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

Who Let the Dogs Out

This was going to appear in the Charnock Richard Chronicle but I missed the deadline, so I will post it here and add it to the Christmas Chronicle. Whilst it is aimed at Charnock Richard the message (no pun intended) is the same everywhere.

Of all the things that people contact me about, the one that constantly concerns people more than anything else and yet could be so easily solved, is that of Dog Fouling.

The Problem

Dog fouling is a major issue throughout the country and Charnock Richard is no exception, indeed some that I have talked with has said they cannot believe how bad it is and that it is considerably worse than anywhere else they have ever lived.

Dog fouling is the most offensive type of litter on our streets and as people tend to walk their dogs around their locality, those not cleaning up are essentially pooing in their own back yard. The major problem areas, in Charnock Richard, seem to be the area within the Charter Lane, Church Lane (especially close to the school), Chorley Lane triangle, which is where people live.

Most dog owners are responsible and clean up after their pet. However there are a minority who do not. Our own dog will do her business in our garden then somehow minutes later, whilst taking her for a walk, will do the same at the roadside (which I clean up and place in a bin, any bin will do).

Why is Dog Fouling a Problem?

Dog fouling is not only unpleasant but it can also be dangerous with the biggest threat to public health being from toxocariasis.

Whilst the effects of contracting toxocariasis can be devastating, most people’s knowledge of toxocariasis is limited to hearsay and hysterical media reports. However some of the facts are:

·         The eggs of the Toxocara worm take over two weeks to hatch and become active, meaning there are no health risks to you from immediately clearing up after your dog.

·         The majority of pet dogs with the Toxocara worm are pups between two weeks and six months of age or pregnant bitches. 

·         Foxes and cats also act as hosts to the Toxocara worm.

·         The incidence of all Toxocara-induced diseases in the UK is only two cases per million of the population. However, this still means that about 40 people are needlessly ill each year. Generally these people are children between 18 months and 5 years old.

·         The eggs of the Toxocara worm, if deposited in soil, can lie dormant for up to three years, if the conditions are right. They are highly resilient to temperature changes and chemical disinfectants have little effect on them.

  

Whose responsibility is it to clear away dog fouling?

It is the responsibility of the dog owner, or the person in charge of the dog, to clear up any dog foul left by their dog. If you fail to clean up after your dog you will be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice for £75, or if the case goes to court a fine of up to £1,000 a criminal record and court costs.

Being unaware that the dog has fouled, or not having a suitable means of removing the poo is not a reasonable excuse for failing to clean up after your dog.

Responsible Dog Owners

The majority of owners are responsible. It is easy for all dog walkers to be responsible and clear up any dog fouling:

·         Be prepared and take enough bags with you

·         Clean up after the dog

·         Put the waste in a bin, it doesn’t have to be dog bin an ordinary litter bin will do, or take it home with you

·         Don’t go to the effort to bag it then throw it in the hedgerow!

What we can do about dog fouling?

The Neighbourhood Officers and Local Beat Officers will issue fixed penalty notices to anyone not clearing up after their dog.

If you see someone who lets their dog foul and doesn't clear it up report it to Chorley Council on 01257 515151 or www.chorley.gov.uk/dogfouling.

A Simple Message

There is a “Don’t be a Dirty Dog” campaign throughout Chorley and a national Keep Britain Tidy “Dog Poo Fairy Campaign” both aimed at educating dog walkers and reducing the amount of muck left on our streets, the overall message is simple:

Bag It and Bin It.

If all dog owners did this then Charnock Richard would be an even better place to live.