Newsletter 95 November 2023 |
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Wye Christmas Street Party |
Dear {{CONTACT_FIRST_NAME}} |
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Wye's Christmas tree and lights are all twinkling, Cecil has gritted the pavements for the first time this winter, and the first Friday in December is almost here. These are all sure signs that it must be time for the..... |
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Please note that Church Street will be closed to all traffic between 4pm and 9.30pm on Friday 1st December. The barriers at either end of Church Street are necessary to allow the stallholders to set up in safety, and clear away afterwards, and protect excitable children. The road closure will not affect emergency vehicles or pedestrians, and as usual the public toilets will stay open until late.
The Christmas Street Party organiser Our Place Wye asks residents and visitors to park elsewhere by 16.00 please. Contact Erica the administrator with your questions or concerns on 07561 600889 or email erica@ourplacewye.org.uk
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Grand Raffle draw will start at 7.45 |
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The Wye Christmas Street Party raffle tickets are £1 each, and will be on sale at the event. Thanks to the generosity of so many local businesses, the many prize winners will take some time to call.
Wye Cafe and Kitchen will offer warmth, hot drinks and comfort foods until 8pm, as will Wye Wholefoods, and no doubt the Kings Head will remain open and welcoming until somewhat later... |
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Wye Neighbourhood Plan Review |
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Although the long-awaited Levelling-up and Regeneration Act is now law, the key issue of nutrient neutrality is still unresolved, so the way forward for the Wye Neighbourhood Plan Review remains unclear. The government announced today that its response to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) consultation (nearly a year ago) is now imminent, but a “bigger” announcement will come “next year”.
The government published draft guidance yesterday on how to measure and apply biodiversity net gain (BNG), when it becomes mandatory. Currently, for small sites BNG will apply from April 2024, but the government's BNG timetable has slipped before. The overarching legislation establishes a new approach in which "developers must deliver a biodiversity net gain of 10%. This means a development will result in more or better quality natural habitat than there was before development." This improved habitat can be located either on or off site. The guidance states that "biodiversity units can be lost through development or generated through work to create and enhance habitats."
Both the Ashford Local Plan and the Wye Neighbourhood Plan Review need to develop new policies to support and manage BNG. |
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Stagecoach is now operating four off-peak bus services a day into Wye. The new weekday only service number 14 reconnect connects Wye to Ashford town centre, via Little Burton. The new route also stops at Sainsburys. The early feedback from passengers is very positive, but as this new service is not subsidised, its financial viability will depend on how many people continue to use the buses. Therefore it is a clear case of use it or lose it!
Please click here to download the 14 Service timetable for reference. |
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Image above: Coldharbour Lane, Wye a deceptively deep pothole ( KCC fault reference 760356) reported 21st November and repaired within days. |
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KCC Highways plans to repair Scotton Street and Coldharbour Lane to the Coldharbour crossroads. Works are scheduled to between 07.00 on Monday 4th December and should be complete by midnight Wednesday 6th December. However, as always, the timing of planned road repairs may be delayed by poor weather conditions and any emergency works. Although winter has hardly started, there are multiple potholes opening up along the Virgin Media fibre optic trench that runs along Coldharbour Lane.
KCC Highways has also marked the gullies along the length of Coldharbour Lane for cleaning, as these are all full of grit and not functioning. Excessive surface water, numerous hidden potholes full of water and lose stones and mud on the road surface all add to the usual hazards of country roads.
Please report faults on roads and pavements direct to KCC Highways. The online map-based system enables you to check if someone else has already reported a fault problem, and then track progress. To report any emergency highway issues outside of normal 9am to 5pm office hours please call 03000 41 91 91.
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In January KCC should publish the outcome of its consultation on its proposed severe reduction in the Kent Community Warden Service (please see Wye e-newsletter 93 for details). The Parish Council thanks all residents who responded to the consultation.
KCC has published the report on its community services consultation earlier in 2023. A short video explainer covers the issues and priorities. KCC Cabinet members will consider the four options summarised in the Cabinet paper Appendix D, which also lists all buildings recommended for closure across Kent.
The good news is that KCC's four options all show Wye Library as a retained facility, and a base where in future "services could deliver outreach" for residents in Wye and neighbouring parishes. KCC's report identifies Wye as one of three rural communities in the Ashford borough which have "lower levels of need," where "a digital offer makes services more accessible." Which will allow people "to self-serve and engage with services virtually." |
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Report crime anonymously, anytime on Crimestoppers freephone number 0800 555 111. |
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Keep up to date with planned and emergency road closures and roadworks across Kent: please see the one.network live feed. The National Highways website shows alerts and the current status of Operation Brock.
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Image above: Sunrise over Wye Crown. The view is familiar, but the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), is now the Kent Downs National Landscape. This change of name applies to all AONBs and it aligns them with National Parks. The new name highlights their equal status and role in national initiatives for health, wellbeing, sustainable public access, climate change and nature recovery.
"The name may have changed, but the work goes on, against a backdrop of climate threat, to secure Kent’s landscapes, nature, wildlife and outstanding beauty for generations to come." Kent Downs National Landscape |
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Thank you for reading this newsletter |
Do you have any comments or suggestions about how the Parish Council can improve this newsletter and its format? Would you like to contribute an article for a future edition, or local photographs, a crossword, or even a cartoon or two.
Please help to spread the word... economically. Just press the green button below to forward this email to your friends and neighbours, and suggest that they join the Parish Council's mailing list by clicking on the other green button. |
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Contact us Wye Parish Clerk Parish Council Office
Unit 2B Briar Close Bramble Lane Wye, Ashford, Kent
TN25 5HB |
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© Wye with Hinxhill Parish Council 2023 |
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