www.castlethorpe-pc.gov.uk No 79: March 2021 MKC rejects appeal over our Neighbourhood Plan Milton Keynes Council has rejected an appeal by the Parish Council against its decision to remove the designa�on of By Philip Ayles Gobbeys Field as a Local Green Space (LGS) in the new Chairman of Modifed Castlethorpe Neighbourhood Plan. Villagers will be aware that our Modified Neighbourhood Castlethorpe Parish Council Plan included the designa�on of Gobbeys Field as an LGS which would protect it for the informal recrea�onal ac�vi�es that characterise its use alongside grazing. Unfortunately, we failed to convince councillors of the However, the independent Examiner, in our view wrongly, failures of the examina�on and so the original decision ruled that it did not meet the condi�ons for designa�on. MKC stands. MKC will arrange a referendum in the summer. supported his view despite strenuous efforts by the We urge you to support this, even without Gobbeys as Neighbourhood Plan Steering group to convince them an LGS, as it refreshes our Neighbourhood Plan and gives otherwise. it more authority in planning decisions giving protec�on MKC took a formal decision to remove Gobbeys as an LGS to all our boundaries including Gobbeys for at least on 9 March and, at the request of the Parish Council, two another two years. Ward Councillors, Andrew Geary and Bill Green, "called it in" Some residents led by Leo Dunwoodie are considering to appeal the decision. a Judicial Review of the decision and are taking legal A�er a failed Media�on Mee�ng on 25 March, a formal advice. Funding this, above some ini�al money, is appeal mee�ng, called "Scru�ny" was held on 31 March beyond the powers of the Parish Council so the costs will which can be viewed on YouTube atwww.youtube.com/ have to be borne by interested residents and anyone watch?v=gWM3vIA5Jbc interested in suppor�ng this ac�on should contact Leo. What the Plan means to Castlethorpe A Neighbourhood Plan is part of a set of planning policies buildings and extensions must have to be consistent with which help the Local Planning Authority (LPA), in our case neighbouring proper�es. Milton Keynes Council, decide whether to allow, refuse or We also designated Castle Field, the Recrea�on Ground place condi�ons on planning applica�ons. and the South Street Paddock as Local Green Spaces, The Neighbourhood Plan Policies fit alongside, though in which protects them for the village. more detail, the “Local Plan” which all LPAs have to provide. Basically, planning applica�ons have to comply with all In MK, the Local Plan is called Plan:MK. Finally, there is a set three sets of planning policies; the na�onal NPPF of na�onal policies, called the Na�onal Planning Policy guidelines, the borough-wide Plan:MK and Neighbour- Framework (NPPF). hood Plans like ours. The decision is made by MKC but Castlethorpe’s Neighbourhood Plan says where land can be they have to consult with the relevant parish. If planning used for housing – and the original Plan from 2017 applicants are unhappy that a decision has been refused designated the field we call Mal�ngs 2 (opposite Paddock by MKC, they can appeal to a Planning Inspector. Close) for about 30 houses – and what Design Code new If you have followed the Parish Council in the last year as we have broadcast our mee�ngs on Facebook and YouTube, you will have Annual Parish Meeting on 12 April seen us frequently object to The 2021 Annual Parish Mee�ng will be Council and the police, as well as one of applica�ons which we think would be held online by Zoom on Monday 12 April, our MKC ward councillors have been out of place but we have to quote the followed by the monthly Parish Council invited to speak at the mee�ng and applicable Castlethorpe or MKC mee�ng immediately a�erwards. answer any ques�ons you may have, so The mee�ng is your chance to see what's make a date to watch– and maybe join Planning Policy. We can’t just say we going on in the Castlethorpe area. Repres- in – either on the Village Facebook page don’t like it. By the way, mostly, our of all the village organisa�ons, the Parish or YouTube. objec�ons have been upheld by MKC. Con�nued on Page 2 2 Why we are fighting for the plan From Page 1 As it happens, MKC is now mee�ng listed buildings and one Grade 1 We made our first Neighbourhood its housing targets comfortably so (the Church) in Castlethorpe; Plan in 2017. It took several years there is no immediate pressure on us • To �ghten the Design Code; because we were a “front-runner” to update our Neighbourhood Plan to • To designate Gobbeys Field as a and ini�ally no-one could tell us what keep it less than two years old.But we Local Green Space (LGS) to weneededtodo!ThisPlanremainsin need to be ready and there can protect its recrea�onal use. force un�l 2030 and is used to decide always be unexpected decisions from