A butterfly flutters its wings in Japan and chaos results at the opposite end of the world. I doubt that chaos has reached Billericay but I cannot rid myself of the feeling that events occur randomly, that there is no overall plan, no overall control. Alexanders closes down and is to be replaced by ASK an up market Italian restaurant chain. The old Town Hall is to become a Bistro/restaurant at sometime in the future. It is difficult to argue against this change since the building is in a sad state and attempts by local groups to raise money for its repair have failed. The Co-op will become another "watering hole" on the High Street but once again it is difficult to make a strong opposition to the change since the building is large and whoever was to buy it would need a fair amount of money. On the other hand do we need another pub? Kitts DIY store, owned by the same person, has been denied permission to change from A1 to A3, a reasonable decision when considering traffic safety. A planning application has been received by Basildon District Council seeking permission to build two office blocks on land that is now occupied by Charringtons coal business on Radford Way. On the face of it there seems to be no reason why this application should be refused but does Billericay need more office space? Land on Queens Park fronting on to Rosebay Avenue between Mallow Gardens and Devereux Way is advertised for sale as residential development by the District Council. At one time it was planned that a school would be built here but it was predicted there would be fewer children in the future and hence no requirement for a school. So we are to have yet more houses but no increase in community facilities. Finally there is a planning application which seeks a "change of use and sub-division of existing ground floor office suite into two units for A1(Retail) or A3 (Hot Food Use) at The Mayflower House, 128 High Street" the building which houses the Town Council and the Area Housing Office. Another hot food outlet!! So it looks as though we are to have more houses, more offices, more pubs and more hot food outlets. More Unified Business Rate paid to the Government and returned per capita to Basildon District Council - how much will come to Billericay?
Planning is not an exact science but there are Planning Policy Guideline Notes (PPG), 23 of them, to assist in formulating policies for dealing with planning applications which policies are to be found in the Basildon District Local Plan, a document which the District Council is mandated to provide under the requirements of the Planning and Compensation Act 1991. There are, however, other factors which affect planning decisions, for instance, there is a general presumption for development which calls for prudence when deciding whether to refuse planning permission. If the reasons for refusal are not sound and accord with generally accepted principals then should the applicant appeal against the decision and be successful the Council may have to bear the costs of the appeal. This point was recently made by the Billericay Chamber of Trade in a local newspaper. Nevertheless I would like to see more consideration given to the aesthetic aspects of a planning application eg the development on Jarvis's Garden Centre at Potash Road roundabout seems out of place with its surroundings, especially the big house which faces north towards Chelmsford. The question may also be asked of any development - Is this really necessary? Would something which could be of value to the community and still not be a public liability be more beneficial? Would it not be nice to have a development plan for Billericay identifing areas which could be developed and suggesting commercial, business and community uses for this land? Better hurry up though or there will be no land left.
The Local Government Commission for England has announced its Periodic Electoral review of Essex which is scheduled to start in November 1999 and is likely to take about 12 months. The Commission's recommendations could include proposals to change current arrangements in respect of the total number of Councillors to be elected to the District Council, the number and boundaries of wards, the number of Councillors to be elected for each ward and the years in which they are to be elected and the name of the ward. The Commission could also recommend changes to electoral arrangements within existing Parish and Town Council areas.
If the Commission is minded to propose changes to ward boundaries in Billericay it is more than likely that the ward boundaries of the Town and Parish Councils would be affected consequently the views of these councils would have to be determined. The District Council would need to prepare and circulate detailed proposals pretty quickly to give adequate time for them to be considered by the councils in order that the effects of these proposals could be completely analysed and understood since we will be living with them for some time to come.
Considering the Labour Government's stated aim of pushing responsiblity and authority down to the lowest level of local government in conjunction with this electoral review then it could be said that this is a golden opportunity to consider the composition, role and responsibilities of the Town and Parish Councils. For instance should the councils not have a more positive and influential role to play in deciding what kind of development takes place in the areas they represent?
The Crunch will be visiting the following locations between the hours of 9.00am and 12.00 noon:-
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Little Burstead Car Park |
25 September |
27 November |
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Radford Crescent Car Park |
30 October |
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Ramsden Bellhouse - Village Car Park |
13 November |
This service is unsuitable for oil, paint and other waste liquids, please speak to the driver about disposing of these items. Telephone 01268 294949 for information regarding recycling and other waste disposal facilities.
