THE LARGEST USAF MILITARY AIR DISPLAY STAGED IN EUROPE)

Inclusive cost:-

Depart GG 08.00am, LR 08.05am, SG 08.10am, OA 08.15am. Back in Billericay about 8.30pm.

THURSDAY 6 JULY - HAMPTON COURT PALACE FLOWER SHOW, ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, SURREY. (SET IN 30 ACRES OF ROYAL PARKLAND - THE FINEST IN EVERYTHING HORTICUTURAL)

Inclusive cost:-

Depart GG 08.00am, OA 08.05am, LR 08.10am, SG 08.15am. Back in Billericay about 7.00pm.

THE RESIDENT is published by Billericay District Residents' Association Editor - Trevor Stansfield, 174 Perry Sreet, Billericay, Essex CM12 0NX. Tel: 623519 E-mail:vice.chairman@bdra.org
 Printed by New Realm Design, Fortune Works, Wash Road, Laindon, Basildon, Essex

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