Friday, December 31, 2010

New Sports Hall

Anonymous said...
Let's not forget A NEW SPORTS HALL FOR SWANAGE??? From PLANNING PURBECK'S FUTURE: From the 19th January PDC report on Council Core Strategy - Key Issues Item 2.9: In Swanage there is opportunity to investigate how a new sports hall could be provided for the benefit of residents.' ----------------------------------- What do Swanageview's bloggers feel about the need for this, in light of all of the other priorities for the town? What facilities would you want to see it have? 8:14 PM Anonymous said... Same as the schools situation really, it would be good to have one local. Eeeeeechhh 1:38 AM Anonymous said... PDC have plans to give us one - a Sports Centre that is! Now show your knowledge, show that you have engaged with the outside world and tell me how I know it - it's available to the public - if you can be bothered to find it. It would be only polite to give us the link. Thank you. 1:40 AM Anonymous said... Funding-It seems that there is pots of money available if it fits a certain criterior. So let find a pot that fits education and a sports centre. There is lottery funding available, similar to the Keystone Project funding. The Purbeck Heritage Committee and community partners are pleased to have been awarded £1.4 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund to promote and celebrate the nature and culture of Purbeck's landscapes. We want the programme to be as flexible as possible, and would therefore welcome applications either to modernise or enhance sporting facilities, or provide revenue funding for any aspect of sports development, or a combination of the two. The total funding available is £10 million of National Lottery money. Sport England. The overall aim of this investment programme is to develop projects that encourage people living in rural communities to participate and / or sustain their participation in sport, and help those with talent fulfil their potential. We can do this ! 1:47 AM Anonymous said... We so need this. But is has been discussed for 30 years. Remember the exhibition at the TIC about 5 years ago. The sites were identified and the builders seemed ready to start. What happened? 8:41 AM All this talk about a Sports Centre for Swanage then a year on at the last STC meeting it seemed to have been forgotten about again. Thanks Mike for bringing it to the attention of the planning officer (Steve Dring). So a secondary school and a new sports hub, it would be good to achieve some progress with both in 2011 !

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Road gritting


Quay kiosks

Echo readers will know that Nick Storer is about to submit revised plans for his kiosks by the quay. http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/districts/purbeck/8751815.New_plans_lined_up_for_Swanage_bar_Gee_Whites/

I have not seen them yet but I wonder if he has contemplated anything as radical as The East Beach Cafe, Littlehampton. Take a look at http://www.eastbeachcafe.co.uk/html/picturegallery.html and you will be either amazed or horrified. I wonder how something like this would go down with the locals, to say nothing of PDC. It would certainly beat the off-season mess we have at the moment.



Posted by Anonymous to swanageview at 10:53 AM

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

James Day Home

Would someone like to enlighten us please.

http://www1.dorsetforyou.com/council/commis2009.nsf/5EFCC9CBCD1F5A20802577F30033B501/$file/15Dec10%207%20Rec's%20from%20COC%20-%2023Nov10.pdf

Monday, December 20, 2010

Grit on the roads

Does anyone know if swanage council have been supplied with any grit for the roads to help with the ice and snow? None of the side roads in the town are being cleared !



Posted by Anonymous to swanageview at 2:13 PM

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Picturehouse

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Non-monetary systems?

Are non monetry systems alive and kicking in Purbeck ?


LETS-Local Exchange Trading Systems

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_Exchange_Trading_Systems

Local economies-ie Totnes/Lewes Pound
http://www.thelewespound.org/

Barter Systems

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barter

Tokens: ie babysitting (1 token= 1 hour of babysitting) - worked well in Swanage in the 80's - 90's



Posted by Anonymous to swanageview at 3:21 PM

Monday, December 13, 2010

Council meetings ..

Monday 10th January 6.30 p.m. – Council Meeting with presentation from PACT panel beforehand
Weds 12th January 2.15 p.m. – Transport Committee
Monday 24th January 9.30 a.m. – Policy and Planning meeting followed by De Moulham Trust
Weds 2nd February 9.30 a.m. – Annual Estimates Meeting (Full Council)
Monday 7th February 10.00 a.m. – Tourism Committee
Monday 7th February 6.30 p.m. – Council Meeting with possible presentation beforehand
Monday 14th February 9.30 a.m. – Finance and Performance Management Committee (re-scheduled from 10th January)
Monday 21st February 9.30 a.m. – Policy and Planning meeting

{ For agendas, see website (ha, ha) or contact Town Hall.}

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Slow-worms at site of new Guide Hut

SLOW-WORMS FOUND AT THE OLD GUIDE HUT

Apparently slow-worms have been found on the site of the old guide hut on Victoria Avenue. Construction work has started recently. It's winter and the slow-worms are in hibernation. Shouldn't work be halted? Who is dealing with the mitigation and/or the translocation of these protected reptiles?



Posted by Anonymous to swanageview at 10:45 PM

Thursday, December 09, 2010

Walking Festival (30 April - 9 May)

The 2nd Swanage and Purbeck Walking Festival: April 30th–May 9th

After the success of this year, Swanage and Purbeck are pleased to announce its second Walking Festival.
For more information on the programme visit: www.walkswanage.com

Ferry back

I believe (according to the Echo) that the Studland/Sandbanks ferry is back on.

Fix transport problems?

If you've got a persistently broken ticket gate at your local
station, or a bus that keeps leaving early AND you're willing to make
use of a site that's functional but Not Nearly Finished, then please
drop an email to team@fixmytransport.com - they would really appreciate the
help. And don't forget that http://FixMyStreet.com is always there to help tell councils about
things like empty grit bins, and to see what problems people are having near you.

Dance talk 14th December

 My Life in Dance

An illustrated talk by Carlotta Barrow, Tuesday 14th December, 7.15 pm

The ARTS CLUB CENTRE,
17a Commercial Road,
Swanage.

Tickets £5 includes refreshment. Tickets available in advance from Totally Local, on the door on the day or phone 425967.


There will also be a raffle in aid of the Ranger School of Dance


A passion for dance lifted Carlotta out of her ballet classes at St Mary’s Convent School in Swanage to a place at the Arts Educational school, Tring Park. After winning the Ballet Cup in 1957 she moved to the school’s London branch. From this her professional career began, first as a dancer in West End musicals then in films including Stop the World I Want to Get Off and Casino Royale. She met the choreographer Gary Cockrell while dancing in the American musical Carnival at the Lyric Theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue. He had come to London with West Side Story and was teaching jazz dance, a new form that attracted Carlotta’s interest. She flew to New York to study with Gary’s teacher Matt Maddox, and here was auditioned and accepted for the Boys from Syracuse which was transferring from New York to the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. After this Gary chose her to be a member of his new group, The Beat Girls, with whom she danced on BBC2’s show Beat Room for a year.
A new turning point in Carlotta’s career occurred on the night the Daily Mirror sponsored a ball at the Albert Hall in the presence of the Beatles. She sustained a knee injury after the performance and had to say goodbye to her friends in the Beat Girls who later formed Pan’s People. She joined Gary and his partner in creating the Dance Centre in Covent Garden on an American model of open classes, airy studios and proper showers. Here Carlotta taught jazz dance and began work as a choeographer.

Tuesday, December 07, 2010

Core strategy response

Swanage roads

Can someone explain why the roads to the north of Swanage are being dug up? Is it new gas lines, or what? It is taking a long time.



Posted by Anonymous to swanageview at 9:19 AM

Friday, December 03, 2010

Westbury House to be flats

J Peiser Wainwright Brings Westbury House, Swanage To The Market
J Peiser Wainwright has been instructed to sell Westbury House, a former nursing home with planning permission for 10 residential flats.

The 0.22 acre site occupies a central location in the seaside resort of Swanage on the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset.

from http://www.build.co.uk/construction_news.asp?newsid=120101



Posted by Anonymous to swanageview at 12:23 PM

Swanage Bay View and the Town Council -

Swanage Bay View and the Town Council -
Business Not Completed.
...................................

