News

RURAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING

The Parish Council is committed to trying to facilitate the provision of ‘affordable homes’ in the rural community. The process has now reached the point where an Open Day is being organized to seek the views of parishioners on the draft proposals.

Some enquirers have indicated they think the Open Day on March 10th 2010 is presenting a ‘fait accompli’. THIS IS NOT THE CASE. It is all part of a long process. You are urged to visit the office on March 10th 2010 between 3pm and 7.30pm if you possibly can so that English Rural Housing representatives can answer any questions you may have. The following points are made in order to provide initial clarification:-

·         People are being invited to register for homes because there has to be definite evidence of need. So far needs have only been identified in surveys.

·         If there is insufficient interest from people meeting the specific criteria then no development will take place.

·         Outline plans have been drawn up so there is something to discuss and consult about. These are DRAFTS.

·         WDC planners have indicated that something along these lines is acceptable to officers. If there is enough interest to proceed further then a planning application will be drawn up and consulted upon in the usual way.

·         10 sites were investigated before Warrendene Road was identified as the preferred option. Details of these, and the reasons for rejection, will be available at the Open Day.

More information will be put on this website after March 10th, providing answers to general questions asked on the day, and giving an opportunity for further consultation. The Open Day is part of the process, not the end of it.

Cllr Peggy Ewart - Chairman

HUGHENDEN PARISH COUNCIL

RURAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING

·        Do you require affordable housing?

·        What do you think about providing homes for parishioners?

Hughenden Parish Council in partnership with English Rural Housing Association and Community Impact Bucks

is holding an Open Day on:

Wednesday 10th March 2010 at

Hughenden Parish Council Offices

from 3.00pm to 7.30pm

This is an opportunity for you to let us know what you think, and raise any questions that you may have about the proposed

affordable housing scheme in the Parish

as well as register your housing need.

HOUSING FOR LOCAL PEOPLE

The Parish Council, in partnership with the English Rural Housing Association, is considering the provision of ten affordable homes for local people.  There would be a mix of two and three bedroom homes in both rented and shared ownership.  The need for such homes has been identified through surveys and in the Parish Appraisal.

After an exhaustive search, a small area of land has been identified in Warrendene Road, Hughenden Valley, as being suitable for building such homes.  Draft scheme layouts and basic sketch designs have been produced, which are acceptable to Wycombe District Council planners, the Parish Council, and the landowner.    It is intended that this will be a small, attractive development (see similar examples below), provided in perpetuity for the use of parishioners with a strong, provable, local connection.  The Parish would have ownership of, and manage, the surrounding land; there would be no further built development.

The properties would be for the benefit of parishioners in all the villages within Hughenden Parish.

Interested parties are welcome to attend an open day, which will be held in the Parish Council Offices, The Common, Great Kingshill on 10th March 2010 between 3pm and 7.30pm to -

·        View the provisional plans

·        Ask questions of the Housing Association and Parish Councillors

·        Make comments on the project

·        and take the opportunity to register for the properties

All views are welcome!  Please come in and see us.

Hughenden Parish Council is delighted to announce the development of a new piece of play equipment for Naphill.  The new equipment will be completely bespoke and will be designed to resemble a 'Control Tower' to celebrate Naphill and Walters Ash's clinks with the RAF.

Hughenden PArish Council would like to thank and acknowledge, Cllr Richard Pushman, Naphill Village Hall Committee and the Local Community Partnership (part of Bucks Councty Council) for their contribution to the cost of this project.

We hope that this new and exciting Control Tower will be in place by the end of March 2010.

Hughenden Parish Council is delighted to announce a new playing surface being installed in North Dean Playground.  The new surface is made from Cushion Fall which is made of recycled wood.  This will provide a safe and attractive play surface for years to come!

Following on from the success this year of the climbing wall, Hughenden Parish Council are delighted to bringing the wall back for the teenagers of the parish.

On 18th February 2010 the Climbing  Wall will be situated at the car park next to the Council Offices in Great Kingshill - from 11.00 - 13.00 and then at Naphill Village Hall car park from 14.30 - 16.30.

The return of the climbing wall forms a part of the Council's commitment to the youth of the parish.  We would really like to encourage teenagers from around the parish to come and have a go!!

