St. Mark's School Celebrates the Royal Wedding

There has indeed been a celebration, already, before the Big Day itself. Headmaster Peter Barfoot reports "it was a great occasion - helped by the marvellous weather of course." 

A 'Street Party' in the Playground.

Waste Collection

South Lakeland District Council's waste collection will be nearly back on course next week, following the disruption caused to our waste disposal by the Royal Wedding. On the week beginning the 2nd May bins will be emptied one day later than normal.
Is anything else happening in Natland the celebrate the Royal Wedding?

New Scam

If you receive a call from anyone claiming to be from the 'Meter Registration Service' or the 'Meter Registration Team' please refuse the call.  These people are energy brokers who are using potentially illegal methods to try and get electric and gas contracts.

New Bus Timetable

We have been informed that the new timetable will start on May 3rd.  I will post it on the  bus shelter on the green unless the service provider has already done so.

Rhian Peters  NPC.

Parish Boundary

I have had a rapid response to the article on the sparkling refurbishment of the Parish Boundary Posts

Rhian Peters writes -  "In response to a request supported by Kendal Civic Society, Natland Parish Council agreed to pay for 50% of the cost of repainting the historic Mile Post and Boundary Post at Barrows Green".

WI Update

At the opening of the April meeting of Natland & Oxenholme W.I., president, Marion Thornton

asked members to observe one minute of silence in memory of respected & committed member, Dorothy Standing.

Several events during the past month had been enjoyed by members, our delegate to the Spring Council meeting, Diana Dickinson, gave a comprehensive report of the County's affairs, and congratulations were expressed to Joan Airey, who has designed a card for the Royal Wedding!

As part of the National campaign 'Save our Trees', Kirsten Cannon & Marion Thornton have planted two oak trees on the Helm, in conjunction with, & helped by Judith Moore, from 'Friends of the Lake District' who had cleared a site & planted several more species

Kirsten Cannon & Dawn Ridgeway represented our Institute in the recent 'Reading Aloud' County Competition, gaining a credible third place. They read their chosen pieces of 'Prose' & 'Poetry' to our

meeting.

Guest speaker, Alan Bobbett, gave an amusing account of his experiences as a contestant on the T.V. Quiz show, 'The Weakest Link' & gave a revealing insight into how the programme is put together.

The evening ended with a Quiz, individual members supplying the variety of questions. The winner was Elisabeth Chandler.

Next meeting is on Wednesday, 18th May' when Resolutions put forward for the National A.G.M. will be discussed.   

Visitors are always welcome.

Music at St. Mark's

The new Trumpet stop on the organ of St Mark's was heard for the first time on Easter Sunday. Although further work has still to be carried out to fully complete the installation, the new stop has added more power to the organ and was heard to great effect in the rousing Easter hymns and final voluntary.

The Herdwyck Consort will be singing English and Spanish music next Saturday, the 30th April, in the church at 7.30pm. The programme is entitled "A Right Royal Renaissance" and the tickets are £7, under 16s free.

Natland News Blog Success Continues

The success of the new Natland News Blog continues, views peaked last Wednesday with 244 Natlanders logging on in one day.  Thanks for your comments and support:

"Good luck with the new venture, I will miss Don but look forward to seen what is on the blog", Dora.

"Congratulations on taking on the job.  It's looking really good,

very readable and informative.

Both Jeremy and I enjoy logging onto the Natland News.

So glad you and Elspeth have taken it on".

 Yvonne 

"Best wishes - I am sure the new look will be a great success" Stan

Easter Eggstream Exstravaganza

Natlands nearest Pub the Punchbowl at Barrows Green joined-up with Lakeland Radio to put on the Easter Eggstream Extravaganza in aid of the Hydrotherapy Pool.  Local Landlord David Hall and his family put on a true family day out, with stalls, rides, barbeque's etc not to mention his usual excellent real ale. 

