Hughenden Valley Residents Association

Thames Valley Police have issued a warning about scrap metal thefts in the area.

At their meeting last night, Hughenden Parish Council dropped their plan to build Rural Affordable Housing on Green Belt and AONB land in Warrendene Road, Hughenden Valley. The Council’s press release says:

“Hughenden Parish Council has now received the results of the Parish-wide Housing Needs Survey that was commissioned from Community Impact Bucks. This was a robust consultation exercise carried out to establish whether there is a need for rural affordable housing in the Parish, and to find out the views of local residents. The results show:-
a) There is some need for rural affordable homes in Hughenden Parish
b) Rural affordable housing in principle is supported by just under 50% of respondents
c) 80% of respondents are against any development in the GB/AONB
In summary, there is sufficient need to justify a small development but this idea cannot be pursued furthe because there is not enough support within the community for it to be possible to use the Rural Exception Site scheme.
The Council passed the following motion at its meeting on 8th March 2011:- The Parish Council accepts the results of the Housing Needs Survey carried out at its request by Community Impact Bucks, and their recommendations. This consultation process shows that, while some need for affordable housing has been established, there is insufficient community support for a small development using Green Belt/AONB land. This Parish Council will not, therefore, proceed further with a Rural Exception Site scheme. The Parish Council recognizes the strength of opposition to any use of green belt/AONB land. Just over 900 survey forms were returned (27% of households) and these show that some 80% of residents responding were opposed to even a small development.
Hughenden Parish Council has a responsibility to try to serve all its residents. It is for this reason that it went through the lengthy consultation process currently required for the use of a Rural Exception Site Scheme. The Council considers the outcome of the consultation exercise to be a reflection of feelings in the Parish, expressed through a democratic consultation process. Parish Councillors (who are non political elected volunteers) have a genuine desire to try to serve those village residents who are not home owners. It is unfortunate that this has led some residents to try to undermine confidence in the Council itself. Now that a decision has been made, the Council trusts that relationships with local residents can be rebuilt.”

Hughenden Parish Council website

The next neighbourhood policing Have Your Say will be at the Hughenden Parish Council offices in Great Kingshill from 10.45 to 12noon on Wednesday 23rd March.

The Hughenden Neighbourhood Action Group have sent their February Meeting Minutes and March Newsletter.

Daphne Hicks has sent the Hughenden Allotment and Garden Association (HAGA) 2011 Programme. She says “New members are always welcome and you don’t need to live in Hughenden to be eligible to join. Just come along to one of our meetings, held on the last Friday of the month at Hughenden Valley village hall. The annual fee is only £2 and membership even allows you 10% discount at Hildreths on certain gardening goods!”

Philip Hammond, Secretary of State for Transport, launched the HS2 consultation today with a speech in Birmingham. The consultation runs until Friday 29th July 2011 and full details are on the Department for Transport HS2 Consultation website. An overview of the process is also given in this HS2 Ltd Newsletter also published today.

Part of the process is a series of ‘roadshows’ along the length of the route, the venues and dates for which are on the consultation website. There is one in Great Missenden on Thursday 12th May, and two in Wendover on Friday 13th and Saturday 14th May.

Protest umbrella group HS2 Action Alliance have issued a statement saying “HS2 Ltd/DfT have launched the HS2 consultation today. We are reviewing the released documents, but currently believe the set to be incomplete, and will advise shortly. We suggest that you do not respond immediately to the questions posed but await the outcome of our reviews.” The Stop HS2 website also has news and reaction to the launch of the consultation.

The Bucks Free Press and others are reporting that the Government is to launch the HS2 Consultation on Monday 28th February in Birmingham. Yet there is nothing about it on the Department for Transport website or the HS2 Ltd website. Anti-HS2 organisation StopHS2 thinks there is dirty business afoot.

Lin Smith, Hughenden Parish Councillor, writes:

“I am aware that there is a move to get more people to stand as candidates for the Local Parish Council at the Elections on 5th May.

I think that this is a really positive move. For too long, we as Councillors have either been ‘returned unopposed’ or like myself, co-opted to fill a vacancy that basically no-one else wanted to fill. While that is not our fault, you cannot lay public apathy at our door, it can lead us into thinking we are always right. After all if no-one stands against you, they must approve of you.

