Tandridge/Edenbridge Chronicle November 2011


Advertising: 01959 564766 Planning policy warning


EDENBRIDGE MP Sir John Stanley has warned the Government’s planning policy could have seriously adverse long-term environmental consequences for the area. He says that if public confidence in the planning system is to be maintained it is essential that the independence and integrity of the planning decision process is upheld.


Sir John has now written to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles, calling for the government’s proposed presumption in favour of sustainable development to be abandoned.


“The government’s policy rests on what is a demonstrably false assumption, namely that it is necessary to introduce a bias in favour of development in order to increase the rate of house building,” he said.


“I have obtained the Department for Communities Local Government’s figures for housing completions for every year since I became the Minister of Housing in 1979. These show that in every single year from 1979 the number of new housing completions was higher than in 2010, the first year of the present government. Those higher completions were all achieved without any presumption in the planning system in favour of development.”


This yearʼs Titsey Trail has once again been hailed a big success with 280 entrants and hopes of raising £4,000 towards services provided by the Alzheimerʼs Society. The winner was Steve Bishop of Holland Sports in 37.24 minutes while the fastest woman was Mel Frazier of Gravesend Road Runners in 41.53 minutes.


Sir John said what was needed was a change of housing policy not a change of planning policy.


“The government should change its housing policy to maximise capital receipts for new house building by housing associations and local authorities through right-to-buy and shared ownership sales to existing tenants – a policy carried out with great success by the previous Conservative government,” he said.


Churches Together elect chairman


At the Annual General Meeting of Churches Together in Oxted and District held in October, the Rev Dr Gerald South of St Mary’s, Tatsfield was confirmed as chairman for the coming year and Rev Alison Cooper, priest in charge of St Andrew’s, Limpsfield Chart, was elected deputy chairman. A donation to the new youth club setting up in Hurst Green was also agreed. Members will be carol singing at the Oxted Chamber of Commerce late night shopping event in Station Road East on Thursday, 1 December and at the Rotary Christmas Tree on Saturday,17 December outside Boots from 11 to 11.30am.


Advertiser’s announcement HMRC warns of scam emails


HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) will be contacting millions of taxpayers over the coming months in connection with their PAYE bills.


Over the last few years there has been a significant increase in scam or ‘phishing’ emails sent to taxpayers regarding purported tax refunds due to them. These phishing emails often provide a link to a bogus HMRC website where you are asked to give your bank and personal details.


In a recent press release HMRC have made their position clear. They only ever contact customers who are due a tax refund in writing by post.


HMRC don't use telephone calls, emails or external companies in these circumstances. You can report any scam email received to phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk as HMRC are working with other law enforcement agencies to target this crime. You should always seek professional advice before taking action as other factors may need to be considered. If you wish to contact us, please ring 01732 865965 and speak to one of our directors – Kevin Wood, Paul Dickinson or Andy Branson. Wood Branson Dickinson www.wbdaccountants.com


Garden waste? It’s that time of year again! With the autumnal leaves now falling we offer the perfect service.


Our garden waste collection service has been well subscribed to in the last year and is now somewhat over 90% full, so we really do have only a very limited number of bins left! And with autumn here they could soon be put to great use!


Our popular scheme provides you with a large brown wheeled bin to fill with grass cuttings, hedge trimmings, leaves, plant prunings and weeds.


We collect the bin every two weeks from the kerb outside your house and compost the cuttings.


subscribed! 90% Over


Don’t miss out!


To check if you can take part, request an application form, or an additional bin, please call


e-mail gardenwaste@tandridge.gov.uk or visit www.tandridge.gov.uk/gardenwaste


01883 732953 www.tandridge.gov.uk/gardenwaste


Each bin costs £42.50 a year, payable by direct debit only. You can have up to six bins a household, each costing £42.50. This means the service is paid for by everyone who subscribes, which is fairer for other residents who do not have a garden, who choose to compost at home, or who do not want to use the service.


A small number of properties may not be eligible for the service. Compost is not returned or available for sale.


Newsdesk: editorial.chronicle@tindlenews.co.uk


11


Young people from the Edenbridge Youth Outdoor Play Group are celebrating obtaining the funding needed to complete their third playground improvement in as many years. Funds from Sevenoaks District Council have been matched by an Entrust Biffa Award, which will see an £80,000 renovation of the rundown Park View Playground. Plans include a kick-about ball park and a childrenʼs playground. This will mark the completion of the groupʼs three aims to renovate the skate ramps at Blossoms Park, the ball park at The Pen on Spitals Cross and Park View Playground. It is hoped that the works will be completed by summer 2012.


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