The Welwyn Planning & Amenity Group has been in regular conversation with Cllr Richard Smith with regard to the current and proposed COVID-19 restrictions in Welwyn village.
It has been our understanding that the current, unsatisfactory, arrangements would be amended as soon as possible. We appreciate that this has had to wait for clarification of central government decisions.
Current Chaos
The truly draconian measures in place are destructive to the community, its lifestyle and its operation.
The High Street traders and shops, as well as residents, are seriously affected by what has been imposed on the village. In order to allow Welwyn to survive at all, the current restrictions need to be reversed and, if another scheme must be introduced, replaced with something as minimally invasive as possible. Residents have coped until now with social distancing and really the only precaution that is necessary is for everyone to wear a face covering when inside a shop and to queue one metre apart where necessary.
The WPAG Position
The Welwyn Planning & Amenity Group fully supports:
The outside the bank photo shows L – R : Cllr Tony Kingsbury (Leader Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council), Sandra Kyriakides (Welwyn Planning & Amenity Group), Grant Shapps MP, Jane Carr (St Mary’s Church), Delene Miller (Welwyn Post Office)
PRESS RELEASE 09 March 2019
WELWYN TO LOSE ITS ONLY BANK AT THE
END OF MARCH
Barclays
Bank’s scheduled closure will go ahead on 29th March. This is despite the Petition co-ordinated by
Christina Raven, bearing 1184 signatures, which asks that the bank should stay
open for a few more years.
At
a meeting with Barclays on Friday 8th March, Grant Shapps MP
presented the petition on behalf of the community to Donna Hagan-Grenfell,
Community Banking Director. Also present
were Cllr Tony Kingsbury, Leader of Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, Sandra
Kyriakides for the Welwyn Planning & Amenity Group, Jane Carr for St Mary’s
Church and Delene Miller, proprietor of Welwyn’s Post Office. Lisa Webb, Barclays Community Relations
Officer and Dean Body, Director of Business Banking at Welwyn Garden City were
also present.
Grant
Shapps spelled out the major issues that the closure of the Bank will create. These are of great concern to the local
community and Mr Shapps asked that Barclays find ways to help the community in
the short-term, until long-term solutions are implemented.
Sandra
Kyriakides pointed out that the nearest banks to Welwyn are either 4 miles away
in Welwyn Garden City or 5 miles away in Stevenage. This can involve half a day on buses for the
elderly and less able, for whom Barclays in Welwyn has been a lifeline for so
many years. She also said that the
defibrillator needs to be as near to its current location as possible as this
is the part of the village with the highest footfall. She raised the concern of businesses that
operate mainly on a cash basis and the problems they will have.
Dona
Hagan expressed a willingness to help on behalf of Barclays. She was unable to give definitive answers at
the meeting but will be seeking approval for the suggestions made and will
report back to those present at the meeting as soon as possible.
The
meeting was very positive. Agreement, in
principle, was reached for the following:
The ATM machine is to be
relocated to a suitable site within Welwyn Village and will be paid for and
maintained by Barclays, provided they can do this without incurring a rental
charge. Barclays will endeavour to keep
the current machine operational until then.
Grant Shapps stressed that there must be no break in availability of
cash provision.
The Defibrillator can
remain on the wall of the Barclays Bank building until approval for the new
site is finalised and Barclays will continue to supply the electrical
connection. This could take some
months. Barclays has agreed to cover
the cost of moving and reinstalling the defibrillator.
A Banking Assistance service will be provided
by Barclays for as long as is appropriate to those who need help with online
banking procedures. This will be of
particular benefit to the older members of the community who are less mobile or
unsure of technology. St Mary’s Church has offered space in Church House to run these
sessions on Tuesday mornings when Community Café meets.
Businesses that are
Barclays customers are invited to contact Dean Body at Welwyn Garden City to
discuss arrangements that may be possible for provision and collection of cash,
called “Business Collect”. Dona Hagan
also agreed to investigate the possibility of providing this service to the
Charity Shop and Church.
Although
Barclays’ decision is irreversible and the loss of the bank will be difficult
for Welwyn, they are at least listening to the problems that losing the bank
will cause to the village and seem to be willing to help.
Our
thanks to Grant Shapps MP for his support and to Christina Raven for all her
work putting together the Petition, which Barclays say they will acknowledge.
The following report has been produced by the sculptor, Anthony Padgett, who provided this photo..