For further information, please contact the Parish Clerk, Lynne Turner on 01494 715296 or hughendenpc@btconnect.com

Public Consultation on Refurbishment of Great Kingshill Playground and Teen Area.

A huge thank you to all the residents of Great Kingshill who took the trouble to come and view our proposed plans and meet us in person at the GKRA AGM.

The Parish Council was delighted that the overall opinion was in favour of the proposed refurbishments to our very tired playground.  Support was also positive for the separate Teen Area.

The Parish Council carefully considered all the views and suggestions put forward from residents. Due to your feedback we are able to put forward slightly amended plans which take into consideration some of the comments of neighbouring residents.

These new plans will be discussed at the next Full Council Meeting on October 13th.  Once approved we hope to be able to start constructing this exciting new project in the Autumn.

Please see below the new plans.

Revised Playground Plan

Latest Revision

Hughenden Parish Council are delighted to welcome parishioners to its 'Get to know your Parish Council' meeting on the 2nd November 2009 at Great Kingshill School, Cryers Hill.

Our guest speaker will be Alistair Nicholson, from Wycombe District Council who will be speaking about planning and enforcement issues.

We will include brief details of how the Council allocates funding within the Parish.

Light refreshments will be provided and we look forward to seeing you there.

For further information, please contact Lynne Turner - 01494 715296

Hughenden Parish Council are delighted to be awarded a grant from the Playbuilder Scheme Funding from the Department of Children, Schools and Families. This funding will used  towards the cost of the new Teen Area and refurbishment of the playground at Great Kingshill.

Speeding Crack down in the Parish

Speeding cars throughout the parish is one of the number one concerns from residents.  Hughenden Parish Council is working in close association with the Police and the Residents Associations to help combat this dangerous menace.

In August the Police undertook a two day speed enforcement day on Valley Road and Warrendene Road in Hughenden Valley.  It resulted in 47 prosecutions with the top speed being 54mph in a 30mph zone!  More enforcement days are planned in other locations throughout the Parish.

GKRA have also installed a SID (Speed Indicator Device) on the Missenden Road in Great Kingshill.  This highlights to drivers how fast they are going, if they are over the speed limit.

We hope that these initatives will help keep speeding to a minimum around the Parish.

Hughenden Parish Council are delighted to welcome Miss Jennifer Sole as the new Ward Councillor for Hughenden Valley.

Jennifer has lived in Hughenden Valley for the majority of her life and is a keen Wycombe Wanderers fan!  Jennifer is a Solicitior and our youngest Councillor as she in her mid twenties. 

Jennifer is very much looking forward to representing the residents of the Hughenden Valley Ward and can be contacted on 01494 563516. 

Hughenden Parish Council would like to congratulate the villages of Naphill and Walters Ash for coming Runners Up in the prestigious 'Village of Year' competition!

This competition is organised by BALC (Bucks Association of Local Councils) and is hotly contested throughout the county.

We are also delighted that Great Kingshill and Hughenden Valley were awarded Highly Commended status.

These excellent results are testament to the hardwork of the resepective Village Residents' Associations.

Hughenden Ward Vacancy

Hughenden Parish Council were delighted by the response to the vacancy in the Ward.  Interviews will be conducted in September and we hope to have a new Councillor in place by the October Council meeting.

Templewood Playground, Walters Ash

The next phase of work will be undertaken shortly at Templewood Playground in Walters Ash.  Extensive clearance will be undertaken which includes the removal of the old playground fence, dog guard and gate.  In addition, there will pruning of the shrubs at the back of the play area and the brambles and scrub removed.

We hope once this clearance has been completed, the Council will be able to undertaken further landscaping next year to improve this already attractive area.

Public consultation has now closed for the playground.  Please see below the plans for  the playground and the results of the consultation will shortly be published.

A big thank you to all residents who took time to view the plans and make their comments. 

Public Consultation for Playground at Great Kingshill

In September 2008 we asked the residents of Great Kingshill ward for their thoughts regarding the refurbishment of the playground in Great Kingshill.  Thanks to your contributions, we were able to identify key areas as a direct result of your feedback.