Swanage Bay View Holiday Park and Swanage Town Council have not concluded their business over the former's disposal, and this may cost Swanage a lot of money when it is finished.

Darwin plc, the investment company behind SBV, are in dispute with a majority of caravan owners over site fee increases which, the owners maintain, is not in accordance with the terms of their license. (Darwin has just published a further large increase for 2011, and admits both years' figures are 'in dispute').

How does this affect Swanage? Why care about the 'muni'? Isn't that business done and dusted, you may ask?

The owners and Swanage Town Council made an agreement about two years ago that the fees would be adjusted according to a set of factors which are too lengthy to list here. That agreement was overseen by the Office of Fair Trading and the District Auditor. Darwin maintains that this agreement is not relevant to them; that they do not have to honour any such agreement made by the previous owner (STC). This will go before an independent arbitrator soon.

This may affect Swanage because among many other such provisions, Darwin has included in the purchase contract a covenant holding STC liable for any losses it incurs due to any conditions or detrimental actions done by the vendor, Swanage Town Council.

If arbitration decides the caravan owners are correct, then Darwin will have to forego the fee increases, which will cause it to lose a large sum of money. If arbitration favours Darwin, it can still claim a large sum of compensation for nearly two years of running the business with its income stream 'in dispute', leaving it unable to invest in improving the business until such time as it knows what its income will be. In either case, STC may have to refund substantial portions of the sale proceeds, as well as legal costs, etc.

This is all due to the acceptance of the previous Town Clerk and STC to make an agreement with the caravan owners; I believe this was done to facilitate disputes that were holding up the disposition of the park to Darwin. Whether it was poor judgment, or a case of being caught between a rock and a hard place, STC made a mistake that has yet to be resolved.

Your money is being used to pay for this error by STC. You have not been told because this matter, and many others, are excluded from public scrutiny at council meetings and other means, such as full and complete minutes of portions of meetings held 'in camera'. There is also the ongoing sub judice discussions about the land south of the park, which Swanage rate payers are not told about. Perhaps it is time for STC to tell the people of Swanage what is going on - and stop hiding behind rules to exclude members of the public from certain aspect of business!!

Perhaps the Gazette would like to ask a few questions about this, in the interests of the rate payers of Swanage? If this information is materially incorrect, perhaps the Town Council would care to correct it?



Posted by Anonymous to swanageview at 9:45 AM

Thursday, December 02, 2010

NEW SUBJECT

If you want to raise a new topic, post your comment here — just click first on Comments below, then type in post a comment (top right of the next window). Can you choose a title for your post, please? Sometimes it's hard to work out what a comment is about and what the subject is. A new heading will soon be set up, allowing others to see and add their own comments. It seems it's sometimes easier to click on 'Post anonymously' than to open an account in your name - you can always add your name to your message. We try to keep posts civilized. And any posts that become too provocative, insulting, threatening or otherwise unpleasant will be deleted.

Horses in Herston Fields

Does anyone know who owns the horses in Herston Fields? If so could you please tell the owner that the horses have no access to food or water. The only water source is from muddy puddles. Eleven horses, including a very young foal, have been in the lower field next to the main road for over three weeks (they are usually in the top fields) so there is very little grass left. Now the ground is covered with snow the horses should have access to hay. Many concerned people have already called the RSPCA at Ringwood 0300 123 0749, and will continue to do so until the situation for these poor animals improves.



Posted by Anonymous to swanageview at 6:17 PM

Purbeck Arts Week 20 May - 5 June 2011

Purbeck art weeks festival all singing and and dancing for 2011

Purbeck will have its own fully fledged Arts Festival in 2011 - from 20th May to 5th June. The Purbeck Art Weeks (PAW) Festival builds on the success of previous Purbeck Arts Weeks. Many will be familiar with the little blue signs dotting the Purbeck landscape, tempting people down unlikely country lanes, to working studios where painters, printmakers, film makers, sculptors, ceramists, illustrators, jewellers and photographers display their work and are often on hand to offer advice. A major group exhibition of over sixty artists takes place at Rollington Barn.

In 2011 the Festival will include a greatly expanded programme of evening events, including concerts, illustrated talks, films, poetry, dance and drama.  The Festival Fringe which is centred in the big tent at the famous Square and Compass pub, in Worth Matravers will offer a great range of music from rock to classical, cabaret, stand up comedy,  poetry slam etc.

Poole born Natalie Clein, the world famous cellist, will play in a range of locations with other world-class artists. She recently gave a wonderful recital at the lovely Priory Hotel in Wareham where she played a special “cello sweet” as in the attached picture. Members of the Gabrieli Consort and musicians and dancers from Trinity Laban conservatoire for music and dance will also feature. There will also be workshops for budding players of all ages on the ukulele and cello as well as community art prizes on offer.

Festival events co-organiser Richard Brown said: "We are absolutely delighted that Natalie Clein is our visiting artistic director and will bring other world-class artists to Purbeck. PAW has for many years promoted local arts, and last year we decided to offer some fringe and evening activities. This was such a success that we are expanding these events and there should be something for everyone, visitors and the local community alike.  The PAW Festival will help put Purbeck firmly on the UK map for the arts!”

For further programme details visit www.purbeckartweeks.co.uk 

Swanage snow ..



Wednesday, December 01, 2010

East Stoke wind farm gets ok

Wind farm - yeeha!

http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/8711635.Purbeck_wind_farm_gets_thumbs_up/

JIC

http://preview.tinyurl.com/38ntn4p



Posted by Anonymous to swanageview at 8:16 AM

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Mowlem Restaurant

I see the restaurant Is for sale in the Mowlem 150k for the lease.



Posted by Anonymous to swanageview at 8:03 P

Monday, November 29, 2010

Worth Xmas stalls

Swanage Library

Swanage Library is now closed for six months (so scheduled to re-open May/June 2011). While a longer-term venue is sought, from Monday 6th December a mobile service will operate near the Tourist Office on Shore Road. [Was to start Friday 3rd, but cancelled owing to bad weather.]

Monday: 10 - 3.30, Tuesday: closed, Wednesday: 11 - 4.30, Thursday: closed, Friday: 10 - 3.30, Saturday: 10 - 2pm. (Only Saturdays 4, 11, 18 of December.)

Christmas opening: Open Thursday 23 December (10 - 3.30), then closed until Wednesday 5 January.

To return books etc before 3rd December: use collection box in Town Hall (usual opening hours).

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Schools update

See the report on the Page link top right.

The adjudicator has not upheld the objection by Sandford Middle to the reorganisation of Purbeck's schools by DCC. The decision document can be read here:
http://www.schoolsadjudicator.gov.uk/decisions_all.cfm?casetype=search&year=0&order=lea
A sad day for our middle schools, which will close in 2012.

If that link doesn't work try this one:
http://www.schoolsadjudicator.gov.uk/decision.cfm
Type Dorset into the LEA box and submit, then scroll to the bottom of the page. Reorganisation of schools...Not Upheld...Nov 2010



Posted by Anonymous to swanageview at 6:49

Herston Bakers Shop to become affordable housing !

Following a compulsory purchase, Purbeck District Council has taken possession of a property at 335 High Street, Swanage.It is hoped that the former baker’s shop with flat above, which has been empty for many years, can now be converted into affordable homes for local people.  Read more

Monday, November 22, 2010

Stats

If anyone is interested... here's some stat info on this site:

Public Meeting (Core Strategy)

IMPORTANT - PUBLIC MEETING

YOUR CHANCE TO DISCUSS Purbeck District Councils Core Strategy, that will affect EVERYONE IN SWANAGE

HOW CAN WE ENCOURAGE A THRIVING, VIBRANT, SELF-CONTAINED COMMUNITY WHICH CARES FOR LOCAL PEOPLE WITHOUT BUILDING
900 DWELLINGS from 2006-2026?

