• Community Safety - update on Anti-Social Behaviour, nuisance youths and policing issue
• Presentation on Planning Enforcement Issues
• Home Start organisation – what is it?
• Other Local Issues.
  

William Penn Delays
Gee Construction have confirmed that it does not now expect to achieve the target for completing work on the William Penn swimming pool by the end of the summer.
This is obviously hugely disappointing, but Three Rivers District Council remains fully committed to ensuring that the project is completed as soon as possible, while staying within the Council’s fixed budget and quality requirements. All concerned have been instructed to ensure that no corners are cut in a rush to completion.
Behind the scaffolding that now screens the front elevation there has been progress on site. Both pools have been prepared for tiling, blockwork and internal walls are nearly complete, and specialist contractors are installing mechanical and electrical services.

Croxley Great Barn Open Days
One of the region’s oldest buildings opens this weekend in the first in a series of monthly guided tours. The 600-year-old Croxley Great Barn, which used to belong to the Abbot of St Albans, is in the grounds of St Joan of Arc School, and has been off-limits to the public since the mid 1970s. But control has now been passed to the Three Rivers Museum, whose volunteers are to deliver guided tours.
People wishing to attend the inaugural viewing should gather in Caravan Lane, Rickmansworth, at 10.30am on Saturday. To confirm your attendance please call Barbara Owen on 01923 772325.

Moneyhill Parade Post Office set to close
Post Office Ltd has today opened a six week local public consultation on its Area Plan for South Essex, South Herts and Bucks, listing the closure of 41 existing branches in this area, including Moneyhill Parade. The detailed Area Plan proposal is available at ftp://ftp.royalmail.com/Downloads/public/ctf/po/SouthEssexSouthHertsBucksAreaPlanproposalbooklet.pdf

Sign the petition at http://campaigns.libdems.org.uk/moneyhill

Development Control Committee Thursday, 19 June at 7.30pm in Penn Chamber,Three Rivers House, Northway, Rickmansworth Local items on the agenda include:

The Cottage, Homefield Road, Chorleywood WD3 5QJ
http://snipr.com/trdc0282
Erection of two pairs of two-storey semi-detached dwellings (4 houses) with detached garage. Carried over from last meeting, awaitiing an appeal decision on a previous scheme for this site. That appeal was dismissed, and the officer recommendation is to refuse this application as well.

38 Highfield Way, Rickmansworth WD3 7PR
http://snipr.com/trdc0666
Erection of detached timber framed triple garage with first floor storage and roof lights with access from track to north-west. Carried over from last meeting for a committee site visit.

152 The Drive, Rickmansworth WD3 4DH
http://snipr.com/trdc0704
Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of two, two storey dwellings with basements, detached garage, new vehicular access and associated driveways and landscaping. Carried over from last meeting for a committee site visit.

253 Watford Road, Croxley Green WD3 3RX
http://snipr.com/trdc0905
Demolition of existing car showrooms and erection of 42 one and two bedroom apartments in 2, three/four storey blocks with 50 car parking spaces. A previous application for 43 flats was refused by Three Rivers Development Control Committee, and is awaiting an appeal in July.

New Local Plans

Applegarth, Parrotts Close, Croxley Green WD3 3JZ
08/1140/FUL http://snipr.com/trdc1140 and

08/1141/CAC http://snipr.com/trdc1141
Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of one, two storey block consisting of six flats with associated access parking, refuse and cycle store and landscaping. Also requires Conservation Area Consent to demolish the existing house.

Hawkford Hall, 231 Uxbridge Road, Rickmansworth WD3 8DP
08/1173/FUL http://snipr.com/trdc1173 and

08/1174/LBC http://snipr.com/trdc1174
Change of use of parking bays (3) to occasional use for storage of mobile pump units. Also requires Listed Building Consent.

