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PLANNING APPLICATIONS.
A
planning application has been made to develop the site of the former
Courtstairs “Lodge House” in Pegwell Road. This appears to be different
to the original application.
Members are advised to check the details - Application number F/TH/110963 and the postcode is CT11 0JE.
Information
available from Thanet District Council Planning Dept., Cecil Square,
Margate or you should be able to see the plans “on line” if you have
the equipment.
Developers have also purchased properties in
another part of Pegwell Road and have already cleared mature trees and
other vegetation from the extensive gardens at the rear of the
properties.
Apart from the loss of natural habitat for local
wildlife, broad-leaved trees and green vegetation return oxygen into
the atmosphere helping to reduce pollution.
B.T.C.V. are
encouraging the public to protect trees and are currently conducting a
survey of mature trees in Kent. We can all help by making a note of the
position of specific trees, with a photograph showing the location. An
application can then be made for a T.P.O. (Tree Preservation Order).
This cannot guarantee the protection of a tree but may act as a deterrent to anyone intending to remove it.
Committee
member Royce Diaper contacted the Planning Office, Thanet District
Council, on our behalf and received the following reply:-
Begins
“Local Planning Authorities may make a T.P.O. if it appears to be
expedient in the interests of amenity to make provision for the
preservation of Trees.
The assessment of amenity value for Trees
takes into account visibility, individual impact, size, rarity, value
as a screen, wider impact on local surroundings and the presence of
other trees in the vicinity.
There would have to be strong
justification for making a new T.P.O., as the order involves taking
away the right of landowners to carry out work to their trees.
The trees to the rear of 163 Pegwell Road are not considered to fall within the criteria for making a new T.P.O.
This is primarily because the trees cannot be substantially seen by the general public.
Notwithstanding
this, the landowner is aware of the location of the protected trees at
the site, to the rear of No. 163, and consent would be required for any
works to these trees.” Ends.
We do not feel this is a particularly helpful response.
One wonders how much confidence can be put in a Tree Preservation Order and what are the penalties for disregarding it?
There is considerable concern about the impact a residential development will have on this quiet retirement area.
The
whole character of the village will be affected. Our local councillor,
John Kirby, is supporting local residents in their opposition to land
clearance and the felling of trees in this conservation area.
Unfortunately
once a mature tree is felled, even if it is replaced by a sapling, it
will be many years before we see any benefit, and fines are no
deterrent to a determined developer.
Residents adjacent to this
land clearance are suffering loss of privacy, noise, pollution and
disturbance with the prospect of an uncertain future.
What protection does the law offer residents in this position?
The relaxing of planning regulations will no doubt encourage even more speculative building in the future.
Planning
application to erect 14 dwellings at 169 and 171 Pegwell Road - the
Chairman has received notification that this application has been
refused.
NEWS OF MEMBERS.
Sympathy is extended to Rod and Joan Arnold on the loss of a family member, Derek Cox, who sadly passed away during the Christmas period. Our thoughts are with his widow Vera at this sad time.
Shirley Jeavons (formerly
Shirley Tait) writes to say that she has finally left her house in
Ramsgate and moved to London but would still like to keep in touch with
P.D.A. You may remember that Richard Tait
was an active member of the committee for several years in the early
days of the Association. His death was a great loss to the Society.
All good wishes to Heidi Issah for a speedy recovery following a recent fall - get well soon.
FEBRUARY COFFEE MORNING.
The
first coffee morning of 2012 will be held at 23 St. Augustine’s Park,
by the kind invitation of Mr and Mrs Gerlack, on Saturday, February
18th from 10.30 a.m. to 12 noon.
A wide selection of jams and
marmalades will be on sale, together with a variety of home-make cakes
and pies, plus our regular raffle and cake competition, not forgetting
the Bring & Buy sales table.
Something for everyone!
AROUND THE MEETINGS.
Committee member Sandra Gerlack attended the meeting of the Travel Forum on Monday, January 16th at Thanet Council offices and gives us this report:-
The
meeting was well attended, however the subjects mainly discussed were
by Stagecoach and Eastonways concerning the everyday problems that they
encounter while attempting to provide the excellent service we have
today and the problems recently undergone due to the extensive road
works in Thanet.
One relevant item discussed was the speed at
which traffic passes local schools. It is hoped that in the future a
lower speed limit could be adopted.
