MINUTES OF THE RIVERSIDE WALK PUBLIC MEETING HELD AT THE VILLAGE HALL, PARKFIELDS, SIBLE HEDINGHAM ON WED. 30TH JANUARY 2008 AT 7.30PM.

In the chair: Mr. J. Skittrall
Present: Councillors: C. Cannell, R. Green, A. Law and A. Weatherley.
Mr. A. Corder-Birch (Clerk),
Mr. R. Parmee (Braintree District Council and River Colne Countryside Project)
Miss. H. Crow (Landscape Officer, Braintree District Council)
Mr. D. Walls (Community Warden, Braintree District Council)
PCSO M. Ling (Essex Police)
Mr. R. Worley (Hedingham Heritage Society)
Together with about 35 (thirty five) members of the public.

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Mrs. J. Beavis (Chairman SHPC),
Mrs. L. Burch (Prevention and Education Officer, Braintree District Council)
P.C. G. Butler (Crime Prevention Officer, Essex Police)

2. INTRODUCTION
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced Mr. A. Corder-Birch, Mr. R. Parmee and Miss. H. Crow. The Clerk confirmed that minutes of the meeting will be taken and appear on SHPC website.
Mr. R. Parmee stated that the land adjacent to the River Colne had been designated as a Public Open Space (POS) for many years and in particular as a Riverside Walk which will hopefully link in with the River Colne Path. The Riverside Walk will be designed to try and avoid ASB and the site will be maintained as naturally as possible. BDC has a public duty for safety and therefore essential work will be carried out on some trees. In addition some clearance work will be carried out to obtain access. Public art work will be installed along the walk. A report from Mrs. L. Burch, Prevention and Education Officer, BDC was referred to and in her view the POS will not attract ASB. There will be no vehicular access and no lights.

3. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Mr. Graham Behn, 25 Spring Way referred to his Human Rights and enquired about the duty of BDC. Mr. Parmee explained that BDC had a duty to keep the site safe and that any disruption will be kept to a minimum. The personal security of householder’s property is the householder’s responsibility. If there is a problem the situation will be looked at but situations cannot be pre-empted. PCSO M. Ling also advised that if there is a problem the Emergency Services are available 24/7. In addition if there is a problem the POS will be added to Police priority list and added to their areas to patrol. The BDC Community Warden will also patrol it.
Mr. Allan McCoan, 28 Summerfields reported that children sometimes go across his front garden to reach POS. Mr. Parmee and Mr. Corder-Birch had noticed the low barrier, with one section missing and confirmed that there was no official access point at 28 Summerfields. Mr. Parmee advised upon planting suitable prickly shrubs. A map was circulated showing four official access points namely (i) Alderford Street (ii) public footpath south of 14, 12 and 10 Summerfields (iii) south of 107 Summerfields and (iv) north of 12 Riverside Way.
Mr. Behn asked about dumping of rubbish. Mr. Parmee reported that fly-tipping including garden waste and other rubbish had been found along the whole length, which must be removed. An old generator had also been found, which members of the public reported had been left behind by the developer, a Mr. F. Ladkin. Any further fly-tipping will be dealt with by the Community Warden and BDC in the usual way and action taken against the offenders.
Mr. Russell Parry, 105 Summerfields enquired about the significance of the dotted lines on the map and asked if there will be any picnic sites. Mr. Parmee explained that the dotted area was that currently being landscaped by Wimpeys, which will soon become part of the POS. There was no provision for any picnic sites in the ‘Wimpey’ area.
The occupier of 29 Spring Way asked where the footpath will go. Mr. Parmee explained that the intention is to keep the footpath close to the river and as far away from dwellings as possible but in some parts of the POS there are width constraints. A site meeting will be held to establish the route of the path. The intention is to minimise change and to try and prevent the public looking into gardens.
A question was asked about the time scale. Mr. Parmee replied that this was not fixed and it depends upon when a footbridge is constructed at the Alderford Street end which is a priority. Quotes are currently being obtained for a footbridge.
Mr. William Mills, 18 Summerfields, who stated that he did not want a 6 foot fence in front of his house, asked about footpath signs. Mr. Parmee confirmed that signs will be erected at the four official access points only so the public will know where the official access points are.
Mr. Behn asked if the scheme will go ahead. Mr. Parmee confirmed that BDC, SHPC and the RCCP are committed to the scheme and that the walk will definitely be created.
Mrs. Amanda Lofting, 29 Spring Way enquired about land on the opposite side of the river to which Mr. Parmee answered that this is privately owned.
Miss. H. Crow stated that permission must be obtained from the Environment Agency for any proposed works within 3 metres of the river. It was confirmed that the Environment Agency will be asked to clean up the river.
Questions were asked about the cost. Mr. A. Corder-Birch stated that some of the funds were coming from developers under S106 Agreements including the Wimpey site, Charlton Close and Coopers Yard and other funds will be raised through grants.
Consequent upon further questions about ASB, Mr. Skittrall urged residents to immediately report all incidents of ASB to the Police, which PCSO Ling reinforced. He confirmed that PC G. Butler, Crime Prevention Officer, Essex Police is happy to visit all residents and advise on crime prevention and security of property. He also circulated guides to keeping homes secure. Mr. Skittrall also reported upon SARA meetings between SHPC and Essex Police and of the significant progress made with resolving problems in SH. It was emphasised that all incidents must be reported to ensure high profile policing cover in the village.
The POS will be utilised for the enjoyment of everyone and any problems will be addressed if and when they arise but cannot be pre-empted.
Mr. McCoan asked for clarification of the classification of the land. Mr. Parmee explained that the land currently owned by BDC was POS and not a Nature Reserve and that the land currently owned by Premdor is designated as a Nature Reserve. The POS is in a Conservation Area so trees will not be felled unless in the interests of safety.
Seating will be kept to a minimum.
Access for motorbikes will be prevented by suitable gates.
In response to a question about interpretation boards, Mr. Parmee confirmed that interpretation boards would be provided and in particular one was being considered in the vicinity of the former railway bridge over the river to record the brief history of the railway and the local industries including brick-making, Rippers joinery works, osier and hop growing, etc., which were all associated with the area between Alderford Street and Station Road.
A question was raised about artwork to which Mr. Corder-Birch explained that the funding will be from S106 Agreements from various sites in the village and that it is hoped that designs of the proposed artwork will be available at the Sible Hedingham Annual Parish Meeting which had provisionally been arranged for 28th May 2008.
Mr. Behn enquired about the effect of the walk on muntjac deer to which the majority of the public responded that they should be shot as they were so destructive. Mr. Parmee advised that deer will happily move off to other areas if disturbed.
It was alleged that BDC, SHPC and RCCP were giving the Riverside Walk priority over other projects. It was explained that the project had been in progress for 20 (twenty) years and it was confirmed that no other project will suffer as a result of it. It was reiterated that the walk will be created pursuant to a planning permission and legal agreements that the site will be a POS.
Mr. Ray Brooks, 31 Spring Way enquired about S106 monies. Mr. A. Corder-Birch confirmed that the monies from two sites had already been paid to BDC and that money from a third site was awaited.
Another resident enquired about flood prevention and was advised that flood management is the responsibility of the Environment Agency.
Another question was raised about access. Mr. Parmee confirmed that there was currently no access at the Alderford Mill end until a footbridge is constructed hopefully later this year. He confirmed that the site is a POS so it is open to the public now.
A question was raised about life saving equipment along the river. Mr. Parmee explained that some people perceive such equipment as a nuisance because it can be vandalised but investigations will take place to determine if such equipment is necessary or not.
In response to a question about ownership of land, Mr. Parmee confirmed that the land is currently owned by BDC but upon completion of the walk the land may be handed over to SHPC, which will be discussed in the future. In the meantime any problems or issues should be referred to BDC.
A question was asked about some brick rubble on site. Mr. Skittrall reported that an official litter pick will take place on Saturday, 16th February 2008 at 10am. Mrs. A. Weatherley is organising the volunteers and offers of help should be given to her.
Mr. Parmee stated that as much of the character of the site as possible will be retained.
The formation of ‘The Friends of the Riverside Walk’ was proposed.
Miss. H. Crow stated that BDC, as a local authority, are required to provide POS and that there is a requirement for certain proportions of POS when developments take place. Therefore BDC are complying with Government legislation in this respect.
Mr. Derek Murray of New England asked for how long the walk will be managed and was advised by Mr. Parmee that it will be managed indefinitely and that the grass either side of the path will be cut when necessary. No additional parking is anticipated as the walk is principally for the use of local residents and is not intended to draw in people from outside.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.55pm