But now, interest is revived, and for better or worse we have a fight on our hands, or should I say seats.

For those possibly teetering on the brink of throwing your hat in the ring, perhaps you will allow me to give you my ‘warts and all’ perspective on being a Parish Councillor.

Let me say at the outset, I love the work. And would heartily recommend it to anyone who enjoys working as a team to maintain some of the infrastructure and ethos of our Parish. We live in a beautiful area, surrounded by lovely countryside, which I as a London girl, even after living here for nearly 30 years have never ceased to wonder at. The people I represent are, for the most part, friendly, reasonable and intelligent.

Our Parish council is made up of 4 Wards as follows:- Hughenden Valley (including Bryant’s Bottom and North Dean), which has 4 members; Naphill and part of Walter’s Ash, which also has 4 members, Gt Kingshill which has 3 members and finally Widmer End, which has 4 members. At elections each ward vote for its own members only.

The hours of work are not usually onerous and many of our Councillors have full time employment as well. There is one Full Council Meeting each month which falls on the second Tuesday at 8pm. There is no Full Parish Council Meeting in August.

There are also 3 Committees.

Firstly, Services which looks at the jobs which need to be done around the Parish and reports back to Full Council and it comprises 2 members from each Ward. These meetings are held 4 times a year.

Secondly, Finance and Administration, whose remit is obvious from its name. This also reports back to Full Council and it comprises 2 members from each ward, and also meets 4 times a year.

And finally Planning which looks at Planning Applications and sends its observations to the Planning Dept at Wycombe District Council. It is the only Committee which can act before reporting back to Full Council first, although it does make a report to them each month. It is important to accept that the Parish council Planning Committee only has an advisory role and cannot directly affect the decisions of WDC, although we like to think that they take our comments into account when considering Applications. This Committee only has 1 member per ward and meets every 3 weeks on a Thursday.

Most members sit on only 1 or 2 Committees so you see that the hours of work need not be huge.

For those with the time and interest, there are outside bodies on which you can sit to represent the interests of the Parish. These might include Wycombe District Association of Local Councils, WDALC to its friends. The North West Chilterns Local Area Forum, (NWCLAF). The Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG), which is also open to non-councillors. And there are others which I cannot call to mind at the moment. You do get used to a proliferation of acronyms, which change as soon as you have learnt them. But attendance to these is not compulsory.

Parish Councils in general have a very interesting and possibly challenging time coming up, when we shall all be on a steep learning curve if the new Localism Bill is enacted. We may possibly find ourselves with more responsibilities and we may have to fight for the funding to carry them out.

What qualities do you need?

Well I suppose you need a reasonable level of intelligence, but no formal qualifications are necessary.

I would say that you need to be able to accept that when there are contentious issues, a balanced view is helpful. It is important to remember that when people get upset it is usually for a reason. Check it out for yourself. If you feel that they have a good point, represent it in council. If you feel that their concerns are unfounded then try to explain why. You will not be able to please everyone all the time. People want different things and sometimes these things are not compatible. On these occasions you have to do what you honestly believe to be for the greater good, and live with the consequences.

You must be honest. If you try to gain advantage from your position you will be found out and the consequences are severe.

It definitely helps if you like your fellow man/woman.

It does not help if you have an inflated ego. It will be punctured in short order.

It helps if you have a sense of humour, and can take the job seriously but not yourself.

Those, I think cover the main points. I think the name Local Government is a misnomer, it is more Local Servitude and that is fine by me.

I hope that these musings have helped to clarify the main issues for prospective candidates, and if you decide to go for it, then good luck I will see you ‘in the ring’.

At least if we have a proper election, whoever is returned will be able to say without fear of contradiction “WE HAVE A MANDATE”

And finally remember on May 6 the new Councillors must not be saying ‘Job Done!’
It is job beginning.”

According to their website, Hughenden Parish Council are due to debate the following motion at their meeting on 8th March: “The Parish Council accepts the results of the Housing Needs Survey carried out at its request by Community Impact Bucks, and their recommendations. This consultation process shows that, while a need for affordable housing has been established, there is insufficient community support for a small development using Green Belt/AONB land. This Parish Council will not, therefore, proceed further with a Rural Exception Site scheme.”

