MINUTES OF THE STORT VALLEY PROJECT MEETING

28 SEPTEMBER 1999

HELD AT SAYSBURY MANOR SAWBRIDGEWORTH 

 

PRESENT :  John Rider ( Acting Chairman)   

Warren Richards Monya Billings

Jacqueline Dore Ted Burrow

David Mead  Irene Pollard 

Liz Greenwood (landscape Officer EHDC)

David Thorogood (Agenda 21 EHDC) 

APOLOGIES : Lanier Pole Steve Karn  Michael Brown

Susan Clark (Rural Enterprise Project)

Mr & Mrs Vincent Hazel Mead

Diana Richards (Swb Town Council).

Mr & Mrs Willett Brad Tooze (WildL Trust)

Louise Clark  Mr Potts

MINUTES :

The minutes of the last meeting were accepted. David T noted two people who had not received minutes. 

AGENDA ITEMS: 

1 The flood plain sub committee report was presented by Warren R, reporting that the piece of F/P land next to the Pishiobury meander has been sold subject to contract. We also received a letter from the Chairman of the Environmental Services Committee Cllr Nigel Poulton, who has asked the Chairman of the Agenda 21 Committee meeting in Sbw on 14th Oct to fully debate the issues of the flood plain. 

2 Parish Environmental Action Plan (PEAP) It was agreed we would advise CMS of a date in early Dec for a talk on the subject. 
 

3 Our views on the Relief Road. It was appreciated that the Relief Road would only reduce congestion in the centre of Sbw but as the A1184 was designated as a route for wide loads (not the M11) it would take these away from the end of Bell Street. The Relief Road proposed on the west of the Town would encourage development around this new road. While many would like to see a proper by-pass ( Eastwick to the A120) the planners advise that this would not significantly reduce the traffic through Sbw and is against present government policy. We agreed that any solution should have the minimum impact on spoiling the local environment which includes not increasing the housing and population of Sbw. 

4 Presentation to EHDC Agenda 21 Committee. The meeting will be held on 14th Oct at 7.30 at Sayesbury Manor and our material must be arranged on the evening of the 12th. Our talk to promote the SVP will be around half an hour covering our activities with emphasis on the flood plain and the lock-keepers cottage. John R will lead the talk with

David T supplying display boards by 12th

Warren R providing maps and availability of Chamber on 12th

Jacqueline D providing material on the lock-k cottage

Irene P providing information on wildlife on the flood plain

David T would try to find out the latest position on the lock-k cottage from the District Solicitors. Irene P to ask the Environment Agency how their prosecution is going re dredging of the back waters.

Monya B and John R will arrange publicity posters and all should do their bit to give the meeting visibility. 

5 AOB

The Local Transport Plan this will be discussed at a public meeting at Puckeridge Community Centre on 3rd Nov 99.

The EHDC Sustainability Road Show will be held in the Bell Street carpark on Friday the 26 Nov in the early evening. The theme will be alternative fuels with gas powered vehicles on display. The SVP have be asked to contribute to the display.

The area south of Pishiobury Drive. David Munns contacted us about including this area in any plans we had for the flood plain. At present we have not extended our survey to this area but the chairman invited David M to come to the next meeting. 

6 DNM November 2nd 1999 in Sayesbury Manor at 8.00pm.