Latest news
Our shoreline
Everyone knows that the riverside is vital to Manningtree's future, and that much could be done to improve it. The Essex Design Initiative team is seeking the views of local people to help inform the Design and Development Brief as it is being prepared.
You will be able to offer your opinions and views on the project at www.the-edi.co.uk/publicengagement.php in the near future. For further information until then please telephone the EDI on 01245 437162 or email edi@essex.gov.uk
Similar plans are underway in Harwich, which will affect the future of Mistley's shoreline, however indirectly. To explain the Shoreline Plan and to receive comments, the Environment Agency is holding a consultation meeting On 17 March from 2-4pm, at the Park Pavilion, Barrack Lane, Harwich. For more details, visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk/research/planning/105104
WANT TO COMMENT?
Email richard@ling44.fsnet.co.uk
NEW LAKE IN MISTLEY?
Steven Rose of Dairy House, Mistley, wants to create a conservation lake on land he owns around the stream that runs to the south of Green Lane in Mistley (see http://www.harwichandmanningtreestandard.co.uk/news/localnews/5002349.Mistley__New_lake_for_wildlife_/ .
View the application (10/00103/FUL) at http://195.99.151.54/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=KX9EMYQB09L00
Click on 'site plan' to view a map of the proposed lake at http://idox.tendringdc.gov.uk./WAM/showCaseFile.do?appName=planning&appNumber=10/00103/FUL
WANT TO COMMENT?
Email richard@ling44.fsnet.co.uk
SCENIC MISTLEY!
Mistley to Harwich is one of Britain's best coastal walks, according to the Times' recent top 10. See http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/walks/article7007736.ece
WANT TO COMMENT?
Email richard@ling44.fsnet.co.uk
HAVE YOUR SAY ON LOCAL PLANS
We are currently debating a number of documents with ideas on how to manage conservation and regeneration in Mistley.
Firstly the draft Mistley Waterfront and Village Urban Regeneration Area Supplementary Planning Document. This is a very important document for our parish. You can ask to see a copy at Mistley Post Office, Manningtree Library and the Village Hall at Furze Hill.
There will also be an exhibition of the plans in the Village Hall at Furze Hill from 18 January until 6 February, where large scale drawings will be on view. You can look at copies of the document and if you have comments to make you can use the questionaires provided.
Then there is the Mistley and Manningtree Conservation Area Management Plan. This is an important document dealing with the future management of the existing conservation area and the buildings within it. The document (and a questionnaire asking for your views) will also be part of an exhibition at the Methodist Church in Chapel Cut (runs between Harwich Road and California Road) from 4 February until 16 February, when the consultation period ends.
We will also be looking at the Conservatives' new Regeneration Strategy for Tendring for the period 2012-2016.
You are encouraged to contact us with your views and to make your personal comments on the questionnaires available at the exhibitions.
WANT TO COMMENT?
Email richard@ling44.fsnet.co.uk
HIDDEN TREASURE TO BE SAVED
Emergency work is planned to save Old Knobbley, the ancient oak at the heart of Furze Hill Woods, Mistley.
See 'Old Knobbley' in the menu (left) for further details or visit http://video.aol.co.uk/video-detail/anglia-news-man-wins-hedges-battle-and-bernard-matthews-and-mistley-oldest-tree-football-ipswich-town/36028858502609087
WANT TO COMMENT?
Email richard@ling44.fsnet.co.uk
FREE THE QUAY
Mistley Parish Council is absolutely opposed to the fence put up by TW Logistics in late 2008, which blocks public access to and from the River Stour for the first time in hundreds of years. The council is working with protest group Free the Quay to have the fence removed. Visit www.freethequay.org for the latest information.
And see news reports on the latest protests on YouTube....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9abVX3RogXc&feature=channel
WANT TO COMMENT?