WHAT WILL THE IMPACT BE ON:
JOBS – EDUCATION – HEALTHCARE
TRANSPORT – ENVIRONMENT

Thursday 25th November
5pm – 8pm

in the Mowlem Community Room

Sunday, November 21, 2010

'Planning Purbeck's Future'

'Planning Purbeck's Future' Core Strategy Pre-Submission Document Representation Form

What a mouthful but the meeting on 18th November was a briefing on how to complete these forms, and was held by PDC in the Committee Room at the Mowlem. Some 30 plucky individuals braved the weather which was at least 25 more than turned up for a similar workshop held in Wareham last week!

We learnt that:

The Core Strategy is considered sound by PDC unless, we the public prove otherwise

The public can write letters and submit handwritten responses but more credence will be given to representation forms completed online as these are apparently, easier to collate

The examination of the Core Strategy by a Planning Inspector will take place in May/June 2011

If PDC were to start the consultation process again they would apparently begin by asking the
community what they wanted

If anyone would like help completing the form they should contact the Planning Policy Team
For further information, visit http://www.dorsetforyou.com/purbeck_consultation email or call 01929 557273 to talk to a member of the Planning Policy Team



Posted by Anonymous to swanageview at 8:24 PM

Friday, November 19, 2010

Swanage Residents' Association (dissolution)

The future of the Swanage Residents' Association

(Text of a letter sent to all members)

Well, to put it bluntly, it doesn't seem that the Association has a future.

For a long time, the same few people have been responsible for driving the organisation and, having served for a number of years, most of them now either can no longer spare the time or they wish to do other things. Despite numerous appeals for volunteers to take their place, no one has offered to do so.

The purpose of this letter is to advise you that the Association will be formally dissolved in the near future — unless now, at the eleventh hour, some community-minded people step forward.

The roles to be filled include Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, etc— or you could just join the Committee. There isn't a great deal of work involved; but any group needs a few key people to organise and arrange things, and make things happen.

But it may not just be apathy.  Recently, we've seen how strong independent groups can be when they have a particular cause to fight: such as campaigns for the Day Centre, the Minor Injuries Unit, the Recycling Centre, Herston Fields and the Schools.  Perhaps there's no longer any need for an organisation like the SRA to fight people's battles for them. And with communications more effective than ever before, especially from some local media, websites and via email, there is less dependence on the SRA to keep people informed of developments in their local community.

So there we are. Unless some enthusiastic volunteers step forward NOW, please take this letter as formal notice of the proposal to dissolve the Swanage Residents' Association, according to the Terms of its Constitution. Any funds held by the Association will be transferred to one or more other charitable institutions with similar aims.

There will be an Annual General Meeting in April/May 2011, at which this proposal will be formally presented, and at which members may vote. However, if a majority should vote to retain the Association, it will be necessary for individuals to stand for office, and be elected. If you wish to stand, please let us know by 31 January 2011. If the decision is taken at the AGM to dissolve the Association, a final Special General Meeting will be held not less than 14 days after the AGM.

Thank you to all of those who have supported the Association in the past, and who have contributed in various ways. We are sure you will find other ways to remain closely involved with your community.

Signed on behalf of the Committee,

Mike Hadley,
Committee Member

If you wish to join the Committee or stand for election as an Officer, please let me know before 31 January 2011.  Telephone: 426338   Email: mail@mikehadley.net

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Local marine plans

The Government will be setting up marine plans around the country over the next 20 years. These plans will manage activities and developments that take place on the coast and out to sea. The Dorset Coast Forum is currently working on C-SCOPE (Combining Sea and Coastal Planning in Europe), a marine planning project which will create a pilot marine plan for part the Dorset coast (Portland Bill to Durlston Head, out to 12 nautical miles).

To find out more and get involved in this project residents are invited to a road show event where they can:
  • Find out what a marine plan is
  • “Fly along the seabed” to see the Dorset coast in amazing detail from the ancient riverbeds to historic shipwrecks
  • Feed into the marine plan by saying what activities happen where in Dorset waters.
All events will start at 6.00 pm and will finish at 7.30pm. The Swanage event will be at the Middle School on Tuesday 1 February 2011

Monday, November 08, 2010

Swanage schools

Urgent message !!!!


Please please encourage as many people in Swanage to attend this hugely important meeting, with the adjudicator, this evening - 8th November- at Swanage Middle School 6pm.

This is the last opportunity to respond to the Schools Review Consultation Process

Please turn up to show that the people of Swanage and villages care about local children and their education.  We need to show our support.

If over 3,000 people can respond to the Herston Fields situation, this shows that people do care about the future of our town, so please try to encourage as many people to come along to a meeting that will change things for ever for our children, schools and community.

The adjudicator will listen to all of the reasons why we think its important for local children to be educated in this community and the problems that have been highlighted within the consultation process.  Even if you don't feel able to speak, please come along if you are able. 
It is important that we understand how these changes effect this community.

Even if you don't have children this decision will effect  the whole of the Swanage community and surrounding areas.

In the past, the older generation have supported Swanage Middle School, with history topics, crafts, reading support, sports etc.  Volunteers are easily able to support local children when education is local.  This has been of benefit to the children and to these people involved.   It would be a sad day if this relationship could not continue.

Friday, November 05, 2010

Deli suppers

The Purbeck Deli is hosting a special deli supper at Worth Village Hall on Saturday, 20 November at 7.30pm and at Harman’s Cross Village Hall on Friday, 3 December. Tickets, costing £15.50 each, will be available from the Purbeck Deli in Swanage.

Photographs wanted (DCF website)

Dorset County Council's Dorset Coast Forum are in the process of developing a website for Dorset’s local community and visitors who wish to pursue a recreational activity on the Dorset coast or within its inshore waters. They are looking for active and exciting photographs of people in Dorset carrying out any of the activities listed below. If you have any photos that you would like to submit to be included in the website please send to Matilda Bark at m.bark@dorsetcc.gov.uk , including:
1. A detailed description of where the photo was taken
2. Your approval for the photograph/s can be used within the website and on printed marketing material royalty free, in any size, for an unlimited time
3. That anyone who features in the photograph is happy for the photograph/s to be used within the website

Activity list:

Beach BBQs, Boat trips, Camping, Coasteering, Cruising, Cycling, Diving, Fossil Hunting, Gig racing / Rowing, Hang gliding, Heritage (looking at), Horse Riding, Picnicking, Jet Skiing / Personal Watercraft, Kite surfing, Making sandcastles / sand modelling, Paddle boarding, Paragliding / Hang gliding, Power boating, Rock Climbing, Rockpooling, Sailing, Sea Angling, Sea Kayaking, Snorkelling,Surfing, Swimming, Walking,Water Skiing / Wake Boarding,Wildlife Watching, Windsurfing

Tuesday, November 02, 2010

Core Strategy (Pre-submission Public Consultation)

Representations are invited on the final draft of the Core Strategy, before it is submitted to the Secretary of State for examination. Preparation of the draft has been undertaken over a period of five years and brings together feedback from the autumn 2009 public consultation entitled ‘Have your Say on Planning Purbeck’s Future’ and the summer 2010 public consultation entitled ‘Where shall we build in Purbeck 2012-2026’.

The consultation period will commence on Monday, 1 November 2010 and will run for a period of seven weeks closing at 4pm on Monday, 20 December 2010. Representations received after this deadline will not be accepted.


The consultation documents are available electronically on the Council’s website www.dorsetforyou.com/purbeck_consultation or at the District Council offices, Town Council offices and libraries.  Copies of the Pre-Submission Core Strategy DPD are available for inspection locally at:
Corfe Castle Library, East Street, Corfe Castle (Mon 2.30pm-4:30pm, Wed 4:30pm-6.30pm, Sat 10am-12pm), Swanage Library, High Street, Swanage (Mon 10am-6.30pm, Wed 9:30am-5pm, Fri 9:30am-5pm, Sat 9.30am-4pm), Swanage Town Council, Town Hall, High Street, Swanage (Mon-Fri 10pm-1pm/2pm-3pm), Wareham Library, South Street, Wareham (Mon 10am-5pm, Tue 2pm–6.30pm, Thu 9:30am-5pm, Fri 9:30am-5pm, Sat 9am-12:30pm), Wareham Town Council, Town Hall, Wareham (Mon-Fri 10pm-1pm)

Town Clerk

Congratulations to Dr Martin Ayres, who has been appointed Town Clerk for Swanage.

