Richard Struck

Welcome to the latest edition of Rickmansworth This Week e-news. If you would like to receive this by email, please contact me at rwstruck@gmail.com to get your own regular delivery. Feedback on this newsletter is always welcomed.

Gypsies and Travellers - inspectors decide
An independent panel of planning inspectors has supported the East of England Regional Assembly’s draft policy that every local authority should plan for residential Gypsy and Traveller pitches.
In a report to the Secretary of the State for Communities and Local Government, published on 18 December, the inspectors recommend that every local authority should plan for at least 15 additional residential pitches by 2011, except Stevenage and Watford which should plan for at least 10 additional residential pitches. In total, the inspectors recommend an additional 1237 residential pitches by 2011, 50 more than EERA’s draft policy. They also make recommendations for an additional 160 transit pitches and 184 plots for Travelling Showpeople. The planning inspector’s report will now be considered by the Secretary of State, who will then publish any Proposed Changes to EERA’s draft policy in Spring 2009. The Government will then hold a further 12 weeks of public consultation before the final policy is published in Summer 2009.
The original recommendation by EERA officers, based on their professional assessment of need, was that Three Rivers should provide only two pitches - this has now been increased by the inspectors to 15.

New planning applications received during the Christmas/New Year period

245-253 Watford Road, Croxley Green WD3 3RX
08/2208/FUL
Residential development of existing part residential and part commercial car sales land comprising 24 three bedroom dwellings with associated garaging, parking and highway works

189 - 191 Watford Road, Croxley Green WD3 3ED
08/2239/FUL
Demolition of existing car showroom and workshop and redevelopment of site to create new convenience retail store, seven flats (including three affordable units) in two blocks and retail office space with associated car parking and access for Tesco Stores Limited

Tesco, Harefield Road, Rickmansworth WD3 1LX
08/2273/FUL
Installation of a combined heat and power (CHP) unit to provide a sustainable method of powering the store.

139 High Street, Rickmansworth WD3 1AR
08/2248/FUL
Change of use from class A1 (retail) to class A3 (restaurant/cafe) and installation of ground floor, extraction system. This is the Robert Harris Jewellers premises.

1 High Street, Rickmansworth WD3 1ET (eastern end of High Street)
09/0010/FUL
Erection of single four storey residential block comprising 14 apartments and 14 parking spaces.

Planning appeal decisions
The long-awaited appeal decisions for 61, 63 and 65 Nightingale Road, Rickmansworth have been announced - all were dismissed. The plans were originally submitted in August 2007 and May 2008 and were refused by the Development Control Committee.
07/1729/FUL - Demolition of existing detached dwelling and erection of four detached dwellings with access road. Appeal dismissed.
08/1089/FUL - Demolition of existing detached dwelling and erection of four detached dwellings with access road. Appeal dismissed.
07/1788/CAC - Conservation Area Consent. Demolition of existing detached dwelling. Appeal dismissed.

Friends of Watersmeet Film Society
Thursday 15 January 2:00pm & 7:30pm Sweeney Todd (18) 119 mins.
The infamous story of Benjamin Barker, a.k.a Sweeney Todd, who sets up a barber shop down in London which is the basis for a sinister partnership with his fellow tenant, Mrs Lovett. Based on the hit Broadway musical. Johnny Depp stars in the title role, Helena Bonham Carter is Mrs Lovett, creator of diabolical meat pies.
Tea & Cakes are served at matinee.performances. Evening bar from 6.30 pm. Tickets for Friends films are not available in advance - purchase at the door. For tickets and details on becoming a member, contact The Friends of Watersmeet Film Society: Membership enquiries - Christine Cain on 01923 772278; General enquiries - Derek Harrison on 01923 446728.