The planning applications (below) for Dronfield were received at NEDDC in the last week. You can follow whats happening online and object etc. An up to date list is always available from NEDDC including the current status of applications. You will need the application number quoted below for the application you are interested in and click  http://planapps-online.ne-derbyshire.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_searchform.aspx   

Retention of a disabled access ramp to front at 26 Wilson Road Coal Aston Dronfield for Mr Paul Reaney

Conversion of attached garage and scullery into ground floor bedroom and bathroom, new door opening in south west elevation, replacement window frames, reinstatement at front stone boundary, new stone wall alongside north east elevation  and detached single storey double garage (Listed Building) (Conservation Area) at Quoit Green House 26 Hallowes Lane Dronfield for Mr Andrew Bayliss

Listed Building consent for conversion of garage and scullery into ground floor bedroom and bathroom, new door opening in south west elevation, replacement window frames, reinstatement of front boundary wall and new stone wall alongside north east elevation (Listed Building/Conservation Area) at Quoit Green House 26 Hallowes Lane Dronfield for Mr Andrew Bayliss

Retention of fence at a position 400mm within boundary and installation of a third velux window (variation to approved application 08/00510/FL) at 5 Romney Drive Dronfield Derbyshire for Mr Nick Ward

Conversion of an agricultural barn to form 5 bed residential dwelling with partial demolition and new build on existing footprint (revised scheme to NED07/01467/FL) (Affecting the Setting of a Listed Building) at Nether Birchitt Farm Sheffield Road Dronfield for Mr Matt Gerrard

Application to prune Yew Tree (T1) covered by NEDDC TPO 120 to rear (Conservation Area) at 11a Manor Bungalows High Street Dronfield for Mr Andrew Broadhead

Application to prune 4 Norway Maple and 1 Wild Cherry covered by NEDDC TPO 103  (Part 3) G14 at Grassed Area Radbourne Common Dronfield Woodhouse for Mr Andrew Broadhead

There was a byelection in Unstone earlier this year. A Labour Party leaflet said the 40mph limit along the main road in Unstone - which includes the the part outside the school would be reduced to 30 mph by November. Unstine is still waiting even though we are at the end of November. 

The Working Group which has been looking at the possibility of a skate b oard park in Dronfield has recommended to Dronfield Town Council that following the consultation last month that there are more disadvantages to Cliffe Park as the site than advantages.

This seems to apply to every other possible space in Dronfield which is owned by the Town Council with the possible exception of an area adjacent to the current BMX track on Chesterfield Road. The Group recommends that this be given further consideration but if this area [which certainly also has potential problems] is also judged not suitable then the idea of providing a skate park will have to be abandoned. The Groups report will be considered at the Town Council metting on Monday 1st December

[update 1st Decemember - full council meeting agreed to these recommendations]

The planning applications (below) for Dronfield were received at NEDDC in the last week. You can follow whats happening online and object etc. An up to date list is always available from NEDDC including the current status of applications. You will need the application number quoted below for the application you are interested in and click  http://planapps-online.ne-derbyshire.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_searchform.aspx  

Proposed single storey rear and side extensions at

Loft conversion including a rear dormer window and raising the roof height by 750mm (Revised Scheme of 08/00294/FL) at 42 Smithy Croft Dronfield Woodhouse Dronfield for Mr T Pearson

Proposed works to oak tree to rear of garden (TPO 41) at 9 Hilltop Way Dronfield Derbyshire for Mr S Burkhill

A 3 week period beginning on 18th August should see a major refurbishment of the footways [pavements] on Melbourne Avenue, Dronfield Woodhouse by Derbyshire County Council. Many other footways in Dronfield remain in need of similar work.

For several years people have been complaining to me about the length the grass is allowed to grow on the Bowshaw roundabout together with its approach roads.

The Labour controlled County Council refuses to do any better and fund only 3 cuts a year. The result is that the grass becomes so long that it obscures vision and is a hazard in many peoples view. It also looks such a mess compared to Sheffield Council grassed areas a few yards up the road. What a comparison between the gateway to Dronfield and Derbyshire and the gateway to Sheffield! Attempts by LIBDEM Dronfield Council to offer to cut the area themselves more often have so far been rebuffed by the County Council   

I am very pleased to welcome the radical transport proposals to significantly increase long-term rail investment, introduce road user pricing to tackle pollution and congestion and hand control of buses back to local authorities which have been launched on June 3rd by the Liberal Democrats. This is due to be debated at the LIBDEM Conference in September

The additional investment will be paid for by introducing emissions-linked charges on road freight and internal flights.

The main proposals include: ·        Cutting fuel duty and abolishing Vehicle Excise Duty over the next 10 years and introducing a cost-neutral road user pricing scheme on motorways and trunk roads·        Building a high speed rail network paid for by introducing emissions-linked charges on road freight and internal flights·        Introducing rolling contracts for train operating companies to increase long-term investment and improve services·        Give power to control local bus services back to local authorities·        Introducing a new fund for rural transport ·        Giving passengers a stronger voice to improve local transport services through a new passenger watchdog .

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Leader, Nick Clegg said: “These proposals offer a radical alternative vision for transport in the 21^st Century, compared with the tired short-sightedness of both Labour and the Tories.” “At a time when families are feeling the pressure of the rising cost of travel, only the Liberal Democrats are setting out how to make our transport system sustainable, affordable and fair. 

Commenting further, Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Secretary, Norman Baker said: “With Labour’s 30 year plan for the railways stopping inexplicably in 2014 and no firm proposals from the Conservatives, we are the only party with concrete proposals to build a transport system fit for the 21^st century.  “Motorists and passengers are getting a raw deal under Labour. We are turning into cattle truck Britain, with rail services overcrowded and congestion growing on the roads, as any commuter will tell you.  “Motorway and trunk road pricing will cost the average motorist no more but the costs will be honest and upfront and rural motorists who have to rely on their cars will save money.”  

Following North East Derbyshire District Council decision to charge nearly three times as much for ground maintenance between 2008 and 2010 LIBDEM Dronfield Town Council decided to go it alone from 1st April this year. By a combination of tendering out some of the work to local firms plus using its own workforce we believe we shall have a massive saving to the  Tax Payer - perhaps as high as 40% or more of what the Labour North East Derbyshire Council would have charged by 2010. Makes you think doesn’t it!

At the Dronfield Town Council meeting last night we received a report from the first  meeting of the waste recycing working group. The Dronfield community already has the best record in North East Derbyshire for waste recycling but the report had many ideas on how this might be improved and these will be followed up by the group over the next few months.

Since winning a majority of seats on the Dronfield Town Council in May LIBDEMs councillors have set up the Road Safety Group which had not met for several years.  Chaired by Cllr Doug Oxspring this group will assess where the most dangerous spots are and try and prioritise these in terms of the need for action. At its first meeting the Group decided that they would invite local groups and residents to put their views to the committee. It is hoped that the police and officers of the County Council will also attend from time to time to help take the recommendations forward.