Brief Update

As I am writing this the sun is shining for the third consecutive day, it’s a bit chilly though. When the schools returned after the summer break the sun also shone for two days. However brief this was the weather was bang on, a glorious weekend for Charnock Richard Scarecrow festival. Our scarecrow, with Joining Jack T Shirt, was sat proudly on our front hedge, in common with many in the village it was the subject of many a photograph and even a twitter post. The official facebook page is worth a look www.facebook.com/,,,

Nature

This is the time of year that hedges have been growing all year and need cutting. I have been asking for over 12 months now for the hedge at the old Chisnall Colliery site to be cut and it has eventually been done, the height was reduced by Chorley Borough Council, for which I thank them. Additionally the pathway along Park Hall Lane is suffering from overgrown weeds, especially towards the Wood Lane end. I am told these are to be cleared over the next few weeks, effectively returning the pavement to its original width. The pavement on Charter Lane was repaired within two weeks of my reporting it, so occasionally things do happen in good time.

Charnock Richard School’s woodland garden has had some work carried out during the holiday period and there are now, once again clearly defined pathways, many thanks to Chorley Borough Council for organising this and accepting the funding application. Some benches have been promised from Astley Park, so they have a good pedigree. Thanks to Mark Maloney for his generous offer, which we just might take up. Further grant funds will be required to complete some of the work and then we need to arrange future upkeep.

Highways

Ashdale Close in Coppull now has the double yellow lines at its junction with Spendmore Lane, hopefully this will reduce the frustration of residents of Ashdale Close and also increase road safety. It is interesting to note that the lines are no further round the corner than is stated in the Highway Code, for parking distances from road junctions. Highway Code Rule 243 “DO NOT stop or park opposite or within 10 metres (32 feet) of a junction, except in an authorised parking space”.

20mph zones are gradually being introduced throughout Chorley. I do question the priorities applied as it seems as though many of the estates are being included before roads outside schools, I would have thought keeping children safe would have been a priority. The side roads in Heskin are not planned to become 20mph zones. However there is to be a 20mph zone, operating at school arrival and departure times, outside Pemberton’s Primary School on Withington Lane.

United Utilities

Whilst on the subject of parking and Coppull, there is much concern amongst the residents of Tansley Avenue and Burwell Avenue, regarding parking restrictions being imposed during the works being undertaken by United Utilities in improving the quality of water in Tanyard Brook. A public meeting took place on 18 September, in St Oswald’s Club which could have been run better. People complained they were not getting answers but were not allowing the representatives of United Utilities to speak. From my dealings with United Utilities, over the equivalent works in Charnock Richard, they have been extremely responsive and do listen to public opinion, if that opinion is well considered and put forward. My surprise is that, during the planning process, a condition has not been included restricting HGV movements during school peak dropping off and picking up times. I will follow this up with Lancashire County Council but suspect it is too late to change an approved plan.

Planning

The bungalow next to the Bowling Green has been demolished making way for a new bungalow to be built there. This can only be a good thing as the building was in a poor state of repair. An application for demolition of 94 Chorley Lane Charnock Richard and replacement with a detached house has been submitted, this is the old farmhouse (currently painted orange). It seems a shame to lose another of the character properties from the village, but there appear to be no planning reasons to refuse this application although that decision will lie with the Development Control Committee.

Heskin building applications are few but the application for change of use of the Brook House pub (12/00802/FUL) has generated much concern from what is generally one of the quieter areas of Chisnall Ward. It would be a great shame to use this community facility in what is a remote location, making it even more important as a meeting place and real hub of that part of our community. I have submitted my letter stating why the community facility should be retained and why the proposed extension and new outbuilding are unacceptable, all inked to National and Local Planning Policy.

Summaries of planning applications and delegated decisions related to Chisnall Ward are covered in my blog Chisnall Planning www.chisnallplanning.blogspot.com