In total there are 7 of the sculptures (each in England, France, Holland and Belgium.
The locations were chosen after careful research into the life of Van Gogh.
Europe mainland:
Espace Van Gogh in Arles (to be unveiled on 9th March 2019), France, where Van Gogh lived as an artist 1888-1889 in the Yellow House and where he infamously cut his ear off
the Van Gogh Library in Nuenen, Holland, (already sited) where Van Gogh lived at the family home and was an artist 1883-1885
in the Borinage in Belgium (to be unveiled 2019) where he was a missionary to the mining community 1878-1879
In the UK – the Four places Vincent lived in the UK:
Brixton (already sited) Art Dealer 1873-1875,
Isleworth (to be unveiled 16th March) – Teacher 1876
Ramsgate (to be unveiled 15th June) – Teacher 1876
Welwyn (already sited) – where he walked 100 miles to visit his sister in 1876.
The work coincides with a resurgance of interest in Van Gogh and the blockbuster exhibition at Tate Britain of Van Gogh’s work which will celebrate his time in England.
Anthony (50 years old) said “I have had a life-long interest in art and was struck by how Van Gogh’s work was so unique and distinctive. This made me want to explore his technique and create my own work as a result. I spent a year creating 80 artworks around Vincent as I wanted to engage in his intensity to gain an insight into his life. This was so I would be better placed to create a sculpture that captured some of his personality. When you look into the sculpture’s eyes you get a glimpse into the soul of a deep and intense visionary.”
Further to my recent post on Nextdoor, I’ve received a lot of replies complaining about pavements and pathways. I spoke with County Councillor Richard Smith today and he will be happy to help in any way he can. He also suggests that you go onto the Herts CC website: and lodge your complaint, or phone them on 0300 123 4047.
County Councillor Smith also asks that you let him know so that he can push for action where it is needed. I will be passing all the complaints I have received on to him, but many of them do not have full contact addresses and names so it would be helpful for him if you could email him or phone him. Many thanks. Sandra Kyriakides,
Welwyn Planning & Amenity Group29 Jan · Welwyn in General
The Welwyn Planning & Amenity Group is compiling a list of pavements and pathways in our Parish that are in need of repair/attention. You can help by letting me know if there are any such issues in your area. We hope to then bring the matter to the attention of the appropriate local authorities and will do all we can to get action where it is needed.
Many thanks for your assistance. Sandra Kyriakides
WPAG believes that in the context of further WHBC Green Belt Study – Stage 3 called for by the Inspector, (see the WHBC December Local Plan Newsletter) the WPC should reiterate to WHBC by the 20th December 2019 deadline, the major concerns we have for any development in Welwyn – particularly on Green Belt sites – other than those that have already been agreed.
We argue this case on the basis of:
the total lack of infrastructure to support further development
regular peak hour gridlock at the Clock roundabout
major redevelopment plans in Codicote (and further afield at Langley) which will increase traffic flow along the B656, which is already overcapacity at peak periods
the recent approval of a housing development at the former Entech site in Woolmer Green and traffic flows on the B197
lack of adequate medical provision for an increased population – Lister and QEII Hospitals are running at capacity – and 3-week waiting for GP appointments in local surgeries.
This is a new power available to local councils, introduced by the Localism Act 2011.
If Welwyn Parish Council decides to proceed with a Neighbourhood Plan, this would enable control over the definition of future type and location of development.
An adopted Neighbourhood Plan would become part of the statutory development plan.
The local planning authority (i.e. WHBC) has a duty to support those creating neighbourhood plans.
With the introduction of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), if in possession of an adopted Neighbourhood Plan, WPC would be entitled to a payment of 25% uncapped. Without a plan it would receive a payment equal to 15% capped to £100 per dwelling.
If the Parish Council does not have a Neighbourhood Plan, WHBC would receive uncapped payments equal to 25%.
If a Neighbourhood Plan is produced by another organisation (i.e. not the Parish Council) within the community, payments would be subject to consultation with the local authority.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT FOR WELWYN NOT TO HAVE A NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN:
WHBC WOULD THEN RECEIVE ALL MONEYS ON BUILDING WITHIN OUR PARISH TO SPEND AS THEY WISH.
WELWYN WOULD HAVE NO CONTROL OVER FUTURE BUILDING PROJECTS.