• Better equipment for toddlers
• Better facilities for older children aged 12+

Improvements Proposed

Existing Playground - located in original position

• Retention of Multi-play Unit
• New cradle swings
• Nest swing
• Boat swing
• New toddler multi-play unit
• Creative landscaping - boulders, mounds, stepping logs
• Bamboo and willow igloo

New Youth / Teen area - located where old ball wall is situated

• New Ball Wall with goal mouth, basket ball ring, cricket stumps.
• Area of seating
• Rope swing
• Tyre swings
• Hammock seat
• Creative landscaping

We would now welcome your comments on the proposed new schemes which the Council believes will greatly ehaqnce the enjoyment of the recreation ground.

Pictures and diagrams will be on display at the Parish Offices and can be viewed on Mondays and Thursdays from 9.30am to 1pm from 20th July 2009 until 31st August 2009 or evenings by prior arrangement with the Clerk.

Alternatively click on these links for the refurbished playground:
http://www.hughendenparishcouncil.org.uk/6400166a-1.pdf
http://www.hughendenparishcouncil.org.uk/6400166a-2.pdf
http://www.hughendenparishcouncil.org.uk/6400166a-3.pdf

and these for the new Teen Area:
http://www.hughendenparishcouncil.org.uk/PF61_152-Design.pdf
http://www.hughendenparishcouncil.org.uk/PF61_152-Illustrations.pdf
http://www.hughendenparishcouncil.org.uk/PF61_152-Teen.pdf

Hughenden Parish Council members will also be attending the AGM of the Residents' Association on 20th September 2009 when you can ask questions and give your views.

We hope with your support, Great Kingshill will have a play area of which it can feel justifiably proud and which will provide enjoyment for present and future generations!

If you have any questions, please call the Clerk of the Council, Lynne Turner, on 01494 715296 or by email on hughendenpc@btconnect.com

New Parish Chairman and Vice Chairman elected

In May the Council holds its Annual Council Meeting and during that meeting a new Chairman and Vice Chairman were elected.  The new Chairman is Councillor Peggy Ewart who is a ward Councillor for Naphill.  The new Vice Chairnan is Councillor David Davies who is Ward Councillor for Great Kingshill. 

Both Councillors have been elected to Hughenden Parish Council for a number of years and bring a wealth of experience to their respective roles.

The sheep are moving to Little Burnham Field, Hughenden Valley.

As part of Hughenden Parish Council's Country Stewardship Scheme, we have been using a small flock of Shetland Sheep,.  They help us maintain our rural areas by keeping encroaching srubland in check.  They were successfully introduced to Vincents Meadow in Naphill in the Spring and they are now moving to Little Burnham Field, Hughenden Valley.

Little Burnham Field, is situated next to our allotment garden in Hughenden Valley and we would ask parishioners not to enter this field from mid-August.  Thank you.

Goldfish in Vincents Meadow Pond!

The pond in Vincents Meadow is a beautiful spot and an important ecological site.  We are delighted that it is home to the Greater Crested Newt which is a protected species.  Unfortunately, we have had goldfish released into the pond which is extremely harmful to the delicate eco-system.  The Council has had to undertake the removal of these fish and so far we removed over 400 at considerable expense!

Please can we remind parishioners NOT to release anymore fish and also not allow their dogs to swim in the pond as it is very detrimental to the pond.  Thank you.

NEW Village Shop in Hughenden Valley!

It was with great excitement that the new Village Shop in Hughenden Valley finally opened its doors on 16th May 2009.  Since the closure of the shop in Coombe Lane, residents of the Hughenden Ward have had to travel to access local amenties.  The local community worked together to finally bring a shop back to Hughenden Valley and the Council were delighted to support this venture by agreeing a grant.

The shop was officially opened by BBC weatherman Bill Giles and it was great to see so many local residents support this new venture.  Business so far has been encouraging and this is a great addition to the village.

Climbing Wall Success!

Hughenden Parish Council were delighted to welcome over 300 children, teenagers and adults to our Climb Wall evenings.  The wall visited each ward which was very popular as it ensured that everyone was able to have a go!

It was lovely to see the children tackle the different challenging routes the wall had to offer and some discovered hidden climbing talents!

The wall formed part of Hughenden Parish Council's ongoing commitment to the youth provision within its parish.