A large crowd enjoyed the many amusements at the 8th Bootham Fete held on 7th August. The weather was good, at least it didn't rain, and the event raised £1378.38 for St Lukes Hospice.
The Residents' Association in a gesture of magnificent magnanimity makes a stupendous summer offer to the people of Billericay. The opportunity has arisen for a philanthropic individual to join the happy band of people who deliver the newsletter to members of the Association. In this instance the volunteer will be required to take The Resident to 37 houses in Outwood Common Road, to the north of the railway bridge, and in one or two side roads. If you are interested in enriching your life, meeting new people and uplifting the life of your fellow man then please contact Mrs Jo Evans on Billericay 659823.
Many of you will know by now that the application by Mercury Communications to erect a mast on land owned by Anglian Water in Potash Road has not borne fruit since the Water Company decided not to allow the communication equipment to be installed on their land. However much of the credit for this decision must go to a resident of Potash Road who on being informed by the BDRA that a planning application had been received by the District Council for a mast to be erected in the vicinity of his property organised a campaign to oppose the application.
St Peter's RC Primary School, Coxes Farm Road, Billericay require a Crossing Patrol Officer to assist their children across the busy Southend Road between the hours of 8.30am and 9.05am and 2.45pm and 3.30pm. Please call Essex County Council on 01245 437340.
FRIDAY 24 SEPTEMBER in ST MARY MAGDALENE CHURCH, GREAT BURSTEAD, BILLERICAY at 8.00pm, CONCERT by RUG OPERA featuring G & S and other well known favourites. Tickets £5.00, concessions £4.50 including refreshments.
FRIDAY 24 SEPTEMBER to MONDAY 27 SEPTEMBER - FLOWER FESTIVAL and ART EXHIBITION - ST MARY MAGDALENE CHURCH, GT BURSTEAD, BILLERICAY. Theme will be PAINTINGS WITH FLOWERS. Times of opening:- Friday 2.00pm to 6.00pm, Saturday 10.00am to 12.15pm and 1.45pm to 6.00pm, Sunday 12.15pm to 6.00pm, (Harvest Festival Services, including Choral Evensong 6.30pm) Monday 2.00pm to 4.30pm.
SUNDAY 3 OCTOBER - 10.00am to 12.00 noon - GRENFELL PRESCHOOL OPEN DAY at SOUTH GREEN MEMORIAL HALL, SOUTHEND ROAD, BILLERICAY. Come and find out how children from 2 years old learn through play. Admission free.
SUNDAY 3 OCTOBER - ANNUAL POSTCARD FAIR including Postal History, Cigarette cards and Ephemera - MAYFLOWER COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL, STOCK ROAD from 10.00am to 4.00pm. Refreshments. Ample free parking. Admission Free. Additional information ring 01245 362872.
FRIDAY 15 OCTOBER - FUN QUIZ NIGHT - INGAWAY EVENGELICAL CHURCH, LEE CHAPEL SOUTH, BASILDON. 7.30PM FOR 8.00PM. Tables of six. Price includes Fish and Chip Supper. For further details and to reserve your table please contact Amanda - 01277 630481.
SATURDAY 6 NOVEMBER - 10.00am till 12.00 noon at MAYFLOWER COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL, STOCK ROAD. GIANT NEARLY NEW SALE of Children and Baby Clothes, Toys and Equipment and Maternity Wear. For further details please ring Helen - 01277 659168.
SATURDAY 18 SEPTEMBER - BILLERICAY ROTARY CLUB - ART SALE and EXHIBITION in the WOMEN'S INSTITUTE from 10.00am till 4.00pm. A large variety of high quality works by Essex artists will be on display.
WEDNESDAY 29 SEPTEMBER at 7.30pm in MAYFLOWER COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL- BILLERICAY EARLY YEARS FORUM - OPEN MEETING for parents of children in pre-schools, nurseries and schools and staff of these schools. SUBJECT - "EARLY READING - YES OR NO". Admission free. Ring 01277 631736 to book.