You may remember that we whether we want to object or place Planning Inspectors. a�empted to designate Gobbeys as condi�ons on planning applica�ons. The Modified Neighbourhood Plan an LGS in the original Neighbourhood However, there is a clause in the In any case, a couple of years ago, Plan but the Examiner didn’t allow it NPPF which says that, if the Local we decided to update our Plan by as he said we had produced no Planning Authority doesn’t meet “modifying” it. The main changes evidence that it was “demonstrably certain condi�ons about providing were: special” to the community as enough land for housing and • To bring it in line with Plan:MK, required by the NPPF. We did a village delivering enough new houses, then which was made since we did our survey on usage and gave this to a some of its policies are deemed to be original Neighbourhood Plan; second Examiner but she dismissed non-applicable and par�cularly the • To protect some of our historic the survey as “anecdotal” and, at this policy about not developing outside buildings which are not “listed” point, we felt we had no choice but to se�lement boundaries. by Heritage . We called ask you to vote for the Neighbour- This is what happened at them “Buildings of Local Int- hood Plan in a referendum without and why they got the new estates on erest”. These are mostly the Gobbeys so we got protec�on against Castlethorpe Road and Long Street – Edwardian terraces in Bullington unwanted development. about 410 houses. For comparison, End Road, North Street, South When we came to modify the Castlethorpe has a total of 470 Street, School Lane, New Road Neighbourhood Plan, we were given houses so Hanslope is expanding by and Sta�on Road but also some access to some CCTV recordings almost the size of Castlethorpe. individual buildings. Independ- which showed the bo�om part of the A further “however” is that, ently, there is a revision of the field without iden�fying individuals. providing MKC meets a lower housing Conserva�on Area and all the We checked it was lawful to use this delivery target and the Neighbour- Buildings of Local Interest except with the CCTV Commissioner and hood Plan is less than two years old, the row in Sta�on Road and the then produced a table of usage. the Neighbourhood Plan policies are Water Tower are in the new It was important to show the whole s�ll applicable even if the Plan:MK Conserva�on Area. By the way, field was in use (ball games, dog ones aren’t. there are already 20 Grade 2 Con�nued on Page 3 3 MKC may face legal challenge From Page 2 them to explain why the CCTV “called in” the Decision to be reviewed exercising etc) and not just the public evidence didn’t meet the standard by a Scru�ny Commi�ee. footpath which runs across the field. for being “demonstrably special to Despite a number of clear failures to MKC and our consultant both said the community”. follow the Regula�ons, Scru�ny upheld that, in their opinion, Gobbeys Eventually, this went to a Delegated the decision, although it is now be too qualified as an LGS. Decision by Councillor Marland. I late to go to referendum on 6 May and However, the Examiner of the spoke as did Leo Dunwoodie, who is will have to wait for a later date, Modified Neighbourhood Plan said on the Steering Group and our expert probably in the summer. that it did not meet the condi�ons on Gobbeys, and Councillor Andrew You might ask why we have done this and recommended that it was Geary. if the decision is unlikely to be removed from the Modified Despite our request to defer the changed? We want to show the failure Neighbourhood Plan. decision, Councillor Marland decided to follow the Regula�ons and we have We tried to engage with MKC to that the Neighbourhood Plan should asked for some correspondence and discuss this and were basically given go to referendum on 6 May without legal advice under Freedom of the runaround for six months. We had Gobbeys designated as an LGS. As a Informa�on and this could be used to two video calls but we couldn’t get result, Councillors Geary and Green take legal ac�on against MKC to force them to designate Gobbeys. MKC is refusing to hand over the informa�on but the law is the law. Parish councils can only spend money on ma�ers for which they have a specific power. There are about 50 powers – but they don’t include legal ac�on. We do have a small amount of money which we can spend without restric�on Ian Markham, Bullington End Road, Castlethorpe but this wouldn’t be sufficient for a Tel: 01908 511169 Mobile: 07778 180731 legal ac�on and nor does the Parish Council think it should spend a Hello folks! significant amount of money without Spring is nearly here – well let’s hope so and that asking residents if they support it. all things start to grow in April! Pat and I would Consequently, any legal ac�on may like to thank all