Watersmeet Film
Miss Potter (PG) 92mins. Thursday 19 June at 2:00pm and 7:30pm. Renee Zellweger stars as Beatrix Potter, a sheltered but talented young woman who falls in love with her publisher Norman Wayne (Ewan McGregor).

Local Area Forum
Tuesday, 24 June at 7.30pm in Penn Chamber,Three Rivers House, Northway, Rickmansworth Everyone welcome. Refreshments will be available from 7.00pm. The agenda includes:

• Community Safety - update on Anti-Social Behaviour, nuisance youths and policing issue
• Presentation on Planning Enforcement Issues
• Home Start organisation – what is it?
• Other Local Issues.

• Mediaeval Living History Display
• Three live music stages - rock, jazz and folk
• Boat trips
• Narrow boats on display - some open for viewing
• Boaters’ Tug of War
• Animal farm for youngsters
• Environment Fair - craft & trade stalls
• Exhibitions, model boats, and more
• Licensed bar

Following refusal of permission by Three Rivers, a number of developers have gone to appeal recently. The following four local ones are coming up over the next couple of months:

Windrush and The Cottage, Rectory Road http://snipr.com/trdc1947
Outline Application: Demolition of existing two detached dwellings and erection of a three storey building comprising 12 x 2 bed flats and alterations to vehicular access.
The Informal Hearing will open on 17th June 2008 at Three Rivers House, starting at 10.00am.

253 Watford Road, Croxley Green http://snipr.com/trdc1487
Proposed Development: Demolition of existing car showroom and erection of 43, one and two bedroom apartments in 2, three/four storey blocks with basement car parking.
The Public Inquiry will open on 22nd July 2008 at Three Rivers House starting at 10.00am.

61 Harefield Road http://snipr.com/trdc0863
Proposed Development: Conversion of ground floor to veterinary surgery and conversion of first floor into two flats.
The Public Inquiry will open on 31st July 2008 at Three Rivers House starting at 10.00am.

140 Berry Lane http://snipr.com/trdc2479
Proposed Development: Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of three detached dwellings.
The appeal is to be decided on the basis of an exchange of written statements by the parties and a site visit by an Inspector.

Waitrose to sponsor this year’s Panto
Waitrose have come up with a sponsorship deal with Watersmeet for this year’s pantomime. They saw last year’s production, which they enjoyed, and were very happy to have their brand associated with the panto, the venue and the Council.
Waitrose will be funding one whole performance of the pantomime for disadvantaged children and families from the Three Rivers district.

Local Elections
A reminder that local elections for one-third of the seats on Three Rivers Council take place this Thursday. All the wards in the “unparished” area have an election this time - that’s Ricky, Ricky West, Penn, Maple Cross & Mill End, and Moor Park & Eastbury. Polling stations are open from 7.00am until 10.00pm. The count takes place at Three Rivers House on Friday morning - the Council will publish results as they are declared on the website: www.threerivers.gov.uk

No plans for Mount View
Local residents have been made anxious by an election leaflet referring to plans for flats in Mount View. No such plans have been submitted to the Council.

Ricky Week and Ricky Festival
Ricky Week begins on May 10th with the carnival parade through the town, and ends with fun, food and music at the Rickmansworth Festival, the town’s annual celebration of all things canals and environmental over the final weekend.
This year the Festival is on 17th and 18th May, with the usual array of canal boats moored up to four deep along the towpath, exhibitions, history talks and much more.
More information in this newsletter nearer the time - or go to www.threerivers.gov.uk and look at the Community Noticeboard pages.

The Queen: The sudden death of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997, catapulted the House of Windsor to the brink of disaster. The decision of the Royal Family to remain holed-up in their summer retreat at Balmoral surprised a shocked public, pushing royal popularity to an all time low… Starring Helen Mirren.

Following the matinee you can enjoy a special Afternoon Tea for £1.00. From 6.30pm a Palace Punch and canapes will be on offer at £1.50.
All welcome. New comfortable seating has now been installed.