WOBURN SANDS TOWN COUNCIL WINTER Newsletter 2021 Woburn Sands Town Council (See Privacy Policy)
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WOBURN SANDS TOWN COUNCIL WINTER Newsletter 2021 woburn sands town council www.woburnsands.org.uk (see privacy policy) Dear resident, It is difficult writing a newsletter when the rules keep changing, but some things are certain: planning matters continue to bug us, we have a new Town Clerk, and spring will come and some of us may be vaccinated soon…..read on! memorial hall, 4 high street, woburn sands, milton keynes, mk17 8rh clerk: alison jordan telephone 01908 585368 (24hrs) e.mail [email protected] INSIDE THIS ISSUE PG 2 STRATEGIC ISSUES AFFECTING WOBURN SANDS PG 3 A MESSAGE FROM OUR NEW TOWN CLERK woburn sands town council PG 4 THE RECREATION GROUND DEVELOPMENT PG 5 MESSAGE FROM DIANA YOUNG PG 6 WOBURN SANDS COMMUNITY MARKET PG 7 WOBURN SANDS LIBRARY NEWS PG 8 SNIPPETS STRATEGIC ISSUES AFFECTING WOBURN SANDS Residents will be aware that there are (EWR), which has responsibility for the two inter-related issues which will have a stretch between Cambridge and Milton significant impact on Woburn Sands: Keynes, has published for consultation a suggested route between Cambridge · East West Rail and Bedford (which currently does not exist) and is reviewing the line between · The South East Urban Expansion of MK Bedford and Bletchley. As yet there are no (known as SEMK) proposed for the area firm plans or dates for the Cambridge to between Woburn Sands and Bow Brickhill Bedford sector. At the moment the proposals for an Expressway linking Oxford and At the moment two trains per hour use Cambridge have been suspended but these the Woburn Sands crossing; this will rise may be resurrected at some point. to four trains per hour once the link to Oxford becomes operational. Two further The long term plan for East West Rail trains per hour will use the line once the envisaged the establishment of a rail Cambridge section is completed (plus service between Oxford and Cambridge. occasional freight traffic). The Town Currently there is an operational service Council has been told that EWR will between Bedford and Bletchley and a publish a consultation document covering disused rail track between Bletchley and the future of the Bedford to Bletchley Oxford. The latter stretch is now being (CMK) sector in the Spring of 2021. The upgraded prior to being brought into Town Council will be holding a further service in the mid-2020s; at the same meeting with EWR in January prior to time a connection between Bletchley the finalisation of their consultation and Central Milton Keynes is being document. At this stage we can only constructed. The East West Rail Company speculate on the future of the crossings at Page 2 2 WOBURN SANDS TOWN COUNCIL both Woburn Sands and Bow Brickhill. accessible to the residents of both “old” and INSIDE THIS ISSUE “new” WS residents. In our view it should This uncertainty is affecting the SEMK include such features as picnic tables, a PG 2 STRATEGIC ISSUES AFFECTING WOBURN SANDS development. PlanMK identified this jogging track, and various wildlife areas; PG 3 A MESSAGE FROM OUR NEW TOWN CLERK area for the development of about 3,000 we have also made clear that the fishing dwellings plus associated infrastructure; lakes should be integrated into the Park PG 4 THE RECREATION GROUND DEVELOPMENT PlanMK also included the provision of and accessible to all residents. We have PG 5 MESSAGE FROM DIANA YOUNG seven travellers’ pitches within the area. strongly objected to the proposal that the PG 6 WOBURN SANDS COMMUNITY MARKET Over the last twelve months officers from travellers’ site should be located in this site MKC have initiated discussions with the (a number of other possibilities have been PG 7 WOBURN SANDS LIBRARY NEWS adjacent parishes (including the Town put forward by officers). An unresolved PG 8 SNIPPETS Council) prior to the publication of a matter is the connectivity between draft Framework Document (which, once Woburn Sands and the SEMK site since adopted, will become Supplementary this could be significantly affected by the Planning Guidance which developers will future of the railway crossing. have to abide by). About half of the SEMK development area is within the parish of Residents will appreciate from the above Woburn Sands. MKC will publish this summary that the next few months will draft at the end of January and this will need a very strong response from us if be followed by a twelve week consultation we are to preserve the character of the period. parish. Unfortunately it seems likely that the present coronavirus restrictions will The Town Council, in our discussions make it difficult to hold public meetings. with MKC officers, have argued strongly However the Town Council will publish that the area between the current built-up everything we can on our website, and will boundary of