our customers old and new have to be undertaken by another body who came to see us at Christmas. We hope such as the residents’ associa�on, of you all enjoyed your lunches. which Leo is a past Chairman. The Parish Council can give moral On the meat side our Red Hereford beef should be support and some seed funding but ready in June/July. It will be hung as usual and any other money would have to be packed in large or small boxes which can be kept raised by interested residents. Leo may in our freezer so you can fetch bits as you want. organise an appeal when he has a On the lamb front we should have some ready early be�er idea of costs and some in June as either half or whole lambs and they can preliminary legal advice. also be kept in our freezer. I might add that, so far, the external As always we have a selection of meats available – costs of both the original Neighbour- joints, sausages, burgers etc. hood Plan and the Modified version We are now lambing and if you’d like to come and have been covered by grants, so there have a look please ring Ian. At the moment we have has been no cost to the residents. no pigs but hope to get some piglets in soon. There has been a huge amount of And finally, don’t forget we stock layers pellets work over the past two years to get the and a very good mixed corn for your hens. Modified Plan to its current state and it is unbelievably frustra�ng to be held up on this last item. We will fight this as far as we can Ian reasonably go but I would ask you, For more information please speak to Ian on when this finally comes to referendum, to vote in favour of it whether or not it 01908 511169or 07778 180730 includes Gobbeys, as it will help protect the village against unwanted develop- ment for the next two years, as well as �ghtening the design code and protec�ng some of our lovely buildings. 4 5

The Parish Council has again decided not to distribute a paper edi�on of Castlethorpe News to all households The latest news from but that it would be published on our website, where you can see previous edi�ons of the News including my June, September and December the Parish Council ar�cles last year. life�me opportunity (certainly my will provide some training but you Paper copies are also available in the life�me as streetlights last about 40 should not hesitate if asked by the 999 shop. We will keep this under review years!) and the “streetscape” will operator to use one as the AEDs have and I hope we can return to improve the outlook in the village and clear instruc�ons and voice guidance. distribu�ng paper copies later in the makes it a nicer place to live. The Parish Council, which funded year. We have also been pressing MKC to these through grants, and Richard will We are of course unable to operate at �dy up the 20mph zones off South ensure that the AEDs and pads are our normal pace due to Covid mainly Street to allow signage to be removed maintained. because contractors and especially and avoid further 30mph signage being Two trees which have fallen in the Milton Keynes Council are significantly installed. MKC should have designated Fishponds play area will be replaced, restricted. all the roads leading off South Street in one funded by the Parish Council and MKC are upgrading all streetlights in the first place. one by MKC. The Parish Council has the Borough to LED to save energy. We are also trying to get some looked at further trees in the play area Castlethorpe is scheduled to be kerbing raised and installed in and also on the north boundary of upgraded in the financial year star�ng Bullington End Road where some Castle Field but Heritage England have on 1 April. residents have had their garages refused permission as these are part of We wanted to take advantage of this flooded. This work has unfortunately a Scheduled Ancient Monument. to improve the “streetscape” by asking been impacted by Covid as it was It is six years since the war memorial MKC to install more a�rac�ve scheduled in this financial year. was cleaned and it will be cleaned streetlights. We have received and The surface water drains that were again this Spring. accepted a quote to upgrade the cleared in North Street, parts of South We were very lucky to be able to put streetlights on Bullington End Road Street and along Bullington End Road up the Christmas lights between and Sta�on Road to a heritage style as appear to be effec�ve and North Street lockdowns but not so lucky in being already in the Conserva�on Area. coped with a par�cularly bad able to get them down so we had to go Hanslope Road already has heritage downpour earlier in the year. individually. Thanks to Dave Hinds and style lights as does North Street so all Automa�c Electronic Defibrillators his daughter Daisy for taking down the the entrances to the village and (AED) have been installed at the Village