The event was jointly sponsored by Lakeland Radio to support The Hydrotherapy Pool which is their local charity of the year. 

Hundreds flocked to the event and enjoyed a day in the sun.  Natland farmer David Moorhouse kindly donated the use of his field adjacent to the Pub.

Parish Boundary Markers

Whilst covering the Natland Coach Park story I was delighted to see the newly restored Parish Boundary Marker.  Help my curiosity - who did such a splendid job? - please post a comment or email me - STEPHEN

New Natland Coach Park - Saves Barrow Transport Links

I have received several alerts to Coaches Parking in the acceleration lane at the junction of Oxenholme Lane and the A65.  Suggestions were put forward e.g. Tourist Buses, K Village Overflow, Visitors to the Natland Treacle Mines. Your editor has tracked it down to Rail Replacement Buses! 

David Peters has looked into it further:

"I too was concerned earlier this month to see coaches parked in the 'slip lanes' of the Burton Road/Oxenholme Lane junction.  The drivers confirmed they were shuttling passengers between Oxenholme Junction and Barrow (and stations en route) during the closure of Arnside viaduct.  They dislike the roughness and muddiness of the coach parking behind the Leisure Centre.  At weekends only they ferry Virgin Rail customers and so are allowed to use the station car park, which Virgin controls.  Such are the benefits of competition!  I asked them not to park at all on the southern 'slip lane' (because we drive on the left that is the critical direction in the 'visibility splay') and to keep to the far end of the northern 'slip lane'.  I warned them that the police would be called if they parked on the south side or too close to the junction on the north side, although the police might take the initiative and move them on anyway without receiving a complaint, and asked them to pass it on to other drivers.  One reason for the problem is that the junction was wrongly designed by Westmorland County Council.  I can't think of any similar ones in the area.  It should have a hatched 'ghost island' right-turn lane on Burton Road and no acceleration or deceleration splays from/to Oxenholme Lane".

Your Editor found no coaches parked today (25th April).

All Steamed Up

Following on from previous submissions to Don, Martyn Hill rose early to capture the Scots Guardsman leaving the siding at Oxenholme Station, he says he " I wasn't on my own which shows there are clearly other sad individuals around" !

Thanks Martyn for the great picture, please keep them coming.  If it is any help to you I used to stand on platforms in my short trousers and school cap with notebook in hand.

Natland Parish Council Annual Report & Accounts

The Annual Report is in 'bookfold' page setup for delivery as a leaflet to each household in the parish between 28 April and 5 May.  Natland News Blog has been informed that if there are any 'howlers' they can still be corrected up to printing on 26 April. Follow the link http://www.natland.info/Natland%20Annual%20Parish%20Meeting%202011%20Report%20and%20Accounts.pdf

Natland Parish Council - Minutes

Natland Parish Council met on 18th April, follow the link to copy of the minutes http://www.natland.info/Natland%20PC%20Minutes%202011-04-18.pdf

Land Allocation - Friends of The Lake District Response

PR98/11 

                                                                                

For immediate release

19 April 2011

 

South Lakeland under threat from Land Allocations Proposals

Landscape charity Friends of the Lake District has raised concerns over the proposed development of numerous large greenfield sites, which have been identified by South Lakeland District Council in their recent ‘Allocations Emerging Options’ consultation.

The consultation, which began in January, finished last week (April15),.The ‘Allocations document identified the major new sites the Council proposes to allocate for development for housing and employment for the next 14 years. The majority of the locations are currently greenfield sites across the district.

Planning Officer Richard Pearse said: ‘The council is proposing a level of development across the district to 2025, which is unprecedented in modern times. They have set themselves very high targets for housing and employment development, which will necessitate the release of numerous major greenfield sites.

‘Virtually all the towns and villages in the district will be affected by the proposals. Some areas have the capacity to accommodate the change proposed. We are concerned however, that a significant number do not. Kendal in particular will be fundamentally altered if all the development planned goes ahead. The town retains a very rural character at present – its development edges are softened by green fields and undeveloped valley sides. These new developments would change that.