Volunteer of the Year

Swanage Town Council is seeking nominations for "Volunteer of the Year" to submit to Purbeck District Council. If you would like to recommend someone, either post here, with your reasons, and I'll pass them on — or send direct to the Town Clerk: M.Ayres@swanage.gov.uk

Monday, November 01, 2010

New houses

Say NO to 900 houses in Swanage

Today (Nov 1) marks the beginning of the next round of 'Planning Purbeck's Future': Core Strategy Pre-Submission Public Consultation. The Core Strategy is the blueprint for planning policy in Purbeck between 2006 and 2027.

We have had plenty of debate about Herston Fields which was part of the previous consultation. Let's set that aside for the time being, and just look at the figures: PDC aim to deliver 900 houses (mainly in Swanage), between 2006 and 2027. Of these 900, 250 have been built already, 190 have planning permission, 260 sites have been identified under "character appraisal" (ie infill within the town), and the final tranche of 200 which the 'Where Shall We Build in Swanage & Corfe Castle?' consultation addressed. This last tranche of 200 houses are to be built on settlement extensions (ie greenfield sites such as Herston and other sites yet "to be identified")

34% of ALL new build in the whole of Purbeck has been in Swanage since 1996. These new 900 houses, would represent an expansion of the town of 20% and this seems to be an unfair burden. Truly affordable housing for local people to rent or buy is all that is needed in Swanage.

We all know that the A351 is already heavily congested, and a planning inspector recommended in 2002 that no further devlopment should happen in Swanage until the A351 problems had been addressed. Nothing has changed and it is clear that the infrastructure is not in place to cope with an increased population. Then there is also the question of where all these new residents are going to work!

How on earth this "Public Consultation" is even remotely accessible to anyone without an intricate knowledge of planning procedure is beyond me. Top down decision making is alive and well in Purbeck.

To try to take take part visit this address:
http://www.dorestforyou.com/purbeck_consultation

Oh, and if you need any help Purbeck District Council are offering 'briefings on how to complete these forms and the process involved' in Wareham (2) Swanage (1). See you at the Mowlem on the 18th November at 7pm.



Posted by Stephen Foote to swanageview at 2:46 PM

Trains

Slow and overcrowded trains, why bother with the main line connection?
Is anyone else fed up with the overcrowding on South West train service to and from Waterloo? I recently boarded at Wareham 09.53 and got a seat OK but by departure from Bournemouth there were people standing and the tea trolley was stuck at base. Returning at 17.35 the whole train was packed with generally stoic people, but many others, some sitting on the floor, complaining of being treated like cattle.



Posted by Anonymous to swanageview at 9:23 AM

New subject

If you want to raise a new topic, post your comment here — just click first on Comments below, then type in post a comment (top right of the next window). Can you choose a title for your post, please? Sometimes it's hard to work out what a comment is about and what the subject is. A new heading will soon be set up, allowing others to see and add their own comments. It seems it's sometimes easier to click on 'Post anonymously' than to open an account in your name - you can always add your name to your message. We try to keep posts civilized. And any posts that become too provocative, insulting, threatening or otherwise unpleasant will be deleted.

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Swanage erosion plans

There will be a presentation on the Management of Coastal Erosion in Swanage on Monday 1st November, at 6.30 pm at the Town Hall, before the Council Meeting at 7pm. The presentation will be given by Mike Goater, District Engineer of PDC and Henry Aron and Rupert Lloyd of the Coastal Pathfinder Initiative.

Friday, October 29, 2010

Deli supper

The Purbeck Deli is hosting a special deli supper at Studland Village Hall on Weds 3rd November, at 7.30pm. Tickets £15.50 from The Purbeck Deli, Institute Road, Swanage

Future deli-suppers at Worth Village Hall on Saturday, 20 November at 7.30pm and at Harman’s Cross Village Hall on Friday, 3 December. Tickets, costing £15.50 each, will be available from the Purbeck Deli in Swanage. 

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Sea users

Finding Sanctuary fishing and recreational maps - final opportunity to check.

As their period of data collection is coming to an end, Finding Sanctuary are asking sea users across the region to check the maps that have created with the data collected so far.  These maps include data collected between October 2007 and September 2010 by Finding Sanctuary Liaison Officers and
via the Interactive Map, so Finding Sanctuary anticipate adding more information and creating the final maps used in Marine Conservation Zone decision making by the end of November.

All maps are available at: http://www.finding-sanctuary.org/page/resources.html under the "general"
 tab of the resources page of the website. Once you have downloaded the map (s) of their choice, Finding sanctuary are asking people to check that the data represents a true picture of the region (based on the knowledge of their area and sector of interest). If not, there are three options for you to comment:

1.       If there are inaccuracies in the data or comments about the way it is presented please contact Shaun Lewin at shaun.lewin@southwestfoodanddrink.com

 2.       If fishing, club or charter boat data is missing please contact John Weinberg, Dorset Finding Sanctuary Liaison Officer: 0778675294 or john.weinberg@southwestfoodanddrink.com

 3.       If recreational data (boating, diving, sea angling) is missing please visit www.mczmapping.org register and enter your data.

No more data or comments will be able to be incorporated in Finding Sanctuary’s MCZ planning work after 31st October.

Matilda Bark
Policy Assistant
Dorset Coast Forum
C/o Environment Services
Dorset County Council
01305 224833
m.bark@dorsetcc.gov.uk

http://www.dorsetcoast.com/ or http://www.cscope.eu/

Monday, October 25, 2010

No excuse

A new on-line community that local users can use to report on anything from speeding police vehicles, to roads requiring work or roadworks that cause so much hassle. All you need to do is visit  http://www.no-excuse.org.uk/ join the site and then you will be able to upload comments and pictures. 

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Who's afear'd?

Time & Tide
Tales of Dorset's seadogs, soldiers and smugglers. Heroic deeds recounted n story and song.
Robin Plowman, Sophie Bond ad Geoff Payne.

Friday 19th November, All Saints Church Hall, Ulwell Road, Swanage

7pm for 7.30pm
Admission £5 including cheese and wine in the interval. Pay at the door.

True size of Africa

  something to think about ..

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Day Nursery for Swanage?

One area of childcare that Parents in Swanage lack is the all year round Day Nursery. This is an area that Starlight Childcare would like to address.

The economic times we are now all experiencing means that any funding from local government to assist in a project to create a Day Nursery in Swanage plus finding suitable premises is unlikely, therefore an alternative way of providing Day Nursery care is being examined.

Starlight Childcare has a Day Nursery at Dorset Green Technology Park providing all year round care for 0-8 years of age and is next door to Dorset Police HQ. It is managed by an OFSTED Outstanding Childminder with an experienced and qualified team. Free Nursery Education is available.

With a member of the Starlight Childcare team on board we intend to offer a transportation package with a local operator to get your children to and from the Day Nursery. Age related booster seats will be used and your child will be well looked after on the journey.

If you are interested in taking advantage or finding out more please contact us on 01305 851725.

The success of this venture is reliant on a suitable number of children attending from Swanage.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Experience and Qualifications attached to Children with Additional Needs and can offer respite care.

Best Wishes
Marrianne Strong Cert EYP (Open) Dip.Child.Psychol
Starlight Childcare
www.starlightchildcare.co.uk
Ofsted Outstanding Childminder 2008

Friday, October 15, 2010

Comedy Festival 15, 16 October

The Swanage & Purbeck Hospitality Association is delighted to announce the first Swanage Comedy Festival, which will take place at 3 venues in the Town on Friday 15th October with ‘Open Mic’ nights, and other comedy events planned at various venues in and around Swanage on Saturday 16th October.  For full details of the evening and the weekends events please visit the Swanage Comedy website www.swanagecomedy.com . Tickets are on sale at the 3 venues (The Conservative Club, Bay View Caravan Park or the Royal British Legion) or on-line via the website.