Thanet Local Board meeting, Tuesday, January 24th at Garlinge Primary School, Westfield Road, Margate.
(Unfortunately this information arrived too late to include in an earlier newsletter.)
The public are invited to attend to meet local committees and ask questions about local issues and concerns.
This is a quarterly meeting and hopefully we shall have advance information about the next meeting.
Neighbourhood Panel Residents meeting. This is Kent Police working together with Thanet District Council as part of Thanet Community Safety Partnership.
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 21st February at 7 p.m. at Holy Trinity Church, Belle Vue Road, Ramsgate.
Local
Police Community Support Officers and Anti-Social Behaviour Officers
will be present should you have any concerns you wish to raise or
discuss with Kent Police or T.D.C.
Our local Community Support Officer, Karen Peck, has left some useful leaflets with the Chairman, some are particularly relevant to older members.
The Care Navigator Service gives information, advice and guidance on services available for older people in Thanet.
Their
office is at Forester’s Hall, Meeting Street, Ramsgate. Tel 592406 or
mobile phone 07986 561150 for information about services available.
We
are also warned not to drink an illegal brand of vodka called “Drop
Vodka” which is not registered and could be harmful.
Southern Water has a programme to install water meters across homes in Kent.
In
most cases it will not need to enter people’s homes but if this should
be necessary an appointment would be made in advance. Staff wear
uniforms and drive vehicles with Southern Water logo and carry an
identification card. They will be quite happy to wait while you check
this identity. Phone Southern Water Metering Customer Call Centre on
0333-2003-012 for confirmation.
Our thanks to Karen for this information.
KITCHEN TALK.
No doubt we shall all be making the usual Pancakes for Shrove Tuesday on February 21st.
If you have some batter over, how about making some Corn Fritters?
Make a batter with 4 ozs flour, 1 egg, pinch of salt, ¼ pint of milk.
Beat well. Fold in a small packet of frozen corn kernels (thawed) or a small tin of corn kernels (drained).
Fry in spoonfuls in a little hot fat until crisp and golden.
Alternatively,
make a batter as above but add a dessertspoon of caster sugar and about
4 ozs grated apple (one large cooking apple, peeled and cored).
Fry in spoonfuls until lightly browned on both sides.
Serve with lemon juice and sugar.
WILDLIFE AT PEGWELL.
Looking back on 2011, it has been a year, more noticeable for the absence of species rather than the arrival of new ones.
What
has happened to the huge flocks of starlings that used to sweep low
over Pegwell cliffs at dusk, heading for their nightly roost?
Where have all the sparrows gone?
Thrushes
have been missing from Driftwood garden for over a year, and the little
hedgehog that spent Winter 2010 in a sheltered box, disappeared in the
Spring and has not been seen all summer.
Could climate change be
having a significant impact on birds’ behaviour or is the loss of
habitat due to increasing development, driving them elsewhere?
One bright note - a handsome Song Thrush
appeared outside the bedroom window early on December 30th - a sign
perhaps, that 2012 may see the return of these favourite birds.
Chris Randall reports seeing an albino Squirrel in the Courtstairs Park area. There have been other reports of sightings of the same squirrel.
On
another occasion this month a grey squirrel was discovered “banging its
head” on the patio doors at Driftwood, evidently trying to get in, and
not deterred by human company.
CHRISTMAS THANKS.
Although it seems a long way behind us now, we hope you all spent a peaceful and happy Christmas holiday.
Our
treasurer would like to extend special thanks to Members for their
generosity throughout the year and especially at the Christmas dinner.
Rod’s
charity jar has been a regular feature at our various events and we are
pleased to report that a cheque for the sum of £500 was sent to the
local Thanet Hospice on behalf of the P.D.A.
Total amount
contributed to the jar was £104.50 which includes donations made at the
Christmas dinner and the committee voted to make this up to £500 from
P.D.A. funds for our contribution to the Hospice.
Thank you everyone!
Thanks
too from Eileen and Derek Randall for all the many cards and good
wishes on the occasion of their Diamond Wedding anniversary in early
December. It was a great pleasure to welcome members and friends to
Driftwood on a lovely sunny day, thank you all for your company. (Not
forgetting the flowers and chocolates.)
ANNUAL REPORT ON DRIFTWOOD MOTH TRAP.
Kindly contributed by Francis Solley.