triangle lights and special thanks to through routes will be in heritage style. Hall and Sports Ground in the bright Mark Evans for taking down the ones We have also been asking for a quote green and yellow boxes. by the Village Hall and Lawrence to upgrade the lights in Shepperton You do not access these directly but, Chapman and his daughter Izzi for Close, The Chequers and Thrupp Close if you need to call 999, they will taking down the church tower star! but s�ll await this. Lodge Farm Court iden�fy if you should use it and give We welcome the Ducklings Pre- and Mal�ngs Field will retain their you the code to the nearest AED. School to the Village Hall and you can exis�ng light styles. This is a once in a Richard Bradley, our First Responder, readallaboutthemonPage7.Wewish them every success. Similarly, separately there is the front page ar�cle on the Neighbourhood Plan where we have been in dispute UniversalB linds with MKC about designa�ng Gobbeys Field as a Local Green Space to protect Your local Blind Specialist it indefinitely for informal recrea�on. Roller.Vertical, Venetian, Wooden, It is likely that the Neighbourhood Pleated, Roman, Perfect Fit Plan will go to referendum in the early summer and we would ask for your � 3 day service on Roller & Vertical Blinds support whether or not it includes � Quality Blinds made more affordable Gobbeys as the Plan helps protect the Buy One village from unwanted development. � Free Measuring and Fitting RollerBuy Blind One The Neighbourhood Plan also helps RollerGet One Blind protect buildings by having a “Design Half Price Code” to ensure new buildings and Get One extensions are not out of place. This 01908 510333 • 07980 979420 builds on the Design Code which is in email: [email protected] Half Price Plan:MK and na�onal guidelines. There have been a number planning applica�ons recently which, in the opinion of the Parish Council, Con�nued on Page 6 6 Parish Council meetings continue online From Page 5 appealed, such as changing to 100% but, nearer the �me, there will be affordable housing and voiding the discussions with neighbours. contravene these planning policies S106 (planning gain) agreement were Finally, the Parish Council intends to and, so far, our objec�ons have been outside the scope of his Appeal which con�nue to hold its mee�ngs online for upheld by MKC which makes the we suspect makes the current as long as is permi�ed by government. decision. applica�on unviable with the exis�ng Public par�cipa�on is much, much It may help to save �me and the cost 30% affordable and S106 agreements. higher. Normally, we got a handful of of architects to check par�cularly the At the Sports Ground, we have been members of the public at the village hall Plan:MK and Neighbourhood Plan given dona�ons which the Parish mee�ngs unless there was a major design policies before submi�ng an Council will use to purchase two new issue. applica�on. benches. Online, we typically get 20-25 viewers On a slightly contradictory note, a A local business, Bandit Street Food, on the village Facebook page and, Planning Inspector heard the appeal by have suggested a monthly pop-up pub including catch-up, 25-55 viewers on Stonewater for the development of and street food event at the Sports YouTube which is a fantas�c level of Mal�ngs 2. He decided that their Ground once Covid regula�ons permit interest, though I hope not for design did not contravene the design to try and get some social ac�vi�es Handforth reasons! code in the Neighbourhood Plan but started again in the village. The Parish We will be discussing con�nuing to live also that some of the ma�ers being Council are suppor�ve in principle stream mee�ngs once we start mee�ng in the village hall again. Details of the SPECIAL FOR VILLAGERSDISCOUNT mee�ngs, agendas, minutes and how to view, are on the village website as well as the main no�ce board. Philip Ayles Chairman, Castlethorpe Parish Council Getahelpinghand with life’s problems If you are a pa�ent registered with the Parks Prac�ce in Hanslope or one of their other surgeries and are finding things difficult emo�onally – perhaps facing loneliness, bereavement, isola�on, difficul�es with finances, inac�vity, or facing other life stressed – Chartered Certified Accountants and want to look a�er your needs be�er whilst feeling listened to, the Prac�ce’s Do you feel like a number at your current accountants? Social Prescribing Service can help. Get no feedback, no direction? 