Today, we received an open letter from a resident of Chester Green. They asked if we could share it, so here it is! These views do not, necessarily, match those of the residents association (we’re not sure why the Council is targeting the best looking shop frontage in Chester Green!), but if we all agreed on everything, the world would be a less interesting place. It’s difficult to disagree with the points raised, though…..

“There has been a lot of comment about the shutters on Robert Ashley Barbers, and whether they should be allowed to be retained.

I appreciate that this is a very difficult and emotive issue, and I would like to state immediately that I think that visually the shutters look perfectly acceptable.

However, the matter is a lot more complicated and important than the appearance of one shop.

Chester Green is a conservation area. The vast majority of the community of Chester Green support this, and are pleased to live in this pleasant area full of character. A conservation area requires all of us to ensure that any alterations to our property conform to rules regarding materials and design, and any changes to the property fronting the road have to be approved by the planning department of Derby City Council and the Conservation Area Advisory Committee. In 2009 the Little Chester Residents Association helped the Council to publish guidelines for residents and businesses within conservation areas, and these are freely available on the Council website.

The shutters on Robert Ashley’s were installed without planning permission,  and were installed after they were warned that they would be in breach of planning regulations.  A number of other businesses have installed shutters without permission, some of which are significantly less attractive. If Robert Ashley is allowed to keep his, how will the Council then be able to enforce  removal of the other offenders? It cannot. If the Council cannot enforce compliance of the planning rules in this case, how can it ensure that the character of the area is retained at all? 

As I said at the beginning , this is a very difficult matter, but I believe that the core issue is whether we want to retain the character of Chester Green or whether the concept of a conservation area should be completely abandoned. 

Mark Davis”

Apologies for the delay, but if you’ve been following our facebook page, you’ll have seen plenty of updates regarding the Heritage Car proposal for the Aida factory site. The council have turned down the proposal, with no details officially given as yet. We’re still in contact with local councillors, the car heritage company, and councillors and we haven’t given up yet! More as we get it….

Lots more in the newsletter, too, including a family quiz night at the Community Centre (26th April), a free coffee morning at the community centre (10th and 24th April), more on the Fashion Show in May, and lots of other information!

Below is the February newsletter from the Residents Association. Lots of useful information, as always, and note there’s a quiz night and a family disco at the Community Centre in February. Do note the car parking charge letters that have been sent out in error, by the council (parking permits are STILL FREE in Chester Green!).

Anyone got any good pictures of Chester Green in the snow? Feel free to post them in the comments – let’s see Chester Green looking gorgeous!

Sorry it’s a bit late.  You should have all received this in paper form a week or so ago!  Do note the upcoming quiz night (16th Feb) at the community centre and all the other usual updates and goings on!

LCRA Newsletter Feb 2018

Below is November’s newsletter, which you will have received, or will receive in printed form shortly!  Lots of events and information enclosed including the Chester Green Events Team fund raising XMas quiz on 17th November at the community centre.  Do come along!

LCRA November 2017 Newsletter

Below is this month’s newsletter.  Also, our very own Joan D’arcy will be hosting a history walk at 2.30pm on Sunday 3rd September.  Joan is a fountain of knowledge on everything Chester Green.  Do come along and support 🙂

LCRA September 2017 Newsletter

We’ve had a slight delay in the printing this month, but the hard copy of the newsletter will be with you shortly!

In the meantime, here’s the PDF for your perusal!  Lots of important info, as always including very sad news about our local Methodist Church 🙁  Also, we’ve been getting reports of parking issues around St. Mary’s Wharf.  If you’re experiencing issues with illegally parked cars, do get in touch with the council’s enforcement dept..  Details can be found here.

LCRA May News Letter 2017

We missed an announcement from our newsletter, so here it is, from the Mansfield Road based Derby Family Chiropractic clinic who are having an open day to celebrate 10 years of business.

On Thursday 18th May from 2pm – 5pm the entire team will be around offering free advice, free scans and we’ll have some refreshments available. We’re hoping everyone will come along and say hello even if they’re not needing any advice from us, because it is not only a celebration of us being a business for 10 years, but being a part of the Chester Green community for 2 years as well.

http://www.derbyfamilychiropractic.co.uk/ 

Councillor Lisa Eldret has arranged a meeting for this Monday evening 27/3/17 6.30 pm at Centurion Walk Community Room, Old Chester Rd.for residents to come along and discuss any concerns about the recent incident.  Representatives from Severn Trent will be attending.

Residents in the affected roads have been notified about the meeting and it is open to any residents.  Ward Councillors will be doing a walkabout between 5.45pm and 6.30pm before attending the meeting.