We hope to see Haveringland residents at our Annual Meeting on Thursday 16th May at Cawston Bowls Club, off Norwich Road, Cawston.
After the Meeting, which includes election of officers and the Planning Committee, finance reports and a planning update, we will be hosting a ‘Community Chat’ to hear the latest about the creation of a ‘Community Hub’ at the church and to explore what sorts of things you would like to see happening there and possibly can help to organise. We will also be announcing a series of ‘Project Visits’ where you can tour the church site, see the repairs and improvements underway and talk with our architect and contractor.
Abandoned excavations due to the water table at Haveringland Hall Country Park
Residents of a lodge park in rural Broadland are up in arms against the operator – who they say has acted recklessly and without proper consultation.
Work in the last week to install a new sewage pumping system at Haveringland Hall Country Park has had to be aborted as excavations revealed a shallow water table whose shifting sand made it impossible to carry on. And other works affecting the two lakes- important wildlife havens- have resulted in a serious loss of water – it is feared that many fish and other aquatic life have been killed or otherwise harmed.
‘This latest fiasco is typical of those involved in operating this site,’ said Parish Chair, Nigel Boldero. ‘There have been several breaches of planning controls over the years (including the mis selling of holiday lodges for residential accommodation) and a reckless and uncaring approach to managing the site has consistently ignored those living here.’
‘Royale Life have not even acknowledged, let alone formally recognised and communicated with the Residents Association’, he said.
One of the lakes at Haveringland Hall Country Park showing a much-lowered water level
The latest issues come on top of a planning application to place 280 additional holiday units alongside the 100, mainly elderly, residents on the site. Nearly 3 years ago Alton Towers developer John Broome presented his plans for a ‘five star’ resort at the Park, which would see the holiday lodges and associated facilities placed alongside existing residences and holiday homes on the site.
The original plans raised many objections from local people and key agencies such as Highways, Woodland Trust, Natural England, the Environment Agency and the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England; as well as an online petition of nearly 2000 people. The plans would result in the felling of hundreds of trees, some in ‘Ancient Woodland’ considered in national policies to be ‘irreplaceable’, damage to a County Wildlife Site which includes large lakes that would be lined with densely packed holiday lodges and a water course that feeds other important wildlife conservation areas.
As a result of the objections, over the last year the application has been undergoing a revamp; but local people have complained at the impact the slow pace and missed deadlines are having on those living on the site and further afield. Revised plans are still awaited.
Nigel Boldero said:
‘This has been a painful process for everyone in the local area, but especially those elderly and sometimes frail people living on the site. People have felt under siege for a long time and I have heard that several have sought medical help to cope with the anxiety and stress the delays are causing. The applicants have already missed at least 4 deadlines for submitting revised plans.’
A top-level meeting of planners, local Councillors and Mr. Boldero last week resulted in confirmation that Broadland District Council is now setting a firm date for when the application- in whatever form- will be considered by the Council.
‘There is now an expectation that the applicants will submit revised plans by 28th May and that Broadland ‘s Planning Committee will consider it on 14th July’, said Mr. Boldero
Haveringland (population around 200), perhaps better known for its ancient Stocks and ‘Church in the Fields’, is gearing up for the fight. ‘We are grateful for the support shown for our campaign ‘Line in the Sand’, including from other local parishes’, said Mr. Boldero. ‘We are convinced that ANY more development here is totally inappropriate and will only exacerbate existing problems’, he said.
We hope to see you for this important meeting where the position of Parish Clerk is being considered and the budget and precept for next year. There will also be an update on the Church repair and improvement project. It should last no longer than an hour.
Broadland District Council have issued 160 enforcement notices in connection with holiday lodges deemed to be being used as main residences. A number of appeals have been lodged and will be determined by HM Planning Inspectorate.
Claims by some of those affected that Broadland took the action because the Parish Meeting pressed for it have been rejected by the Parish Chair, Nigel Boldero who said:
‘Broadland were always bound to act on this unauthorised residential development. We have monitored the process and argued that unless action was taken this would be a green light for further breaches of the permission, and at the same time we feel it important to treat those affected sensitively and to end the stress caused by the ongoing uncertainty.’
Director of Place at Broadland Council, Phil Courtier, has also made a statement:
‘Broadland District Council has been aware of breaches of planning permission relating to the occupancy of accommodation at Haveringland Hall Park for a number of years. This has been the subject of extensive investigation, discussion and negotiation but many of these breaches remain outstanding. As a consequence Broadland District Council ultimately had very little choice but to progress planning enforcement action for the reasons set out in the attached Planning Enforcement Expediency Report.
The Haveringland Parish Meeting has historically been interested in the Park and on occasions has asked for updates and I have personally attended meetings to provide such updates. However, the Parish Meeting has not applied undue pressure and nor has it influenced the District Council’s final decision making regarding the enforcement action being taken.’
If the appeals are not upheld, the notices will be effective and those served them will have 5 years to comply. Broadland have said that they will offer advice and support to those affected during this period.
Come and support your local community! We will be reviewing the finances and making decisions about local projects, as well as electing Chair, Vice Chair and Clerk. We need these positions filled if we are to continue to function as a Parish, so please think about helping – we know our Clerk is stepping down and we need someone to replace her…for more information please get in touch with Nigel Boldero on 07503 881199.
We hope to see Haveringland residents at the next Parish Meeting on Thursday 25th May at 7pm, at St. Peter’s Church.
As our current Clerk is standing down following this meeting we need nominations for this role, and of course nominations can also be put forward for the role of Chair, Vice Chair and members of the Planning Committee. If you are possibly interested in any of these roles please contact the current Chair, Nigel Boldero to find out more: email- nbold@live.com or phone- 07503 881199
Haveringland Church is hosting an ‘Earth Day’ event to mark this international anniversary, which is all about helping to restore the planet. With a packed Church of displays, fun activities and programme of talks and project launches, the day is also hoping to raise funds towards installing an all access toilet, baby changing area and kitchen in the Church.