Welwyn Parish Council is undecided as to whether it will proceed to produce a Neighbourhood Plan because of (a) the cost implication and (b) the amount of work required to do so.
However, a working party has been set up by WPC, currently lead by Cllr Mark Castle. The Clerk is working with Cllr Castle on the Terms of Reference for the group. The group will examine the pros and cons of having a plan and put forward their recommendation to WPC which will then discuss this at a meeting. If the decision is to proceed, volunteers from members of the public with specific skills in planning/architecture as well as from local action groups will be sought, to help produce the plan.
WPAG CONSIDERS IT IS VITAL THAT THERE IS A NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN AND THAT WPC WOULD BE REMISS IN ITS PUBLIC DUTY TO THE COMMUNITY IF IT FAILS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS.
The following draft has been prepared by Sandra Kyriakides
A report to Cabinet Planning and Parking Panel (CPPP) on Thursday (13 December) outlines how the council will seek to meet the objectively assessed need for 16,000 new homes in the borough to 2033.
Members are set to consider the next steps in the development of the borough’s Local Plan, including a further call for new sites.
It follows a request from the government’s planning inspector to carry out a further study assessing the borough’s green belt to find more land for housing. This work assessed the likely impact of development on the green belt, identifying that the borough’s housing need can only be met in full if the council considers land where development would have high impact.
The report to CPPP recommends a call for new sites in the hope that more will come forward in lower harm areas. These will be published for public comment and council officers will then assess sites for their suitability for development. A decision will then be made on which sites are added to the plan for consideration by the inspector.
Cllr Stephen Boulton, Executive Member for Planning, said: “For our plan to move forwards, we must prove to the inspector that we’ve explored all possible options to deliver the level of growth the borough needs for the future.”
“A call for sites in the New Year will give us the best chance of producing a sound plan, a plan that balances the protection of our green belt with the need to deliver the new homes, jobs, services and infrastructure our children and grandchildren will rely on.”
Members will also agree a new timetable, which would see a four week call for new sites in January 2019, followed by sites being published for six weeks of public comment in February and March. It is hoped the plan will now be adopted in spring 2020.
To read the full report, visit the council’s website.
The following report was drafted by Sandra Kyriakides
THE WELWYN HERITAGE TRAIL
Welwyn’s Heritage Trail was established a few years ago by the Welwyn Archaelogical Society with Lottery Funding. Sadly, the website has not functioned for some time due to a loss of management, and lack of funding.
Through our active involvement with the Welwyn Parish Council’s Community Engagement Committee, WPAG has stepped in to manage this Project, aided by a generous donation of funds from the Welwyn Parish Plan Group. The aim is to restore this valuable guide to Welwyn’s heritage.
As a result, WPAG is currently working with volunteer local IT designers with the purpose of restoring the Welwyn Heritage Trail early in 2019.
The Danesbury Victorian Fernery and grotto
The Van Gogh Bust
The opportunity will be taken to add two more sites to Welwyn’s Heritage Trail, to inform visitors and direct them to their location.
The following report was posted by Sandra Kyriakides
VAN GOGH PROJECT
You will all be aware of the role of WPAG in bringing the Van Gogh bust to the village. (See the earlier post)
The sculptor, Anthony Padgett, has since suggested that the places that receive one of his Van Gogh bust donations (including Welwyn) might like to form a link with one another.
We have therefore been in communication with the Municipal Council of Arles, (Van Gogh’s home town in France) who have voted to accept Anthony’s kind offer. They have been reminded of our (Welwyn) bust and suggested they might consider forming a cultural link with Welwyn in relation to our shared interest and history with Van Gogh.
The President of the Van Gogh Association, Vincent Ramon has written confirming that they would very much like to do this.
Anthony Padgett’s latest installation of Van Gogh sculpture work was unveiled in Brixton on 17th November. (See The Art Newspaper)
The story of the project and photos of the bust of Vincent Van Gogh was in the national press Sunday Telegraph (a big half page photo) on 25th November. It gives some excellent publicity for the Van Gogh Walk and the sculpture – and marked the event on a national level. Welwyn was mentioned.
WPAG will be liaising with administrators at all sites with a view to establishing a link between all of them and ourselves.
The whole project is quite exciting and there will be a Tate Britain exhibition of Van Gogh’s work in March 2019. We are in contact with Martin Bailey, the curator, to explore the possibility of including a reference to the Welwyn connection.
