MINUTES OF THE STORT VALLEY PROJECT MEETING
23rd MARCH 1999
HELD AT SAYESBURY
MANOR SAWBRIDGEWORTH
PRESENT: Steve Karn(Acting Chairman)
APOLOGIES: Lanier Pole Michael Brown
MINUTES:
1 Anniversary Meeting.
It ws agreed that our first public meeting was a great success and we
thank Steve K for steering us through the evening. Warren R to write
a report to go with these minutes.
2 Harlow North. Stan B in discussion with a Harlow Councillor felt the project had too much opposition especially from the airports authority to proceed further. Steve K to look at letter from the protest group and consider further communication.
Diversion. The mention of the
airport sparked of many comments on noise and aircraft movements especially
the lack of control on cargo planes. People were reminded to phone the
noise complaint line when noise was intolerable. Steve K asked that
people list their concerns (say a max of 3 each) for a future agenda
item dedicated to the airport.
3 Gilden Way Development. The land on both sides of GW is being considered for development and the old football pitch at the Church Gate Street roundabout has been up for sale. Joan W has a friend who goes to all the Harlow DC meetings and will inform us of any progress.
The discussion was brought
back to areas of land, which could be ripe for development around Sbw.
The land north of the Bull towards Spellbrook is likely to have a change
of ownership and people are being rehoused in preparation to sell the
properties. The old Rochford Nursery off Chase Ways, which needs to
remain fallow for a number of years before it can be developed. The
land behind Rowney Gardens shifted to the horses, which are eating the
trees and Joan W was advised to talk to the RSPCA or contact the owners
via the Land Registry.
4 Lockkeeper’s Cottage.
Steve K said he would keep the pressure on EHDC legal department and
Shirley P said she would send Steve a contact at EHDC.
5 The Flood Plain. Eric H reported that concrete pipes have been set in the bank of the canal below Feaks Lock ,which are surrounded with rubble; it silts up blocking the outflow. Peter G informed us that any work within 8 metres of a water course required the consent of the Environment Agency (EA). The meeting wanted to maintain and enhance the beauty of the flood plain starting with the area bounded by Feaks Lock, the weir and the ornamental lake in Pishiobury. Before approaching the land owner Diana R advised that a grant aid package should be investigated to have something positive to offer. Peter G said CMS could support us in formulating a grant strategy.
Diana R suggested we walk part
of the flood plain to consolidate our ideas and do some simple water
quality tests with a view to asking EA to survey a specific area.
6 Town Tip.
While the Bishop’s Stortford town tip is going forward for reclamation
the Sbw tip is considered too risky to disturb. Peter G said there is
a report available which details the risk of polluting the river and
the loss of wildlife habitat. The site contains large tunnels and pits,
which would require collapsing before access could be allowed for any
purpose. Louise C criticised the chainlink fence coming too close to
ground for larger mammals. It was felt that a notice should be displayed
giving information on the present state of the site and its long term
future. Contact should be made with Andy Mills at EHDC who is new in
post and may have a new approach to the problem. Monya B was not happy
that this project was going to slide into limbo and she was advised
to write to our local EHDC Cllrs Frank Clay, Mark Stickley and Valerie
Bright.
7 Luxford Development.
Stan Barker reported he was in close contact with the developers who
were going to re-establish the willows on the river bank as part of
their landscaping. The site contains an area called “the field” which
at present has no planned use. The developers have agreed to change
the name of the site to Luxford Place. The developers have been fined
£5500 with costs of £1000 for damaging trees on the site.
8
Play Areas. Ted B raised the subject of children’s play areas
accessible to children in Vantorts. None could be reached without crossing
busy roads and when a child was old enough to cross the road, he may
find the play area has a notice “NO BALL GAMES”. Diana R said that each
play area was either managed by EHDC or the Town Council.
9 The Chamber. Diana
R had a message from the Clerk to the Council that the hire of the Chamber
on 9th February 99 invoice 4042 had not yet been paid. It
was hoped EHDC would deal with the matter with urgency.
10 Planning Consent.
Monitor 99A London Road Sbw
11 DNM. The date of the next meeting has already been set for 14th April 99 and had been arranged for a visit from George Martin but Liz G said he was not available on that date. A future meeting date was set for Wednesday 19th May 99 in the hope this would be suitable.