Email richard@ling44.fsnet.co.uk
HAVE YOUR SAY ON MISTLEY RAIL SERVICES
HARE COURSING
| Police have seized two cars in Horsley Cross and Great Bentley after it was suspected they were involved in hare coursing. The Manningtree and Mistley Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) is now promising to do whatever it takes to disrupt the activity and its associated crimes. With the help of the police helicopter, officers on foot and in cars tracked the vehicles and seized both for having no insurance. One was stopped in a field near Horsley Cross just before midnight on Thursday, November 26. Officers stopped the other car in a field in Great Bentley a short while later. A dog from the second car was also seized after officers found it with a hare in its mouth. It has been handed to the RSPCA. Sergeant Sarah Jay explained: “We’ve had three or four calls in the last week from members of the community who are concerned about hare coursers in the area. It’s not something that we want residents to worry about, but it is an issue which we are extremely keen to disrupt the problems it causes landowners. “Illegal hare coursing is a growing problem across the country and causes immense damage to land, crops and animals. “We have been really impressed with Suffolk Constabulary’s response to the problem. They have managed to eliminate hare coursing from their area and I am determined to adopt similar tactics so that we can have the same success. This will send a clear message to hare coursers that they cannot move into Essex and that we are not an easy option. “Although it can be quite difficult to prosecute offenders for hare coursing, police have a number of powers which can help target and disrupt hare courses. If there is evidence of hare coursing, police can seize evidence of the offence. I am keen that my local officers utilise this power as much as possible, seizing everything from vehicles to dogs, to mobile phones to the large sums of cash used in betting on the dogs. “Any vehicles stopped with any suspicion of hare coursing will also be closely looked at to ensure the drivers are not committing motoring or vehicle offences,” she added. Tim Spurge, who farms in Great Oakley, said: “We have about one hare coursing incident a week in the winter, sometimes twice a week. It is particularly concerning as we have an active airfield; quite recently a pilot contacted us to ask if it was normal for there to be a lurcher and a 4x4 on the runway. It is very dangerous.” Sgt Jay and her team are in the process of setting up a Farm Watch group in response to the issue. Similar to Neighbourhood Watch, Farm Watch will allow all in the rural communities to share information with the police. Sgt Jay said: “It’s a fantastic idea because it provides a direct link between residents and their local neighbourhood specialist officer (NSO) so that they can share information and advice. “Members can sign up to a warning system, which provides details of any incidents in the areas. If a pattern arises as a result of the information received we can then act upon this and address the issue,” she continued. “We can also offer members advice on keeping their farms secure and can give guidance about fitting alarms and CCTV systems.” Phillip Breary, from the National Farmers' Union, said: “We are aware of a growing problem in the area and welcome any initiatives which will help reduce the number of incidents.” A Farm Watch group has just been set up in Great Oakley and Sgt Jay is in the process of setting a group to cover Little Bromley, Ardleigh, Mistley, Manningtree, Lawford, Great Bentley, Tendring, Bradfield, Wrabness. “I ask any farmers in these areas to email me with their details so we can make contact to discuss them joining the Farm Watch Group.” Sgt Jay can be contacted at Mistley police station on 0300 333 4444 or via email at sarah.jay@essex.pnn.police.uk If would like any further information about hare coursing or other wildlife matters, please contact wildlife@essex.pnn.police.uk. A free leaflet called 'Hare Today Gone Tomorrow' is also available for all farmers, gamekeepers, landowners or other interested parties. Debbie Chisholm |
SPEEDING
There is increasing concern about speeding in Mistley, especially among residents on the High Street and Harwich Road. You can do your bit by volunteering for free speed gun training. For one or two hours a week you work with another person monitoring speeds in another parish. Two people from that parish would then monitor speeding hot spots for us, at the times we know it is most likely to happen.
The police contact the owners of speeding vehicles and will target and take action against repeat offenders. Drivers given a Section 59 warning can have their vehicles confiscated if they are caught again, and will have to pay over £150 to have their vehicle returned.
If you are interested in finding out more, leave a message on 01206 395555 or ring direct on 07980 904851. Or visit the station on New Road (at the junction with Oxford Road) Co11 2AQ Mon Tues Wed Fri 9am-12 .30 Thurs 4-8.30pm
