Trevor Stansfield Anyone out there? Or if you prefer... Calling all members Local Plan STOP PRESS! Join the BDRA The Day the Snow came Feedback Events MONEY MATTERS... – Corporate Bonds – New beginnings: A fresh approach to divorce Friends of Lake Meadows Committee News Who is supporting Billericay? Coach Trips 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 11 12 February 2018 In This Issue: The Billericay District Residents , Association Resident “Help us to help you” FREE to members of BDRA Visit the BDRA Website at: www.bdra.org I t was with deep sadness that we heard of the recent death of our former long-time Vice- chairman Trevor Stansfield. Trevor and his wife Margaret were fundamental to the life of the Residents' Association over more than 40 years, and Trevor developed the Resident from 4 sheets of black and white into the style you see it today. He was its editor from 1981 until 2014. Trevor played a significant role in several BDRA projects, including the provision of the High Street Christmas lights, and the founding of the Billericay Twinning Association, setting up links with both Fishers and Chauvigny. He contributed to the public life of the town in many other ways through his positions on the Town Council, the Citizens' Advice Bureau, the Mayflower School (both on the Parents' Association and the Board of Governors), and the Billericay Rotary Club. The town has lost one of its most hard working citizens. –––––––––– f –––––––––– Anyone out there who has a few hours a month to support our main committee as a secretary. All you need to be is interested in Billericay and able to come to a meeting on the first Friday of each month (except August), write notes and actions, write and reply to a small amount of correspondence, send emails and keep us on our toes!! Or if you prefer... Be an area secretary for the East of the town looking after the membership records and ensuring there are road reps to deliver the Resident. Again there is support with this role from others who are area secretaries in other parts of the town. All the records are up to date on a spreadsheet. For both these roles you can get further info from John Buchanan on 01277 656715 or [email protected]Calling all members You will be delighted to know that the subs for 2018 remain unchanged at £2 and from February/ March onwards your road rep will be coming round to collect your subs and give you this year’s membership card. If they call and you are not in it would be a great help if you could take the money to them in an envelope with your name on it ( if you know where they live) or maybe a neighbour will be able to pass it on when they call. Local Plan You will see on pages 3 and 11 that there are considerable changes being considered for the Local Plan as it goes to its final stages. These changes affect Billericay in a big way with a 70% increase in the number of houses proposed from the initial consultation. BDRA in partnership with BAG and the Billericay Society are very worried about the the proposed changes to the Local Plan. Do read the updates and take action as suggested since it affects us all. Our voice needs to be heard and as you know BDRA will be hiring the services of a planning consultant to challenge whether any decisions deemed to be classified as exceptional circumstances are part of the plan. Join the BDRA Receive 10 copies of the Resident, keep up to date with residents’ issues, events, useful info, advertisers offering services you may need, coach trips and area committees working on your behalf. Be part of an Association which has served residents for 91 years. Tel: 01277 656715 email: [email protected]Welcome to February’s Resident • STOP PRESS • Do put the date of the AGM on 23 rd May in your diary. We have secured a speaker from the Council of the Protection of Rural England who will speak about the threat to our Green Belt.
Transcript
Trevor Stansfield
Anyone out there?
Or if you prefer...
Calling all members
Local Plan
STOP PRESS!
Join the BDRA
The Day the Snow came
Feedback
Events
MONEY MATTERS...– Corporate Bonds– New beginnings: A fresh
approach to divorceFriends of Lake Meadows
Committee News
Who is supporting Billericay?
Coach Trips
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3
4
5
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February 2018
In This Issue:
The
Billericay District Residents,Association
Resident“Help us to help you”
FREE to members of BDRA
Visit the BDRA Website at: www.bdra.org
It was with deep sadness thatwe heard of the recent deathof our former long-time Vice-
chairman Trevor Stansfield.
Trevor and his wife Margaret werefundamental to the life of theResidents' Association over morethan 40 years, and Trevordeveloped the Resident from 4sheets of black and white into thestyle you see it today. He was itseditor from 1981 until 2014.
Trevor played a significant role inseveral BDRA projects, includingthe provision of the High StreetChristmas lights, and the foundingof the Billericay TwinningAssociation, setting up links withboth Fishers and Chauvigny.
