The planning application reference is 1/D/13/000525 and the applicant is seeking the removal of the S106 agreement which specified the site should only be used for a pub.  This would enable the applicant to build houses on the site.

Please do come along and have your say – this may be the last chance you have.

Charminster & Charlton Down

 A look at a few current issues in the parish………

 Q. What are the works being carried out on some of the trees at Charlton Down?

A. Recently the Parish Council had a full survey of all the trees on the open space land it owns at Charlton Down. This survey has identified some short term and some longer term work needed.  The short term work has already started. A few trees may need significant reductions or possibly felling but the works are being discussed with the District Council Trees Officer to ensure felling is only carried out if absolutely necessary. The cost of these works will come from the maintenance monies which came from the developers of the site. Some other trees in the village are managed by Meadfleet and they organise any works they require separately.

 Q. What is being done about the problem of people parking at Charminster Cross (outside the village hall) whose cars block the visibility?

 A. This is a long running issue but only seems to be a problem at certain times of the day. There have been two relatively recent accidents at the crossroads and it seems common sense in parking (and following the Highway Code) does not always happen. On the other hand one is aware that parking is very limited in this busy area of the village.  The Highways Authority, Dorset County Council, have indicated that they may look favourably on a request from the Parish Council for yellow lines around the junction. Hence at the next meeting (5^th Feb) the Council will discuss whether or not to make this request – do come along and share your views on this.

The Council has chosen to provide free travel for its residents for buses that started in the district before 09:30 since the introduction of the national free travel pass in 2008.  It was able to do this because it received more funding from central government than was required to run the national scheme in the area.

 Dorset County Council took over the national Concessionary Travel scheme in April 2011, and at the same time Government funding transferred away from the District Council.   To avoid confusion for users the Council continued to provide funding towards the cost of free travel for the life of the pass, which, for the majority of users, expires on 31 March 2013.  The cost of this decision was £20,000 for each of the two years, and was met from the Council’s General Reserve.  There is no permanent funding in the Council’s revenue budget for the concession. 

 Dorset County Council have advised us that the cost of running the service will rise to £46,000 a year from April 2013 onwards, based on around 25,000 journeys at an average cost of £1.85 per journey.  This figure is based on usage from April – June 2012 and is always subject to change, as bus operators change their provision, and as the County Council reviews its support for rural bus routes from time to time.

 The County Council have provided journey data for the routes used before 09:30, as follows:

 Separately the County Council supports free  local bus travel in some rural areas of Dorset which have less frequent public transport, focusing on  services where there is no other service that day, or the next available service is 10:30  or later.  Around 6,000 journeys are supported, and a list of the 24 services on 18 routes that they support is available at http://www.dorsetforyou.com/385045.  These journeys are not part of this consultation exercise.

 For West Dorset District Council there is a choice to make, either:

 To find permanent funding for the service of £46,000 a year.  This would have to be found by cutting other Council services; or

• To discontinue support for the scheme and look to mitigate the worst impacts of its loss by working with the community sector on local initiatives

 In making its decision the Council will also have to take account of the worsening financial position regarding support from Central Government.  Having already coped with an annual grant cut of £1.2 Million over the last two years the Council is anticipating further grant cuts from April 2013, which will further challenge the Council’s capacity to provide its existing range of services.

 Before the Council takes a decision we would like to understand more about the impact of not providing free travel before 09:30 on users.  We have limited time available to gather feedback, and are therefore focusing consultation on Town and Parish Councils, Transport Group representatives, and Older Peoples Groups representatives.

 A short questionnaire is available below  and the District Council would appreciate any feedback you can provide within the time available.  Because of a requirement to publish the final Concessionary Travel scheme for 2013 in early February, a decision is required by our Full Council meeting on 10th January 2013.  All feedback received by the Council by 9th January will be made available to Members to assist them in arriving at a decision.

Concessionary Travel pre 0930 questionnaire 

If you have any question regarding the content of the e-mail please contact Adrian Stuart at

a.stuart@westdorset-weymouth.gov.uk.

Comments from the public included:

1) Concerns about increased traffic and parking

2) No garages in the proposed development which is not in keeping with the rest of Charlton Down

3) No further affordable housing is required in Charlton Down

4) No community benefit – the 106 agreement was in place to ensure community payback.

A lengthy discussion took place regarding the lack of community benefit from the site.

The Parish Council agreed to strongly object to the proposal for three houses on this site on the grounds the proposal does not provide any benefit to the community for the 106 agreement to be lifted.  There is not a need for further social housing in Charlton Down.

It was agreed that a meeting should take place between the Parish Council, WDDC Planners and the applicant.  The Parish Council have also requested that the application be considered in the context of the whole development of Charlton Down and not just a small development of 3 houses.

Meadfleet has also provided us with  a plan showing the areas they are responsible for and the types of work carried out. e.g. grass cutting, tree maintenance, maintenance of the Swale (off Herrison Road), the Cedar Road Play Area and managed drives and courtyards (e.g. Willow View)

Meadfleet Plan

Meadfleet has confirmed that 292 units are invoiced (this does not include Greenwood House, Redwood House or Herrison House who all have their own management companies). This includes the latest phase (phase 8b) and everyone pays the same (apart from Walnut Court where there is a pumping station serving just the five houses).

They have advised that there will always be fluctuations in the charges due to the varied and sometimes unpredictable nature of the works invoived.  If residents have concerns they should contact Meadfleet on 08456 448730 between 9.00 and 13.00 (answerphone after 13.00) or email info@meadfleet.co.uk (general enquiries) or creditcontrol@meadfleet.co.uk (invoicing enquiries).

We hope that helps clarify the situation.

 There were a total of 15 entries this year and over 50 maps and voting forms were given out – thank you once again to both the village shops for their help with this.

The judging was carried out by the public and we received over 30 votes which was great.  1^st Prize (a meal for four at the Sun Inn) was awarded to Ben Ainslie and his boat from 20 Meech Way. Second Prize (a hamper donated by Charlton Down Shop) was awarded to the Charminster Bell Ringers. A big thank you to the Sun Inn and the Charlton Down Shop for their very generous donation of prizes.

 And finally, a very big thank you to all of you who made scarecrows and to those who went to view them all and took the time to vote for their favourite!

Maps showing the locations of all the scarecrows are available in both village shops or by clicking on the links below.

scarecrow map Charminster 2012

Scarecrow map charlton down 2012 web

If you would like to vote for your favourite scarecrow please download the voting form below or email clerk@charminster.info with details of your favourite.

Scarecrow voting form 2012

Are you keen to get involved in the local community and help with local issues?  If so, please contact Sarah Davies (Parish Clerk) for further details.

Closing date for applications is 17th August 2012.

Email Sarah on clerk@charminster.info or telephone  01305 263342

Information about the role of the Parish Council and Councillors can be found here:

Becoming a Parish Councillor

SWLCA – What does a councillor do

SWLCA What is a Town or Parish council