Latest News of Local Interest
A23 Handcross to Warninglid: progress?
Click on the image to read the Highways Agency report on the state of play.
Fern Free Frackhurst
The Telegraph reports:
In what is being seen as a test case for fracking in national parks, Andrew Tyrie, chairman of the Treasury Select Committee, has made it clear he is likely to oppose plans to drill in Fernhurst, a village in the South Downs National Park in West Sussex. Celtique Energy submitted a draft application to drill on land in the area on Thursday .. a formal application is expected early next month.
Earlier posts on this topic can found be here, here and here.
Mayfield Adjournment Debate
The Mid Sussex Times reports that:
Mid Sussex MP Nicholas Soames has secured an Adjournment Debate in the House of Commons on the ‘Proposed Mayfield new town in West Sussex’. .. The Commons debate will be held on Tuesday, December 3. Mr Soames’ parliamentary neighbour, Nick Herbert, the MP for Arundel and South Downs, will be contributing to the debate. Planning Minister, Nick Boles MP, will respond. The debate is due to take place between 11am and 11.30am.
E.ON/E.OFF?
Speeding in Beeding
The Shoreham Herald reports:
Upper Beeding Parish Council has recently agreed to press ahead with plans for a 20mph limit across the whole village. David Barling, West Sussex county councillor for Bramber West, .. explained [that] the Upper Beeding scheme had a good chance of success, as long as there was significant support from residents. There were only two entrances to the village, so there could be signage at both ends and no need for speed humps. He added: “You have to get close to 20mph as an average before you can bring a limit in.”
Mid Sussex Police – Monthly Update
Mid Sussex District Monthly Update – October 2013
How we deliver policing to Mid Sussex District is broken down into three pillars –
Keeping People Safe, Neighbourhood Policing and Best Use of Resources.
To reflect this, my update will be structured alongside the three key themes supporting each pillar.
Keeping People Safe
Catching criminals
After a call from a member of the public, we located a group of young people kicking and damaging wing mirrors on Fairfield Road, Burgess Hill. We are now investigating their involvement in the damage of six vehicles.
We have suffered many diesel thefts on Victoria Industrial Estate, Burgess Hill. PC Upton has identified a possible suspect and is progressing activities to locate and arrest them.
Following reports of suspicious activity we have arrested a suspect for attempted burglary. They are currently on bail whilst the investigation is progressed.
Police have offered a reward for information leading to the arrest of Mark Vine. Mark is currently wanted for Burglary and the teams from Mid Sussex and other departments in the force are actively seeking him.
Cutting Crime
A Cannabis factory was discovered in Cuckfield after Police attended the address regarding an incident. Two people have been arrested and are currently on bail.
Dealing with critical incidents
None of note
Neighbourhood Policing
Being Visible and Accessible
The Neighbourhood Policing Team hold monthly surgeries and bi-monthly neighbourhood panel meetings in each ward for residents to attend, for more information please go to www.sussex.police.uk
Welcome to our new team members
New Police Community Support Officers (PCSO’s) – Karen ILES, Chelcie SHANAHAN and Jamie JOHNSON
New Police Constables (PC’s) – Katie BREEDS and Claire IRVING
Providing a Quality Response
The Neighbourhood Policing Team is working with West Sussex Fire and Rescue to help deliver the ‘Who Cares Scheme’. This scheme is aimed at people over 65 with vulnerabilities. It is a free service from West Sussex Fire and Rescue including a home visit to offer fire safety advice, fit smoke alarms and/or specialist detection/protection equipment. Call free on 0800 328 6487 or visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/fire to make a home fire safety check referral.
At the end of October, Halloween and firework literature was handed out to all local shops across the district and ‘NO Trick or Treat’ posters were available for members of the public at Police Stations and other public buildings. The posters were gratefully received by everyone.
Working with Communities
Business Watch is being set up across Mid Sussex to increase the flow of communication between business communities and Sussex Police. The aim is to prevent and detect crime, increase intelligence and build relationships with this community. If you wish to find out more about this initiative email Haywardsheath.npt@sussex.pn.police.uk.
Best Use of Resources
On Mid Sussex District we have an excellent team of Special Constables, eight in total, who are a real credit to the Force. They provide us with lots of support and their assistance on a variety of operations and calls (often at short notice) is highly commendable.
‘Thank you Specials for your ongoing commitment and support – you do a fantastic job!.’
Being Productive and Effective – Burglary Series
Op Bourne is running in relation to a spate of burglaries that have occurred in the Mid Sussex District. Burglars are targeting houses with the aim of stealing cash and jewellery. Offences have primarily been occurring between 8am – 5pm with the offenders entering premises via the rear of the property by smashing a door or window.
Please ensure that you lock and secure your outbuildings. Side gates should be locked shut and access to the rear of your house restricted. Where you have high value items such as jewellery or cash in your property please make sure they are not on view and where possible securely hidden away. Please keep an eye out in your street and local area and report any suspicious activity immediately to Sussex Police on 101 or 999 if you believe that a crime is in progress.
Please share this message with your family and friends – thank you.
Regards
Chief Inspector Simon Beardwell
Mid Sussex District Commander
West Sussex Division
SDNPA Travel Grant Scheme
Not a single school in BN5, BN6, BN44, or BN45 is included in the scheme.
Pupils at Albourne Primary, Ashurst Primary, the Good Start, Lancing College, St. Peter’s Henfield, Shoreham College, Steyning Grammar, the Towers, Upper Beeding Primary, and others are not eligible for this scheme. Pupils at Balfour, Blatchington Mill, Dorothy Stringer, St. Luke’s, Varndean, and Westdene Primary do qualify, however.
The full list of ‘deprived communities’ and their schools, indexed by postcode, can be found here.
Fulking Parish Council – Planning Meeting Wednesday 4th December 2013
Fulking Parish Council will hold an Planning Meeting on Wednesday 4th December 2013 at 6.30pm in the Village Hall
TO CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING PLANNING APPLICATIONS:-
SDNP/13/05330/FUL
Timbers, Clappers Lane, Fulking, Henfield BN5 9NJ
Demolition of existing dwelling and construction of new 4 bedroom house.
Full information available on the South Downs National Park Website – here
SDNP/13/05534/TCA
Fulking Farmhouse,The Street,Henfield,BN5 9LX
Leyland Cypress hedge in rear garden by swimming pool- reduce height to previous pruning points and trim face and ends hard back. Fell the first 10 trees to a height of 1.5/2.0m at the western most end of the hedge line.
Full information available on the South Downs National Park Website – here
Members of the Public and Press are invited to attend.
Members of the public are entitled to speak at the meeting for two minutes, by prior arrangement with the Clerk Mrs. Andrea Dickson , tel 01444 451060 at least 1 hour before the meeting. No more than two speakers for each application and two against.
Andrea Dickson
Clerk to Fulking Parish Council
12 Turners Mill Road
Haywards Heath
West Sussex
RH16 1NN
andreadicksonfpc@gmail.com
A23 Handcross to Warninglid
“Between September 2012 and October this year, 11,301 drivers were fined after speeding along the 40mph Handcross to Warninglid section of the trunk road. .. The area is policed by hi-tech speed cameras, which are able to read number plates and allow any offence to be processed within a matter of days — far faster than ever before.”