He contributed to the public life ofthe town in many other waysthrough his positions on the TownCouncil, the Citizens' AdviceBureau, the Mayflower School(both on the Parents' Associationand the Board of Governors), andthe Billericay Rotary Club.
The town has lost one of its mosthard working citizens.
––––––––––f ––––––––––
Anyone out there whohas a few hours a month tosupport our main committee as asecretary. All you need to be isinterested in Billericay and able to
come to a meeting on the firstFriday of each month (exceptAugust), write notes and actions,write and reply to a small amountof correspondence, send emailsand keep us on our toes!!
Or if you prefer...Be an area secretary for the Eastof the town looking after themembership records andensuring there are road reps todeliver the Resident. Again thereis support with this role from otherswho are area secretaries in otherparts of the town. All the recordsare up to date on a spreadsheet.
For both these roles you canget further info from JohnBuchanan on 01277 656715or [email protected]
Calling all membersYou will be delighted to know thatthe subs for 2018 remainunchanged at £2 and fromFebruary/ March onwards yourroad rep will be coming round tocollect your subs and give youthis year’s membership card. Ifthey call and you are not in itwould be a great help if youcould take the money to them inan envelope with your name on it( if you know where they live) ormaybe a neighbour will be ableto pass it on when they call.
Local PlanYou will see on pages 3 and 11that there are considerablechanges being considered forthe Local Plan as it goes to itsfinal stages. These changesaffect Billericay in a big way witha 70% increase in the number ofhouses proposed from the initialconsultation.
BDRA in partnership with BAGand the Billericay Society arevery worried about the theproposed changes to the LocalPlan. Do read the updates andtake action as suggested since itaffects us all. Our voice needs tobe heard and as you know BDRAwill be hiring the services of aplanning consultant to challengewhether any decisions deemedto be classified as exceptionalcircumstances are part of theplan.
Join the BDRA Receive 10 copies of the
Resident, keep up to date withresidents’ issues, events, useful
info, advertisers offeringservices you may need, coach
trips and area committees working on your behalf.
Be part of an Association whichhas served residents for 91
• STOP PRESS •Do put the date of the AGM on23rd May in your diary. We havesecured a speaker from theCouncil of the Protection of RuralEngland who will speak aboutthe threat to our Green Belt.
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Publication of an advertisement in this newsletter does not indicate editorial endorsement
Essex winters seem to alternate between days of leaden skies,easterly winds and incessant damp, and days of brightsunshine, blue skies and clear sparkling views to the horizon.
Sunday 10th December 2017 didnot fit into this pattern at all. Weawoke to the unusual, andunexpected, sight of snow. Not onlywas it snowing, but the snow wassettling, and by breakfast time thestreets, pavements and gardenswere already covered in a fewcentimetres of soft whiteness. Not aday for going out, or for doing verymuch at all, except perhaps forwatching the birds in the garden,which is precisely what I did.We have a south-facing garden,backing out onto farmland beyond,with birdfeeders suspended fromtree branches on both sides ofthe garden, and on that Decembermorning the view from our kitchenwindow was magical.
In winter, chaffinches are constantvisitors, but are largely invisible asthey blend so well with the coloursof the beds and the faded winterfoliage. However, on that morning,against the snow-white backdrop,they stood out like the coal-blackeyes on a snowman and I countedten individuals hopping about onthe lawn and borders. But hold on,
one of the ten was not a chaffinch,but a far less frequent visitor, a piedwagtail. Whilst common onfarmland, around reservoirs, oreven on the roofs of town centres,they seem reluctant to visitgardens, so it was a thrill to see oneamong the feeding chaffinches.These were the first of the manybirds which visited the gardenduring the day, none really rare, butall welcome. It is a constantpleasure to see the solitary robin,always vigilant, and the lively long-tailed tits, invariably with theirextended families, in their relentlesssearch for food to sustain themthrough the harsh winter months.Many, such as the blue tits andcollared doves are constantresidents, while others, like the jaysand the greenfinches, seem todisappear for weeks at a time.
