MINUTES OF THE STORT VALLEY PROJECT MEETING

30^th JUNE 1999

HELD AT SAYESBURY MANOR SAWBRIDGEWORTH  

PRESENT:  Warren Richards (Acting Chairman)

Joy Marshall  Candida Tobin 

John Rider  Louise Clark

David Thorogood (Agenda 21 EHDC)

Liz Greenwood (Landscape Officer EHDC)

Susan Green (Environmental Health EHDC)

Jonathan Wilshaw (CMS EHDC)

David Mead  Michael Brown

Joan Willett  Ted Willett 
 

APOLOGIES: Diana Richards (Sbw Town Council) 

Susan Clark (Rural Enterprise)

Jacqueline Dore Monya Billings

Steve Karn  Ted Barrow

MINUTES: 

1 Flood Plain Sub committee. John R reported on the progress of the committee that met on the 9^th June 99 on the Stort flood plain east of Pishiobury to discus how we could halt the deterioration and regenerate the flood plain. As a result:

1. Jonathan W has written a report detailing the importance of the site
2. Warren R has found a price for the land at around £2000/acre and that there are 11 acres of flood plain for sale at the south end of Spring Hall Lane.
3. Ted Burrow has written to Jonathan W detailing how any scheme could be integrated with Pishiobury Park and a kick-about area for the children of the Vantorts Estate.
4. John R is looking at how we can organise ourselves to achieve our objectives.

John R proposed that we focus on the flood plain as our major project for the coming year. He asked that EHDC give us support and that Jonathan W sends his report to the appropriate people at EHDC. The meeting was in agreement. 

2 Guest Speaker. Susan Green gave an interesting talk on the strategy for monitoring air quality out to the year 2005. Local background monitoring was being measured at Edens Mount to assess the change in overall air quality in the Sbw area. Specific monitoring was taking place for the level of traffic pollution at the double mini roundabout at the end of Station Road. The government will set targets to be met for different pollutants. One measure that has been met in Sbw is that both petrol filling stations have been fitted with fume recovery when being replenished by tankers. 
 

3 Matters Arising. The minutes of the 14^th April 99 were used, as this was our last working meeting. 

3.2 SERPLAN. John R and Steve K were investigating funds for planning brown field sites. It was suggested we look into Lottery Green Field funding by inviting the EHDC Lottery Officer to a future meeting. 

3.3 A Working File. This could be set up in the Town Library. 

3.4 Harlow North. HCC has representation on the public hearing. 

3.5. Gilden Way Development. Nothing to report from Joan W or Steve K. Development of housing in other parts of Sbw were being considered to the North of the Town and to the west of the Railway Station. 

3.6. The Flood Plain. Johnathan W said that the Environment Agency was aware of the dredging of the Pishiobury backwater and were taking action. 

3.7. Town Tip. It was agreed that it would be left to mature as natural habitat. 

3.8. Planning Consent for 99A London Road Sbw, has been rejected by EHDC. 

4. New Items.  

4.1 Venue. David T said that disputed payment for chamber had been cleared. 

4.2. CPRE. Warren R asked if we could consider affiliated membership of the Hertfordshire branch of the Council for the Protection of Rural England. David T asked for details of cost before he agreed to fund our membership. 

4.3 Shirley Preston. We note with regret the sudden death of Shirley in May, her work in Spellbrook was greatly appreciated. 

5. AOB. No other business was raised. 

6. DNM. The date of the next meeting is the 25^th August 99 at 8.00pm in Sayesbury Manor