Laverstock 173

An unusual concern was raised to the Council and discussed at the October
meeting. A small half-acre plot of land behind Norton Drive in Ford recently displayed
‘For Sale by Auction’ signs. This half-acre has been treated as public open
space and maintained as such by the Council for as long as anyone can remember.
It now transpired that the land was never transferred to the Council and is
still owned by the original developer. The successors in title to that developer are
the Carillion Group in liquidation and the liquidators wanted Old to sell Sarum it. The Airfield sale
has now been stopped and the Council is looking at ways of bringing it into public
ownership.
The November meeting started with a grant application by the Laverstock Village
Hall. This excellent facility is very well managed and is used by many community
groups, but it needs an upgrade to its heating system. This was explained by the
Hon Sec of the Village Hall who also spoke in admiration of the new Old Sarum
Community Centre where the November meeting was held. The Village Hall was
awarded a grant of £600.
At the November meeting the Council considered a planning application in the
neighbouring Parish of Clarendon Park. The application is for a Change of Use to
a Gypsy pitch at the Old Chalk Pit in Petersfinger. The site is close to Gypsy Lane
in the far south-east corner of our Parish. The Council objected to the application
for several reasons including the fact that access is along a narrow, unmade track
and is unsuitable. The Council also objected to an application in Bishopdown
Farm for a first-floor extension because of its overbearing effect on a neighbouring
property.
The new Longhedge village development was discussed at length. The first issue
was the refusal of the developer to pay the correct commuted sum for the
maintenance of an area of future public open space. The developer had threatened
to transfer the land to a management company. This led to a discussion on
the long-term liability of residents when management fees are imposed on their
dwellings. This is a particular issue at Riverdown Park where most of the estate
roads and footpaths are the responsibility of a management company.
The second issue debated was the absence of a link path between Longhedge
and Old Sarum. Wiltshire Council have had their own separate discussions with
the developer and are suggesting that the path will not be in place until midsummer
2019. The Council were disappointed that they were not included in
these discussions.
cont ….
Laverstock & Ford Parish Newsletter 7