During the day twenty species ofbirds visited the garden, or, at least,as in the case of a lone mistle thrushand several jackdaws, came as closeas the large trees at the end of thegarden. By late afternoon, the snowhad stopped and the skies cleared,providing a vivid sunset, as viewedfrom a bedroom window across theneighbouring gardens, a fitting endto a most wonderful winter’s day.
The Day the Snow came by Alan Waddoups
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FEEDBACKThe environmental impact on Frith Wood from a relief roadThere are concerns that the preferred option for a reliefroad proposed in SW Billericay will be re-routed throughFrith Wood as this would enable a further 300 houses tobe built. We are naturally very concerned about thisproposal which has many ramifications not least theimpact on ancient woodland and a wildlife area.
We have been informed that the Essex Wildlife Trust,The Woodland Trust and RSPB have written to theCouncil voicing their concerns. These will be registeredas will any other concerns that residents have. Thecouncil has an obligation to consult with NaturalEngland and to further test the impact of proposals.
This may result in the relief road returning to the originalproposal. It will not be known until these consultationshave been made and a report is sent to the IDGCommittee and then on to the Full Council.
The IDG Committee meets on 13th March and will befollowed by a Full Council Meeting on 22nd March. Thesuggestion is that final decisions on locations will bemade then including possible release of Green Belt.However it will not take a crystal ball to see that thesignificant increase in housing in Billericay will still be onthe table. As we see it the test of ‘exceptionalcircumstances’ will be the key to this plan beingaccepted by the Planning Inspectorate.
You will see on page 11 the observations of those whoattended the December meeting of the IDG and maydraw your conclusions. Please do as suggested andtake action at an individual level.
Hi Chris,We were delighted that The Christmas Market raised over£25,000. This will go into our charity funds which aredistributed to our chosen charities throughout the year.Examples of how we spent last year’s Christmas Marketproceeds include:
BOSPChild Rescue NepalMountnessing Court HospitalRoyal MarsdenMercy ShipsKids Cancer CharityRoll Out The BarrelBarrow Farm Riding for the DisabledThriftwood College
FC Redwing – Free football training for 4-6 year olds
Every Saturday at8:30am at White's Farm,Barleylands. FC Redwingprovides free football
training every Saturday for kids currentlyin Reception & Year One at school. With an emphasis firmly on fun,sessions are run by FA qualifiedcoaches. If you are interested in yourchild joining in the fun then please [email protected]
Greenway RamblersThe group meets at10.00am every Tuesday(5-6 miles) and Sunday(longer walks of 10+
miles with a break for lunch). Walksusually commence at different venues (aPub or Recreation Ground car park) anddetails can be found in the currentWalks Programme. New members arealways welcome. See our website atwww.greenwayramblers.org.uk forfurther details, or phone Joe Lawton on01277 631119.
Billericay Operatic Society presents... “The Producers”
at Brentwood Theatrefrom 20th to 24thMarch. This outrageouscomedy by Mel Brookstells the story of two
producers who set out to create the mostoffensive show in history! Performancesat 7.30pm, plus a 2.30pm matinee on24th March. Tickets from £14 to £17,available by calling the society box officeon 01277 650672 (8.00am to 8.00pm, 7days a week, no booking fee) or atwww. t icke tsource .co.uk/b i l lops .(parental guidance advised)
Billericay Community Choir presents... “Love Is In The Air”
At Christ Church, PerryStreet. Saturday 17thFebruary at 7.30pm.Doors open at 7.00pm.
Entry Free. Refreshments. Donations tothe British Heart Foundation. For furtherdetails please phone Chris on 656904 orVince on 657169. Our website iswww.billericaycommunitychoir.com
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BDRA Committee Meetings
Any member iswelcome to attendone of our areac o m m i t t e emeetings. Thismight be helpful ifyou have an issue to
raise that you haven’t been able toresolve yourself and would like to do soin person or would just like to comealong and find out what we talk about.The next East/Burstead Committeemeeting is on Wednesday 14thFebruary and the next West AreaCommittee meeting is on Thursday22nd February. Both meetings are at7.30pm in the Reading Rooms. If youwould like to come and have an issue todiscuss please let us know [email protected]
Jazz At The Fold72 Laindon Road, CM129LD, Tel 01277659286
Saturday 10th Februaryat 7.30 pm – Red Beans 'n' Rice NewOrleans Revivalist style jazz band fromNorfolk, Tickets £12 don’t delay bookingyours.
