HS2
Progress Report on HS2 Activities
In March we formed WenSTAG with our elected representatives on Bucks County Council, Aylesbury Vale District Council, Wendover Parish Council and several local business men. This is a group which wants to oppose the high speed line through Wendover. It became clear that other groups along the length of the proposed line were forming and it was also clear that the Chiltern Society would fight the proposal on behalf of the AONB formed to protect the Chilterns.
On 21 April we held a public meeting in The Memorial Hall attended by over 300 people. Speakers from The Chiltern Society, The Chiltern Conservation Board and Bucks County Council explained what the line would mean to the Chilterns and in particular to Wendover. We felt that the meeting was supportive of the proposals for action that were made that night. A collection raised £500 to help defray the costs of the meeting borne by The Society.
Others formed a group in Wendover called Wendover HS2 - and we have amalgamated that group with WenSTAG under the name of Wendover HS2.
The initial activity has been to persuade residents of Wendover to respond to the HS2 published scheme (EHS) for compensation for loss in value of properties blighted by the HS2 proposal. Manned stalls on the Manor Waste have distributed advice on how to do this and leaflets have been distributed to all houses in Wendover.
A subgroup of Wendover HS2 is analysing the economic case made in the command document published in March. They are working to try to find weaknesses in the justification for the line. Some investigations have been done to understand the noise nuisance that will result from the line. The environmental impact is also being looked at and all our findings are being shared with other groups as we indeed are receiving on really an hourly basis more and more facts, information and thoughts. As the summer progresses we will generate information and action to oppose the line in the consultations that are promised by the Government and we will mobilise public opinion against the HS2 proposal.
HS2/ Department of Transport Exceptional Hardship Scheme
RESPONSE FROM THE WENDOVER SOCIETY 12 May 2010
The Wendover Society exists to promote Wendover, to maintain its character and integrity while appreciating the inevitability of change.
The Society is responding to the three questions posed in the document published in March 2010, 'High Speed Two - Exceptional Hardship Scheme'.
However, we would like to draw your attention to the contents of the document.
On page 3 the route is outlined and includes the phrase '...then continues to the west of Wendover' . Perhaps it would be more accurate to write '..then continues through the west of Wendover'. The word 'vicinity ' is used in a number of places. It would be more helpful to have a more precise statement.
The Questions.
1. Should the Department of Transport introduce an EHS ahead of decisions on whether, and if so how, to proceed with a high speed route.
As soon as the proposed high speed route was announced in March 2010 the value of property in Wendover decreased dramatically. It is, therefore, essential that such a scheme be in place as soon as possible. This may help to alleviate the stress on homeowners and reduce further reduction of prices within the property market in Wendover. We maintain that the Secretary of State should pay the price of the property that is being compulsorily purchased at the market rate prior to the announcement of the route on March 2010.
2. Do you agree with the proposed principles underpinning the proposed Exceptional Hardship Scheme? If not, what alternative arrangements would you propose, including specific criteria for determining qualification for the scheme.
There is no doubt that the character of this village will change due to the advent of HS2. It will lower numbers of tourists that will visit our village; the many walkers who come here specifically to walk in the Chiltern Hills and those who cycle along the many trails and then visit the shops in the High Street. These shops will suffer as a result a loss of trade and there is little doubt that the economy of Wendover will be severely affected. Therefore, the Scheme must also include shops, farms and second homes.
We are interested in how the figure of 15% was arrived at; this seems an arbitrary figure.
The Scheme needs to have greater flexibility and so provide for unforeseen and exceptional circumstances. Medical circumstances should include stress, much of which will be caused by either having one's home demolished or attempting to sell it knowing the future. This will be especially the case with older people.
3. Do you agree with the proposed system for operating the proposed Exceptional Hardship Scheme? If not, what alternative arrangements would you suggest?
The Secretary of State should be prepared to purchase houses without the current owner having to go through the trauma of attempting to sell on the open market. The Secretary of State should be prepared to pay the full market price for the property, the price prior to the announcement on 11th March 2010 plus indexation.
The proposal of having a panel of 'experts' begs a number of questions. Who appoints the members of the panel? From where are they found? What is meant by 'independent members, independent of who or what? What is the ratio of independent to non-independent members on the panel?
Yours sincerely
George Whitaker
Secretary, Wendover Society
Wendover Society Summer Outing
Sunday 13th June 2010
Over 40 of us have just returned from an excellent day's coach trip. A big 'thank you' goes to Mrs Judy Lewis, who organised it all for us. Our first stop was Winchester, and a coffee near the Cathedral. We then had plenty of time to explore the historical City and/or enjoy a Sunday lunch. Winchester has lots to offer the visitor including the Guildhall, the Great Hall, and the legendary Arthurian Round Table, to name a few sights. You could also choose to acquaint yourself with the City's links to Jane Austen and Keats.
In the afternoon we drove to The National Trust Property of Hinton Ampner, which is very largely the creation of one man - Ralph Dutton. It reflects a 20th century vision of a Georgian estate. The gardens there are simply superb, and well worth a visit. Beautifully laid out they include the water lily pond, terraces and a sunken garden, which were just lovely to stroll around. We had plenty of time to view the elegant country house, and enjoy a cream tea. (I think we cleared them out of scones!). The weather was excellent. Role on our next outing!
Elizabeth Bennion (Committee Member)
Executive Committee Chairman's Report for 2009
We are The Wendover Society - but what are we here for and what is our purpose? These questions will be answered by the following accounts of our activities throughout last year.
