I received an email from a resident earlier in the week asking about development in the High Road area. Can I stress that I have no knowledge of any application having been submitted nor knowledge to suggest that one will shortly be so. I have used some photo-editing software to make a mock-up of the impact such a development could have to the northern end of the village.

At the last Parish Council meeting the Chairman, Cllr Greenacre, asked members of the public gallery for their thoughts on the Church Triangle.

The screen shot below from Google Earth shows the location of the Triangle outside of the church gates.

Had this idea for a while and wondered if anyone else had thought about it.

One of the arguments that I have against double yellow lines is that they actually speed up the flow of traffic. In a village where speed is already an issue, the addition of double yellow lines could be counter productive.

If we all parked strategically, as shown in the diagram below, I wonder if we could not have a positive impact in reducing the speed of traffic along our roads.

We in Burgh Castle have long complained about the speed at which some drivers roar along our low quality roads. I have posted on this issue before and continue to witness people driving at dangerous speeds daily.

It seems that on solution could be in the planting of trees. I found this article on the BBC News website and I post it here for us to consider.

More than 160 trees are being planted on rural roads in Norfolk in an "experiment" to stop drivers speeding.

It is hoped trees in Martham, Mundesley, Overstrand and Horstead will create an "avenue effect" and encourage drivers to slow down.

Very few trees line the 30mph approach roads, which are straight and wide. All four villages had a history of speeding problems, Norfolk County Council said.

Oak, field maple, birch and hornbeam will be planted in the £70,000 trial.

All 163 trees, and 1,443ft (440m) of hedges in Martham, are expected to be planted by the end of March.

Adrian Gunson, cabinet member for planning and transportation, described the trial as an "innovative, environmentally-friendly experiment".

"The idea is to use the trees and hedges to create an avenue effect to try and limit drivers' peripheral vision and make them slow down accordingly as they enter the respective villages," he added.

I wonder if this is worth a place on next month's agenda??

At the Parish Council Meeting last night, Parish Council Chairman Trevor Greenacre invited members of the public to suggest ideas for the Church Triangle.

This piece of land, shown in the screenshot from Google Earth below, has been disputed in terms of ownership for many years. It was announced last night that the triangle is in fact Glebe Land and belongs to the Church.



Maureen Grey suggested that the Parish Council write to the local rector and ask his permission to start its rejuvenation. Previously the site had been home to Elm trees and was roughly four times its existing size. With the new car park being built at the new castle visitors centre, the area of the Triangle should be used less and less for parking.

I have decided that in the wake of last night's meeting I should re-publish my "Local Residents Survey". Please do complete the form to let me know what concerns you.

At the Parish Council meeting last evening we had a packed public gallery in response to the Strategic Vision agenda item. I was particularly pleased to see so many people at the meeting as month after month we are only joined by as many as 4 members of the public.

Despite the attendance of such a relatively high number of people, we only heard the views from a couple. It was for this reason that I asked the Chairman to keep the item on the agenda for next month. I hope that those people who did not feel comfortable speaking last night will now take the opportunity to put pen to paper.

Last month Cllr Russell asked for fellow councillors to respond to the documents that he circulated. I have to be honest that I was a little disappointed that I and Cllr Roberts were the only ones who did so. Such an important issue should invoke serious debate and we unfortunately did not have much of that last night. I am sure however that we will all take stock and have plenty to say on the matter next month.

Just to clarify the point that I was making yesterday; the screen shot below shows that band of holiday camp development that stretches from the River Waveney in the west to the Lords Lane village boundary in the east.

Public Participation - Members of the public may raise points for consideration by Councillors. This part of the evening will also include County Council, Borough Council and Police reports. 
1-3  To consider apologies for absence
2-3  To record Declarations of Interest
3-3 To approve the Minutes of previous council meeting
4-3   Matters Arising for information only.
5-3   To consider planning applications.
6-3 To discuss the Strategic Plan for the Village.

7-3 To approve payments made as on attached list.  Receive monthly T.B.

8-3  To receive the following items for information (list attached).
9-3 To receive items for the next agenda
10-3 Time & date of next meeting.  12^th April 2010 at 7.30pm.

Brenda Hoskins
Clerk for
Burgh Castle Parish Council

At the meeting of the Parish Council on the 8th February 2010, Cllr Russell outlined the council's plans to consult with members of the public about the future direction that the village will adopt. At that meeting he circulated some documents which showed areas of potential development.

I publish this post in response to those document as a resident of Butt Lane, Burgh Castle and not as a Borough Councillor nor as a representative of any authority.

My initial reaction to the documents that were circulated was that we are a village that cannot tolerate any more development given the state of our infrastructure and the already highly populated holiday parks. It should be noted that some of these park residents stay on site some 11 months of the year.

This screenshot from Google Earth shows the true picture.