Saturday 24th February at 7.30pm -Celebrating the 60s – Blowin' in theWind – music of Bob Dylan, Joan Baez,John Lennon, Simon and Garfunkel andmany more – this is a show not to bemissed. Written, arranged and performedby Multi instrumentalists ANDANTE,£12 Café layout – bring own drinks.
Basildon Council Crunch Times
A mobi le t ip fo rhousehold waste. Formore information pleasevisit www.basildon.gov.
uk/crunch
10th March Carvers Wood CM11 2TJ
13th March David's Walk CM11 2EZ
Local Community Meeting
L o c a lCommunityMeeting atWaitrose in
Billericay. Come and meet the localcommunity policing team and discussany issues or concerns you may have.Monday 12th February 7.00pmWaitrose.
Billericay Archaeological & Historical Society
Meetings held at TheFold, Billericay ArtsAssociation, LaindonRoad at 8.00pm.
Monday 12th February “TheShoebury Heritage” Speaker BrianSandford.
Belvedere Jazz & Music Club
The Chichester, Old LondonRoad, Rawreth, SS11 8UE
Wednesday 14thFebruary The Humphrey
Lyttelton Band
Wednesday 21st February Sinatra atThe Movies - Simply Swing
Wednesday 28th February MidlandYouth Jazz Orchestra £15 Admission
Entrance fee from £12.50 – Live music8.00pm-10:30pm. Meals from 6:30pm.For further information please visitwww.belvederejazz.co.uk
Charity LunchChar i ty luncha t B i l l e r i cayM e t h o d i s tChurch, Western
Road on Saturday 10th Februaryfrom 12.30-1.30pm. A snack lunch anddrink for £4.50. The proceeds are goingtowards local multiple sclerosis therapy.There is no need to book.
Captain Cauliflower and Marvin the Mischievous MooseFriday 16th February at 2.30pm.
Dan Leesand Neil Frostinvite you onan adventurethat combinesc l o w n i n g ,p l a y f u lgames and
chaotic fun that’s suitable for all thefamily. The Fold, 72 Laindon Road,CM12 9LD. Telephone 01277659286.
www.baathefold.org.uk
Billericay Horticultural Society
Billericay HorticulturalSociety meets in theChantry Way Centre onthe 3rd Monday ofevery month at 8pm.Entry is £1 for membersand £2 for visitors, whoare always welcome.
Monday 19th February Soil Sweatand Tears - A talk by Brian Carline.
Billericay Community Cinema
Billericay Library,The High Street.
Film Thursdaydoors open at 7pm.Tickets are priced£5.00.
Thursday 8th March Dial M forMurder (1954) 105 mins Cert PG
Family Sunday – doors open at2.30pm. Tickets are £2.50 per person.
Sunday 25th February Brave (2012)93 mins Cert PG
Ticke ts a re ava i l ab le f romwww.billericaycine.com and fromBillericay Library.
Billericay WEA
Please enrol now as our courses arenearly full. www.enrolonline.wea.org.ukor 0300 303 3464. Saturday 17thMarch. One Day Course. ‘The Brontesof Haworth’ with Margaret Mills.Billericay Reading Rooms. 9.30-3.45.Tea breaks included. Lunch – bring yourown or head to the High Street. Fee £15.
Buttsbury WIWe meet on 2ndTuesday of the monthat Canon Roche Hallat 8pm – 10pm new
members welcome call Jan Nash 01277630147 for further details
Basildon & District Rambling Club
The groupmeets everySaturday at2.00pm withsome longerwalks on otherdays . The
Saturday walks are 4-5 miles with a resthalf way. New members are welcome.Membership is £6 per year andincludes all walks. See our websitewww.basildonanddistrictramblingclub.btck.co.uk for further details of our Cluband walks programme
Events
Independent Financial Advice Centre
Authorised and Regulated by
the Financial Conduct Authority
01277 (Billericay) 63087397 High Street CM12 9AJ
www.impartialadviser.com
Help & Impartial Advice from Qualified Professionals
Making Sense of a Complicated World
With the National Savings 4% rate on guaranteed growth bonds finishingbetween now and mid May, I read with some alarm that Billions of poundsare being ploughed into Bond Funds. Why Alarm? Well it’s virtually
guaranteed that Bond Funds will lose capital value as interest rates rise. accounts, so Bonds are deemed to be lower“risk” than shares.
