Our most conscientious readers will recall that the same stretch of road was closed for much the same reason a couple of years ago: “dripping tap entails nine week road closure”.
Latest News of Local Interest
Tiger Feet
It seems that UK Power have chewed up the footpath next to Lee Holden’s field (roughly by the 8-1F on the map above), while maintaining their installation. Walkers are warned to wear their boots or wellies for a while. Lee advises that while UK Power apologised, they also said that they wouldn’t be able to sort it out until the ground is a bit drier.
Miles Firth
South Downs Local Plan: An Inspector Calls
Bob’s Cafe to remain closed this Friday & Sunday
Spring North Town Field Clear-up
Saturday February 9nd 2019 — Please come to the North Town Field for a couple of hours, starting at 10:00am, to help with our Spring clear-up.
Bring gardening tools.
Tricia Robinson (255)
Planning Meeting 12th February 2019
FULKING PARISH COUNCIL
A planning meeting will be held in The Village Hall on Tuesday 12th February 2019 at 7pm to consider the following application
Knole House Clappers Lane Fulking BN5 9NH SDNP/19/00006/HOUS
Demolition of an existing two-storey house and ancillary garage with store room above. Replaced with new two-storey house and an attached new double garage with store room above. New vehicular gate and street facing boundary wall. With detached pool house and swimming pool to the rear of the property.
Members of the public and press are invited to attend and are entitled to speak at the meeting for two minutes by prior appointment with the Clerk. No more than two speakers are permitted in favour of the proposal, and two against.
Trevor Parsons,Clerk, Fulking Parish Council
17 Ockley Way, Hassocks, West Sussex, BN6 8NE Tel: 07767 422733
The Beige Plague
In Horsham District, the infection persists. Their Strategic Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (SHELAA), January 2019, reads as follows (page 52):
This site has evolved from an area initially identified as a broad location of search following the publication of the 2010 New Market Town Study, commissioned jointly by Crawley Borough Council (CBC), Mid Sussex District Council (MSDC) and Horsham District Council (HDC). The developer has previously expressed a preferred approach for a development of up to 10,000 dwellings on land in both Horsham and Mid Sussex administrative areas. However, within HDC a development of up to 6,120 dwellings together with associated infrastructure is currently being proposed for consideration. The site falls in Woodmancote, Shermanbury and Henfield parish areas.
The site is in multiple land ownership, which may affect deliverability. Landowner interest in developing the whole site would therefore need to be carefully tested. There would also be a need for cross boundary working, with MSDC and with West Sussex County Council.
The site has a range of environmental and infrastructure constraints including an area of flood risk which would require mitigation. If developed, the site would need to create its own social, economic, transport and utilities infrastructure. Improved connectivity to the trunk road and rail network (which is some distance away) would also need to be carefully considered. Any major development would also need to take account of the retail viability of existing settlements such as Henfield. Unless allocated for development through the review of the Horsham District Planning Framework (HDPF) it is considered development would be contrary to Policies 1 to 4 and 26 of the HDPF and potentially other policies relating to the constraints of the site. It is therefore assessed as ‘Not Currently Developable’.
The Electoral Roll
This year the electoral roll starts from scratch again. Regular worshippers or those living in the parish who meet the eligibility criteria set out on the application form are eligible to be listed on the church electoral roll and this, in turn, will allow them to vote at the Annual Parochial Church Council Meeting on April 7th.
Bobservation 53: Winter Thoughts
Neighbours and Hedges
Now I know most of us have, at some time, fallen out with the next door neighbours over the hedge between two properties. In the 26 years we have been at Furzefield only one family of neighbours have reacted sympathetically and been prepared to see our point of view. These are our current neighbours Simon and Laurence who arrived, with their sons from London, not two years ago. I cannot tell you how grateful I am for the way they have handled the matter. Curious that it takes an arrival from London to behave so well. Maybe we could all learn something from this. I have!!
John Ruskin
Friday February 8 will be the 200th anniversary of the art critic, writer and reformer John Ruskin’s birth. His memorial in Fulking is the fountain which graces the entrance to the North Town Field and the anniversary will be celebrated in London by an evening of readings and music at the Royal Academy. John Ruskin was instrumental in creating an efficient system of running water in Fulking in the 19th century which is now unfortunately defunct and only a facade. I imagine current Health and Safety regulations make any refurbishment of the system impossible. What a pity!.
Rampion Trench
Thanks for the manner in which the contractors have hidden the Rampion Trench and landscaped where it has crossed the highway. Rampion itself is, of course, a major local player in the fight against global warming, a battle that is probably the most important international problem of all.
Hopefully useful information
The recent death of my brother in law has, once again, reminded me how essential it is for the remaining partner to have all the useful information regarding finances, insurance, pensions, investments and other household details in an easily available place. It is quite simple to create a sheet of facts which can be regularly updated and prove a great help. Many widows (and widowers) find themselves at a complete loss to know how they stand financially and where to access details of all the contacts that are required when the unfortunate event occurs.