From the Parish Council – May 2023

Parish Council Vacancy – John Thompson has stepped down as Parish Councillor. We thank John for all his help and wise advice, and wish him and his family all the best for the future.

Waste bins – we thank recently retired District Councillor, Brian Phillips, for his help in replacing the old decrepit waste bin by the Bus Shelter.

Pittfields Corner – we have been asked to address an item regarding car parking from March’s Scruton News. In 2010 SPC met with Chevin Housing Assoc. to discuss the proposed Pittfields housing development. There were several public meetings to discuss the project, and it was verbally agreed that in return for supporting the scheme, extra parking spaces would be provided for the village, to help alleviate the parking problems at the corner of Station Road and Common Lane. Unfortunately this was not recorded in writing and the officials attending the meetings are no longer in post; the planning documents were not checked, so as a consequence the current management (Together Housing Group) do not feel obligated to honour the agreed arrangement. With so many recollections of what was agreed in the village, some which were published in the Parish Council Newsletter, we are exploring if the agreement can be formalised retrospectively.

Solar Array – An appeal to the Secretary of State by Lightrock Power against HDCs refusal of planning permission will be heard by an independent inspector on 31 May 2023 at the Civic Centre, Stonecross.

STOP PRESS – A representative from Trading Standards is expected at the next Parish Council meeting (AGM on 11 May) to talk about ‘cold calling’. The public are welcome to attend.