A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR MEMBERS AND TO THOSE OF YOU WHO HELP TO DELIVER THE NEWSLETTER A SPECIAL THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS DURING THE YEAR.
BILLERICAY RAIL STATION - LIFT FOR THE DISABLED.
You may remember earlier in the year I reported that Railtrack intended to have the lift for the disabled installed and working by the end of the year. Concerned at the apparent lack of progress, work has not yet commenced, we wrote to Great Eastern Railway seeking assurance that the lift would be working at the appointed hour, we received the following letter in reply:-
"Thank you for your letter dated the 17th November regarding the above station and the proposed lift installation works to the London bound platform.
I have spoken with Railtrack this afternoon and they confirm that the designs are close to completion and they anticipate a start date for the installation in the first week of December. The lift is programmed to be operational in March 1999 providing that there are no unscheduled delays to the installation programme.
Both the car park extension and the new disabled ramp installation are programmed for completion during December weather permitting."
So the programme has already slipped three months but I suppose we ought to be grateful we will eventually have a lift for the disabled on the London platform and a ramp giving access to the Southend platform. After all we have only been waiting something like 20+ years for access to Billericay station for disabled people. Everything comes to he who waits.
KNIGHTS OF THE ROAD
Several years ago one of the daily papers gave an award - Knights of the Road - to qualifying motorists. Gazza Staines, our 87 year old delivery boy, was given such an award and only the other day found his badge. If one of our members is a Knight of the Road Gazza would like to hear from you. Please ring the Editor 01277 623519.
At a meeting of the Billericay Area Committee held on 5 November the following planning applications were considered:-
PLANNING APPLICATION BAS/0755/98 - 133 HIGH STREET - CHANGE OF USE OF OFFICES TO ANTIQUE SHOP(CLASS A1), CHANGE OF USE OF REAR GARDEN TO TEA GARDEN (CLASS A3) EXTENSION TO OUTHOUSE AND NEW BOUNDARY WALL. The Councillors decided that the application be granted conditional planning permission.
OUTLINE PLANNING APPLICATION BAS/0859/98 - 233 PERRY STREET - DEMOLITION OF EXISTING CHALET BUNGALOW AND REDEVELOPMENT OF THE PLOT FOR FIVE SINGLE BEDROOM STARTER UNITS. Planning permission was refused for reasons of damage to the residential amenity and nonconformity with the prevailing character of development in the area. However I don't think we have heard the last about development on this plot, this application was probably only testing the water.
PLANNING APPLICATION BAS/0776/98 - 20A NORSEY ROAD - CHANGE OF USE TO A PRIVATE HIRE CAR OFFICE. In spite of objections from the Manager of Engineering & Highways, the Manager of Environmental Health Services, the Billericay Conservation Areas Advisory Panel and adjoining occupiers the Councillors decided that temporary planning permission be granted for a period of twelve months to allow for a full assessment of the impact of the proposal on the locality, subject to conditions relating to the opening hours of the office and a restriction of the number of vehicles at the site to two. Much was made of the fact that taxi services in the town were inadequate, at times it is almost impossible to find a taxi, and that the introduction of another hire company would bring much needed competition. However planning applications are not decided on the need for competition and I am of the opinion that, in this instance, the advice offered by the officers was sound. Their objections were based on the fact that there is inadequate parking provision and pick up points, and that the proposal would result in an unacceptable increase in noise. On the other hand it could be argued that taxis would not be parked outside the office but would either be on the move or waiting at other places in the town - not unreasonable. It could also be said that two cars is not sufficient to provide an adequate service and ensure the survival of the business. Nevertheless the next twelve months will determine how well the restrictions are observed.
PLANNING APPLICATION BAS/065/98 - THE RED LION PUBLIC HOUSE. - EXTENSIONS AND ALTERATIONS. There were no objections from Council Officers to this application although some comments were made regarding safety and access for emergency vehicles and the need to keep a "watching brief" since the public house and associated buildings are included in the List of Buildings of Special Architectural and Historical Interest and the site is located within the Billericay Town Centre Conservation Area. The application received planning permission. It was noted that work which had received Listed Building Consent and which did not require planning permission had already commenced.
