Dedham Vale Society Winter 2007 No 61

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5. Consultative ProcessThe planners were pressed on how the consultative process worked on applications whichhad a wide effect in the AONB. An example of this was the application for an extension ofthe powered flying days at Wormingford where only the Parish Councils immediately affected,Fordham and Wormingford, were consulted in spite of the fact that the disturbance affectedmany more communities. The response was that CBC had left it to SWAT ( Stop WormingfordAir Traffic) to spread the message. The message is that on such widespread projects, the DVSmust be active in building opposition across the Vale.6. Horkesley Park – Bunting & SonsAlthough not discussed in detail, it appeared to the DVS to be clearly an out of town retaildevelopment and as such was outside what is permitted or likely to be permitted within anAONB. However, the fact that job creation was an almost over-riding expediency would bean issue.7. Local Development FrameworkWe have been led to believe that all the current protections for the countryside containedin the 2004 Colchester Borough Plan would be carried over, and even strengthened, in theLocal Development Framework. However the planners seemed much less certain on thisand DVS needs to monitor the developing LDF. Wilf Tolhurst sought a role for the DVS inthe process and we will see what comes out of it.8. “Executive” HomesDVS were asked what the Society’s attitude was to “executive” homes, being definedas 5 bedroom +, in the Vale. The CBC policy is clearly to encourage the development of“affordable” homes in the countryside rather than “executive” homes.There was an interesting discussion on extending existing properties: many restrictions havecome and gone over the years and no satisfactory guidelines had been established. The currentguidelines seem to be that if an extension is not visible from the front of a property, e.g. builtat the back, it would probably be passed. Obviously there are very strict rules on anychanges to listed properties.Finally the DVS was asked what the attitude would be to an ultra modern property, whichblended well into its environment – no conclusions were reached.The Society’s design guidelines clearly state that the AONB is not suitablefor experimentation and that proposals for buildings which do not reflect the vernacularshould be refused. (Editor)8
DEDHAM NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCHNeighbourhood Watch is a voluntary organisation and one of the biggest and most successfulcrime prevention initiatives ever. Behind it is a simple idea and a central value shared by millions ofpeople across the Country.Our principles are:1) cut crime and the opportunities for crime2) help and reassure those who live in fear of crime3) encourage neighbourliness and closer communitiesDedham Neighbourhood Watch was resurrected in June 2005 after lying dormant forsome time. After the Parish Council brought the idea forward I decided I would volunteer todo just that. As an officer in the Essex Police for thirty one years and having retired in 1994I welcomed the opportunity to help my local community. I began the task by circulating a letterto all residents via our local postmen who delivered a note to every household asking them toexpress their interest to me. This involved 800 households.In September 2005 our first meeting was held at which time some eighty households wererecruited. Although this was only ten percent of the community a start had been made. Centralto the success of Neighbourhood Watch are Street Co-ordinators who look after their particularstreet and take responsibility for communicating with their neighbours, either via email orthe old fashioned word of mouth, all relevant local ‘happenings’ .We now have seventeen Street Coordinators who attend three meetings a year, one ofwhich is an Annual General Meeting usually held in September. More volunteer coordinatorsare always needed.As Area Coordinator I am in direct contact, via e-mail, with Carole Dennis MBE, whohas been a tower of strength in bringing forward Neighbourhood Watch in the ColchesterBorough. She circulates all local crimes on an almost daily basis from which I extractinformation that could affect local people and forward it to everyone. It is hoped that throughthis circulation of information we are able to take action to prevent further crime in ourvillage and take steps to assist those affected.9
Page 1 and 2: Dedham Vale Society Winter 2007 No.
Page 3 and 4: NEWSLETTER NUMBER 61 WINTER 2007CON
Page 5 and 6: ESSEX PLANNING NOTESThe Dedham Vale
Page 7: MEETING WITH CBC PLANNING DEPARTMEN
Page 11: Power cables in Dedham to disappear
Page 14 and 15: PLANNING GUIDELINES - BABERGHWhat i
Page 16 and 17: is not expected until sometime next
Page 18 and 19: down Monk’s Lane. Some people had
Page 20 and 21: Well, when I first joined in 1950 w
Page 22 and 23: His main interest begins in Victori
Page 24: Spring & Summer WalksProgramme 2007

Dedham Vale Society Winter 2007 No 61

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