Latest news with #parishcouncil
BBC News
5 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Bacton sandscaping saves £3 million in flood damage
Six years since a pioneering coastal defence project was implemented on the Norfolk coast, local people say their lives have been transformed with improvements to mental health, tourism and property prices. The £19m sandscaping project was designed to stop Bacton gas terminal from falling into the sea. Enough sand to half-fill Wembley Stadium was dredged and pumped ashore to rebuild the beach. A new study has found it has already prevented £3m of flood damage in the villages of Bacton and Walcott. 'The wind ruled our lives' In 2018, the future of the village of Walcott hung in the balance. With no beach left because of coastal erosion it was at risk of being swept away by the sea. Pauline Porter, chair of the parish council, says people left the village after 70 properties were damaged during a storm and tidal surge in December 2013. "The wind ruled our lives. If there were high tides you stayed close to the village in case your needed to rescue your pets or valuables. It was a way of life."There was no beach. You had a good drop of 12 to 14ft most of the time and as fast as the steps were made longer to reach the beach, the faster the beach disappeared."We used to have three to five flood evacuations a year, but since sandscaping we haven't had one. "Had it not been for sandscaping the village would have been lost under the sea." In 2019, two million cubic metres of sand were dredged and pumped ashore to raise beach levels by up to seven metres. The £19m project was mainly funded by the owners of Bacton gas terminal, which handles a third of the UK's natural gas supplies, with £5m coming from public funds. The sandscaping project has a 15 to 20 year design life. Six years on, the sand has moved up and down the coast as well as offshore, creating a small bar that dissipates the energy of the waves. 'I feared for the business' For years the Kingfisher Cafe could not get flood insurance. Since the sandscaping it can once again. Owner Graham French says he used to wonder if he was going to lose the business."If it had not been for the gas terminal we would not have benefitted from the sandscaping scheme."We now feel we can invest in the business and customers have been coming back." '£3 million of flood damage prevented' A draft report prepared for the Crown Estate has found that between 2019 and 2023 the sandscaping has prevented serious flooding in the villages on at least one occasion, saving £3m in damage to properties. It also concluded that it is likely to have prevented erosion of the B1159, the main access road to the gas terminal. A survey of residents carried out by the University of East Anglia found mental health and investor confidence in the area had improved. The project's designer says it has bought time. Jaap Flikweert from Royal HaskoningDHV says beaches from Mundesley to Happisburgh have built up more than they thought. "We expected the bulge of sand would erode quite rapidly but it has also moved elsewhere." He says the study for the Crown Estate has also put a value on the savings to the nation due to people not being out of work or needing to use the NHS services for poor mental health."In just a few years we estimate it has brought another £3-4m of benefit. It is really good to see that the scheme does its job." 'Nature-based solutions' The man who co-ordinated the project says it is not a solution for all communities fighting coastal erosion. Rob Goodliffe, who is coastal transition manager at North Norfolk District Council, says it has demonstrated the benefits of nature-based solutions to sea level rise."Any scheme has to stack up economically but you cannot necessarily pick this up and drop it into another area."The owners of Bacton gas terminal were approached by the BBC but declined to comment. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
A selection of recent Bradford planning application decisions
A number of planning application decisions were made by City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council last week, with a selection as follows. Steeton Football Ground, Summerhill Lane, Steeton With Eastburn, West Yorkshire. The parish council seeks to remove a large ash tree showing signs of ash dieback, which overhangs a road and football field, with a replacement tree to be planted. Ref. No: 25/01740/CPN | Validated: Tue 06 May 2025 | Status: Decided | Decision: Withdrawn 40 Station Road, Denholme, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD13 4BS. Non-material amendment to planning permission 24/02762/HOU to switch the proposed door to the side elevation and window to the front elevation. Ref. No: 24/02762/NMA01 | Validated: Thu 01 May 2025 | Status: Granted | Decision: Granted 1 Beck Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16 4EL. Tree works to crown lift a sycamore and horse chestnut to 4.2m above ground for driveway access, with cuts not exceeding 40mm on secondary laterals