Like shares, Bonds are bought and sold onthe stockmarket. The rate of interest thecompany pays is affected by many things,prevailing interest rates for example but mostimportantly how safe is the company? Thehigher the potential risk that the companycannot repay the loan the higher the rate ofinterest it must pay to borrow money. Theseare sometimes known as “high yield” bonds.
Corporate Bonds The key word above is FIXED interest. Mostbank and building society accounts payvariable interest rates. Deposit £1,000 in abank at 2% and you would receive £20interest. If rates rise to say 3% you wouldreceive £30 and still have your original£1,000.
Corporate Bonds do the opposite! Yourinterest is fixed and the capital goes up anddown. Buy a bond for £1,000 paying 2%and you would receive £20, but if interestrates rose to 3% you would still onlyreceive £20, so is your bond still worth£1,000?
Clearly no because at 3% you only need£667 in the bank to earn £20 interest, sowhen interest rates rise the capital value of
Incorporating E. Edwards Son & NoiceAuthorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (No. 488404)
Whether you need legal advice for your business or your family, we realise that you expect straightforward expertise from someone who knows their area of law inside out. And what’s more, at Birkett Long you can be sure that our lawyers will listen and care.
It’s not just about knowing the law.
5
The word ‘divorce’ often frightens people, but what if there was a new wayof looking at relationship breakdown? One which offers solutions and outof the box thinking with clients in the driving seat? The collaborative law
process helps you reach solutions together, amicably, rather than a courtmaking decisions about your family finances and future.What is collaborative law?Both divorcing parties have a collaborativelytrained, expert family solicitor. Rather thanconducting negotiations by letter, telephoneor through the court, all discussions takeplace face-to-face by way of four-waymeetings.Collaborative law requires a sharedcommitment to avoid litigation, providingcouples with an opportunity to work togetherwith their collaborative lawyers to findpositive solutions.
How does collaborative law work?At the beginning of the process the coupleand their lawyers are required to sign aparticipation agreement. This is a reallyimportant agreement as it confirmsthat everyone is going to worktogether, and if the process breaksdown that both solicitors will stop acting.This provides the couple withreassurance that everyone is workingtogether to ensure that there is anagreement.
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What is a “bond”? To raise money,companies can either offer investors newshares with the prospect of paying largerdividends (income) in future as thecompany grows, or it can borrow money.
When Companies borrow money theyissue certificates called Corporate Bondsand they pay, and this is crucial, a FIXEDrate of interest. This interest must be paidevery year and takes preference overpaying dividends on the company
• If you have children, they can benefitfrom the process as it focuses on thechildren first.
• There can be improved communicationthroughout the process, layingfoundations for healthy relationshipsafterwards.
• It can send a powerful message tochildren that their parents are ableto resolve differences constructivelytogether.
Collaborative law is not suitable foreveryone, but at Birkett Long one of ourteam of specialist solicitors will let you knowif they think it might be right to you.
For a free 15-minute phoneconsultation, contact Francesca
New beginnings: A fresh approach to divorceWhat are the benefits of collaborativelaw?There are many benefits to collaborative law,including that you work together with yourex-partner to reach an outcome that suits allthe needs of the family. It can also result inoutside-the-box thinking, where morecreative solutions are reached because thefour people work together.
Clients report better communication withtheir ex-partner and say that they feel theprocess is a 'happier' one, keeping them inthe driving seat.
Why choose collaborative law?• You can focus on what is important to
you and resolve matters quickly.
“bonds” normally falls and hence myconcern.
It’s more complicated than that but with theshares here and in the US at record highsand interest rates rising where do you putyour savings today?
You really do need to know what it is you aretrying to achieve and with 32,000 financialproducts to choose from start 2018 byseeing an Independent Financial Adviser.They can’t stop markets going up and downbut their advice could save you losing moneyunnecessarily.