‘A number of the proposed sites are unsuitable because, given the size of settlements, local facilities will not be enough to sustain the additional population, so residents would have to drive to access employment, shops and services. We could see smaller settlements in South Lakeland becoming dormitory towns for people commuting to bigger towns and cities for work.’

‘We recognise the need to provide land to accommodate housing and employment development for local people. We have not raised objections to a great many of the sites proposed in acknowledgment of this. Our concern remains however that the council has set an overall target which is too high, and has not sought to balance the need to deliver appropriate sites with a recognition that the landscape has a finite capacity to absorb development. This is a particularly important consideration in an area such as south Lakeland, which is renowned for its outstanding landscape and townscape character. A healthy economy is dependent upon a high quality environment. The district has got a lot to offer in this respect – but it’s important to recognise the limits this imposes.’

Next the council will consider all responses that have been made, and will draw conclusions on where the allocations for development should be made. This will be followed by a public hearing, in late 2011, chaired by an independent planning inspector, who will make the final decision.

Friends of the Lake District are keen to work with concerned residents and action groups in regard to the planning allocations proposals. Please contact us via email info@fld.org.uk or see www.fld.org.uk for further details.

Dawn Groundsell
Communications Officer

New Bus Timetable

Natland News Blog is first to publish the new 552 Bus Timetable - follow the link - 552 Timetable , the only problem is we don't know when it starts! If you know let me know STEPHEN

Responses to consultation on Natland development land allocation.

Here is a link to South Lakeland District Council's record of all the written responses to their recent consultation. http://www.southlakeland.gov.uk/ldf/consultation/  The map number filter seems to work better than the settlement name.

New Natland News Blog Huge Success

It is a week since Don Shore pressed the button for the move from Natland Info Website to the new Natland News Blog.  I am please to announce that it has been recieved well, on Wednesday last we had and amazing 188 views in one day.

Don't forget you can now post your comments direct or e-mail Elspeth or Stephen.  Please keep your news contributions flowing.

Natland Village Bus Service Saved

Great News - Natland bus service continues.

Mark Hodgkiss Cumbria County Councils Passenger Transport Officer has informed Natland News Blog that following the letter of 1st March, regarding changes to County Council Supported bus services, including the withdrawal of funding for the Service 550 via Natland and Sedgwick. He is pleased to be able to inform us that Stagecoach have provided Cumbria County Council with a timetable for a diversion of the current Service 552 between Arnside and Kendal via Milnthorpe, to additionally operate via Natland and Sedgwick, before re-gaining the existing route at Levens Bridge.

He has asked us will also be writing to all those who contacted the County Council regarding their concerns. The diversion of these journeys are being provide without any additional subsidy from the County Council, although one Monday to Friday and three Saturday trips on the Service 552 are already financially supported by the County Council.

A PDF of the new timetable will appear on Natland News Blog as soon as Don returns from his holidays - sorry we are still in a learning curve with technology.

Nepal School Funds Raised in Natland

The Rotary Club of Kendal held a fundraising event on Friday evening in the village hall.  Lhakpa Sherpa and his wife Pat Steel-Sherpa gave a presentation to over fifty Rotarians and their guests on the history and future plans of his village school at Khiraule in the Everest Region of Nepal. The nearest road and Airport is 4-days trek away.  The school founded in 1998 as a primary school is now planning to expand to include a lower Secondary Unit and Health Centre.  Local residents Dave and Elizabeth Ball shared their experience of Trekking to Khiraule last month to as part of the ‘School Bag’ initiative. Kendal Rotary Club International Officer Philip Hoyle announced over £500 had been raised on the night.  If you are interested in adding your support contacts Lhakpa or Pat Sherpa on sherpaguide16@yahoo.com

Key found on canal path

A car key with a garage fob has been found on the canal path in Natland.