Hughenden Parish Council website
Housing Needs Survey Report
Respondents’ comments

HS2 Action Alliance have circulated this two-page paper rebutting six myths about HS2.

There has been a spate of burglaries in Hughenden Valley. The burglars target garages and outhouses in particular stealing tools etc. Please make your property secure and be extra vigilant reporting any suspicious activities to the police on telephone no. 0845 8 505 505.

Update:  Please also secure your vehicles as there have been a number of thefts from unlocked cars. Please also remember to remove valuables from vehicles.

The HS2 Action Alliance team have been in touch to say:
“There are lots of HS2 public opinion polls going on at the moment. They all go towards raising public awareness of this project. Countryfile are running a poll on whether HS2 should be built at www.countryfile.com/polls. Please cast your vote. If a ‘vote’ button does not appear click the ‘High Speed link…’ title above the photo or the ‘Polls’ link middle, top. You don’t need to login or register to vote.”

Details of the Stop HS2 National Convention on Saturday 19th February are available on this poster and on the Stop HS2 website

The minutes of the January meeting of the Hughenden Neighbourhood Action Group are available here.

A list of security products available from the Wycombe District Neighbourhood Watch Association is available here. The list includes prices and details of how to buy them.

The following update about anti-HS2 petitions has been received from the HS2 Action Alliance team:

“The campaigning group 38degrees is taking votes on whether Stop HS2 should be one of its next campaigns. So far it is ranked 7th. Click here to vote. You can optionally add a comment.

The Stop HS2 Go Petition is now at just over 30000 signatures and is gaining steadily. Good work with spreading the word. Let’s keep it up and get that other 70000.”

The minutes of December’s meeting of the HVRA Executive Committee are available here.

“Come and speak to your Neighbourhood Police Officers, tell us about any local concerns or comments that you may have regarding local policing.”

The Community Shop, Hughenden Valley
11.45 to 13.00, Thursday 24th February 2011

The February newsletter of the Hughenden Neighbourhood Action Group is available here.

Hughenden Valley Residents Association is a proud member of Groups Against the Stadium Proposals as we believe in supporting others in protecting the Green Belt from development. GASP describe themselves as:

“GASP is a focal body made up of groups, associations, societies and individuals who share a common belief that the stadium proposals on Green Belt land at Booker Airfield are wrong. By bringing everyone together resources from within each subscribing body/group can be pooled to maximise effect. We thus have working groups. For instance we have a fund raising group, a marketing group, an infrastructure group, people looking specifically at the business case and the list goes on. We are NOT against rugby or football far from it – a significant proportion of WWFC members are fully behind us.”

The next full GASP meeting will be held on Friday 25th February 19:30 at Booker Memorial Hall.
The GASP website is at www.gasp-no-org.

Your NAG needs you! If this date suits folks, we plan to do a litter blitz on Cryers Hill on Saturday 5th February at 3pm – 4pm, please join us. The litter is getting worse and it is not just the build up from Skanska, it is (lorry?) drivers on their way somewhere else.

We will start at the tarmac near the school. I will bring black bin liners and some litter pickers. Please wear wellies and bring marigolds and there may be an element of litter collection in the woods.

Cath Macleod 01494 711191 / 07941 233752

Minutes of the HVRA Executive Committee meetings for September, October and November 2010 have been posted on the Committee page.

Here’s a copy of the most recent Planning Sub-Committee Report (Autumn 2010)
with updates on Rural Affordable Housing, HS2, The Harrow, Greenacres, Binders Yard, and cat’s eyes and a chemical smell on the A4128.
- Dory Morgan, Rosemary Hewitt and Paul Cawte

The Executive Committee of the Hughenden Valley Residents Association consists of the elected officers (Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer) and Road Representatives from each road and area.

The Executive Committee meets on the first Tuesday of every month except January and August. Meetings are held in the Hughenden Small Village Hall and start at 7.30pm. All members are welcome to attend. You are welcome to speak at an Executive Committee meeting, just please inform your Road Representative in advance.

On Monday 20th December, Transport Secretary Philip Hammond made a statement to Parliament on the Government’s plan for HS2. This is the full text:

With permission, Mr Speaker, I wish to make a statement on the Government’s plans for the development of a national high speed rail network, and on the proposed route that we will put forward next year for public consultation.