Call your local independent financialadviser on 01277 630873 and start
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Lake Meadows is a haven forwildlife, with biodiversity
thriving just a short distance fromthe busy town centre. The Friendsrecognise this and their focus forthe next year or two will be onenhancing the habitats andencouraging park users to enjoyand appreciate the importance ofthe wildlife here.
The management of the park now encouragesmore wildlife, with a balance being keptbetween the human needs of an urban parkand the wildlife needs of the creatures wholive here. There is a range of different habitats,which include the lake and its banks, the treesand woodland, the gardens, the conservationarea, the reed bed and the flower meadow.
Interpretation boards for each of these areasare being planned by the Friends and willgradually be added to these sites as and whenfunds allow. The first of these, which visitorshave welcomed, was the one about the lake,with the water birds named. Next on theagenda is the Welcome and Habitats boardwhich will show all the habitats, as well asother park features.
A number of local individuals andorganisations, such as the Essex WildlifeTrust and Essex Bat Group, have been helpingus by undertaking surveys on differentaspects, such as the bird life or the flora, aswell as the woodland. Plans are in hand toerect bat and bird boxes in the woodland andelsewhere and also to put up more smallinsect hotels to complement the large onenear the boathouse. The flower meadow willbe re-seeded again in the Spring and plans
are being made to encourage native flowers togrow on the large banks near the sluice. Bothof these will encourage insects and pollinatorsto move in and make their homes here.
Do take a look at our websitewww.lakemeadows.org.uk
where you will also find a membership form,contact us via
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Trevor StansfieldThe committee heard the sadnews that Trevor Stansfieldhad died. He was vice-chairof the main BDRA committeefor 34 years and the foundingfather of the Resident whichunder his editorship wentfrom strength to strength. Weagreed to make a donationon his behalf to the charitynominated by the family andrecognise his contribution tothe Association in theFebruary Resident.
Local PlanThe Infrastructure and GrowthCommittee at BasildonCouncil met in Decemberand agreed a preferredproposal of:
• An alternative route for thesouth west relief road
which would provideaccess to a further 300new houses whilst takinga part of the AncientWoodland at Frith Wood
• 180 homes on land Southof London Road, Wickfordnot to be included
• 2,000 houses removedfrom H10 (Dunton), leavingonly 300 new houses
• Over 2,900 new houseshave now been allocatedto Billericay, 1,200 (70%)more than we wereconsulted upon, all in theGreen Belt.
We will be making our viewsknown using our planningconsultant, Cheffins. Cheffinshave already been brought
up to speed with the currentstate and agree that there areissues to raise at the nextstage which will be a writtensubmission to the PlanningInspectorate (not BasildonCouncil), and then at thepublic examination.
Planning Application under appeal
17/00477/FULL ElizabethCottage 4 High Street for partsingle, part two storey rearextension and conversion tocreate 7 no. apartments hasgone to appeal. Because thebuilding has deterioratedthe owners have soughtpermission from BasildonCouncil to do minor works toprevent further damagewithout penalty.
“Help us to help you”
Committee NewsSpeeding Review
MW, AM and PS visited the 8proposed roads for speedingchecks with Mary Wiley fromthe Fire Brigade. Sheconfirmed all but UplandRoad and advised the bestactual places to stand withthe speed gun. A writtenconfirmation has been sent.Mary advised that the FireBrigade had taken this roleover from the police asattending road accidents wasbecoming a large part of theirjob so it made sense for themto take over accidentprevention. We are nowwaiting for a camera.Volunteers will go out in pairs,never alone.
Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, SRA No. 50153Partners: M.C.J. MURPHY LLB (Hons), C.J. FEWELL M.A.LLB (Hons)
• Personal care• Support with medication• Meal preperation• Domestic assistance• Shopping• Companionship• Daily living skills• Making friends • Finding new interests• Support in the community
We are Grace & Rose, a family run, independent estate agency based in Billericay and Brentwood; but you won’t find us in a showy shop on the high street. That’s because we’re one of the UK’s growing number of hybrid office based agents; cleverly combining the best of traditional estate agency, with the cost saving benefits of online.
