Hayes & Coney Hall Conservative Councillors

The private road to St John’s Church and Wickham Court Prep. School, off Layhams Road in Coney Hall, has a number of times recently been the site of a temporary traveller encampment. Fortunately, they have been moved on quicker than on some previous occasions.

A height restriction at the entrance to the road, which should deter future tresspassing, has already received approval from the council, but the final installation was held up by legal procedures, which are now being resolved in the light of the latest problems. We will be keeping close watch on the issue to see that actino is taken as soon as possible, but as the land is privately owned the council has no power to intervene.

After some years of lobbying by residents and your local councillors, a zebra crossing has been approved for a location near Station Approach, a short distance towards the Bourne Vale junction. Actual installation of the crossing is expected next year.

Affinity Sutton, the successors to Broomleigh Housing Association, recently submitted their long awaited planning application to redevelop the site of the former sheltered housing in Chilham Way, overlooking the greens of Bourne Vale.

Although some public consultation was carried out before the application was made, the plans met with considerable opposition, particularly with regard to the density of the development, inadequate green space at the front of the units, traffic issues and impact on the green, among other objections.

The inclusion of housing designed for the elderly was welcomed, however, as were changes to increase the amount of off-street parking on the development.

The application went before a plans committee in late November where your local councillors and a representative of the Hayes Village Association spoke. The application was refused.

It now remains to be seen whether Affinity Sutton will resubmit amended plans, go straight to appeal on the rejected plans, or both.

The Hayes Village Association has issued an appeal for support:

The 2011 Hayes Fair was an outstanding success. Thousands of visitors of all ages enjoyed a wonderful day out on 11th June, and the committee has received grateful thanks for organising a traditional British fair. One elderly visitor said he went as an “oldy” but came home young at heart.

It is estimated that, collectively, charities benefited to the tune of approximately £15,000 as a direct result of this year’s Fair.

June 23rd has been provisionally set for the date of the 2012 Hayes Fair, again to be held in the grounds of Baston House School thanks to the generosity of Hillcrest Autism Services Limited. The Hayes Fair committee will be working hard during the coming months to ensure another successful event takes place.

Hayes Fair is a community event, organised by the community for the enjoyment of the community (and also visitors from outside the community). Its success depends on hard but rewarding work from a small group of dedicated volunteers.

Hayes Fair Committee urgently needs active new members who are willing to take on specific responsibilities if it is to continue beyond 2012 and these new members are needed NOW.

Without new help now, it is possible the 2012 Hayes Fair will be the last to take place. The local community will lose a long-standing and popular event, and many charities will be denied essential income.

If you would like to join the Hayes Fair Committee, a meeting will be taking place in Hayes Village Hall at 8pm on Wednesday 14 September. Alternatively, please contact the Chairman, Alan Williams at alangeorgewilliams@talktalk.net.

At a recent planning committee, the application at 38 Hayes Street for a change of use to a fish and chip shop was approved.

Cllr. Manning, as a member of the committee, and Cllr. Reddin spoke against the application. They cited a proliferation of take-away shops in the Hayes district, the proximity to the Hayes Conservation Area, potential parking problems (particularly in the evenings) and late night disturbance, along with the issues raised by the Hayes Village Association and individual residents. Your councillors also expressed concerns that, regardless, of the accaptibility of a fish and chip shop or good intentions of the applicant, the “A5″ classification that was allowed could also allow a different form of take-away to open in future without further permission.

Unfortunately the motion to refuse the plans was defeated by 4 votes to 3.

Public consultations began in late July on a proposed zebra crossing on Pickhurst Lane, just beyond the Station Approach junction (heading towards Bourne Vale).

It is hoped this will make this well-used walking route safer as well as slowing traffic down at the junction.

The consultation (drawing pdf here) closes on 22nd August.

Over the spring we have been working to see suitable alternatives to the current public toilets in Coney Hall. The loos are currently earmarked for closure as the council fills the £33m funding gap as part of the government’s measures to reduce the national deficit.

We have already been successful in getting the closure deferred while participants in the replacement “Community Toilets” scheme for the area are signed up.

The Coney is already on board to provide free public access to their facilities, and the Council is keen to find another location as well, particularly to cover the earlier hours before The Coney opens as we know this is of concern to some residents.

Update (Nov. ’11): The Sini BBQ Grill has now agreed to take part, The Coney is no longer due to participate.

On the 8th April, Cllr. Neil Reddin attended the unveiling of the new non-grass pitch at Hayes (Kent) Cricket Club, which had been funded by the “Chance To Shine” initiative of the England Cricket Board.

Hayes member and England cap Lydia Greenway bowled the first ball on the new pitch after Deputy Mayor Cllr. Ruth Bennett had formallly opened the new pitch.

The club have a vibrant youth section and are always on the lookout for new members of all ages.

Deputy Mayor Cllr. Ruth Bennett opens the new pitch

Last Friday a public meeting and exhibition of the plans for the redevelopment of Hayes Place was held by Affinity Sutton (the successor to Broomleigh), prior to the formal submission of the planning application. Your ward councillors have already been involved in offering some initial advice – nothing more – on various aspects of the plans.

The proposals will include some housing for older people as well as a large proportion of private family housing.

The wide open spaces of the Ward, and the not so wide open, continue to attract these itinerants, the most recent arrival being a return visit to the approach road leading to St John’s Church and Wickham Court, off Layhams Road.

Fortunately, they were soon removed and it is good to report that the RC Archbishopric of Southwark/former All Saints School is seeking planning permission for a barrier across the road.   It is sad that law-abiding people and bodies are forced to resort to taking such action.  Your Ward Councillors would like to see some changes in the law and are working with Bob Stewart MP on this very issue.