only. Ref. No: 25/01691/TPO | Validated: Thu 01 May 2025 | Status: Granted | Decision: Granted Fieldhead Cottage, Fieldhead, Oxenhope, Keighley, West Yorkshire BD22 0EJ. Construction of a single-storey rear extension with a 6m depth, 3m maximum height, and 3m to eaves. Ref. No: 25/01601/PNH | Validated: Tue 22 Apr 2025 | Status: Decided | Decision: Prior Approval Not Required All 44 Azealea Court, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD3 0SH. Construction of a single-storey rear extension with a 4.8m depth, 4m maximum height, and 3m to eaves. Ref. No: 25/01562/PNH | Validated: Thu 17 Apr 2025 | Status: Unknown | Decision: Prior Approval Not PD Planning Reqd All 31 Mitcham Drive, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD9 4SS. Construction of a single-storey rear extension with a 6m depth, 3.5m maximum height, and 2.3m to eaves. Ref. No: 25/01563/PNH | Validated: Thu 17 Apr 2025 | Status: Unknown | Decision: Prior Approval Not PD Planning Reqd All 10 Stirton Street, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD5 7NX. Construction of a single-storey rear extension with a 6m depth, 4m maximum height, and 3m to eaves. Ref. No: 25/01520/PNH | Validated: Wed 16 Apr 2025 | Status: Decided | Decision: Prior Approval Not Required All 35 Abingdon Street, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD8 8QJ. Construction of a single-storey rear extension with a 4.5m depth, 4m maximum height, and 2.7m to eaves. Ref. No: 25/01510/PNH | Validated: Tue 15 Apr 2025 | Status: Decided | Decision: Prior Approval Not Required All 23 Ghyll Wood, Ilkley, West Yorkshire LS29 9NR. Non-material amendment to planning permission 23/00976/HOU to modify the size and position of windows and doors and reposition a down pipe from the side to the front of the property. Ref. No: 23/00976/NMA01 | Validated: Mon 14 Apr 2025 | Status: Granted | Decision: Granted 18 The Copse, Burley In Wharfedale, Ilkley, West Yorkshire LS29 7QY. Tree works to reduce the upper canopy of a cypress by up to 5m, leaving 10m overall height, and remove a holly tree due to lack of space. Ref. No: 25/01421/TPO | Validated: Tue 08 Apr 2025 | Status: Decided | Decision: Part Grant Part Refusal of TPO Case
BBC News
25-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
'Angel of Yaxley' social media speculation solved
The mystery surrounding the appearance of a wooden angel in a cemetery that sparked social media speculation of a divine intervention has been of Yaxley, near Peterborough, were mystified by the sight of a 6ft (1.8m) tall angel that "appeared from nowhere" in their parish council later announced it had anointed an artist to carve the figure out of a giant redwood tree, or Wellingtonia, that was felled due to it causing subsidence to a nearby 1880s Lisa Langley said several designs were submitted before the council chose the final one. Sally Leckie, 59, regularly tends to her husband's grave in the cemetery."It was so odd as it seemed to appear from nowhere - I'm up at the cemetery quite a lot," she described it as a "real work of art" and said she "couldn't stop looking at it".Local social media groups were full of speculation around who might have carved the angel and why it appeared. Ms Langley, 44, said after getting the go-ahead she carved the creation with chainsaws of different sizes."It is always a bit nerve-wracking undertaking a site carving as there is a lot of pressure to get it right, so I did not get a lot of sleep the night before," she told the said some people spotted her during her carving and they had different stories to tell about the tree."Several people told me that as children they would punch the tree, as it would not hurt your hand," she said."This was due to the 10cm (4in) of spongy bark, which can still be seen now around the base of the design." Yaxley Parish Council said: "Due to serious subsidence damage affecting the nearby chapel building, it was with great sadness that a large Wellingtonia tree in Yaxley Cemetery had to be felled. "The tree was a much-loved landmark, admired by generations, and its loss has been deeply felt by the community. "In recognition of its significance, Yaxley Parish Council commissioned a local artist to carve part of the trunk into a praying angel. The sculpture is truly beautiful and now stands as a moving tribute, preserving the spirit and memory of the tree for years to come." Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
The Guardian
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Residents of village that inspired Thomas Hardy fight back against expansion