Publication of an advertisement in this newsletter does not indicate editorial endorsement
Recent developments regarding the Basildon LocalPlan must be of grave concern to those who shareBDRA’s desire to preserve the quality of life of
Billericay and protect it from over-development.At a meeting of the Council’sInfrastructure, Growth, andDevelopment Committee inDecember very substantialchanges were made, whichincrease the proposed number ofnew homes to be built in Billericayfrom 1,700 to 2,900 – an increaseof 1,200 or 70% compared withthe earlier version of the plan.Corresponding increaseselsewhere in the borough amountto 4% in Basildon and 6% inWickford. Six of the eight mainBillericay sites are increased insize substantially.
The map [below] (prepared by ourcolleagues in the Billericay ActionGroup based on a BasildonCouncil original), shows thecurrent proposal. Missing from it,because the details are unclear,are an additional 300 housessomewhere in the south west ofthe town, together with aundefined re-routing of theproposed relief road.
The way that some of thesedecisions were reached is causefor concern. The additional 300houses/relief road re-routing wereproposed to the council meetingby a representative from thedeveloper Taylor Wimpey, andwere agreed on the nod. Largereductions in Wickford wereproposed by the Mayor, and inWest Basildon by the CommitteeChairman, in both cases relatingto the areas that they represent onthe Council. These were alsoagreed on the nod with nomeaningful discussion of thejustification or impact. At one pointthe four Conservatives on thecommittee walked out of the
meeting, citing a slight againstone of their colleagues, so that fora time there was no Billericayrepresentative present. This ischaracteristic of the instability ofthe Basildon Council and theconstant political infighting andpoint scoring which appears totake precedence over theinterests of residents.
As far as we know none of thenine councillors who representBillericay and Burstead on theCouncil are opposed to this Plannor concerned about the adverseimpact on Billericay as most oftheir voters are.
It is unacceptable that the LocalPlan as it affects Billericay can berevised so drastically upwardswith no further opportunity for thepublic to comment on thespecifics in a formal consultation.In the previous consultation closeto half of the responses came fromBillericay and over 80% of peoplewere opposed to the Plan. Thisappears to have been totallydisregarded by Basildon Council.
This revised Plan, involving 70%more new homes than theprevious proposal, serves toexacerbate further the existingconcerns :- failure to take anyaccount of public opinion; erosionof the Green Belt without specialor exceptional circumstancesto justify it; grossly inadequatecommitment to enhanceinfrastructure to cope withincreased demand :- doctors andhospitals, schools, roads, trains,car parking etc; lack of concernabout the impact on theenvironment and on heritage – for
example the proposed new roadwould take a chunk out of theAncient Woodland of Frithwood(which a Burstead councillorvoted in favour of).
The next stage in the progressionof the Local Plan will be a ‘Section19’ consultation on the soundnessof the Plan. This will be reviewedby the Planning Inspectorate, whowill then hold an examination inpublic to decide whether the Planhas been prepared according tothe required rules and protocols. Together with the Billericay ActionGroup and the Billericay Society,BDRA will be looking carefully athow they, and the general public,should respond to this, withadvice to follow.
Meanwhile if BDRA membersagree with us that the
proposed Local Plan will bevery damaging to Billericay,
and that Billericay is notgetting a fair deal, then we
strongly urge them to maketheir views known to their
Basildon Councillors
{www.basildonmeetings.info/mgMemberIndex.aspx?
or contact us if not sure how to go about it).
We would like to see a unitedstance by Billericay Town
Council, Great Burstead & SouthGreen Village Council, and Little
Billericay District Residents’ Association ����������� COACH TRIPS���������������������
Please note that all payments should be made as soon aspossible and sent to the person named on the trip
advertisement. Cheques should be made payable to BDRAand the trip title shown on the back of the cheque.
Departure points for all trips: GG – Gooseberry Green, busstop at roundabout, OA – Orchard Avenue, approachingStock Road, LR – Laindon Road, bus stop between Sun
Corner and the fire station, SG – South Green, bus stop to Wickford, opposite the retirement apartments.
THE RESIDENT is published by the Billericay District Residents’ AssociationEditors: Chris Wade Tel: 01277 632390 and Maralyn Buchanan. Email [email protected]
Designed and printed by Acors Press, 3 Molineaux Court, Radford Way, Billericay, Essex CM12 0BT. Telephone: 01277 658090. Email [email protected] website at: www.bdra.org
Please note – When a trip is confirmed the fare must be paid as soon as possible.