If you are missing your key, phone Jeff Harrison on 015395 60363 with a description of what you have lost including the name of the garage.

Last date for comment to SLDC on Natland land allocation.

The deadline is the 15th April and the response form is available online at www.southlakeland.gov.uk/ldf/consultation/www.southlakeland.gov.uk/ldf/consultation/

The Planners Response to some of Natland's concerns

Damian Law, South Lakeland District Council's Principal Development Plans Officer replied to some concerns: The event last Monday (4th April) was well attended, over 140 people turned out. Many issues were raised as expressed in your summary particularly with regard to the following issues:

- Infrastructure capacity (schools, roads, other facilities)

- Local flooding issues

- Local road safety issues

- Landscape issues /views

With regard to your specific questions I provide the following response:

Would the new developments affect the running of Natland's underground streams?

Would water surface in the middle of these new developments?

The council in liaison with key bodies such as the Environment Agency will continue to take these issues into account in assessing the overall deliverability of sites. Further investigations may be necessary to understand more fully specific issues associated with individual sites. In instances where particular issues may arise, mitigation measures and pratical solutions will need to be identified in order to enable development.

Would Natland's sewers cope with more houses in the village?

 Preliminary advice from United Utilities states that there are no known sewer capacity issues in Natland.  However, United Utilities do comment that additional work is needed to check if cumulative impact on treatment works may raise capacity issues.

Home Field and the threatened view.

The Council will continue to liaise with United Utilities and seek their advice on this matter.
 Wasn't it really ribbon development along the road to Sedgwick?

It is considered development of site R62/63 (Home Field) would not constitute ribbon development along the road to Sedgwick.

Brow Head. Another view at risk.

'and did the building have to go up the hillside to Brow Head?' (the field on Burton Road opposite the end of Oxenholme Lane)

'Would it stay a quality site or would it end up like all the industrial estates in town?'

 Site M2M is being suggested as a location for a business/science park. The Council envisages such a development to comprise of a mix of B1 uses i.e. Business uses capable of being carried out in any residential area without detriment to amenity. Uses would include offices, research and development and light industrial

Would there be any housing to rent or any small units suitable for the many older single folk in the village who would love to downsize and stay in Natland?"

 In Local Service Centres, on sites providing 3 houses or more, 35% of the total development would need to comprise affordable housing. Affordable housing can comprise social rented housing, it can also comprise shared ownership housing and discounted for sale housing. The Core Strategy includes a policy CS6.2 which seeks to ensure that new developments offer a range of housing sizes and types, taking account of the housing requirement of different groups of society, including the need to deliver low cost market housing as part of the overall housing mix. The Parish Housing Needs Survey questionnaires do include a question asking people why they need to move which does include the option of saying because 'the present home is too large'. 

 

Brown Field Sites in Kendal

Our New Natland News Blog is only hours old and we have our first Land Allocation response, keep them coming, post your comments or email me STEPHEN:

Dear Editor,

I am writing to protest about the possibility of 28 houses to be built on the Home Field. Apart from the building upon a green-field site in Natland, another raw, new estate would eclipse the beauty of the village. Why spoil, aesthetically, the surrounding countryside when there are still plenty of brown field sites in Kendal? 

We already have traffic jams in the village at the start of morning school and collections in the afternoon. We should say NO to the developers.

   

Yours sincerely,

June Tower

Steaming Through Oxenholme

Pat Williams reports that on Thursday 21st April - 46115 The Scots Guardsman will be south bound through Oxenhome at 15-15pm.

New Natland News

A New Look Natland

It is now the time for Stephen Baker, your new editor, and Elspeth Jayne, your ever vigilant newshound, to take on the complex network of electronic and social connections that Don has so skilfully knitted together over his many years as editor. We just hope we don't get tangled up in them all. Many thanks to Don for all his hard work and commitment and to his son Jamie who has set this new site up to make it easier for us.
By changing the format it should mean that it will be even easier for those of you who care about our community to make your contributions. Just add your comments to items which have already appeared or contribute your own items of interest to Natlanders by emailing Stephen and Elspeth .