Over 20 displays and activities will be on hand from a wide range of organisations such as Norfolk Wildlife Trust, the Broads National Park, Norfolk Master Composters, Hillside Animal Sanctuary, Aylsham Roman Project etc. There will be a pre-loved clothes sale and tombola too.
The event- jointly organised with Norfolk Green Care Network, will see the launch of the ‘Living Landscape’ project in the afternoon which is all about developing a community approach to improving biodiversity around the area.
In the morning a ‘First Nature’ campaign to expand nature connection opportunities for children and young people across Norfolk will be launched. This features presentations from young people and the launch of The Bishop of Norwich Award for projects or organisations that do great work to expand nature connection for children.
The full programme is;
11am First Nature launch
The First Nature Campaign- Nigel Boldero, NGCN
Presentations from young people (Youth Advisory Boards and a Broads Project)
Louise Ambrose- Forest Schools
Kitty Sanderson- Climate Change Anxiety
Jacky Honour and Jeremy Buxton- Farm visits/Country Trust
Nick Sanderson- Broads Authority
Q/A’s /panel discussion and next steps- NB to Chair
12.30pm- Philip Parker- Bats
1pm- Eco Church- Barbara Bryant
2pm Living Landscape Launch
Welcome and introduction- – Prof Tim O’Riordan (CPRE and NALC President)
The big picture- Andy Millar, Natural England
Regenerative Farming- Stuart Mayhew, Old Hall Farm
Wild East- Argus Gathorne-Hardy
Living Landscape- Nigel Boldero, Project Manager
Q/A’s and panel discussion- next steps- including Jeremy Buxton from Eve’s Hill Farm, Booton.
The event – which is free- runs from 10am – 4pm and light refreshments will be available throughout the day.
Haveringland Church has been awarded nearly £200,000 by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to ‘Build the Future and Repair the Past’. The project includes repairs and improvements to the Church (which has one of the oldest round towers in Norfolk), improvements and a range of heritage projects.
Along with a number of other grants, the Church is set to be made wind and weatherproof, plus automatic door opening, wheelchair access, heating and lighting and a water supply.
Alongside the works- which will begin next Summer- there are projects to research and present aspects of local history over the next three years. Made possible by money raised by National Lottery players, these include ‘Victorian Village’ which features Cawston Primary School making puppets and putting on a play about life in the 19th century, including reference to Haveringland Hall which once stood close to the Church.
Performances of a play which tells the story of ‘St. William’ of Norwich are also planned. William is thought to have been born and baptised in Haveringland in the 12th century. His mutilated body was found on Mousehold Heath in Norwich and his death was later (falsely) blamed on the local Jewish community in what became known as the first ‘blood libel’.
The Church, which is the only public building in the village, is not normally open other than for a few services and a growing programme of events each year. Developing as a ‘Festival Church’ (with a minimal commitment to religious services) it is seen as a way of keeping the Church open and serving a range of communities as well as local residents; e.g. those linked to the service personnel at the Second World War RAF airfield that once stood close the Church….it was the airfield that saw the surrounding woodland felled- hence ‘The Church in the Fields’.
The Church is also considered to be a great example of a near complete Victorian rebuild with high quality glass and carpentry. And it is leading the way in trying to improve local biodiversity- its award-winning Conservation Churchyard is the focus for other environmental action to spread to the surrounding landscape; with an avenue of trees planted on the track leading to the Church five years ago and further ideas of working with local landowners to carry out work to create more nature friendly habitats and food sources.
A new community group- ‘Haveringland Together’- is already looking at raising further funds to complete stage 2 of the overall project which will see an internal all-access toilet and galley kitchen installed.
Nigel Boldero and Andrew Whitehead discussing the plans for the Church
Commenting on the award, local Vicar Andrew Whitehead said:
‘This grant is fantastic news for our church! This generous award, made possible by National Lottery players, will help us to realise our exciting vision of a church serving itscommunity in new ways, as well as securing a precious historic building for generations to come.’
’It is fantastic to get this support, not only from the Heritage Fund, but a number of other sources. We can now continue our research into local history and start to tell these wonderful stories in a variety of ways to a wide range of people.’
The project includes a new ‘welcome area’ just inside the main entrance to the Church with space for information and souvenirs such as a new Church Guide and an interactive console to enable people to access historical information. A short film setting out the vision for the church can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82p3wWoGs70
The Project is being launched at the Church on Sunday 4th December at a ‘Carols and Candlelight’ service commencing at 2pm.
Locals celebrating the award of National Lottery Heritage Funding
No doubt you have experienced sadness in the last 10 days, and especially today as we said farewell to HM the Queen.
As we begin a new era please note some events that will bring the community together and make a positive contribution to a bright future:
Tomorrow (Tuesday) evening at 7pm…a meeting of ‘Haveringland Together’, the new group that is raising funds to help repair and improve our wonderful Church. Hear an update on funding applications, discuss ideas for community events and other fundraising ideas and set up the team that will take things forward. Join us at the Church for an hour at 7pm.
‘Making Hay’…our annual cut and rake of the Churchyard will take place this Saturdayfrom 9.30am until we finish. If you can give an hour or two of your time and bring a strimmer or similar or a rake or maybe just come along and join us for a Ploughman’s Lunch, you are very welcome!
Parish Meeting…our autumn meeting is on Thursday 29th September, 7pm start at the Church. We have lots to discuss including setting the budget for next year, a planning update etc. Refreshments available..please show your support!
Haveringland 