Thomas Hardy described his fictional village of Marlott as being in an 'engirdled and secluded region, for the most part untrodden as yet by tourist or landscape-painter, though within a four hours' journey from London'. But the Victorian realist would now barely recognise Marnhull, the real-life village in Dorset upon which Marlott was based, and would likely be surprised to know his name is repeatedly invoked in official submissions arguing against its ongoing expansion. Nestled in the Blackmore Vale, the opening backdrop for Hardy's Tess of the D'Urbervilles, Marnhull is a patchwork of hamlets with a hotchpotch of architectural styles, from Tudor manors and thatched cottages to postwar developments. In recent months, an acrimonious row has broken out over plans to build up to 120 homes, which residents fear will merely be 'phase one' of an ongoing, wider expansion of the picturesque village. The situation has underlined some of the tensions rising out of the Labour government's drive to build more houses. Dorset council refused permission for the development in July 2024, but the landowner successfully appealed against this after an inquiry by the national planning inspectorate, which had to take Labour's new housing requirements into account. The strength of feeling was so forceful in Marnhull that the parish council took the unusual step of taking part in the inquiry as a 'rule 6 party' – an interested group granted the right to actively participate in the inquiry process. It is striking how many times Hardy is referenced in the parish council's submissions as evidence of the village's important heritage status. Stephen Boyce, a Marnhull resident and heritage consultant, submitted 40 pages of argument with dozens of references to the romantic poet and novelist, known for works including Far from the Madding Crowd and Jude the Obscure. Boyce, who has held senior roles at the National Lottery Heritage Fund and consulted for the National Trust, says: 'The development demonstrates no awareness of the important cultural value of the site in question, in particular its associations with the work of Dorset's most famous literary figure, Thomas Hardy. These historic connections make a notable contribution to the character, significance and quality of Marnhull's heritage.' The scheme would also include a commercial plot being developed – provisionally named Tess Square in a nod to the eponymous character of Hardy's renowned novel – as well as a large car park near St Gregory's church – where Tess's baby, Sorrow, was buried. Boyce says: 'The proposed development particularly impinges on the locations and buildings most closely associated with Tess.' He points out that in addition to the church, the Pure Drop Inn in the novel is based on Marnhull's Crown Inn. Residents of Butts Close backing on to the field earmarked for development are devastated by the proposals. Anne Hartley, 59, and her husband, Mike, 61, enjoy an uninterrupted view across the vale from their back garden, which will vanish if and when the development is built. Anne Hartley says: 'You used to be able to walk quite easily down some of the little country roads and the lanes you've got here, but now you're diving into shrubs to get out of the way of cars. 'If you put another 120 houses you're going to get more and more and more. And you're going to lose that tranquility that so many people have moved here to get.' Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion In his decision to allow the appeal, the planning inspector, Jonathan Bore, says that under new requirements introduced by Labour, Dorset council must build 3,219 homes a year – nearly double the 1,739 required under the previous government. He appears to criticise Dorset council for failing to put in place a policy for housing allocations across the county. Bore says: 'The position is one of very high identified housing need. There is no up-to-date spatial strategy that responds to this position, no up-to-date policy that establishes the amounts of development to be apportioned to different locations in the light of this need, and no prospect that a new local plan will be adopted until 2027.' Marnhull parish council said it was 'surprised and clearly disappointed' by the planning inspectorate decision. It said in a statement: 'We took the unusual step of participating in the inquiry as a rule 6 party as the village was overwhelmingly opposed to what is perceived as a disproportionately large development in a rural village with significant impact on heritage, existing local businesses and highways safety. 'We summarised our case in documents submitted to the inquiry but ultimately our concerns were outweighed by Dorset council's significant shortfall in building housing to meet the new government targets and by the lack of a current Dorset council development plan.' A spokesperson for Dorset council said it had agreed a supply of housing before the recent government changes, which is valid until the end of October under transitional arrangements. The council said the increased demands for housing under the new framework, coupled with requirements to mitigate potential pollution from new developments meant it was searching for new sites. It said: 'Dorset council is preparing a new local plan, and consultation will be taking place on site options this summer, taking account of the latest housing and mitigation requirements. In the meantime the council continues to work positively to support the delivery of sustainable development.'