the town (i.e. the Groves and also issue additional Newsletters as and Parklands) should become a Country Park when necessary. A MESSAGE FROM OUR NEW TOWN CLERK, ALISON JORDAN I have lived in Woburn Sands for over seven years and my children went to Swallowfield and Fulbrook Schools. It is through fundraising for the school PTAs that I first saw the strong community spirit here with so many local businesses happy to support our local schools. We all enjoy the many events: Christmas Fayre, Summer Festival, Community Markets, Woburn Sands Band and much more. Now, lockdowns aside, I enjoy volunteering for the library and at The Stables. Like many of us I try to keep fit and love walking in the woods. We are lucky to live here with such beautiful countryside so close by. I am looking forward to my new role as Town Clerk although Lynne leaves “big shoes” to fill having done such a good job for so many years. AND SO SAY ALL OF US. LYNNE WILL BE AROUND IN THE OFFICE FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS TO HELP ALISON AND WE WILL SAY A PROPER FAREWELL TO HER WHEN COVID RESTRICTIONS ALLOW. WOBURN SANDS TOWN COUNCIL Page 3 2 THE RECREATION GROUND REDEVELOPMENT The Recreation Ground Upgrade Survey The Sporting Activity that most – Your Response. respondents to the survey would like to use the new Recreation Ground for was Over 130 residents sent their views to us for Football with small wheeled activities - in response to the Recreation Ground BMX, scooter, roller skates, skateboards Upgrade Survey. A big thank you to all also receiving several mentions, as did those who responded. We will now take Basketball and Netball. the development process forward, using the findings of the survey and other As far as the Adult Fitness area was considerations, to specify costed design concerned, although exercise machines schemes for the Recreation Ground such as Rowing Machines, Pull-up Bars Upgrade. In particular we will share the and Cross trainers were mentioned, about priorities and interests our residents have a third of all respondents either questioned identified with Milton Keynes Council the need for the adult fitness area in the and use their expertise to detail schemes Recreation Ground or had no suggestions that make the best use of the site for our regarding its use. residents. Here are the key findings. One of the most significant findings was The top choice for Play Equipment the willingness of respondents to offer the survey identified was a Multi-play Other Suggestions for the development Climbing Frame preferably with a Natural of the Recreation Ground. Noteworthy Forest, Woodland or Wildlife theme. The amongst these, and in no particular order second choice was a Zip Wire, followed by of preference, for the Environment and a MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) and an Landscaping there were suggestions for Accessible Roundabout or Basket Swing. better Signage with Information Boards perhaps showing the History of Woburn The Environment preferences were for Sands. Other suggestions were for more more Seating, Trees, and Landscaping, Bins and better Lighting (for both security closely followed by a desire for a new and accessibility) and more User-friendly Circular Walk – with a vast majority Footpaths. The landscaping suggestions of respondents indicating that this was were for more Wildlife with more Native important to them. Trees and a Pond, a woodland feel for people with wood sculptures with a sundial In terms of Additional Equipment – the or a Musical Trail. One request was for most requested item was for all types of BBQ stones set in to provide a community Swings that would be suitable for all ages: social space, with Picnic Tables and a Baby babies, young and older children, adults, Area. Heavy duty landscaping suggestions and accessible swings. Equipment such as included new Mounds or Hills, possibly a Climbing Wall or a Ground Trampoline with a Tunnel through, and for a raised were also requested by some respondents. Flat Stage Area for performances. Page 4 WOBURN SANDS TOWN COUNCIL Other Equipment that people suggested MESSAGE FROM DIANA were Balance Beams, a Cricket Net, Hopscotch markings, Slides or a See-Saw, YOUNG Vicar at St Michael’s a Table Tennis table or a Tennis Court, a Spider Web Climbing Net, a large Swing With a new lockdown upon us and high Boat for children, a Children’s Obstacle infection rates we have made the difficult Course around the perimeter, a Mini decision to close St Michael’s church for Maze or a Running Track and a Pump services and for private prayer. We will Track for bikes. keep this under review over the coming weeks. Please see our website for updates And lastly in terms of an overall theme for on this. the Recreation ground, people suggested a Castle theme, a Harry Potter theme, We are continuing to produce an online a Winnie the Pooh theme, a Transport service each week.