by Annie Rayson, outgoing Treasurer, HHRA

GREAT NEWS! ! !

Against all the odds, Hockley Heath Residents Association

IS CONTINUINGwith a new team, its first meeting being held on

WEDNESDAY, 14 JULY,commencing at 8.15pm,at the Pavilion in the Recreation Ground off Old Warwick Road (the time and venue for subsequent meetings is yet to be agreed).

Please go along and offer your support. The Residents Association is evolving, readdressing its role within the community and its links with other organisations, such as the Parish Council. Be an active part of your community, make a difference, join in, voice your opinion, help reshape the association into an even better forum for your village.

The Grand Fete was a yet again a great success and a very enjoyable day out for the family. With sunny weather and an excellent variety of attractions turnout was good.

Here are a few images from the day.

Many thanks to Tracie, Russ and Wendy for their enormous efforts.

Hockley Heath Cubs Simpsons Splash!

How many balloons in the Ferrari?

Classic cars..

“INAPPROPRIATE DEVELOPMENT"

DECEMBER 2009:

Solihull Council refused 2 planning applications for marinas on the Grand Union in Knowle. They were both viewed as INAPPROPRIATE FOR THE GREEN BELT.

Warwick District Council’s Area Planning Officer, Martin Haslett, wrote to the developer (GPM Marinas), to advise that their marina proposals for Sands Farm, on the Lapworth/Hockley Heath/Stratford District , are viewed as INAPPROPRIATE FOR THE GREEN BELT.

FEBRUARY 2010:

The developer sent to Mr Haslett a “Statement of Material Considerations”, asking the Council to override the Green Belt restrictions. This was supported by a document from British Waterways, quoting data from a 2006/2007 survey, in support of “The Need For (Extra) Moorings in Solihull”.

MARCH 2010:

The Local Residents Marina Opposition Group submitted 3 detailed rebuttals of the arguments in the developer’s Statement of Material Considerations, highlighting the lack of any, up-to-date evidence of need for a new marina at the Sands Farm location, or on the Stratford Canal, in Warwick District.

IN PARTICULAR, WE POINTED OUT THAT THERE ARE CURRENTLY 8 MOORING SITES, ON THE STRATFORD CANAL. HALF OF THESE HAVE VACANCIES, & NONE OF THEM HAVE WAITING LISTS.

As a result, Mr Haslett wrote to the developer, advising that their “evidence” related to Solihull & querying if GPM has any evidence of need for a marina ON THE STRATFORD CANAL IN WARWICK DISTRICT. The developer appears to have carried out no work, to justify their claim, and has asked British Waterways to supply some evidence.

WHAT’S NEXT?

THE BRITISH WATERWAYS “EVIDENCE” HAS BEEN PROMISED TO MR HASLETT “SOON”. WHEN HE GETS IT, WE EXPECT HIM TO REFER THE MARINA PLANS TO THE PLANNING COMMITTEE (POSSIBLY ON 9th OR 30th JUNE OR JULY 21).

WE WILL LET YOU KNOW WHEN THE PLANNING COMMITTEE IS CONFIRMED. PLEASE TRY TO ATTEND, TO MAKE YOUR VIEWS KNOWN!