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For details of our services and our special discount for Castlethorpe village news at villagers please contact us at [email protected] Tel 01908 669751 | mobile 07720 050935 castlethorpe-pc.gov.uk Office – 63 Wolverton Road, MK11 1EQ 7 Welcome to the village’s brand new pre-school My team and I moved into Castlethorpe Village Hall in February and are se�ling into our new home nicely. We offer pre-school sessions for children aged 18 months un�l school age. We offer a home-from-home se�ng with a realis�c home corner with what you would normally find in your own kitchen. Children are given �me to explore and inves�gate at our natural preschool. We love art and cra�s and have a big selec�on of resources and even have paint on tap, for the children to inves�gate colour for themselves. We have a loose parts theme throughout the pre-school, which encourages the children to build on their natural imagina�ve skills, to create and form play. By Jayne Foster growth. We enjoy using our local Our development programme is built Pre-School Manager community for walks to see the ponies and constructed around the unique or climbing the railway bridge to the child, with their interests and their own drinks at the snack �me and local park. We have all-in-ones and characterises forming their own using the toilet themselves. This is also wellies on hand for all weathers and learning. supported with preparing their own enjoy all the seasons outside. We feel This supports each child’s own unique snack and even clearing the table away at home in the natural countryside with learning path and resilience to build a a�er snack and lunch. nature all about. more self-confidence and assured The Village Hall commi�ee are in the Please feel free to contact us if you young person, ready for school planning stages of having the garden have a li�le one that would love to learning. returfed and we are hoping for a small come and join us. Call Jayne on We promote self-care and independ- vegetable patch to be able to grow 07754 352365 or email us at: ence in our children such as pouring some foods for our children to learn [email protected].

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33 Sh epperton Close, Castleth orpe M ilton Keyn es M K19 7HR 9 Cricket’s coming back … at last! The sound of leather cricket balls Sunday April 25th and not so young, with all abili�es against willow cricket bats will once Saturdays May 1st, 15th, 29th welcome. Please contact : Russell Jones again grace the Sports Ground this June 12th, 19th, 26th (Club Captain) 07474 826657, coming season. July 10th, 24th David Spinelli (Chairman) 07889 215786 Castlethorpe Cricket Club will August 7th, 21st Stewart Tate(President) 07976 267630 compete in the South Northants September 4th, 18th The Club is looking for an umpire to Premiership on Saturdays along with More matches may be added and a stand during home league games — no a number of pre-season and end of full updated list of fixtures will be qualifica�ons are required, just a season friendly fixtures. published on the Club’s website at cricke�ng knowledge e.g rules and The club opens their season with an www.castlethorpecricketclub.co.uk. signals. Please contact one of the above away friendly at Stony Stra�ord on All home fixtures are displayed if interested. Sunday 18th April, with the first during the week prior to the match Government guidelines will be in place home fixture being a friendly against on the no�ce board next to the main to help keep a safe environment as we Hanslope on Sunday 25th April. gate in Thrupp Close. move towards the new "norm". The home fixtures currently The Cricket Club always encourages David Spinelli scheduled are as follows: new members and players, young, Chairman, Castlethorpe Cricket Club TB Welcome to TeamBuilders TeamBuilders provide total service for all types of new build, extension and renovation, from demolition and clearance through planning and construction. We take great pride with all our projects no matter how large or small and offer a personal yet professional service. Together with sourcing and utilising the appropriate Worried by wasps? Rodents on materials we thrive on achieving quality workmanship. We have fully the rampage? Fed up with fleas? checkable references. Undermined by moles? It’s time If you require help with design as well as build we are more than to call in the experts to sort it out. happy to help – we have a proven track record and a wealth of We at Rentakeeper offer a fast, experience. Our aim is to provide our clients with quality work at an efficient and local pest control affordable price and we would be delighted to discuss your service that will get things sorted requirements. out in no time. And nothing is too big … or too small! LET OUR TEAMBUILD YOUR DREAM Just give us a call on 01908 510189 Call Jason on 07887 502800 and leave the rest (and or Gary on 07976 849886 the pests) to us! TeamBuilders MK Ltd [email protected] • www.teambuilders.org.uk 3A North Street, Castlethorpe, Milton Keynes MK19 7EW

No 79 ©2021 Printed and published by Castlethorpe Parish Council, 63 Thrupp Close, Castlethorpe, Milton Keynes MK19 7PL