What have we done!

Natland Parish Council - Agenda

The next Natland Parish Council Meeting is on Monday 18th April - Please follow the link http://www.natland.info/Agenda.pdf

Parish Council Response to Land Allocations

Just as Elspeth and Stephen take over from Don Shore we run into the biggest news item to hit Natland for many years.  The Land Allocations debate continues, petitions are being signed, but what better place can you find to vent your true feelings and observation than the NEW NATLAND NEWS BLOG.  Two camps are emerging to raise more questions than answers.  Those against have objection ranging from too much traffic to interrupted views.  Those for see a future thriving village with a bustling local school, shop and post office. This situation is not new Natland has seen several significant building developments over the years.


Keep your comments coming


Natland Parish Council has made its response to SLDC - follow the link to this important document http://www.natland.info/NPC%20comments%2020110408.pdf

HMRC SCAM

Cumbria Police have received information about a current email scam that is
doing the rounds.

The email pretends to be sent by staff from HM Revenue and Customs asking
applicants to send their name, address and bank card details via a website
attachment.

Please be aware that HMRC along with banks and other government agencies
will NEVER contact anyone via email. If you receive such an email you are advised to delete it immediately.

Pass it on to your relatives and friends but not on the voice connect system.

PS Regrettably your Tax Demands by post are not usually scams!

Holiday Club

Come and join us for a  Holiday Club  in the Village Hall, Natland  with games, quizzes, crafts, songs, refreshments and lots more ………… on Mon 18th – Wed 20th April from 10am - 12noon

All children currently at primary school are invited to come along. 

Younger children may attend if accompanied by an adult.

Only £1 per session.

For more information, or to let us know you are coming along, please speak to 
Angela or Andrew Whittaker at The Vicarage, Natland, LA9 7QQ or 
telephone 015395 60355. 

This event is organized by the churches in Natland, Old Hutton & New Hutton.

District Council asks Natlanders to comment on its development plans.

There was a steady turnout of concerned residents to South Lakeland District Council's display at the Village Hall on the 4th April, and three planning officers were there from 2 until 7pm to field questions.

• Would the new developments affect the running of Natland's underground streams? Would water surface in the middle of these new developments?
• Would Natland's sewers cope with more houses in the village? 
• Many people commented on the traffic already passing through the village especially along Oxenholme Lane which is already a short cut from Brettargh Holt to Asda and the hospital. More houses would mean more traffic. 
• Others asked whether the owners of the development sites were willing to sell for building.
• The Home Field raised a lot of questions for Natlanders. Not just its history but the loss of a view to St Mark's Home, the loss of the view over the field to the walled coppice on the hillock and then around to Scout Scar over the valley. Wasn't it really ribbon development along the road to Sedgwick? 
• There was much relief in Longmeadow Lane about the fields up to the railway becoming an official Green Gap.  
• There wasn't huge interest in places outside the parish like the houses proposed  east of Longmeadow between the railway and  Burton Road. 
• More interest was shown in the business park behind the bus shelter on Burton Road. Some felt that it was a pity to lose the view over the fields to Hayfell and Benson Knott, and did the buiding have to go up the hillside to Brow Head? Would it stay a quality site or would it end up like all the industrial estates in town? 
• Did anyone  notice the big industrial/employment site south of Scroggs Wood? 
• Several folk could see a need for affordable housing but wondered if even affordable housing could be afforded these days. Would there be any housing to rent or any small units suitable for the many older single folk in the village would would love to downsize and stay in Natland?

Responses to these questions are eagerly awaited from Brenda Gray, our local district and county councillor, and from the District Council Planners.

The last date for the public to respon to the consultation is the 15th April. A response form is available at www.southlakeland.gov.uk/landallocations.