Summer 2008

In this issue:
Churt Road resurfacing
Greening in Headley
Ancient Tree Survey
Decision - Badgerswood Surgery

July 2008

The Parish Council

The Parish Council plays a vital part in representing the interests of the community to improve and maintain the quality of life and the local environment. We can influence other decision makers and in many cases, deliver services to meet local needs. Your views are always valuable and ideas for improving our villages and hamlets are welcome with your participation being appreciated on whatever level. We continue to seek ways to improve the facilities within the parish and report on a few of these below.

Local Matters
Churt Road - By the time that you read this newsletter, the Churt Road will have been resurfaced in three main areas with patch repairs carried out, where necessary, between the junction with Bacon Lane and the junction with Glayshers Hill. The materials used are of a more robust specification to the previous surface and should give a better resistance to delamination. Other work has been carried out at the same time to improve the surface drainage. Hampshire County Council has been very good at responding to the urgent requests for these repairs from both ourselves and many concerned road users. The road surface had deteriorated very rapidly since the Highways Department carried out its last annual review and hence they agreed that these repairs had to be done as soon as possible..

Greening in Headley - Our Annual Parish Meeting in April welcomed Teresa Plowright from the Greening Campaign. This campaign is gaining strength as it encourages everyone within the local community to put into practice 5 out of 8 cheap and simple suggested changes in practice within our homes. These might include changing some light bulbs to energy-saving varieties, installing a hippo bag in the toilet cistern or putting draught excluders round doors and windows to conserve heat. We are currently looking at the possibility of Headley becoming involved in this campaign so look out for notification of a public meeting in the coming months getting this started.

Hindhead Tunnel - For those using the A3 on a regular basis you may have noticed significant changes to both the North and South ends. In July, it is expected that the Canadian Memorial underpass will open and then work will commence on the Hazel Grove bridge. At the north end, the tunnel entrance is quite clearly visible when heading south now that the contraflow has been removed.

Ancient Tree Survey - This summer, a survey is being carried out throughout the UK to identify ancient trees and hopefully afford them future protection. We need you to tell us of any ancient trees within the Parish and we will then submit the information to the Ancient Trees database. How do you tell an ancient tree? Its not an exact science but girth is an easy indicator. As a rough rule of thumb, an oak tree with a girth of 4.5 metres would be interesting. Similarly, a beech of 3 metres or a Scots Pine of 1.5 metres. Our tree wardens will fill in the survey form, all you need to do is provide the location.

Planning
Badgerswood Development - Following concern expressed at our Annual Parish Meeting by local residents that this housing application was not due to be heard at the North Planning Committee of EHDC, it was finally debated by full Committee on Thursday 15th May. The decision made at that meeting was that the development should be given permission but only after a bat and reptile survey had been completed and Natural England had also confirmed that the badgers had relocated to the new setts provided for them.

Electronic Planning - The Parish Council has now moved totally over to the electronic viewing of plans. Hard copies are no longer being
f sent out from the Planning Department at EHDC and although it involves a fair amount of computer viewing and research of facts, the actual presentation at our meetings with the use of projector and screen, has been successful despite the poor quality of some of the images found on the Planning website. The quality of the images is currently being addressed but what it means is that we no longer hold copies of the plans in the Parish Office for viewing. However, if you have access to a computer and the Internet, you can view these plans by visiting www.easthants.gov.uk/planning

Public Meetings, Services & Events
Living Paintings - Bringing pictures to life for blind and partially sighted people, of all ages! This is a unique library service for blind and partially sighted children and adults that many actors and broadcasters are pleased to lend their voices to. Living Paintings make special version of pictures with raised surfaces that come to life when fingers feel them. The sound recordings direct the fingers whilst telling the stories and describing the features. In this way, the senses of touch and hearing combine to make up the missing sense of sight. Every item in this charity's library is loaned and posted for FREE. Living Paintings depends on those with the gift of sight to pass on word of its service. Please pass on the telephone number of 01635 299771 and anyone with difficulty seeing will be welcomed as a member. eMail lpt@livingpaintings.org

Public Meetings & Events

Headley Walk to Health: All are welcome to join our regular walks. We meet at the Parish Office on Wednesday at 10.30 a.m. For the faster and fitter walkers to health, we now have a longer walk on the 1st Sunday of every month starting at 11 a.m. from the Village Hall. The programme of walks for 2008 is available - click here.

Parish Council:
Planning – 1st Monday of month @ 8 p.m., + 3rd Monday @ 7.30 p.m. when needed
Amenities & Recreation – 2nd Monday in January @ 8 p.m. and then every other month
Full Council – 3rd Monday of month @ 8 p.m.

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With thanks to all those who have helped in the distribution of our newsletter.
Feedback on this newsletter would be much appreciated.

Parish Clerk - Linda Farley 01428 713132
Assistant Clerk - Tanya Hampshire
Email: parishoffice@headley-village.com
Website: www.headley-village.com/parish
Opening Hours: 09.00 - 13.00 Mon-Wed and Fri (closed Thursday)

Headley Parish Council
Parish Office
Arford Road, Headley
Bordon, Hampshire
GU35 8LJ