One of the Coalition’s main objectives is to build an economy which is more balanced both sectorally and geographically, that will deliver sustainable economic growth while delivering on our climate change targets. Investment in infrastructure, and transport infrastructure in particular, will be a key part of that approach.

To deliver economic growth and carbon reduction we must provide attractive alternatives to short-haul aviation, while addressing the issue of scarce rail capacity between the city centres. Network Rail has calculated that by 2024 the West Coast Main Line will effectively be full, with no further enhancements that could reasonably be made to meet future demand.

The Government believes that the best long-term solution to these challenges is the development of a national high-speed rail network. Our proposed strategy is for a Y-shaped network, to be delivered in two phases: the first a line from London to the West Midlands, and the second the onward legs to Manchester and Leeds with connections to points further north via the East and West coast mainlines.

Our proposals would provide an unprecedented increase in capacity on the key north-south routes out of London, through a combination of new infrastructure and released capacity on existing lines.

Reliability would be improved and journey times between major cities would be slashed. Central Birmingham would be brought within 49 minutes of London – potentially less for non-stopping trains – and within 1 hour 5 minutes of Leeds. The released capacity on the West Coast Mainline would offer the possibility of commuter frequency fast services to London from places like Coventry and Milton Keynes.

By running trains seamlessly onto existing inter-city routes, our proposed network would also bring Glasgow and Edinburgh to within three-and-a-half hours of London – fast enough to induce a major shift of passengers from domestic aviation. In the longer-term, we will also explore with the Scottish Government the options for further reducing journey times to Scotland.

The development of a high speed rail network has been a key factor in our decision on additional runways at London’s airports, and that is why we have said from the outset that any such network must be linked to our principal gateway airport and integrated with the European high speed network via HS1. In June, I asked HS2 Ltd to carry out additional work on such links. I have studied that work and the recommendations of Lord Mawhinney’s review. I have also examined Arup’s proposals for a transport hub near Iver.

I have concluded that a spur to the airport, running on the surface close to the M25 for part of its length, is the best option. It is lower-cost than the other options considered by HS2 Ltd, keeps journey times between London and Birmingham to a minimum, and retains the flexibility to be extended into a loop in future. In order to deliver the best possible value for taxpayers’ money, I propose that a spur be constructed as part of the second phase of the network, opening at the same time as the routes to Manchester and Leeds. I have today asked HS2 Ltd, to carry out further work on such a spur route, with a view to public consultation later in this Parliament alongside the routes to Manchester and Leeds.

For the period prior to the opening of that second phase, high speed rail travellers to the airport would be able to change to fast Heathrow Express services at Old Oak Common, where there would also be a direct interchange with Crossrail.

With regard to a link to HS1, HS2 Ltd’s report identifies that a connection can be made via a new tunnel from Old Oak Common to the North London Line near Chalk Farm, from where existing infrastructure can be used to reach the HS1 line north of St Pancras. This proposal is significantly cheaper than any other option for a direct link, and would enable direct trains to run from the midlands and the north to Europe, without affecting existing service levels on the North London Line.

Such a tunnel can only be constructed before the Old Oak Common interchange comes into operation, so this link will be included in the phase one scheme put forward for consultation.

Mr Speaker, the Government believes that the construction of a high speed rail network will support economic growth and the rebalancing of the UK economy. But we recognise that the proposed line will have significant local impacts on the areas it passes through. And that we have a duty to do everything practically possible to mitigate those impacts.

That is why, since my appointment as Secretary of State, I have reviewed the proposals of the previous administration. I have looked at the case for High Speed Rail, at the corridor options for a north-south route, at the different route options put forward by HS2 Ltd and in detail at the route option recommended in its March report. I have reached the conclusion, as the previous administration did, that the route option recommended in March represents the most appropriate general alignment for the High Speed Railway between London and the West Midlands. However before finalising the detailed route that I am publishing today for consultation, I travelled the length of it and talked directly to local authorities, property owners, many of the protest groups and their Members of Parliament, as well as commissioning additional work on the options for improving the proposed alignment.

As a consequence, significant amendments have been made to both the vertical and horizontal alignment, and to the proposed mitigation measures. In total, around 50% of the preferred route proposal published in March has been amended in some respect.