Planning and the Environment
The Princess Mary Hospital Site (Princess Mary Gate)
As a Society and a village, we must bring those at PMG into our community alongside the schools, churches, shops and businesses. The two children's play areas contained within the original planning application are of concern and we are continuing to monitor the situation and liaising with the contractors and AVDC. Come the better weather, we will be canvassing for new members from this area.
Brook House
Our thanks to all who wrote to AVDC as we consider our letter campaign to have been a success. Meetings have now taken place between AVDC and the current owner and we expect to be consulted in due course. In the meantime, a blanket Tree Preservation Order was recommended by The Parish Council, supported by The Society. We await any news with baited breath and any updates will be available at the AGM.
Swan Edge
Again, a campaign of letters and AVDC have given temporary planning permission for a 3 year period for just two caravans and with only one entrance. We are aware that this is not the case as I write, but letters are sent from The Society on a regular basis pointing out to AVDC on irregularities. We have also written to David Lidington MP as to the Conservative Party's policy regarding travellers.
Core Strategy
Represented by David Whitaker at AVDC's appropriate Development Control meeting, the Council have lowered Wendover's status from a tier 2 category to a tier 3. This means that we are likely to only have to accommodate 50 new dwellings over the next 15 years - and this will include in-filling. The Southern Arc is now most likely to be moved to the East, thereby alleviating any future pressure on Wendover.
Green Belt
The Government's apparent attitude to the preservation of the Green Belt is a cavalier attitude. We are keeping a vigilant watch as we need to be aware of any potential erosion.
The Purssell Path
This Path was given to The Society in 1994 and of late we have been concerned that some of the trees need to be a little more managed than in previous years. We have therefore instructed a professional survey be conducted and will report in due course not only the outcome, but what your Executive Committee subsequently recommends.
Local Participation
We have attended local area forums and consultations for the Local Transport Plan 3 and the Wendover Health Check, Parish Council meetings, Halton House events, the ground-breaking ceremony for the new MS Centre, and the Village Quiz. When invited - we go! All planning application are always considered and if necessary appropriate action taken.
So, to re-iterate the original question - We are The Wendover Society - but what are we here for and what is our purpose?
We believe that the above represents and communicates to some extent the Society's views to Local Authorities and engages in environmental projects to improve Wendover and its surrounds.
Communication
I can only apologise and admit that our website has not been the success I had originally hoped for. A new site is now under construction and "could do better" will in the coming months be "will do better". With nearly 400 members, we only have 67 email addresses and would dearly love to be able to communicate via the internet. Please send us your address - george.whitaker@sky.com We believe that the previous microphone problem at the Wendover Memorial Hall has now been resolved successfully.
Social Events
A return to Bucksbridge House for our annual Jazz Picnic was again a great success followed by the Harvest Supper in October with guest speaker David Mercer. We do hope that the combination of the AGM with our Midwinter Event and guest Christine McLintoch, Head of John Colet School, will entice you to brave the elements in a few weeks time. Your Executive Committee will be planning for 2010 immediately after the AGM; any suggestions are always welcome and of course in October we will be awarding the 3rd Presidents' Prize.
On your behalf, I wish to thank every Committee member and to express our regret that for personal reasons Paul Ranford had to stand down a few months ago; likewise, Steve Louis has requested that his name is not put forward for re-election at the AGM. Paul and Steve and your families - we wish you well.
Finally, on behalf of the Executive Committee, a very Happy New Year to you.
Carol Clark
Chairman - January 2010
Secretary's Update - March 2010
MANAGEMENT OF THE PURSSELL PATH TREES
The Purssell Path was given to The Wendover Society in 1994 by Mrs Enid Farrow. It runs from the back of Water Meadow Way to the canal. It was originally part of the railway embankment running from Wendover to Halton. Rail traffic ceased in 1963. From that date the embankment was allowed to grow wild. Trees and brushwood have grown unmanaged since then. It is an attractive walk and is a nature reserve with many species of birds and wildlife. There is a line of about 40 ash trees behind numbers 30 to 33 Water Meadow Way which are crowded and very tall. We have received advice from John Morris of the Chiltern Woodland Project that they are too crowded and as a result some of them will die and may cause damage to the houses if they fall. Although we have a third party liability insurance policy we must take precautions to manage the trees professionally to maintain the validity of the policy.
John Morris advises that if we have them lopped at a height the re-growth will be weak and the same procedure will have to be carried out every 10 years or so. We have been advised that a better solution is to cut the trees to nearly ground level and allow them to re-grow and thereafter to control their height every 10 years to perhaps 5 meters by coppicing. The initial felling would be done in the autumn of this year. In addition there are about 40 trees down the remaining length of the path which are already weak and leaning because of overcrowding. These have been marked and will be removed at the same time.
We need to make sure that bats do not hibernate in the trees. In conjunction with AVDC Biodiversity team we will survey the trees for the presence of bats this summer.
Once the major trees have been dealt with we will plan a more active approach to the path. At present it is infested with ivy and there is no great diversity in trees and shrubs. A plan will be developed to improve the biodiversity of the path.
The felling of the trees is an expensive operation and we are seeking funds from various sources as well as using some of our own accumulated surplus. If anyone would like to contribute money to this cause we would be pleased to hear from them. Contributing to the cost would be a certain way of ensuring that the Purssell Path remains a pleasant place to walk in for generations of Wendover residents to come.