Men behaving dadly

Brought to you by Dorset County Council and Sure Start Children's Centres, a series of events mainly for fathers and their kids, between 0 and 5 (but older siblings and mothers welcome too, I understand).
Toys, games, bacon sandwiches and much more ...
Free, but donations welcome.

Saturday mornings: 10 - 12 am

October 16: Wareham —Creepy crawlies
October 23: Carey — Shelter building
November 6: Wareham —Baking
November 13: Swanage —Ball skills
November 20: Wareham — Autumn leaf art
November 27: Carey — Minibeasts
December 4th: Wareham — Christmas decorations
December 11th: Swanage — Planes and kites (Make and fly)
December 18th: Wareham — Reindeer food and Letters to Santa


Please book in advance: 

Swanage Children's Centre:
Chapel Lane
off High Street
BH19 2PW
01929 423589

Wareham Children's Centre:
next to Lady St Mary 1st School
Streche Rd
Wareham
BH204PG
01929 552864

Bovington Children's Centre:
Carey Outdoor Education Centre                                            
 Carey Road                                                                
 Wareham                                                                   
 Dorset   BH20 7PB                                                         
01929 463220

For more information, contact: Jonny Hoskins, Fathers Outreach Worker,
Early Years and Childcare Service; (Thursdays and Fridays):
07917 1722300

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Sandbanks Ferry

Ferry scheduled to be closed for maintenance from 31st October to the end of November.

Offshore wind farm expo

I see there's a public exhibition and meeting about the proposed wind farm off the Dorset coast: Thursday 4th November at the Mowlem, between 2 pm and 8pm.

BBC endorses local man's choice for History of the World in Objects

Boatbuilder and Classic Boat columnist, Swanage's Adrian Morgan has had one of his clinker dinghies accepted on the BBC's "History of the World in Objects" project. Members of the public apply to have their chosen object listed, and Adrian's boat made the cut. This part of the project should not be confused with "A History of the World in 100 Objects" - it falls under the same umbrella, but the latter objects are chosen by the British Museum.  See Adrian Morgan's website on http://www.viking-boats.com/

Saturday, October 09, 2010

Studland lookout

I stopped off at the Lookout by Studland golf club and DCC have seen fit to put up new parking regs and no campling signs.

SIGNS, note, not sign. In fact they've put up SIX, yep, 6.

Grrrrrrrrrr!



Posted by Anonymous to swanageview at 12:16 PM

Peveril shipwreck


Despite the valiant efforts of Swanage lifeboat crews, the yacht Summer Song was shipwrecked on Peveril ledge early this morning (Saturday 9th Oct). Sad to see her slowly breaking up.

Friday, October 08, 2010

Poole Literary Festival (29-31 Oct)

Pretty impressive array of authors and activities. You can see more and download a programme from www.poolelitfest.com

Thursday, October 07, 2010

Special needs?

If you, or anyone you know, is involved with caring for a child with special needs — someone is needed to help run the local group that has been set up to help parents and carers in Purbeck. Not a great deal of work, but someone is needed to manage the blog, arrange occasional meetings and liaise with members to keep people informed. There'll be others to help, too. Anyone interested should contact me on mail@mikehadley.net or on 01929426338. Thanks. Check out the blog at: www.allsortsspecialneeds.co.uk

Seaside resorts

Interesting little piece about seaside resorts in the Independent to day.

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/joan-smith/joan-smith-whod-want-to-be-beside-the-seaside-2099724.html

The English resort "is a dismal row of tattoo parlours, slot machine arcades and takeaway food shops."

"it's impossible to escape the pervasive smell of frying fat, as though there's an unbreakable link between the seaside, fast food and cafés with formica tables."

Sound familiar?

Worth a read, even to disagree.



Posted by Anonymous to swanageview at 10:47 AM

Tuesday, October 05, 2010

Faster broadband

Register for faster broadband

BT are asking homeowners and businesses to register their interest in having fibre optic broadband in the area. They need at least 1000 votes to be considered. Register now on http://www.racetoinfinity.bt.com/



Posted by Virtual Swanage to swanageview at 11:15 AM

Sunday, October 03, 2010

New subject

If you want to raise a new topic, post your comment here — just click first on Comments below, then type in post a comment (top right of the next window). Can you choose a title for your post, please? Sometimes it's hard to work out what a comment is about and what the subject is. A new heading will soon be set up, allowing others to see and add their own comments. It seems it's sometimes easier to click on 'Post anonymously' than to open an account in your name - you can always add your name to your message. We try to keep posts civilized. And any posts that become too provocative, insulting, threatening or otherwise unpleasant will be deleted.

Saturday, October 02, 2010

November traffic?

Another example of co-ordination and forward planning. The Sandbanks Ferry is is going to be off for most of November for maintenance and the railway bridge at Norden will be under repair at the same time with traffic controlled by lights and a 40 mile an hour speed limit. How on earth the Highways people at DCC did not twist arms to avoid this I do not know. You would think it was an elementary enough intervention to make.



Posted by Anonymous to swanageview at 5:01 PM

Friday, October 01, 2010

Swanage Tourist Information accolade

Swanage Tourist Information is a finalist in the Tourist Information Service of the Year Awards for the South West region 2010/11.

Swanage is currently the second highest-ranking Tourist Information Centre in Visit Britain's The Mystery Shopper Programme.  Tourists Information Centres receive unannounced visits, phone calls and emails from a mystery shopper from Visit Britain, asking for various tourism information, and are then assessed on the quality of the service and information received. Swanage Tourist Information Centre only just missed the top rank to Gloucester by 0.3%.

The winners of the Tourist Information Service of the Year Awards will be announced on November 15th 2010 in Torquay.

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Swanage Blues & Roots (1,2,3 October)

THE FOURTH SWANAGE BLUES & ROOTS FESTIVAL
1, 2, 3 OCTOBER 2010 
* Free Admission to 40 gigs in 15 indoor venues
* Open Mic daily, Electric Jam Sessions, Buskers, Blues Steam Train rides

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Purbeck plans: Core Strategy

Core Strategy Meeting to be continued:

Next meeting Tuesday 12 October 6pm - Westport House, Wareham.

The Core Strategy meeting held at the Purbeck School on Tuesday 5th was attended by hundreds. Many people could not get into the hall and stood listening from outside the room. The meeting was adjourned at midnight, to be continued next Tuesday. See summary in Comment 4 below.



Posted by Anonymous to swanageview at 12:53 AM

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Trading Standards

In case you're interested, I see that Dorset County Council has started an initiative where they vet traders, so you can deal with someone you can trust. The scheme's called 'Buy with Confidence' and I imagine that members will display the logo for all to see. More info on website, or cal 08454 040506

Swanage Hub

Just launched (and not yet fully functional) is a new community resource bringing together different organisations across Swanage and Purbeck. It's administered by the Rotary Club of Swanage and supported by the Purbeck Community Partnership, and all organisations are invited to join (for free).

Dorset Community Action

Dorset Community Action provides information and resources for individuals with a community idea or concern, Community or Voluntary Groups, Charities and Social Enterprises. Look at the website or contact or call 01305 250921

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Council meeting 4th October (Health Centre)

The  Town Council meeting on 4th October will start at 6.30pm rather than 7pm. This is to provide ample time for the presentation on behalf of the doctors and questions/comments by residents on the proposal to move the Health Centre.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Using this blog

Can I remind people to be a little more considered and polite on this blog? It seems that are some who are being rude and abusive to others, just because they hold different opinions. In future mindlessly insulting posts and comments will be deleted.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Recycling Centre

It has been reported that the County Council's cabinet today unanimously decided to continue with the provision of the new Household Recycling Centre in Swanage.

Swanage Floods 1990

Saw this link and brought the memories 'flooding back' ...... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqJegQEvT0o



Posted by Anonymous to swanageview at 9:41 AM

Traffic flow

Hi Is any one else fed up of having to drive right through the town to get to the hospital!!
In the summer it is a nightmare.
why can't the one way system be change!!