YORKSHIRE COAST AND COUNTRY SUNDAY 25TH FEBRUARY– FRIDAY 2ND MARCH2 Places available
5 nights full breakfast and three course dinner with teaor coffee.
3 excursions and 2 nights entertainment included.
We are staying at the Monarch Hotel in Bridlington which is on theseafront, perfectly placed for a walk into town or a stroll along thelevel promenade. The hotel has a lift, tea and coffee making facilitiesand free Wi Fi.
Also included: Complete luggage handling, optional insurance£10pp (non-refundable).
Excursions:
Day to Whitby, North Yorkshire Moors National Park, HeartbeatCountry.
Day to York visit the Minster, Jorvik Centre, the Shambles andmuseums.
Half Day to Beverley with its minster, historical buildings andcobbled streets.
Entrance prices are not included.
Cost: £222.00 per person.
Depart: GG 8.00am, OA 8.15am, LR 8.35am, SG 8.50am.
Please telephone to book after 9.00am
Emergency mobile for use on the day only 07518 122647. Pleaseput it in your contacts.
MONDAY 19TH FEBRUARY – GUIDED TOUR OF THE HOUSESOF PARLIAMENT FOLLOWED BY A THREE COURSE LUNCHAT THE STRAND PALACE HOTELThis trip is full from the Waiting List. Please Pay Now
You will have been contacted for this trip.
Emergency mobile for use on the day only 07518 122647. Pleaseput it in your contacts.
Cost: Coach, Tour and Lunch £34.00.
Pickups are starting at Orchard Avenue
Depart: OA 8.00am. GG 8.05am. LR 8.15am. SG 8.20am. Back inBillericay at approximately 5.00pm.
TUESDAY 20TH MARCH 2018 – MEET THE BAKER Seats available
Our first stop is Saffron Walden where we can have a coffee or abrowse round the shops. We then travel to Old Harlow to the MayfieldFarm Bakery here we will enjoy a talk and demonstration giving us aninsight into baking skills and how traditional loaves are made. This isfollowed by a two course lunch of a glass of Luscombes ElderflowerBubbly, Quiche of the Day with mixed dressed leaves, Tart au Citronand tea or coffee.
You will also receive a small complimentary loaf to take home. Therewill also be an opportunity to buy breads and patisserie.
Cost: £35.50 includes coach talk and lunch.
Depart: GG 8.00am, OA 8.05am, LR8.15am, SG8.20am. Back inBillericay at approximately 5.00pm.
TUESDAY 10TH APRIL – GUIDED TOUR OF THE FAVERSHAMBREWERY, HOME TO SHEPHERD NEAME, INCLUDING TWOCOURSE LUNCHWe make our way to the medieval market town of Faversham where wewill have time for a morning coffee or a look around the Tuesdaymarket. We then go to Faversham Brewery, Britain's oldest Brewery.Brewing has takne place here for centuries.
We learn on the guided tour about the ancient art of brewing, look atbrewing and fermentation vessels, taste natural mineral water from theBrewery's well, try some malted barley and smell locally-grown Kentishhops.
The tour includes a visit to the old Brewery Store, which has displays ofdelivery vehicles, a recreated coopers' workshop, bygone pub signsand memorabilia. The tour ends with a tutored tasting of ShepherdNeame's ales and speciality lagers.
Our lunch after our tour will be Drayman's Plate, Spitfire sausagesserved with Spitfire ale onion gravy, mashed potatoes and peas.Homemade bread and butter pudding, served with fresh cream.Should you have any dietary requirements please let me know and theBrewery will be able to accommodate us.
Cost: Coach, Guided Tour and Lunch £38.50.
Depart: GG 8.30am. OA 8.35am. LR 8.50am. SG 8.55am. Back inBillericay at approximately 5.00pm.
Please telephone to book after 9.00am on Tuesday 13th February
If concession prices are quoted (ie seniors, children) these should be requested at the time of booking or the full price will apply. In the event that you need to cancel all efforts will be madeto resell your seats, however if we are unable to resell your seats you are liable for payment. The terms and conditions which apply to BDRA coach trips can be found at www.bdra.org.