Telegraph
15-05-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
The parish councils fleecing residents of £850m
Has your parish council bill increased at shocking rates in the past few years? Get in touch money@ Parish councils have launched an £858m stealth tax raid which has pushed up residents' bills by as much as 3,000pc, Telegraph analysis shows. Households in a third of local authorities have seen their council tax bills rise above the legal cap thanks to exorbitant increases to the town and parish council precept. Town halls are only allowed to raise council tax by 4.99pc each year or they must seek permission from central government. But a loophole means there is no limit on how much parish councils can increase their precept. In the Bedfordshire village of Aspley Guise, the parish council passed on a 2,792pc tax rise which came into effect in April. For a Band D property in the area, the precept has jumped from £3.73 in 2024 to £105.52 this year. Council officials said the rise reflected a return to normal levels after the precept fell dramatically from £90.74 in 2023. At the time, the authority had built up big cash reserves. In Welford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, the council passed on a five-fold increase, raising rates from £43.02 to £212.80. Residents in Elmton and Creswell, Derbyshire, pay the highest precepts in Britain. The average Band D household pays £557.10 a year, up by 67pc from £332.95 in 2024. An independent report this year found the council had been driven to effective bankruptcy after allowing its debts to spiral to £3m despite having just £360,000 in its accounts. A spokesman said: 'Elmton with Creswell Parish Council acknowledges that the precept increase represents a significant change. This decision was not made lightly. 'However, it was a necessary and responsible course of action taken to secure the long-term financial stability of the Council and protect vital services for our community.' In Wennington, Lancashire, the precept rose from £237.93 to £441.20 for Band D households. Similarly, in Bridgwater, Somerset, the charge increased from £295.33 to £411.06. Bridgwater Town Council defended the rise saying it had 'successfully taking on key services devolved from Somerset Council after they declared a financial emergency'. John O'Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance said:'Taxpayers are being stung by soaring council tax bills, with some parish councils hiking charges far beyond what most would consider reasonable. 'These hikes are slipping through the net with little scrutiny, pushing up costs for residents already feeling the squeeze. 'Ministers must ensure all layers of local government are held to account and that these loopholes are closed.' Parish councils are the first tier of local government and are usually involved in running community services such as leisure centres, bus shelters and allotments. There are more than 8,000 parish and town councils in England and almost 100,000 councillors serving in these councils. Seven out of 10 parish and town councils increased their precept this year, meaning households in 32pc of councils oversaw average bill rises above 5pc when including their parish or town council tax. This figure excludes the six councils that were granted permission to raise council tax above 5pc due to exceptional circumstances. Due to their limited budget and therefore small sum paid by residents, there is no cap in place for how much parish and town councils can raise their tax each year. However, in recent years, these authorities have quietly assumed more responsibilities as debt-ravaged district councils have passed on basic duties they claim can no longer afford to fund. Town and parish councils raised taxes by 7.4pc this year, following an 8.5pc increase last year. They are forecast to collect a record £858m from taxpayers in 2025-26, more than double what these authorities levied a decade ago. Kevin Morton, a retiree from Yeovil, saw his parish council tax increase by 25pc this year to £501.70. It comes after a 90pc increase last year, meaning in the space of two years, his parish council tax has jumped from a little more than £200 to £500. In the same period, Yeovil town council's budget ballooned from £1.3m to £3.3m as it absorbed facilities previously managed by Somerset council, including Yeovil Country Park and the Westlands Entertainment Venue. Mr Morton said: 'This is unbelievable. It's gone up 150pc in two years. When I saw this year's bill, I fell off my chair. I thought last year was a one-off, but now I fear this could happen every year. 'These rises are now baked in so my extra £300 from the last two rises, that's in, that's a fixed sum. I'm going to be paying an extra £300 a year forever, and then it's a case of what happens next year.' Mr Morton was particularly angry that the parish council had been forced to take on services from Somerset council that were for the use and benefit of all residents across the county. He said: 'People come to use the theatre who are not from Yeovil town, they are coming from all over the place. It's like asking the people of Wembley Central to pay for the national football stadium.' Faye Purbrick, a Conservative councillor on Somerset council, said the action amounted to a 'cost shunt'. She said: 'The unitary council [Somerset council] has not done a good job since it was formed in 2022, and they are cost-shunting particularly to the town councils. 'The way legislation stands, the parishes are not restricted by what they can raise. When I sat as a parish councillor many years ago I argued constantly for restraint, but if we continue to see extortionate figures, that might get looked at.' Ms Purbrick also suggested there was a conflict of interest because local councillors often also sit on their parish council. In Yeovil, seven of the town councillors, including the leader, are also Somerset councillors. They are all members of the Liberal Democrats. Bill Revans, leader of Somerset Council said: 'Devolution of services has been an essential part of Somerset Council's approach to addressing our financial emergency which has been caused by the rising cost of social care, a failure by government to bring forward the promised Fair Cost of Care policy, alongside the decision to dramatically reduce funding for local authorities. 'All of the city, town or parish councils that have agreed devolution deals have done so in partnership and voluntarily. Residents in Somerset still pay less for council tax than the national unitary average – and less than in neighbouring councils like Wiltshire and Dorset.' A spokesman for the Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government said: 'We have maintained the previous government's policy of not setting principles for parish and town council precepts, but we are clear these councils should mitigate the need for increases and we will continue to review this position each year. 'While it is for local authorities to decide on their own council tax levels, they should act in the best interests of their residents and ensure any council tax increase is justified.'
