Ossett News Posted October 3, 2020 Report Share Posted October 3, 2020 Week ending Saturday 3rd October 2020 The week started with an online meeting with Horbury Civic Society and Wakefield Planning Team to discuss the implication of the Government’s latest planning proposals, ‘Planning for the Future’. The effects of these changes in my opinion will reduce the ability to residents, Councillors and community groups to make changes or stop developments, resulting in many more developments. Under the new process, land will be designated in one of three zoning categories: ‘for growth, for renewal or for protection’. In the first two categories it is understood that there will be a new legal ‘permission in principle’ approach for new buildings. Once the land is allocated – that will be it – no more challenge or change. However, the allocated zones could be decided many years before – giving residents no right of redress when developers come forward. If you want to know more and how you can object to these monumental changes, please search ‘Planning for the Future’ on the internet. The consultation on ‘Planning for the Future’ closes on 29th October 2020. With my Cabinet Member hat on I was interviewed by Richard Stead of Radio Leeds for his Monday morning Breakfast Show on the subject of apprenticeships. If you know someone who is interested in becoming an apprentice, Wakefield has many places who can help, provide information and possibly find them a placement. A good starting point is www.stepupwakefield.com - go to the Employment Hub page or visit Wakefield College’s website site and search for apprenticeships. On Tuesday evening we held our monthly online meeting of Friends of Horbury’s Parks. Our activities are currently being reassessed in light of the new COVID restrictions and the Rule of 6. However, we hope to be able to arrange a couple of bulb planting sessions across the whole ward. We have 1,200 daffodil bulbs and 4,000 crocus bulbs to plant, and we are looking at sites in Carr Lodge, Reid, Memorial and Illingworth Parks along with possibly the lane entrance to Green Park. Also, we are looking at the planters in Horbury town centre, some parts of the by-pass and the roundabout at the entrance of Benton Park. Watch out for more details of when and where – we will be planting - your help would be greatly appreciated. The West Wakefield Womble Challenge throughout the whole of September has been an almighty success in removing rubbish from our streets and beauty spots across the ward. When we started the litter picking group nearly two years ago, who would have thought that it would have become so successful and welcomed. Too many people to mention and say thank you to; however, without the help and dedication of Debs and Karen who have been the organisers of this month’s challenge, it would not have happened. Over 200 bags of rubbish collected – that is over 6 bags of rubbish every single day throughout the month of September! Litter picks have taken place in Horbury town centre, Horbury Lagoons, Horbury Bridge, Horbury Junction, Illingworth Park and Hawkingcroft. More litter picks are planned for October and in the run up to Christmas. Speed cameras across West Yorkshire are operated by West Yorkshire Casualty Prevention Partnership. They are not operated or installed by Wakefield or any other local authority. I have written to them to ask for their installation policy. I would like to know the actual facts and how to go about getting one or two installed. Once this is received, I will share their response. Their website, for your information - www.safetycameraswestyorkshire.co.uk The new road markings on Quarry Hill have been well received and seem to be having the effect of slowing traffic down. I was asked by a resident in this area to visit her home and witness the passing traffic from her garden. I visited and I was amazed at the size of wagon coming in and out of Hawkingcroft Road and how they mount the pavement to be able to use the junction. I have referred this difficult issue to our Highways Team to investigate. The gas supply network company seems to be working in Horbury Junction and Horbury Bridge at the same time. The disruption they have caused in Horbury Junction has been considerable and caused great inconvenience to residents and businesses. They have now located a white container on the green, close to the Memorial Tree. I trust that this will be moved soon, and the grass area fully restored. This was not the case in Horbury Bridge, where the Green area was dug up and so-called restored. I have been advised that they have now agreed to return and restore the area properly and plant some more daffodil bulbs. Following nearly two-weeks of road works in Horbury town centre, I have requested that the pavements be resurfaced, using the same process as recently done on Queen Street. This will make High Street a more attractive place and easier to walk down. I’ll keep you posted on how this request progresses. On Friday morning I spent an hour or so in Horbury Junction looking at the state of the roads and pavements. Much damage has been done to pavements due to vehicles parking half on the road and half on the pavement. I have reported a couple of locations where repairs are required. I also reported an area of privately-owned land that appears to be slipping onto the roadway. Hopefully the detritus that is now on the road surface will be moved soon and the whole area tidied up. The ginnel that runs from Industrial Street down towards the bottom of Charles Street has already been identified for clearing of overgrown bushes and a general clean up. I have also asked that Industrial Street’s road surface be investigated and repaired as required. I called in to our Library on Friday morning and spoke with the team there. Although the services on offer are greatly reduced due to COVID, the team were busy and looking after the library users, which was great to see. Did you know that October is Wakefield Word Fest Month? There are many events across the whole district including Horbury & Ossett Libraries. More details can be found at - https://wakefieldlibraries.wordpress.com Finally, this week I do like the play on words on the Council’s latest campaign to encourage people to clean up after their animals! Please keep safe and take care in these difficult times and if you need help, give me a shout – contact details above! Darren View the full article Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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