I am confident that solutions have now been found which can significantly mitigate the impacts of the railway at local level which, when properly understood, will reassure many of those who have been understandably apprehensive about the potential impact on their lives and their property values.

For instance, in Primrose Hill, work to identify the most appropriate locations for the necessary vent shafts has shifted the proposed tunnel, and thus also the vent shafts themselves, to the north, away from the most sensitive areas of this part of London, locating them alongside the existing railway.

Between Amersham and Wendover, opportunities to cover section of the proposed cutting to create a ‘green bridge’ and longer ‘green tunnel’ have been incorporated into the route design to reduce its visual impact and avoid severance of public rights of way.

At Hartwell House, by moving the alignment away from this historic property, HS2 Ltd have been able to ensure that the line would not be visible from the House itself and that additional earthworks and planting can be undertaken to further reduce visual and noise impacts.

And in the most northerly section of the route, an improved alignment has been identified which would move the line further from Lichfield.

But, Mr Speaker, despite our best efforts at mitigation, we will not be able to avoid all impacts on property values. Where a project which is in the national interest imposes significant financial loss on individuals, I believe it is right and proper that they should be compensated fairly for that loss. So I have asked my officials to prepare a range of options for a scheme to assist those whose properties would not be required for the construction of the railway, but who would nonetheless see a significant diminution of value as a result of the construction of the line. The forthcoming consultation will include proposals for such a scheme, which will sit alongside the statutory blight regime which covers those whose properties would need to be taken to build the line.

I am publishing today on my Department’s website and placing in the library of the House, a set of reports by HS2 Ltd which set out for each route section the options considered and the changes proposed, together with detailed maps showing the revised preferred route from London to the West Midlands in full. This route will form the basis for the public consultation, which I expect to begin in February next year.

When the consultation is launched, I will also publish a revised business case; a full Appraisal of sustainability; noise contour maps; and route visualisations; all of which can only be completed now that the final preferred route for consultation has been determined.

Let me be clear, the consultation will encompass the Government’s strategy for a national high speed rail network, the choice of corridor and the detailed line of route that I have outlined for the initial London to West Midlands phase.

As part of the consultation process, roadshows will be held along the length of the preferred route from London to the West Midlands to ensure that local people have the opportunity to find out more about the project and to discuss specific concerns with those involved in developing the scheme.

Mr Speaker, it is my view that a high speed rail network would deliver a transformational change to the way Britain works and competes in the 21st century,

It would allow the economies of the Midlands and the North to benefit much more directly from the economic engine of London, tackling the North-South divide more effectively than half a century of regional policy has done, expanding labour markets and bringing our major conurbations closer together.

The consultation exercise we will launch in the New Year will be one of the biggest and most wide-ranging ever undertaken by Government and I urge all Hon. Members with an interest to participate and to encourage their constituents to do so.

These proposals have the support of political and business leaders from all parts of the United Kingdom, and I hope they will gain cross-party support in this House.

Mr Speaker, I commend this statement to the House.

A letter from DfT gives a useful update on the situation regarding HS2 here

Apparently the previous petition disappeared into the ether on change of government, so the Stop HS2 organisation have started a new anti-HS2 petition here.

HS2 Action Alliance have published the second issue of their newsletter with a roundup of recent activities against HS2. You can view or download it

Most of you will have received a copy of the Hughenden Parish Council Housing Needs Survey.
If you have other members of your household who wish to make their views known we suggest you contact the HPC Clerk (email hughendenpc@btconnect.com) for further copies.

You should also have a copy of the HVRA leaflet designed to assist you in filling in the HPC questionnaire. If you have mislaid your copy you can view it here.

From PC Lee Turnham

In order to build a case it is vital that residents continue to lodge complaints with the police regarding lorry parking problems and any other related issues. It is important that when doing so residents use the following procedure:

Call Thames Valley Police on 08458 505 505
Quote URN 407 of the date 07/05/2010
Give details of the vehicle registration numbers, company, time, date, etc.

If the problem is occurring at the time of the call, quoting the URN number etc. will open the log and the details will be locked in the log; and if there is a unit available to attend (24/7) they will deal with the problem in a robust manner and issue tickets should any breach of law occur.