1 February 2024 / 12 December 2024 by chrishenderson
Wyke Regis Town Councillor Helen Toft was contacted by a Williams Avenue resident in November who told her that, on Halloween, a large group of young people banged and kicked cars in the road and verbally abused residents who challenged them. As this was corroborated by other residents, Helen organised a meeting that was attended by around 20 residents, the Police, senior staff from All Saints School, Dorset Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour officer and councillors Clare Sutton and Lucy Hamilton.
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1 February 2024 / 22 December 2024 by chrishenderson
Bridport has approximately 500 listed buildings, most of which are ordinary residential houses, and many are small and at the cheaper end of the housing market. However, a constant issue raised by the residents of these houses is the difficulty in getting planning permission to install solar panels (even of rear elevations that can’t be seen from the road) and fit wooden double glazing. One solution being pursued by Green Party Councillor Kelvin Clayton is for Dorset Council to pass a Listed Building Consent Order, an order that allows people to install solar panels and double glazing on/in listed building without planning permission provided certain criteria are met.
31 January 2024 / 12 December 2024 by chrishenderson
Rodwell & Wyke Green Councillor Clare Sutton has worked closely with Independent councillor Luke Wakeling on improvements to Chapelhay Steps. A new bench has now been installed, which helps those with limited mobility. Foliage has been drastically cut back, opening up visibility of the ‘secluded’ bench.
30 January 2024 / 22 December 2024 by chrishenderson
Powerfuel appealed against Dorset Council’s decision to refuse permission for a new waste incinerator on Portland. The Public Inquiry was held 5-21 December. The large attendance over the two weeks reflected the pretty much unanimous rejection of the Incinerator by local people. Dorset Green Councillors Brian Heatley and Clare Sutton were among over 50 people who spoke at the Public Evidence day, all against the plant. Clare focussed on the impact of 80 (huge!) HGV journeys through Wyke every day, and on the potential harm to our tourist industry and local economy.
30 January 2024 / 14 December 2024 by chrishenderson
A recent planning application to turn the old Methodist Church on Portland Road, Wyke Regis into six flats has been turned down. Many local residents objected because no parking spaces were included, in a part of Wyke where this is a pressing issue.
29 January 2024 / 22 December 2024 by chrishenderson
Rodwell & Wyke Greens Coordinator Val Graves writes: “Like many local people I swim in the sea throughout the year. As you may know, our sewerage network is a ‘combined system’, where both sewage and surface water flow into the same pipes. When that system becomes overloaded, for example when it rains heavily, water companies are allowed to discharge human sewage into the sea, at places like Sandsfoot and Castle Cove.
12 January 2024 / 11 December 2024 by chrishenderson
Melcombe Regis Green Councillor Jon Orrell opposes the higher car parking charges for Weymouth, with other Dorset towns remaining much cheaper. Meanwhile, the town council is working on a new plan for the coming decade. One part concerns building on two small car parks. Jon Orrell said: "I do not support this in the absence of much better bus links and joining up with the train station."
3 January 2024 / 11 December 2024 by chrishenderson
Dorset Green Councillor for Lyme and Charmouth, Belinda Bawden, has been working with local businesses to help them to set up a new business group in Lyme. Several business owners stepped forward to help coordinate it and Tom Robinson, of Tom’s on the seafront, is the first chairman. With a fast-growing membership of over 80 local businesses, the new group is a welcome additional voice to Lyme’s active community.
2 January 2024 / 22 December 2024 by chrishenderson
Getting more recycling and waste separation is vital with new regulations coming in. Green Councillor Belinda Bawden has been working with local businesses in Lyme Regis and Charmouth, and Dorset Council’s commercial waste management team, to work out the best ways to resolve some immediate issues, and to look at longer term solutions to reduce food waste.
28 December 2023 / 11 December 2024 by chrishenderson
The road closures since September affected trade in Lyme Regis, as shoppers were confused by road closed signs. Dorset and town councillor Belinda Bawden worked hard to get the “open for business” message across. She organised a Christmas market and produced a map showing numerous festive activities and events.
