Fineshade holiday village planning decision defered

[Rob. M]

Villagers concerned about the Fineshade Woods holiday village Planning Application will be pleased that East Northants Council Development Control Committee decided to defer a decision on Forest Holidays Application at their 26th November meeting.    

So many Councillors spoke strongly against the proposal, led by Councillor Roger Glithero from Bulwick that it looked as if an outright rejection decision would be taken. The deferral was to enable East Northants to question Northants Highways on their comments, which were summarised as "no objection", even though seven local parish councils had lodged objections based on extra pressure on the dangerous A43 junction. Additionally the deferral also gives time for a ruling from the Secretary of State on the legal request for a Screening Direction to ensure that a full Environmental Impact Assessment is undertaken.

After the unfavourable comments from so many Councillors, Fineshade residents and others in the crowded public gallery emerged from the meeting feeling rather buoyant. On the other hand Forest Holidays and the Forest Commission representatives looked dejected as no one at all had spoken in support of their plans.

Fineshade residents in particular are especially grateful for all the support from the local community but stress that the matter is not yet settled and continuing help is needed. A 'Cliffe resident has written a detailed article about Forest Holidays proposed Fineshade Woods holiday lodge village, including the effects of such activities upon publicly owned forests, visit: http://www.kingscliffe.org.uk/fineshade-wood.html. 

The Planning Application for another holiday village, Rockingham Forest Holiday Park, King's Cliffe, between the Wansford Road and Nassington including Jacks Green, appears to have been removed from public viewing on the ENC Planning website. But if you know differently please tell us. Finding one's way within planner's web pages can often be confusing!

[splash]

Thanks for the link Rob.

The next meeting of the Development Control committee is on 28th January 2015, when we can expect a vote to take place. It'll be held at 7.00pm in the Council Chamber, Cedar Drive, Thrapston, NN14 4LZ. There's ample parking to the rear of the building.

It'd be great to see a few more attend than last time if you can make it. There's talk of organising the Transition mini bus on the night.

[mikehenchy]

The Planning Development Control Committee is meeting on the 17th December at 7pm so I propose filling the Transition minibus with a deputation of concerned villagers to lobby the meeting.

Anyone interested please contact me at mikehenchy19@gmail.com

[Rob. M]

Unless I am mistaken there seems to be confusion about the exact date that the ENC Planning Development Control Committee will decide upon the Fineshade 'Forest Holidays' lodges planning application following the deferral. Can anyone confirm certain; 17th Dec. or 28th Jan. 2015? If there are doubts seems to me best to attend both meetings. Mike, thanks for offering the Minibus. 

[mikehenchy]

There is definitely a meeting of the Planning Development Control Committee on the 17th- I checked with ENDC today. Not certain about what's on the agenda, though.

[mikehenchy]

Yes it seems the meeting to discuss the Fineshade development is not until the 28th January. Yet again, we'll try to organise the minibus to take a deputation but I won't be available.

[Rob. M]

Have just received a more detail about the ENC planning meetings:

The only certainty is that there are meetings scheduled at 3-weekly intervals.
i.e  17th December, 7th January, 28th January etc..  Agendas are usually published a few days before. Suggest keep on checking the ENC Planning website.

Fineshade residents have been informed by the Chair of the Committee, Councillor Bradberry, that the decision is unlikely be taken on 17th December and the most likely date is 28th January.  The group there will confirm as soon as they have any more details. The published reason for deferral is "to allow officers to seek additional highways advice and for a site visit".   

Many people are now directing representations to Northamptonshire Highways suggesting that they should refer to all the many exisiting objections, particularly in relation to the additional pressure on the A43 Fineshade junction.  Highways previous comments were very weak indeed and showed no indication that they had considered the problem in any detail! To help, letters should be addressed to:

Northamptonshire Highways, Northamptonshire County Council, Riverside House, Riverside Way, Northampton, NN1 5NX. Seems best to mark FAO: David Farquar.

Following a recent suggestion there seems to be considerable enthusiasm in forming a, 'Friends of Fineshade Forest' organisation. Please spread the word and leave a message here if you wish to help.

[Tina]

The Planning Application for the other holiday village is here http://otportalsrv.east-northamptonshire.gov.uk/pap/index.asp?caseref=14/02225/FUL  My friends parents live at The Framples and will be affected by this application and so she is preparing a case against it at the moment.

[splash]

Looking at the agenda for the Development Control Meeting on the 28th Jan 2015 there is no mention of the Fineshade application, so it looks like it's been deferred until at least 18th Feb 2015, which is believe the date of the next meeting. I'm trying to get confirmation from ENC.

[Rob. M]

Yes, the 18th seems to be the new decision date but further confirmation would be welcome. The title Rockingham Forest Holiday Park is causing some confusion by suggesting a connection with the Rockingham Forest Tourism Association.