Posted by Anonymous to swanageview at 9:48 PM

Saturday, September 11, 2010

HEROES HAVEN: coffee morning 2nd October

Swanage Evening WI are holding a Coffee Morning and Table Top Sale in Aid of HEROES HAVEN at the Catholic Hall, Rempstone Road, Swanage on Saturday 2nd October from 10am until 12.



Posted by Swanage Evening WI to swanageview at 8:33 P

Wednesday, September 08, 2010

Evening classes

The cost of evening classes run by Dorset County Council appears to have, for the less well-off, shot right through the roof this year.
The concessionary rate for the classes I wanted to sign up for has gone up over four times.
As a pensioner this puts the classes out of my reach.
I have seen no information about why this has come about and the person I spoke at the county council to wasn't very communicative.
Without that evening out pensioners will be even more confined to their homes and their lives less interesting with all the problems that will bring.
Without those on concessionary rates attending classes the numbers will be insufficient to run classes which will be cancelled, to the loss of all who benefit from them.
It looks very much to me that we are seeing the beginning of the end of evening classes.



Posted by Anonymous to swanageview at 12:43 PM

Saturday, September 04, 2010

Purbeck Folk Festival (4th, 5th Sept)

ON now at Wilkswood Farm. Looks good.

Thursday, September 02, 2010

Police station

I read on the Dorset Forum about a rumour going around about the seeming close Swanage or Wareham Police station closing this winter.

I've heard this before, but wondered if it was true this time?



Posted by Anonymous to swanageview at 8:39 AM

Wednesday, September 01, 2010

New subject

If you want to raise a new topic, post your comment here — just click first on Comments below, then type in post a comment (top right of the next window). Can you choose a title for your post, please? Sometimes it's hard to work out what a comment is about and what the subject is. A new heading will soon be set up, allowing others to see and add their own comments. It seems it's sometimes easier to click on 'Post anonymously' than to open an account in your name - you can always add your name to your message. We try to keep posts civilized. And any posts that become too provocative, insulting, threatening or otherwise unpleasant will be deleted.

SAVE HERSTON FIELDS

Open Meeting Tonight [Weds 1st Sept] 7pm

Find out what's been happening over the last few weeks

Short talk by Dave Glassock on the geology of the fields

All Welcome

Herston Hall

Jubilee Road



Posted by Anonymous to swanageview at 7:40 AM

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Fibre Optic Broadband for Swanage?

Much is being blogged about here about the demise of small industry in Swanage. I had an idea some time ago that may just help Swanage in lots of different ways: what about, as part of the re-signalling at Wareham, putting in a fibre optic cable down the railway line? This could serve Swanage and Corfe, and maybe other places too, with ultra High Speed broadband. This would allow all sorts of hi-tech businesses to locate here - even if people are only working out of a room at home.

Would there be demand for it?



Posted by Anonymous to swanageview at 1:45 PM

Monday, August 30, 2010

Opera

"The Electric Palace in Bridport has begun fundraising to buy the satellite equipment it needs to show a season of live opera straight from New York."

Lighthouse in Poole is showing the ralays and charging £25 a ticket. Pity the place at the town end of the seafront will ignore the whole thing. No doubt Swanage will meekly follow in about a decade's time



Posted by Anonymous to swanageview at 11:54 AM

Swanage Business Units

With the businesses who rent the units in Kings Road being kicked out in the next year or so to make way for housing and the rumours that the new business units behind Triangle Garage being cancelled so they wont be able to move there, what is going to happen the businesses and their employees from the current Kings Road units?



Posted by Swanage Resident to swanageview at 11:00 PM

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Powerboat Race Sunday 29th

Looks like the Cowes-Torquay-Cowes powerboat raace will be passing Peveril Point/Durlston Head on Sunday. Start times at Cowes are given as 10.00 am and 10.30, so they should be passing Swanage not long after that.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Concert/ Fireworks tonight (Friday 27th)

I gather there's a concert for 'Help for Heroes' tonight in Prince Albert Gardens.. with fireworks (on the Downs) at around 8.45/9.00pm (so I was told).

Serenata Festival

Looks busy and not the washout many feared...

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Newton Knap

At last work has started again on this travesty of a site.
The origanal site board still promises a sustainable future. What a joke that is. When work started there was no concern for existing wildlife. The few original trees, now clearly dead, rattle like skeletons in the wind. And what of the water flowing from natural springs on the site?
The last of the old wall has just been demolished so presumably the continuation of what must be the worst stone wall in the area is imminent. Is it just a rumour that the garages on Cow Lane are to be demolished as someone has realised that cramming so many houses onto a small site leaves little room for cars?



Posted by Anonymous to swanageview at 2:01 PM

Monday, August 23, 2010

Swanage Seafront Stabilisation and Regeneration Project

The last exhibition is on: Monday 6th September, 3pm to 7pm, in the Swanage Tourism Partnership Room at Swanage Town Hall (I think this is the room accessed by the back door of the Town Hall).

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Broadband speeds

Has anyone else had problems with their broadband speeds over the last week? Several people I have spoken to have had major issues with very slow speeds when sending files or downloading.



Posted by swanage resident to swanageview at 9:05 PM

Friday, August 20, 2010

Swanage Town and Community Partnership

There's now a link (on the right, and above) to information about the Swanage Town and Community Partnership. Next meeting is on 14th September 2010 @ 7pm, at Swanage Town Hall. The agenda is:

1.    Welcome
2.    Apologies
3.    Minutes of 2010 AGM
4.    Matters Arising from the 2010 AGM Minutes
5.    Education Swanage
6.    Updates from other Partners/projects
7.    Future priorities for Swanage
8.    Date of next meeting (December, daytime)

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Health Centre & Hospital

HEALTH CENTRE AND HOSPITAL - A STATEMENT OF INTENT MAY AVOID ALL THE RUMOURS ABOUND

SOMEONE MUST KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING !

"I know several people connected to the Health Centre who categorically state the health centre is no longer adequate for the needs of Swanage."

There seem to be a few people "in the know" about the health centre. However, the Town Council, Purbeck District Council Planning Department and the Friends of the Medical Practice are not, unfortunately, among them! Perhaps, as has been suggested in previous posts, the medical centre should come out and lay their cards on the table?



Posted by Anonymous to swanageview at 6:42 PM

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Random

Health Centre oddity

A quick look at the staff photos on display in the lobby of the Health Centre shows 31 female staff and no males ! Are the male staff camera shy? Are there any male staff at the Centre? Is this cock-up or conspiracy? Anyone got an idea how this came about ?

Is it because men dont gossip as much as women or are nosey ie wanting to know whats wrong with you. Alledgedly.



Posted by Anonymous to swanageview at 9:40 AM

Friday, August 13, 2010

New subject

If you want to raise a new topic, post your comment here — just click first on Comments below, then type in post a comment (top right of the next window). Can you choose a title for your post, please? Sometimes it's hard to work out what a comment is about and what the subject is. A new heading will soon be set up, allowing others to see and add their own comments. It seems it's sometimes easier to click on 'Post anonymously' than to open an account in your name - you can always add your name to your message. We try to keep posts civilized. And any posts that become too provocative, insulting, threatening or otherwise unpleasant will be deleted.

Tourism can save economy, says Cameron

Prime Minister David Cameron has thrown his weight behind Britain's tourism industry, as he set out a vision for the country to be one of the world's top five destinations.
www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/08/13/334660/tourism-can-save-economy-says-cameron.htm
(you can click on the title "Tourism can save" etc to follow the link)

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Strange Lights above Swanage on the 8th August.

Right , I know I was not the only one who watched for 30 minutes a helicopter follow and hover above glowing lights out towards the Durlston area. Around 10pm onwards.

Now they could not have been these lanterns as there was a slight westerly breeze so they would have gone towards the sea. They appeared to fly in the same flight path coming inland. At one point one stopped while the others flew under the helicopter. Then the search light shone on them from the helicopter then these lights all disappeared. A few of us watched it from the back of the Ship Inn at Langton. And I received phone calls while watching them from other people who were watching the from other parts of Swanage that evening.

Also a glowing light was seen hovering Corfe about 30 minutes after the one in Swanage , with the helicopter hovering above this one too.