PLANNING APPLICATION BAS/1013/98 - 105 STOCK ROAD - CHANGE OF USE TO AN OSTEOPATHIC SURGERY WITH ACCESS RAMP AND ADDITIONAL PARKING. Concern was expressed by the Committee following comments from a member of the applicant's family during the adjournment for public comment that the full extent of the nature of the practice was not intended to be as described in the application and that two practitioners may wish to operate from the site. The application and advice from the officers had been based upon a single practitioner with receptionist and therefore clarification was needed on the full extent of the use before a decision could be made. The planning application was deferred pending further investigations and will be discussed at the next Billericay Area Committee which will be held on Thursday 26 November.
PLANNING APPLICATION BAS/0787/98 - THE GRANGE, CHURCH ROAD, RAMSDEN BELLHOUSE - DEMOLITION OF EXISTING HOUSE AND ERECTION OF THREE DETACHED HOUSES WITH GARAGES. There were no real objections to this application from officers but concern was expressed by various people about the suitability of the existing sewage and drainage sytems and the Essex County Council Archaeologist requested that a field evaluation be conducted to establish the nature and complexity of any surviving archaeological deposits. Conditional planning permission was granted.
Pinnacle Education is a new local education group founded by teachers who believe that your child is capable of achieving more. It is located at the Mayflower Centre, Billericay and holds three, two hour teaching sessions most Saturdays during term time.
Aimed at primary aged children each session is run by a qualified teacher whose aim is to extend your child's literacy and numeracy skills. Your child will be part of a group no larger than ten children. They will receive frequent evaluation and continual feedback.
Pinnacle Education is holding a free trial session on 9 January 1999. To book your child a place or to receive a free information pack please contact Pinnacle Education on 01277 633449 (24 hour).
DADE AND WESTON
Dade and Weston the jewellers would like to remind all members of the Residents' Association to claim their 10% Discount when making their Christmas purchases. This year in addition to our usual range of Clocks, Watches, Jewelry, LLadro and Nao we have in stock an excellent range of Leather Jewelry Boxes and Jewelry Rolls for travel.
We would also like to remind Residents that our raffle of a LLadro Figurine, in aid of the Rotary Club, is now under way and we would very much like to exceed last year's donation. The prize is on display in our window and the tickets are 50p each. We look forward to seeing you.
The AGM of the Norsey Wood Society will be held in the Day Centre, Chantry Way on Friday 29 January 1999 at 7.45pm. After the meeting there will be an illustrated talk by Fred Etheridge entitled "Local Hedgerow Wildlife in Winter".
CRUNCH TIME
The Crunch will be visiting the following locations between the hours of 9.00am and 12.00 noon:-
|
Little Burstead Car Park |
19 December |
27 February |
|
Radford Crescent Car Park |
30 January |
13 March |
Bring along your garden refuse and general rubbish. Not suitable for oil, paint and other waste liquids. Please speak to the driver about disposal of these items. Telephone 01268 294949 for further information.
An original water-colour painting makes a special gift for Christmas. I have a good selection to offer you at very reasonable prices - members of the Residents' Association can have a 10% discount. I also have prints and place mats of local churches and pubs. Contact Gene Turner on Billericay 622981 to view.
The things we do for our members. In a magnanimous frame of mind we offer, at Christmas time, this never to be repeated opportunity to visit new places and make new friends whilst performing a service to society. There could be many people living on the new Hawthorns estate, off Mountnessing Road, who would be pleased to receive the newsletter and are just waiting for it to fall through their letter box. Although one issue has been delivered and residents were asked for someone to deliver the newsletter there has been no response, so we need an individual with grit and determination to take the word and the newsletter to 88 houses on the Hawthorns estate - if more than one person responds then the round could be split - if you are interested ring Brian Dick on 01277 652686.
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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