Highways

Three accidents over the summer at the Potten End crossroads (the junction of The Common, Water End Road, Church Road and the Green) have once again focused attention on the safety of this junction. Interestingly the statistics suggest that most accidents involve vehicles travelling north along The Green and east along The Common – in other words where the sight-line is just about perfect. Longer term we hope the proposed raised platform will help, but County Cllr Smith-Wright has asked Highways what can be done to improve its safety in the short-term.

The road closure outside 76 and 78 Hempstead Lane and the extensive use of the field to the side of 78 are all connected with the completion of the drainage works which were halted after the tragic on-site death of one of the contractors two years ago. County Cllr Smith-Wight is trying to see whether it will be possible to partially open the road at some stage but at the moment that seems unlikely; not surprisingly because of the history everything is being done by the book. It’s anticipated that the road will be closed at least until the end of October.

We managed to get the proposed closure of Little Heath Lane near the junction with Hempstead Lane postponed because of the closure of Hempstead Lane.

Open Spaces

There’s a provisional request that the council consider the installation of a water fountain on the recreation ground near the play equipment; your views would be welcome.

Unfortunately it’s been necessary to close the bucket swing and some of the climbing frame on the recreation ground because potential problems were identified during a recent inspection. We’re trying to get this rectified as soon as possible.

Planning

For those of you interested in the impact of changes in planning law, outline planning permission for three self/custom built dwellings in what is currently the grounds of Mollcroft (the last house on the north side of Hempstead Lane going toward Hemel has been granted. The importance of this decision is that what we previously considered as green belt between Potten End and Hemel could now be considered to be grey belt and available for development.

Over the summer the council supported applications from Meads, Frithsden Copse  (26/01623/FHA), the Village Hall (26/01716/TCA) and Moonfleet, Frithsden Copse (26/01673/FHA).

At the meeting on Thursday the Council will consider:

25/01742/MOA – Polehanger Lane development. This is the proposal to build 700 dwellings, a care home, children’s home and school on the edge of Hemel, effectively reducing the gap between Hemel and Potten End by 50%. In previous iterations the Parish Council has successfully challenged the developers assumption that there will be minimal impact on vehicle flows through Potten End but in the Parish Council’s view the revised figures still underplay the likely impact which the council believes could result in a 30% increase in traffic through the village.

26/01881/FUL– Bowling Club, Hempstead Lane – construction of equipment shed

26/01917/TCA– The Vicarage, Church Road – Leyland cypress to reduce height by 6m