So can anyone explain?



Posted by David Furmage to swanageview at 2:45 PM

Monday, August 09, 2010

Comedy Festival 15, 16 October

The Swanage & Purbeck Hospitality Association is delighted to announce the first Swanage Comedy Festival, which will take place at 3 venues in the Town on Friday 15th October with ‘Open Mic’ nights, and other comedy events planned at various venues in and around Swanage on Saturday 16th October.  For full details of the evening and the weekends events please visit the Swanage Comedy website www.swanagecomedy.com Tickets are on sale at the 3 venues (The Conservative Club, Bay View Caravan Park or the Royal British Legion) or on-line via the website

Friday, August 06, 2010

New waste/recyling site suspended

Work to develop the proposed new Household Waste Site at Victoria Avenue, Swanage has been suspended pending a cabinet decision as whether or not the project should continue. This is part of an overall spending review at Dorset County Council and no decisions have apparently yet been made. Watch this space.

Thursday, August 05, 2010

Swanage.co.uk

Subject: Another local website

Found http://www.swanage.co.uk/ today when looking for some local info, all the links are broken at the moment but it seems the site is made by West Country Online Limited at http://www.wol.co.uk and not a Purbeck company.



Posted by swanage local to swanageview at 9:26 AM

Wednesday, August 04, 2010

Affordable housing

AFFORDABLE HOUSING-IN THIS CONTEXT SOCIAL/RENTED (NOT OPEN MARKET) FOR LOCAL PEOPLE THAT WANT TO LIVE AND WORK HERE:

Please can we get away from a very 'small minority' view that - quote 'I would not like affordable housing next to me, as it would devalue my property'. (I will not embarrass the person or their partner by printing their name here). This comment was both upsetting and shocking.

We DO NEED affordable rented housing as the local average income does not enable those working locally to get on the housing ladder. The house prices in this area are artificially inflated by the incomes of those living outside of this area of Purbeck. If nothing is done to either bring house prices back to some normality, reflecting local incomes then the outcome will eventually be that Swanage and surrounding villages will become retirement/second home retreats.

It seems madness that there is a policy that enables affordable housing to be able to be built on our green fields (because there is such a need) but we are told that it is impossible to do anything about developing a second home council tax policy that disuades people from investing in this way. At the very least the council tax for second homes should be increased (not, as stands,a 10% discount) This extra funding could then be reinvested locally in Purbeck, to build affordable rented housing.

Please do not destroy our Green Fields before there is a second home council tax policy in place.

Tuesday, August 03, 2010

Will Red Arrows show?

ALL RAF Hawk aircraft – the model used by the Red Arrows – have been grounded due to safety fears.
The training planes were stopped from flying when engineers detected a fault with the ejector seat on one of the craft. It is not known how long the inspection will take or how it will impact on the team's schedule.

Monday, August 02, 2010

Planning consultation

Swanage Town Council to give response to Planning Consultation to Purbeck District Council tonight at Swanage Town Hall 7pm.

Members of the public have fifteen minutes at the beginning of the meeting to have their say.



Posted by Anonymous to swanageview at 4:11 PM

Saturday, July 31, 2010

Swanage Health Centre & Hospital

Who is asking for these health services to be resited and merged. Is it true that both these services could be threatened with closure in the near future if they do not merge and share resources ie save costs. If this is true then please could we have a statement from the hospital and the health centre that they are proposing/agreeing with their services to be relocated. If people could have the facts and details about the Core Strategy then perhaps people would be happy to make a compromise. How is Swanage able to make an informed decision without knowing all the facts.



Posted by Anonymous to swanageview at 2:15 PM

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Swanage railway

Swanage will be re-connected to the national rail network, restoring a link broken almost 40 years ago.
The Swanage Railway Trust had to raise £3m so Network Rail can connect the Swanage line to the main network for the first time since 1972.

Purbeck District Council announced its support on Thursday a week after Dorset County Council gave its backing.

Monday, July 19, 2010

County Council cuts?

Anonymous said...
Dorset County Council cuts: Secret report reveals £30m target So is DCC finally admitting that they do not have the funding to go ahead with some of their original plans ? http://www.thisisdorset.net/news/8268436.Dorset_County_Council_cuts__Secret_report_reveals___30m_target/

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Swanage Regatta and Carnival 31/7 - 7/8

Saturday 31st July - Saturday 7th August

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Jazz Festival

The music runs from 7 to 11pm on Friday, 11am to 11pm on Saturdays and Sundays. There are also various free events: the very popular brass band parade on Saturday morning, a church service of gospel music, and several free pub venues offering traditional and modern jazz at lunchtime and in the evenings.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Save Herston Fields Meeting

Dont worry..........

.You won't be roped into helping.
.Very short informal meeting.
.Everyone welcome - children , dogs, etc
.Refreshments

Wednesday 21st July from 7pm
Herston Hall.

SaveHerstonFields.co.uk



Posted by David Furmage to swanageview at 5:16 PM

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Swanage Town Council Website

Is there a reason why STC's website has not updated its Agenda and Minutes of Meetings for several months now (in one case, committee meeting minutes were last updated in February!)? Is there not a performance target STC subscribes to about disseminating this information in a timely manner? Or has this policy fallen by the wayside in the interregnum between Town Clerks?

I think the public have a right to access, and the Council a duty to publish, this information. Not everyone is able to walk to the Town Hall to ask for minutes.

Could a member of STC please comment? If there is a legitimate reason, perhaps a notice on the website informing the public how this information can be accessed would be useful. Perhaps this omission has not been noticed at the Town Hall.



Posted by Anonymous to swanageview at 9:07 AM

Monday, July 12, 2010

New subject

If you want to raise a new topic, post your comment here — just click first on Comments below, then type in post a comment (top right of the next window). Can you choose a title for your post, please? Sometimes it's hard to work out what a comment is about and what the subject is. A new heading will soon be set up, allowing others to see and add their own comments. It seems it's sometimes easier to click on 'Post anonymously' than to open an account in your name - you can always add your name to your message. We try to keep posts civilized. And any posts that become too provocative, insulting, threatening or otherwise unpleasant will be deleted.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Swanage, victim of global cooling

Have you noticed how after about 2pm the sun dims as it goes behind thin cloud ? Well it’s not cloud it is ice crystals from airliners which are funnelled from all over the UK to depart to the South/South West from the departure point about 15 miles South of Swanage where they put on extra power to climb to their allocated flight level, 20 ~ 40,000 feet for their journey.

The modern fan jet engine sucks in circa one and a half tons of air A SECOND, compressing then heating it and forcing it out where the water droplets then freeze to become con(densation)/vapour trails which then spread across the sky to block the sun.

During the four days after 9/11 when all flights were grounded in the USA the ambient temperature went up by 3 to 5 degrees C. The same thing probably happened here when UK Airspace was closed because of the volcano, but that information will not be made available to Joe Public here.

RobO



Posted by Anonymous to swanageview at 4:22 PM

Thursday, July 08, 2010

Green belt homes plan for Purbeck cancelled

Plans to build thousands of homes on green belt land in Dorset have been shelved.

Thursday, July 01, 2010

Purbeck District Council Joins County Website

Great but now none of my links work!
Where have recent applications to the council gone? Planning board list and recommendation? It took me literally months to find these links hidden in text on the old site, how can these websites be soo bad?



Posted by Anonymous to swanageview at 2:28 PM

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Ballard view

Did you see the strange mist over Ballard on Saturday 26th?

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Swanage Rowing Club plans

Plans for the new gig house are on PDC website
Let's wish them every success.
http://www.purbeck.gov.uk/planning/PlanAppDisp.asp?RecNum=35825



Posted by Anonymous to swanageview at 9:34 AM

Monday, June 21, 2010

Parking on the Quay

"I can go anywhere ... for something new ANYWAY, ANYHOW ANYWHERE I CHOOSE"
I hesitate to ask but are the bikers actually allowed to park on the Quayside opposite the Art Hut area as they generally do at the weekends? If so then presumably cars can be parked there too? I watched from the thatch restaurant as a traffic warden walked past and ignored 30 or so of them. Later a police bike pulled up and the driver was asked by a biker if it was OK to park there, I couldn’t lip read the officer’s reply but the bike was duly parked on the pavement with the rest.