BILLERICAY ARTS ASSOCIATION, 72 LAINDON ROAD, BILLERICAY. Tel 01277 659286
SATURDAY 2 OCTOBER at 7.30pm. AMALFI STRING QUARTET. - Four young ladies who will enchant you with their versatility through one enthralling movement to another. Tickets £6.50, Members £5.50.
SATURDAY 16 OCTOBER at 7.30pm. POSTMAN'S KNOCK. Splinters Productions invite you to rummage with them through the correspondence of the famous and infamous to provide some delightful surprises, illustrating the art of letter writing as a performance. Tickets £6.50, Members £ 5.50.
TUESDAY 26 OCTOBER at 1.30pm. THE BARKING DOG THEATRE CO. present a two part Children's Entertainment TEDDY'S BIG ADVENTURE. Teddy needs something soft and sets off on his big adventure to find a cloud. (Suitable for 2 to 6 years)
CANTABILE is a well established Billericay based choir and it has vacancies for new members in all sections, soprano, alto, tenor and bass.
Recently the choir has had to say farewell to several long standing members who have either moved away from the district or decided that, for personal reasons, it is time to retire from singing. The choir will therefore give a friendly welcome to prospective members.
Please ring 01277 651579 to find out more about CANTABILE or to make arrangements to attend a Monday evening meeting with a view to joining.
Rehearsals will re-commence after the summer break on Monday 13 September at the Mayflower Hall in Chapel Street when preparations will begin for the Christmas Concert which is scheduled for Saturday 11 December.
WAM - LADIES SOCIAL CLUB.
This club, celebrating 30 years in the Millennium, meets at 8.00pm every 2nd Wednesday in the month at
Carver's Wood, Ganels Road, South Green. New members are welcome to our very relaxed, friendly club. We have talks on all types of subjects, demonstrations, outings and theatre trips. Ring Denise on 01277 622331.
COACH TRIPS - TO BOOK PLEASE RING BILLERICAY 623519 - PAYMENT METHOD - by cheque made payable to BDRA and sent to T Stansfield, 174 Perry Street, Billericay, CM12 0NX. NOTE: receipts are not issued for cheques. Children's rate normally applies to those under 16 years. Where applicable tickets will be issued as you board the coach and there is NO SMOKING on board.
STANDBY LISTS ARE KEPT FOR ALL TRIPS WHICH ARE FULL.
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.
SUNDAY 12 SEPTEMBER - DUXFORD '99 AIR SHOW. Commemorating a century of air power - biplanes to fast jets, plus all the museums on this well known site. Inclusive cost Adults £13, Children £9. Depart GG 9.00am, LR 9.05am, SG 9.10am, and finally OA 9.15am. Back in Billericay about 7.00pm.
WEDNESDAY 15 SEPTEMBER - MUSEUM OF GARDENING & BUCKINGHAM PALACE. PLEASE PAY NOW. Cost - A & SC £14.50, C £11. Depart GG 9.00am, OA 9.05am, LR 9.10am, SG 9.15am. Back in Billericay about 7.30pm. A few seats are still available for this trip.
TUESDAY 28 SEPTEMBER - UPPARK, SUSSEX. Designed by the architect of Chatsworth and restored after a disastrous fire. Picturesque style gardens. Inclusive cost £12 (NT members deduct £5.50). Depart GG 9.00am, OA 9.05am, LR 9.10am, SG 9.15am. Back in Billericay about 7.30pm.
FRIDAY 15 OCTOBER - KNITTING & STITCHING SHOW 99, ALEXANDRA PALACE. This show embraces all aspects of textiles - the event for novices, the accomplished stitcher and all creative people. Cost £10. Depart GG 9.00am, OA 9.05am, LR 9.10am, SG 9.15am. Back in Billericay about 6.30pm.
SATURDAY 20, TUESDAY 30 NOVEMBER and THURSDAY 16 DECEMBER - THURSFORD CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR. ALL DATES ARE FULL but put your name on the standby list if you are interested. PLEASE PAY NOW - £19 each - TO NEW ADDRESS AT THE TOP OF THIS PAGE. Depart GG 9.00am, LR 9.05am, SG 9.10am and finally OA 9.15am. Lunch can be obtained in Swaffham where there are several places serving food. Back in Billericay about 9.00pm.
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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