Meeting Report – October 31st 2014

Our October meeting opened with an interesting and informative presentation by Sue Palmer and Paula Curran entitled Footpaths and Rights of Way (and how to maintain them). Both Sue and Paula are local Parish Path Inspectors that undertake periodic inspections on behalf of WSCC. Their duties include walking the footpaths etc and noting their condition with special emphasis on overhanging vegetation, animal and bird habitats, gates and fences and adequate signage to ensure the public are aware of potential dangers. The inspections take place on a 9 month cycle to ensure all paths are viewed in each season over a 3 year period. A Working Party is then established by the WSCC Access Ranger to undertake any required repairs. Ed Miller delivered an update on local planning issues. He advised us that the storage area application for Hangleton Nurseries has been withdrawn. An application for development on a limited scale at the Bluebird Café and Ferring Country Centre and also an application for a development of 2 houses in existing back gardens in Ferring Lane have all been submitted. Ed emphasised that the requirement under the Neighbourhood Plan to build 50 new dwellings in Ferring over the next 15 years was set by Arun DC. Tricia Hall concluded the meeting by giving an update on bird sightings in the area and commented on how the wildflower beds in the village are still thriving. She said that there had been sightings of Stonechats, Grey Wagtails, Little Egrets, Snipe, a Wheatear, Gold Finches and Brent Geese in the area.

News from the recent Neighbourhood Plan meeting

The special meeting of the Group on the proposed Ferring Neighbourhood Plan which took place on 20th October at the Village Hall was a success with over 100 local people attending. There were many questions and points from the audience which were ably answered by the panel of Carole Robertson, Ed Miller and Paul Webster. It is accepted that there are areas of the plan which have caused some controversy, but generally Ferring Conservation Group supports the plan as the best way forward for the village. The plan will be decided by a village wide referendum to be held on Wednesday 10th December, and the group encourages you to use your vote.

In the meantime, if you need more information about it prior to referendum day, there will be a “Drop In” day at the Glebelands Centre on Saturday 29th November, where you can speak to local Parish Councillors direct. An information leaflet will also be delivered to all Ferring households around the same time.

News from the recent Warren Pond work day

It was great to see 26 members/ volunteer workers turn up for the first clear up of the surrounds of the Warren Pond last Saturday (11th October). The Group carried out the work in partnership with Ferring Parish Council which now owns the pond. Refreshments were kindly provided by members Sue and Tony Palmer who live nearby.

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Much undergowth including brambles was cut back and a skip was soon filled with this, but it will allow us now to carry out a proper assessment of the pond to judge what further essential work is required in the future when finances allow. It will then hopefully return the pond to being a very valuable wildlife habitat, where ducks, kingfishers and bats are already being seen, as well as an asset for the village.

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More work parties will be organised in the future so keep your eyes open for details, and it is hoped that a number of applications will be made for grants to assist in financing the work.

Bulb Planting on the Village Green

As part of our commitment to help improve the Ferring Village Green, we are joining up with Arun District Council for a bulb planting session there at 2pm on Tuesday 21st October.

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It would be good to see a decent turnout of local people, and the fruits of our labours will be seen next Spring and hopefully every year after that when the flowers bloom. Meet on the Green and please come armed with trowels and/or bulb planters.