September 2007

The September meeting of the Parish Council (PC) was attended by three members of the public, two of whom took the opportunity to ask the PC about the provision of allotments within the Parish.

Following the raising of concern about an apparent increase in the number of heavy lorries passing through Newchurch village, the Clerk was instructed to seek form the Highways department of the Isle of Wight Council (IWC) details of the legislation relevant to width and weight restrictions on public highways. Concern was also expressed about the speed of motorcycles using Byways Open to All Traffic (BOATs). The Clerk was additionally instructed to alert Highways to the problem of hedges encroaching on carriageways and to enquire about powers to remedy the situation.

The meeting heard that the draft of the Parish Plan was underway and that no respondent to the questionnaire had raised the issue of allotments. The County Councillor stated that Newchurch was included in the list of areas to receive “speed reactive signs”, and that improvement to the drainage along Canteen Road was planned for October/November.

The Isle of Wight Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment will be included as an Agenda item for the November monthly meeting and, whilst this matter is effectively addressed in the emerging Parish Plan, parishioners are invited to make additional comments and suggestions to the Council regarding land within the Parish. (e-mail: newchurchpc@yahoo.co.uk).