Posted by Anonymous to swanageview at 5:40 PM

Friday, June 18, 2010

Seal at Peveril Point

If you are out walking today (Friday 18 June), theres been a seal hanging around at Peveril Point all day. Might even stay for a few days. If you get a photo, could you send me a copy, please? mail@mikehadley.net

Dorset's 'oil boom'?

Kimmeridge to be the new Wytch Farm?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_8743000/8743427.stm



Posted by Anonymous to swanageview at 7:05 AM

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Pier Head development

A pre-planning public consultation regarding new proposals for the redevelopment of this site will be held in The Mowlem Committee Room on Thursday 1 st July from 7pm- 9pm. There will be a display, and a short talk with questions by the architect at 7.30pm. The plans and impressions will move to the Art Hut opposite the Old Stone Quay for the weekend, open from 11am until 4 pm. Interested members of the public will have the opportunity to comment in writing at both venues, or by e-mailing:
haveyoursay@pierheadswanage.co.uk

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Rainbow cloud?


Did anyone get a good photo of the rainbow in a plane's vapour trail yesterday, towards the south-west? It was the most fantastic display, with colours ranging from red and yellow to deep blue and brilliant turquoise, through the form of a slowly unwinding and dissipating cloud of vapour. If you did, can I post it here? Send to mail@mikehadley.net
[Thanks to Debbie Podjacki for this]

Tuesday, June 08, 2010

Japanese knotweed

I was visiting a friend at the weekend, who has a caravan on Swanage Bay View. She has Japanese Knotweed growing in her garden!!!!!Has anyone else in Swanage have this dreadful invasive and damaging weed? It seems the site are not doing anything about it till next spring!!!!!I read in a newspaper that someone was refused a mortgage due to having Japanese Knotweed on their land. Thats how damaging this weed is.
Concerned Swanage Ratepayer



Posted by Anonymous to swanageview at 2:58 PM

New Secondary School for Swanage

Monday, June 07, 2010

Swanage Community Partnership AGM: 2 July

Swanage Community Partnership

Annual General Meeting
2nd July 2010 @ 10am

Swanage Town Hall
1. Welcome,
2. Apologies,
3. Appointment of Chairman
4. Appointment of Vice Chairman
5. Appointment of Honorary Treasurer
6. Appointment of Secretary
7. Chair’s Report and Review of the SCP 2009/2010 – A. Faulkner
8. Statement of Audited Accounts – M. Ayres
9. Minutes of 2009 AGM
10. Matters Arising from the 2009 AGM Minutes,
11. Review of other projects throughout the Town –  M.Ayres
12.  AOB
13.  Date of next AGM

Sunday, June 06, 2010

More parking restrictions?

I was told today that there are plans to put double yellow lines along townsend road, richmond road, osborne road and manwell road. I havent found anything on Purbeck Councils site about this but has anyone else heard about more parking restrictions?

Also if this is put in place where are all the residents supposed to park?



Posted by swanage resident to swanageview at 12:59 PM

Saturday, June 05, 2010

Kayak Fishing competition

KAYAK FISHING TOURNAMENT RAISES £500 FOR RNLI

The first OK Classic Kayak Fishing Tournament held at Swanage on the 5th June has raised £500 for the local RNLI Lifeboat Station. Perfect weather conditions made for a great day as 43 competitors took to the water and a total of 17 different fish species were caught in this catch and release competition.

Joint winners John Elsdon and Amos Mack caught 6 different species each and they both go away with a fantastic prize of a complete Ocean Kayak Prowler Ultra 4.7 fishing kayak worth £999. On the day it was thought that Amos was the overall winner, but later identification of an additional species from John means that he will now also get his very own Ocean Kayak Prowler Ultra 4.7 fishing kayak.

In second place was David Lear who won a colour GPS Humminbird fishfinder and in third place David Harrison received an Escape buoyancy aid. Additional consolation and fun prizes were given to anglers who had made their own unique contribution to what was a highly enjoyable event.

The competition was sponsored by Johnson Outdoors UK and supported by AnglersAfloat. Johnson Outdoors MD Andrew Dron commented: “It was a great day and we’re delighted that so many kayak fishing enthusiasts were able to take part. We’re also very grateful for all the support we had from everyone who helped make the day so successful and in particular to Swanage Tourist Board who were very helpful.”

Martin Steeden, who received the donation on  behalf of the RNLI, was very impressed with the tournament results and said: “I have my own boat here and the most species I have ever caught at once is four so hats off to all the kayak fishermen who have done so well here at Swanage.” The species caught on the day were: Pollack, Ballan Wrasse, Dogfish, Mackerel, Undulate Ray, Corkwing Wrasse, Pout, Black Bream, Bass, Plaice, Starry Smoothhound, Greater Sandeel, Goldsinny, Smelt, Butterfish, Common Smoothhound and Smalleyed Ray.

Friday, June 04, 2010

Development consultation

Residents of Dorset's Isle of Purbeck are being urged to give their views about where 620 new homes should be built.The developments will extend the towns and villages of Swanage, Wareham, Upton, Bere Regis, Lytchett Matravers and Wool.Purbeck District Council said it had a commitment to build 2,400 new homes, including affordable housing, by 2026.But this could mean building on greenbelt land, it said. Leaflets will be sent to homes in the area throughout early June and the consultation will run until 30 July.

Thursday, June 03, 2010

Purbeck Gazette

The Purbeck Gazette’s new website launched successfully on 1st June and is already clocking up a significant amount of new visitors. In addition to publishing The Gazette online, it now offers online daily news, daily events, a superior local business directory (FREE to list your business!), additional community letters, public notices, local reports, sports, jobs, an online shop, fun stuff and so much more!

www.purbeckgazette.co.uk

Wheelie bins

PURBECK residents have been warned to close bin lids properly or their rubbish will not be collected by the council.The warning comes in the wake of an accident that killed a bin man in Gloucestershire.

Wednesday, June 02, 2010

Walking Festival

First Swanage and Purbeck Walking Festival a Resounding Success

The first Swanage and Purbeck Walking Festival, held after the May Day Bank Holiday, 3rd May 2010 has been voted a resounding success.  The Isle of Purbeck in Dorset has some of the most stunning scenery in the South and walks roamed along the coast and over heathland, through nature reserves and through idyllic Dorset villages.
Visiting walkers were treated to spectacular views, abundant wildlife and, luckily, a week of good weather too. With more than forty guided walks the two hundred plus people who took part could choose something to suit every age and capability.  Distances ranged from a mile and a half walk around Swanage, discovering the fascinating history of this Victorian seaside town, up to sixteen miles along the South West Coast Path.
Many walks had a theme, among the most popular being geology – Dorset’s Jurassic Coast is the ultimate geological site, bird watching, wild flowers and a walk which included a trip on Swanage Steam Railway as the return journey.  Some walks included a pub lunch, while others involved a packed lunch, sitting in a flower-filled meadow and looking out to sea.
The week ended with a Ceilidh, with live band, bar and barbecue, in a marquee overlooking the beach.  Those who still had the energy danced reels and jigs with vigour, and the others enjoyed watching and tapping their tired feet to the music.  A great way to cement friendships made throughout the week.
Lyn Fegan, a local hotelier, who led a walk based around the history of the local quarrying industry, commented “those who came on my walk were of varying ages and fitness, but everyone mixed well, chatted and we all enjoyed a day out in the country.  All my walkers are planning to return next year, and, hopefully, bring friends.”
Plans are already well underway for next year’s Festival, which is to be extended, running from 30th April to May 8th 2011 and more details can be found on the Walking Festival website, www.walkswanage.com.
For more information on Swanage and the Isle of Purbeck please visit www.VisitSwanage.com.

For more information on this story contact Julian Maughan on 01929 423972
For Press enquiries please contact Emma Fernandez at Violet PR on 078 497 48 434