THE COMMUNITY INFORMATION POINT
CHANGE OF OPENING HOURS.
THE CIP WILL NOW BE OPEN:-
MONDAY AFTERNOONS FROM 12:30PM-3PM
THURSDAY MORNINGS FROM 9:30AM -12 NOON
Free use of the Village Computer/Internet Access
FREE DOG WASTE BAGS
BDC Recycling Bags
Village Design Statement and Parish Plan available free of charge
Report any concerns or problems to the Parish Clerk in person, or contact on:
01376 552489, or
email via the "Contact Us" button at the top of the page. |
Battery Recycling
You can now recycle batteries at the CIP
We have a battery recycling point which is operated by BDC, for all household batteries
Please bring them in to the CIP during opening hours:
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FLY TIPPING
This is an increasing problem in both the village and the District at present.
If you see anyone doing this, please report it immediately to the Police and
the District Council. If you come across any fly-tipping in the village, please
report this to the Clerk who will arrange for the Clean Team to remove it.
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Rayne Parish Council News
CAN'T SEE THE WOOD FOR THE TREES |
As part of the plans for Oak Meadow Braintree District Council undertook a tree survey and decided to impose tree preservation orders on a number of individual trees. However, a number of the most significant trees were missed out, and were subsequently added after representations from the Parish Council.
Also included in the Tree Preservation Orders were the group of three large poplars near the main road on the boundary between the playing field and Oak Meadow. This became a matter of concern to the PC as one of the other nearby poplars had shed a large limb without warning last summer. It then underwent a severe crown reduction, to make it safe and the result is rather unsightly.
The other three poplars had all shed limbs due to over maturity and it became clear that these trees were also posing a danger to the public. It was agreed that to make them safe these trees would also require severe crown reduction. However, as a result the remaining lower parts of the trees would be very unsightly and the crown reductions would be an ongoing considerable expense in the near future. After much deliberation it was decided that felling the trees and replacing them with more suitable trees for an amenity space was the only way forward and the Parish Council therefore made an application to have the Tree Preservation Orders removed from these three trees.
A formal tree survey of all the trees on Oak Meadow and the playing field were then carried out, to the relevant British standard and at no cost to the council, this concluded that urgent works be undertaken to the poplar trees as a matter of health and safety.
However, at the relevant Braintree District Council planning committee, the councils tree officer stated that in his opinion the trees were not dangerous and the application was refused.
In the intervening period a number of other limbs, one over 14 metres long have fallen from the trees. The village groundsmen have erected a high visibility fence around the trees to try and deter the public from straying into the danger area.
After further unsuccessful representations to Braintree District Council, the Parish Council agreed to obtain quotes from three Arboricultural consultants for a further independent survey, which are likely to cost a considerable sum.
When this has been completed the PC will again apply to Braintree District Council to carry out the recommendations of that report.
In the meantime residents are advised to keep well clear of the trees and the immediate area. Please contact the clerk if you would like to make a representation. |
GRAVEL PIT/LANDFILL LATEST
RAYNE RESIDENTS GAIN SUPPORT OF MP |
The Village Action Group had a very successful meeting at Rayne Primary School which was attended by MP – Brooks Newmark; Roger Walters – Essex County Council; Mike Banthorpe – Braintree District Council; Adam Bulkeley – representing Rayne Parish Council and some 180 villagers.
Land-Owner, John Wooton and representatives of Lafarge (the proposed operator) were invited to the meeting but both formally declined the invite. Lafarge did, however, provide a statement that was read to the meeting.
Attendees were given a short recap of the present situation and then heard from each of the guests who, in the main, demonstrated their commitment/support for the Campaign.
Brooks Newmark MP expressed his support in fighting the proposed developments and explained that normally he was unable to get involved in individual planning matters but as this matter affected the whole community he would be able to act on our behalf. He commented on the good turnout for the meeting and that he would help in any way he could.
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Cllr Adam Bulkeley spoke on behalf of Rayne Parish Council and outlined the present position as it stands from the Councils perspective and that we will be reacting to the Waste Development Document Consultation when it starts in November. |
With the general feeling that Essex County Council were less that transparent during the Minerals Consultation held earlier this year, that essential facts, such as an application had been already been made to them for landfill on the Broadfields site and they did not convey this information on to villagers, that other sites have now been "tacked" onto the consultation, it will be important that we all look very closely at the up and coming Waste Consultation when it starts.
