Rod Curtis (left), with Blue Peter TV Gardener Chris Cooper and Councillor Eric Osmond receiving Wareham's Gold Award.
Doubly delighted in fact since, following on from last year's first ever gold award, Wareham did it again, and - as all around us got Silver and Silver Gilt - we were awarded a Gold for the second consecutive year in the Small Town section.
Eric and I couldn't believe our ears as we went up to receive the award from 'Blue Peter' Gardener Chris Collins. As the only town in Dorset to achieve a Gold this year, I can only echo the words of Town Mayor Malcolm Russell who said:
"On behalf of the whole town of Wareham, I extend my grateful thanks to the Chairman and members of the Wareham in Bloom Committee, to Council staff, to our small army of helpers and waterers, to our plant supplier Mr Jorge Annaheim of Wareham, to our many generous sponsors and to anyone who has helped in any way to achieve this award today. Following on from our first Gold in 2007, it is a superb achievement."
We now look forward with fingers crossed to receiving the news of our entry in the Britain in Bloom national finals on 24th September at Chester…watch this space!
The Planning and Transport Committee meets every three weeks on a Monday evening to consider planning applications submitted within the town of Wareham to Purbeck District Council. The Town Council is therefore consulted by the District Council who will then consider all comments and any objections before reaching the final decision as the Planning Authority for Purbeck. Similar applications from Dorset County Council are also considered. The Committee also considers all transport issues within the town although it has no delegated powers, however Council support for schemes proposed by residents can be directed to the relevant officers in Dorset County Council's Highways, Public Transport and Traffic departments for full consideration if thought appropriate for Wareham. Recent planning applications have included the following:
Planning Applications
Application No: 6/2008/0493/Purbeck District Council - Change of use to use part of existing parking area at Purbeck School, Worgret Road for weekends and school holidays as an overflow coach park for Wareham. The Committee considered this to be a very practical idea to relieve Streche Road car park and there were no objections to the scheme.
Application No: 6/2008/0485/Dorset County Council - erect external fire escape, lay path and insert window at southern elevation, Purbeck Sports Centre, Worgret Road. No objections were recorded for this application.
Application No: 6/2008/0433/G B Ward Builders - form a new access and erect three detached dwellings with detached garages at 4 and 6 Barnes Road, Wareham (off Stowell Crescent). Strong objections were conveyed regarding this further application, the Committee considering that very little had changed from the original application to create new dwellings within the curtilage of these residences, in terms of access difficulties for the proposed buildings.
Transport issues have recently included the following:
South West Trains ticket office closure and reduced opening hours for all railway stations
The Chairman, Cllr Mrs Selby, reported that she had received correspondence from Town and District Councillor Mr K Critchley regarding the proposals and it was resolved, after discussion, to send a letter to Annette Brook Mp and Jim Knight MP to encourage them to support early day Motions 1841 and 1969, drawing their attention to the Committee's concerns regarding the Disability Discrimination Act 2004 for all rail passengers.
Parking Problems at Mill Lane, Wareham
A letter from a resident in Mill Lane had requested support for a 'no waiting at any time' restriction in the vicinity of his residence. After a lengthy discussion during which several members advised that they had visited the address and sympathised with all residents of Mill Lane concerning parking problems, it was resolved that the resident be sent a letter advising him that the Committee did not feel able to support this request on this occasion.
Rod Curtis, Town Clerk.
