Miller homes have dropped their appeal against the councils ‘non-determination’ of their planning application. However, we believe that they are still continuing with their application and that are going to submit some more plans that contain minimal changes. This is unconfirmed, however. As always, we must wait and see. Hopefully our objection letters have not been wasted………

The wheelie bins that Chester Green were to receive for recyclable material have been delayed. This is due to the fact that the council recognises that this scheme could be problamatic for those in terraced houses (the majority!) as the bins will take up too much room. They are now piloting a new scheme in Normanton using different containers and so will await its outcome. In the meantime, a recycling centre is to setup behind Chester Green Road (where the garages are) so we can still recycle our waste there. Contrary to popular belief (there have been many rumours!) the large conifer like trees there are not going to be pruned or cut down! Also, streetcare are looking for a 2nd site for a recycling centre and want to hear your views. You can email streetcare at streetcare@derby.gov.uk addressing it to Jim Naismith.

We have been informed today that Miller Homes have decided not to submit updated plans, but instead they are appealing to Bristol to grant them planning permission, bypassing our council (and the conservation advisory committee) altogether. Therefore, it is now vitally important that you view the current plans (in the campaign section of this site) and send any objections you have to The Planning Inspectorate, Room 3/02, Kite Wing, Templekey House, 2 The Square, Templekey, Bristol, BS1 6PN – You must send three copies, quoting reference numbers C/1055/E/05/1179963 and APP/C1055/A/05/1177564. Alternatively, you could send us your objections via email, and we’ll forward them on for you.

This year the well dressing will be the well in the vicarage and the blessing service will begin at 2pm (Sat 18th). In the evening there will be a Ceilidh from 6.30pm to 9pm. Food will also be available. Sunday 19th service at 10am will be an open air event (weather permitting).

John & Joan D’Arcy will be holding an open garden event (i.e. come along and have a nosy……. 🙂 in aid of the Nightingale Macmillan Unit. You can go along from 11am till 6pm to Stone House Prebend (at the end of Old Chester Rd). Admission is £2 (under 14’s go free). There will also be refreshments, a Bric-a-Barc stall, cake stall and a tombola.

The council will be putting up a fence round the new play area on the green next week, and the council are now thinking of putting in a path from the play area to the edge of the Green. However, before doing this, they have asked the LCRA to gather any public opinion on the matter. So, are you for or against a path (it will be 1.2 metres wide with a timber border and inset gravel), or do you have any other suggestions/objections regarding the new play area. If so, you can find more information, and voice your opinions in the forum thread here.

You may have noticed that the recycling bins that used to be in the Coach and Horses car park have been taken away. This, according to the council, is because of the houses that are to be built on the site (although the owner seems happy to leave it as a pile of rubble for now!). However, the council are looking for another site for the bins but, as yet, have been unsuccessful in their search. If you have any suggestions, post them in the forum, or let the council know by calling Street Care on 01332 715000 (the StreetCare web page can be found here).

As was reported here, the Allestree and Darley Abbey Crime Prevention Group has been awarded a £2,250 grant from the Council’s Area Panel Five to buy portable closed-circuit television cameras and shed alarms. The cameras can be loaned out to residents who have been the victims of persistent anti-social behaviour (e.g. GRAFFITI!!!) or crime. Anyone in favour of this could give us their views in the forum and we will look into getting some of this funding or access to these cameras for Chester Green……

….to check that this thing is working is to wish Hannah L a very happy 16th Birthday for the 26th April 😉

Residents in Mickleover have caused the plans to build 20 flats and four new shops to be rejected. 11 people had officially complained to the council regarding the build and, he said “We have refused it because it was an over-intensive, over-dominant form of development. This was in terms of height and the impact it would have caused to nearby properties. It would also have detracted from the appearance of the nearby conservation area.” The full story can be found here and is potentially encouraging as these are some of the points we raised in our report about the Aida/Bliss Development.