To contact the Villagers Action Group or make a contribution to the "Fighting Fund"
Mobile:07940 713174--Home:01376 325765
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| ** BROADFIELDS FARM, ANOTHER TWIST** |
On the 18th October Broadfields Farm was taken off of the list as a Landfill Site.
At first this looks to be good news but it asks the question why ?
It is known that ECC included the site to the WDD list AFTER the call for sites had closed in December 2010, that ECC had to request further details from Lafarge in April 2011 so that the application could be advanced, that Broadfields was included in the WDD Call for Sites Document published in June 2011, yet the site has now been withdrawn just weeks before the WDD consultation is expected to begin.
Again, WHY ?
Certainly, including Broadfields in the WDD document assumes that, in fact, there will be a huge hole to put waste in. As the MDD is advanced in comparison to the WDD then one could draw the conclusion that ECC see Broadfields, as a gravel Pit, a foregone conclusion .
The other argument is that the addition of Broadfields Farm to the WDD materially changes the Minerals Consultation.Any calls that this consultation is now invalid have been moved out of the equation.
Whatever the reason, it seems this move will make it easier to push Broadfields through the process.
It should also be noted one caveat added to the information we have been given.
"Whilst the site has not been selected for Waste Disposal now,[WE] are told it could be brought back in at a later date, but ECC would have to go out to further Consultation"
This leaves the feeling that Rayne and it's residents have been put in a game of "Ping Pong" by Essex County Council.
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| ?? AND NOW A LANDFlLL SITE IN RAYNE ?? |
Another disturbing problem for the village is on the horizon.
ECC have now included the proposed Gravel Extraction Site at Broadfields Farm, Rayne as a Landfill Site as part of their Waste Development Document published June 2011.
We understand that, although the village was told there would be no landfill on this site at the recent Minerals Extraction Consultation events held earlier this year, Broadfields was on the list back in October 2010 indeed the ECC document "WDD Evidence Base - Call for Sites: Overview of Sites Suggested
for Consideration" states the following.
Background to the Call for Sites
On 7th October 2010, an eight week Call for Sites was launched as part of preparation of a
Waste Development Document (WDD) for Essex County Council and Southend-on-Sea Borough
Council. It closed at 5pm on December 2nd 2010. The Call for Sites was an open invitation to landowners, waste operators or others to put forward
sites to inform the Council's WDD.
The WDD will need to identify sufficient locations for development up to at least 2031.
Submissions were possible via email using the form available on the ECC and SBC website
(Call for sites form), or by completing the Hard copy form available, on request.
Clearly suggesting that Broadfields had been put forward BEFORE the public consultation with regards the Waste Development Document.
The site is listed as taking various waste including C&I and to quote from the documents
"Commercial and industrial waste (C&I): Waste arising from wholesalers, catering
establishments, shops and offices (in both the public and private sector), factories and industrial
plants. It can include a number of materials such as food, paper, card, wood, glass, plastics
and metals."
As the public consultation on the WDD is not due to start until October this year the Parish Council will not be able to consider any response until then, in the meantime we will continue to monitor the situation and publish anything of importance as soon as we receive it.
For further information on the WDD go to Essex County Councils website Here.
The document containing details for Rayne can be downloaded as a pdf by Right Clicking and "Save As"
This latest news does leave us wondering just what else the residents of Rayne will have thrown at them next to ruin our village and prevent us from enjoying a peaceful and stress free life. |
This years Parish Council Citizenship Awards were presented at the Councils Annual Assembly held on the 14th March in the Old School Room.
This years awards were given to Cllr Ian McNee for his long standing service to the Parish Council and to Cllr Harold Giles for his long standing service to the Parish council.
Both Ian and Harold are standing down at this years elections and we would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their work over the years in helping to make Rayne a better place to live.
An award was also presented to James Baker in recognition of his work helping the Amenity Space Committee take forwards plans for Oak Meadow.
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The Awards were presented by Cllr Martyn Phillips, chair of the Parish council.
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Martyn presents the certificate to Cllr Ian McNee |
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James Baker receives his Certificate from Martyn Phillips |
For older News Items that may still be of interest please click Here
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