PARISH NEWSLETTER:

 

 

By now all residents should have received a copy of the latest, full colour, edition of the ‘The Heron’ delivered by your local councillor. If you have not please contact the Chairman on 372192.

 

GREENBELT PLANNING APPLICATIONS:

 

There are four applications pending consideration in the Greenbelt at the moment.

A proposal to replace Hartwell Cottage with a new dwelling has been opposed by the Parish Council. Although the cottage is small it is proposed to build a substantial house on the site and the Council consider this to be overdevelopment in the Greenbelt.

A two storey extension to the finance office within the Douglas Macmillan Hospice raised no objections.

A proposal to build a large new detached garage, with storage space above, in the garden of Barlaston Lea, Station Road has been opposed as it fails to respect the character of the rural setting of the existing dwelling to the detriment of the site and the countryside due to its excessive scale and mass.  The proposal due to its excessive height and mass would significantly reduce the openness of the Green Belt and thus be inappropriate development.  .

On the other side of St. John’s Church there is a proposal by farmer David Seabridge to build a farm workers dwelling in the access area which includes the public footpath. After consideration the Council have made no objection provided the application is for a farm worker.

 

VILLAGE HALL AGM:

 

Parish Councillors, who are the Trustees of the Hall, met with the management committee to consider the achievements of the past year. Howard Davies presented his fourth report since transforming the management of the Hall in order to preserve it for the Village. Thanks to his small team the hall has been refurbished and now provides an excellent venue for a wide variety of events.

He specially thanked Cllr. Tony Dodd for organising two excellent fund raising events during the year. The new format in which people bring their own food has been very popular as it reduces prices but the popularity of the venue meant that the Hall soon used up its twelve temporary events licences to serve alcohol. The committee took the difficult decision to apply for a full premises licence which has been made possible by the co-operation of Jagan Doppalapudi who runs the licensed Stores on Barlaston Park to act as the Premises Supervisor of the Hall.

Treasurer Gareth Jones who has made the lengthy application confirmed that there were no objections and the licence for 25 events per year had been granted. However as part of the process a visit from the Fire and Safety Service had identified a number of improvements to the safety system on the doors that will inevitably cause more work for Mike Dunn who has agreed to take over as secretary and project manager for the next stage of the improvements to the female toilet area.

The new project is now going ahead with the excellent SCC Developments who did the earlier refurbishment. Funding is still being sought but the Hall has funds in hand of £16,281 to cover the cost.

Beryl Kettle continues as booking secretary on 618801 and Steve Parry-Thomas does sterling work as honorary caretaker and key holder. Jean and Harry Oliver of the Dance Class provide the cleaning service.

 

FEAST OF MUSIC:

 

A new venture for Barlaston Village Hall takes place on Tuesday 8 July at 7.30pm. The Lichfield Festival has chosen the Hall as part of its efforts to promote cultural events around Staffordshire. A trio of musicians will provide a variety of music with inspiration from “gypsy, tango, lightly spiced with bluegrass, calypso, jazz, klezmer? And bebop.”