What fascinating names these creatures have!
A year of mixed fortunes.
The
mild spring brought many species out earlier than typically expected;
particularly during April and early May. The resulting drought followed
by the cool and unsettled summer then had a detrimental affect on
overall moth numbers.
Notable moths during the spring included
Early Tooth-Striped on 21/4, an exceptional influx of Brindled Pugs - a
peak of 35 on 22/4 (normally 1 - 2 per year) and a Cream Wave on 11/5 -
all woodland wanderers. A Dew Moth on 9/5 was a long overdue new record
for Thanet of this nationally scarce coastal species.
Interesting
migrants commenced with a Concolorous on 25/5, a total of 13 Rannoch
Loopers in early June, Spurge Hawk on 26/6, Splendid Brocade on 27/6
and Thanet’s second Small Marbled on 28/6. Plumed Fan-foots occurred on
four occasions from 27/7 suggesting that they may be resident in the
Pegwell area rather than a migrant.
The pick of the August moths was Thanet’s second Brussels Lace 2/8 and the third Dusky Hook-tip on 13/8.
September
was a quiet affair with only one Convolvulus Hawk and a Ni on 13/9.
Although the mild weather ensured a good showing of the typical
autumnal species.
Five Merveille du Jour during October is exceptional for a moth not recorded every year on Thanet.
Kent’s first Oak Rustic occurred on 3/11 and a Streak on 4/11 was the first on Thanet for 20 years.
Pick
of the micro moths were the very attractive Commophila aeneana on 7/5,
the tiny Yellow V Moth on 29/7 (Driftwood remains the only UK mainland
site - occurs on Scilly Isles), Spoladea recurvalis on 12/10 and an Old
World Webworm on 4/11 - the latter two being migrants from the tropics.
Images of the moth species mentioned can be seen on www.ukmoths.org
STAMPS FOR THE HOSPICE.
Margaret
Swan would like to thank everyone for all the used stamps she has been
given that will now be forwarded to the Pilgrims Hospice.
The ‘thanks’ includes all the packets and envelopes that are posted through her door.
One reminder please - if you cut the stamps from the envelopes please leave a reasonable border around each stamp.
This is a request from the Hospice, the purchaser asks that at least 1/8th of an inch is left.
If
you pull the stamps off the paper these are thrown out as damaged, they
also stick to other stamps in the pack and these in turn are also
thrown as defaced goods.
Volunteers at the Hospice have to sort and check every stamp.
Quite a job I am sure you agree.
PEGWELL BAY NATURAL HISTORY.
By Richard Kinzler.
On
the 6th of January I had a call from Eileen explaining that a number of
residents in Pegwell Village were concerned about work being carried
out at Pegwell Road and the impact it would have on the Great Crested
Newts, Slow Worms and Trees.
After investigating with the help of
Thanet District Council’s Planning Department, Kent Wildlife Trust and
the residents it seems there is a loophole in the regulations.
Clearance
was being carried out at 163 Pegwell Road and as this site does not
have any planning submitted as yet they are entitled to carry out the
general clearance without any checks.
This is the time of year when Great Crested Newts and Slow Worms are in hibernation and they emerge around early March.
The
largest of our native newts, the Great Crested Newt is strictly
protected under European legislation as is the Slow Worm and it is a
criminal offence to kill or injure them.
If you find any of the above injured or dead please could you contact me on 07967 506126.
KENT POLICE - NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH.
This is from Margaret Swan who is Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator for Pegwell Close.
Since November 2011 a new non-urgent phone number has been introduced by the police.
You
can now call Kent Police for non-urgent issues by dialling 101.
This number is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
To make it quicker for the public to contact their local police, 101 has been introduced nationally.
It is an easy to remember number to report a crime or other issues which do not require an emergency response.
You
can also use the number to speak to your local neighbourhood officer,
to make a general enquiry or make the police aware of an issue where
you live.
By calling 101 you leave 999 free for real emergencies.
If you class the situation an emergency then still call 999.
Examples when calling 101 is recommended:-
If your car has been stolen
If property has been damaged
If you suspect drug dealing
To report a minor traffic incident
To report any other information that does not require immediate attention
To give information about a crime or criminals in your local area
To talk to local police officers for general advice.
If the officer you speak to on 101 thinks the situation warrants 999 action he will transfer you immediately.