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.

Licence application
The Texaco petrol station in Moneyhill has made an application in to the Council to extend their premises licence – the application is under the name of Malthurst Rickmansworth Service Station, Moneyhill Parade, Rickmansworth, WD3 7BQ. If the application is granted, it would allow the supply of alcohol 24 hours a day (currently 8am to 10pm) and remove the personal license-holder conditions, which could mean that sales were less tightly controlled – a part-time casual worker might feel less inhibited about selling to under-age customers if they had no license to lose. Objections must be made by October 3rd and on the standard form which can be obtained from Three Rivers by emailing licensing.team@threerivers.gov.uk. The legislation only allows the Council to consider objections from people living in the vicinity.

M25 expansion
The Highways Agency is arranging an exhibition of the forthcoming widening of the M25, specifically the Berry Lane Viaduct work. Friday 10 October 2008 at The Colne Room, Watersmeet, Rickmansworth open to the public between 2pm and 9pm. Saturday 11 October 2008 at the 6th Form Centre, St Clement Dane’s School, Chenies Road, Chorleywood open to the public between 10am and 5pm.

Development Control Committee
The meeting last week duly approved the application for the installation of older persons’ play park at the Ebury Recreation Ground, Uxbridge Road.
The meeting also approved (subject to many conditions) a large housing development in Croxley Green – 08/1368/FUL – demolition of existing industrial buildings and erection of 37 dwellings and three flats with open space, landscaping and car parking at Imperial Machine Co Ltd, Harvey Road, Croxley Green, WD3 3AX. Google Earth has a good aerial photo of the current site – use the post code to locate it.

New Planning Rules
From 1st October the Government are introducing some amendments to the definition of ‘permitted development’ for work to people’s homes. This is work that can be carried out without the need for planning permission.
The key change is that the previous allowance to build extensions to a property up to 70 cubic metres (50 for a terraced house) or 15% of the original volume will no longer apply. Instead the limits will be defined by maximum dimensions and distances.
Other changes affect loft conversions, roof alterations, other buildings in the garden, paving over the garden or drive and renewable energy equipment.
The new rules apply to all work commenced after 1st October 2008. The intention of the Government is to make it easier for householders to extend their properties. Greater restrictions will continue to apply in Conservation Areas.
The changes do not alter the need to also obtain approval under the Building Regulations for most new work.
You can view the full changes and guidance documents via the front page of the Council’s website www.threerivers.gov.uk.

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.

Tesco planning application on Happy Man site
The long-awaited application has arrived and can be viewed on the Three Rivers website, reference 08/1701/FUL.
The application is decribed as redevelopment of site with a three storey building comprising a Class A1 (retail) unit at ground floor level to be used as a convenience goods store with 8 x 2 bed residential flats at upper levels with associated access, parking and landscaping.
For anyone not familiar with the site, it is where the Happy Man pub burned down three years ago, on the corner of Berry Lane and Tudor Way, Mill End. A planning application to refurbish and extend the building as a pub was turned down in July 2006.
Comments for or against the new application can be submitted online on the Three Rivers website, or write to the Planning Officer at Three Rivers House - closing date 2nd October. The application will be discussed at a meeting of the Development Control Committee later this year.

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.

Road works
Herts CC has advised that Park Road, Rickmansworth will be closed on Sunday 14th September for one day to eastbound traffic (downhill) to carry out repairs to the pedestrian footbridge. The RC Church and Waitrose and all the relevant bus and blue light services have been informed.
The diversion will be signed along the A412, A404, Moor Lane and Tolpits Lane.

Licence application
Pizza Express at 153 High Street, Rickmansworth (ex Urban Vine), have made an application has been made to the Council for a new premises licence. If the application is granted, it will allow the following activities to take place:- playing of recorded music from 11:00 - 00:30; the service of late night refreshment from 23:00 - 00:30; the supply of alcohol from 11:00 - 00:00; opening hours 11:00 - 00:30.

Watersmeet Film Society - 2 films this month
Thursday 18 September 2:00pm & 7:30pm
Hairspray (PG) 107 mins.
The Tony award-winning Broadway production of Hairspray is brought back to life in this new film. Featuring new and original material based on John Waters’ 1988 cult classic about star-struck teenagers on a local Baltimore dance show, the comedy features a remarkable collection of talent including John Travolta, Queen Latifah, Michelle Pfeiffer and Christopher Walken. Set in 1962, the film follows teenager Tracey Turnblad as she simultaneously pursues stardom as a dancer on a local TV show and rallies against racial segregation.

Thursday 25 September 2:00pm & 7:30pm
Mama Mia (PG) 109 mins.
The story has all the symmetry and drive of a stage show. Twenty-year-old American Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) is about to marry her fiancé, Sky (Dominic Cooper), in the grounds of a dilapidated hotel on a Greek island run by her tireless boho mother, Donna (Meryl Streep). Only she doesn’t know which of three of her mum’s former lovers is her dad. The solution? Invite them all…
Cast:  Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgard, Julie Walters, Dominic Cooper, Amanda Seyfried, Christine Baranski.

Development Control Committee
Next meeting Thursday 18th September at 7.30pm, Three Rivers House. Members of public welcome to attend.
The only Ricky application on the agenda is one submitted by the Council itself – 08/1652/FUL – for the installation of older persons’ play park at Ebury Recreatioon Ground, Uxbridge Road.
It is proposed to erect five pieces of play equipment for older persons within the vicinity of the existing play equipment in the recreation ground. The five pieces of equipment would comprise two exercise bikes, a ski machine, a stepper machine and a combination chest press machine. It is proposed to have a sign located in close proximity to the play equipment with clear, detailed signage to instruct people on how to use the equipment correctly.

Youth Council grant
This grant - £1K - will be allocated on October 7th at the next meeting of the Youth Council.
Do you know anyone connected with local organisations that work for the benefit of young people in Three Rivers?
The Youth Council allocates this money very carefully, discussing local need, and what is on offer. They usually divide the money up between several organisations: these have included sporting groups/clubs, youth clubs, young carers, teenage pregnancy support and various others.
It is well worth local groups applying if a few hundred pounds would help them. The applications forms are obtained from Emma Robinson (01923) 776611. Applications should be submitted by 26th September.
The next YC meeting is on October 7th, Penn Chamber, Three Rivers House. Refreshments from 5.0pm to 5.30pm, meeting from 5.30pm to 7.0pm. TRDC helps with travel costs/arrangements. The young people, 10-18 years, enjoy it and make very interesting contributions to discussions.