30 September 2023 / 11 December 2024 by chrishenderson
Traffic congestion and parking in Lyme and Charmouth are big issues for local residents. Bus services are in need of improvement and on some roads speed is a real problem. Green Councillor Belinda Bawden says: “Among the things I have been working on is asking Dorset Council to offer a designated space parking permit for those with the greatest mobility challenges. I’ve also requested resident parking permits for Queen’s Walk in Lyme, and changes to deal with dangerous parking around junctions, including Wesley Close in Charmouth."
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15 September 2023 / 22 December 2024 by chrishenderson
Dorset Council's area planning committee voted earlier this year to approve plans to demolish the former Weymouth & Portland Borough Council offices on North Quay. Green Councillor Brian Heatley (Rodwell & Wyke) argued for renovation over demolition, because we need to save the carbon emissions now rather than over a 50 year period, and because there is no guarantee that Dorset Council will find a developer willing to deliver to a high environmental standard.
13 September 2023 / 22 December 2024 by chrishenderson
Dorset Council has approved plans for up to 141 homes, a 60-bed care home and a gym, swimming pool and spa on Newton’s Cove in Weymouth. Green Councillor Clare Sutton (Rodwell & Wyke) argued for further conditions relating to affordable housing and the Underbarn, to ensure that local residents would see some net gains, but unfortunately these were not adopted.
7 September 2023 / 22 December 2024 by chrishenderson
Green Councillor Jon Orrell (Melcombe Regis) has been featured in the Dorset Echo, responding to a BBC investigation which suggests Wessex Water may have illegally dumped sewage on dry days. Across the Wessex Water area from the Dorset coast to the Bristol area, the BBC identified 68 sites where sewage may have been illegally discharged last year. Wessex Water disputes much of the data. Jon was quoted in the Echo: “It’s shocking that they’re dropping sewage on dry days, we were led to believe that it may be a problem with storm surge, but it turns out that they are putting it out on dry days as well.
16 July 2023 / 22 December 2024 by chrishenderson
It’s distressing to hear about pollution in our rivers, the landfill debris affecting our beaches and concerns about harbour dredging. But despite the scale of the problems we’ve got some good progress to report. Green Councillors Belinda Bawden and Rob Smith have been in regular partnership meetings with South West Water, the town council, Dorset Council, Environment Agency and the River Lim Action Group to resolve sewage problems.
15 July 2023 / 22 December 2024 by chrishenderson
At Dorset Full Council on 13 July 2023, Green Councillors Kelvin Clayton (Bridport) and Belinda Bawden (Lyme & Charmouth) proposed a motion committing Dorset Council to working with the Government and water companies to prevent sewage discharges into our rivers and beaches. This motion was passed almost unanimously. Green Group Leader Clare Sutton says: “This situation is a total disgrace. Weymouth’s economy relies on visitors being confident of the quality of our sea water, and within our ward it’s also very important to those who swim at Smallmouth, Sandsfoot, Castle Cove and Newton’s Cove. "Given the vast profits Wessex Water and others have made since privatisation, Government must ensure that it’s the shareholder not the customer who pays."
14 July 2023 / 15 December 2024 by chrishenderson
A motion condemning the government’s decision to house 500 asylum seekers on the now infamous Bibby Stockholm barge was supported by councillors from all parties. The motion as passed included an amendment proposed by Labour Councillor Paul Kimber and seconded by Green Councillor Brian Heatley (Rodwell & Wyke): “This Dorset Council recognises the contribution that Refugees have made to our Dorset economy and Society, over the years whilst we accept the Bibby Stockholm Barge is inhumane and is entirely inappropriate. Dorset Council welcomes all refugees to be treated, with dignity, and respect”.
7 July 2023 / 7 December 2024 by chrishenderson
The footbridge over the river at Charmouth Beach – which is a vital link to the beach and also part of the South West coast path - had been causing safety concerns due to wear and tear. Councillor Belinda Bawden responded to residents’ concerns and Dorset Council has now made the necessary repairs.
3 April 2023 / 22 December 2024 by chrishenderson
Built just after World War I, Bradford, Tennyson and Emerson Roads form a distinct community off Chickerell Road in Rodwell, Weymouth, with two public greens. These are well-loved by residents, who tended them during lock down, where young children have played safely for many decades. Residents were horrified when landowner Aster submitted a planning application to build new houses - just two, not even affordable ones, with four parking spaces - covering the whole of Tennyson Green. They organised a fantastic campaign against this, which Rodwell & Wyke Green Councillors Brian Heatley and Clare Sutton fully supported, and were delighted when Aster withdrew their application.
24 March 2023 / 22 December 2024 by chrishenderson
Rodwell & Wyke Green Councillor Clare Sutton has been in touch with First’s Dorset Operations Manager since January, about their new number 9 bus serving Wyke. The three-month trial, serving users in Chickerell Road, Lanehouse Rocks, Wyke High Street, Walker Crescent and Wyke Road areas, got off to a good start, cross-subsidised by school provision, but on 23rd March he informed Clare the service is losing money and will cease on 27th May. Clare commented: "This is a massive blow to residents who depend on it and we are sorry we weren’t able to influence First’s decision."
