Author: Andrew Taylor

Changes are underway at the town’s Farmers Market held each Thursday in the Market Square area of the High Street. A new meat supplier, Busses Meat Boxes will be taking over the space previously occupied by Bridge Farm. However due to MSDC licensing requirements they will not be in place now until the 19th of November.

The ever popular fish stall run by Chris Veasey remains on site together with the unmanned bakery stall adjacent. The Town Council continues to receive enquiries from various traders who have expressed an interest in attending and Outdoor Services Supervisor Jonathan Ansley is happy to receive further approaches from potential traders. You can email him at j.ansley@eastgrinstead.gov.uk

The RSPB will be taking space at the Farmers Market on the 12th of November and again on the 3rd of December, please come and give them your support.

Crowds flocked to the East Grinstead Town Football Club at their GAC Stadium on the East Court estate on the last Saturday in October.

There was a big turn out to this popular event which this year featured a Halloween Fancy Dress Contest as well as music and fun and games through the evening.

Meridian FM provided the sound system and the East Grinstead Lions were also in attendance.

The event is a big fundraiser for the football club, who were joined by Town Mayor Dick Sweatman and his wife Janet.

Town Council Leader Rex Whittaker joined with members from the East Grinstead Business Association at a breakfast seminar hosted by Capita at their offices in Wood Street.

The company’s Property and Infrastructure division are a multi disciplinary consultancy working on some major infrastructure projects for the Government. At present this includes much of the work for the HR2 High Speed Rail Link.

Capita have recently celebrated their 40^th anniversary in the town and as well as employing over 400 staff here also recruit six graduates each year.

Left to right: Tony Hargrave the Capita MD with Stuart Scholes of the EGBA and Rex Whittaker

Christmas Shoppers shouldn’t have to worry about how long they leave their cars in the town centre car parks on Saturdays in December.

Mid Sussex District Council, who administer the public car parks in East Grinstead, have announced that on the 5, 12 and 19 December car parking charges for the Vicarage Car Park and the Norton House Car Park will be reduced to £1 for parking all day.

There will also be free afternoon parking on Saturday 5  December at the following Short Term town centre car parks: Queensway, Kings Street, Christopher Road and Chequer Mead.

So if you want to shop until you drop get into town early to get your parking slot on Saturdays through December!

Mid Sussex District Council is proposing to increase the number of homes to be delivered by the District Plan.

Over the summer the Council consulted on the District Plan and received constructive feedback as part of that process. After careful consideration the Council is proposing to make amendments to the Plan to ensure it meets the needs of Mid Sussex residents and businesses, while protecting the unique character and diversity of the towns and villages.

Since the General Election in May there has been a clear drive from Central Government to increase the number of homes built in the UK, led by the Prime Minister’s commitment to deliver one million new homes by 2020. This national context is important because it will directly affect the Independent Examination of the Mid Sussex District Plan by the Planning Inspector.

Over the past few months, Mid Sussex District Council has carefully followed the outcomes of Local Plan Examinations in other areas, particularly locally. The methodology used for establishing housing need has been scrutinised closely by Inspectors and strong emphasis has been placed on the requirement to support neighbouring authorities with any unmet housing need. This policy has been strongly enforced at other local Examinations.

As a result of all these requirements the Council is proposing to increase the number of homes provided by the plan to 800 per year. To accommodate the increased housing numbers, the Council is proposing to add a new strategic development site for 600 dwellings at Hardriding Farm, Pease Pottage to the District Plan. A Housing Density Policy will also be introduced to make best use of the land currently allocated for housing and reduce the need to use further Greenfield sites.

The Council will continue to look to Neighbourhood Plans to provide local policies and allocations and there will be no necessity for the current generation of neighbourhood plans to increase their housing numbers.

“When it comes to planning, the national picture is changing all the time and we must be ready to adapt to the current national situation,” said Councillor Garry Wall, Leader of Mid Sussex District Council.

“It is clear from studying the outcomes of recent Local Plan Examinations that Inspectors are pushing Councils hard to deliver an increased level of housing to meet the national shortage.

“We cannot ignore what is happening in other areas. We must take a responsible approach to our Plan making and make changes in order to give the Plan the best possible chance of success at Examination. Without these modifications we risk years of ‘planning by appeal’, allowing private developers to dictate how much housing there should be in Mid Sussex and where it should go. It’s vital that our District Plan supports sustainable growth and jobs whilst also protecting the unique character of Mid Sussex and these changes are essential if we are to make that happen.”

A report will now be presented the Scrutiny Committee for Planning and Economic Development on 10 November and a meeting of Council on 11 November. Members will be asked to agree modifications to the District Plan and a public consultation will run from 19 November until 31 December to give local people the chance to comment on the changes. The District Plan will then be submitted for Examination in early 2016.

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East Grinstead Town Council is supportive of the Draft District Council plan and welcomes its decision. At a liaison meeting, earlier this week with the Parishes, Mid Sussex District Council confirmed that the advanced Neighbourhood Plans need not alter their stated housing numbers in light of the changes in the District Plan.  The East Grinstead Plan will not therefore have any amendment as a result of this announcement.

The consultation responses are being analysed with the anticipation that the Draft Neighbourhood plan will be submitted to the District Council during the autumn.

Halloween is this weekend and Mid Sussex District Council has joined up with Sussex Police to produce free posters that show ‘Trick or Treaters’ if they are welcome to call.

Many young children will soon be putting on their scariest costumes and taking to the streets to celebrate Halloween. There will be lots of fun activities taking place right across the District but there are members of the Mid Sussex community that do not wish to participate in the celebrations.

Mid Sussex District Council and Sussex Police are asking revellers to be respectful of people who do not wish to take part in the trick or treat ritual. The Council is making ‘No trick or treat’ and ‘trick or treaters welcome’ posters available from the District Council offices, Town Council Help Points and online.

“Dressing up for Halloween and asking for sweet treats is great fun for children but there are members of the community who are nervous about people calling at their home after dark,” said Councillor Norman Webster, Cabinet Member for Health and Community. “We want everyone to enjoy the evening of 31^st October so we’re encouraging people to display one of these posters in their front window to either welcome trick or treaters to call, or to ask them not to stop this time.

“It only takes a minute to download one of the posters or to collect one from the Council offices so make sure you’re ready for Halloween and grab one today.”

The District Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Co-ordinator has visited a number of local schools alongside representatives from Sussex Police to raise awareness among young people about how they can be perceived at this time. Groups of young people in high spirits and scary costumes can be intimidating for some residents and students were asked not to approach properties displaying the ‘no trick or treat’ signs.

To download the free Halloween posters visit http://www.midsussex.gov.uk/community/10101.htm

For more information on Community Safety contact Lucie Venables, MSDC Senior Community Partnerships Officer on 01444 477204 or email lucie.venables@midsussex.gov.uk.

Hundreds watched this year’s Schools Cross Country Race held in the grounds and park of the East Court estate.

Town Mayor Dick Sweatman was on hand to urge all the entrants on and to hand out the prizes at the end of the event.

Hats off to the East Grinstead Athletic Club for all their hard work organising this competition.

For a full report please see http://www.eg-ac.co.uk/2015/10/a-great-day-for-sundays-schools-cross-country-races/

Finishing touches are just about to be put into place at the Meridian Hall on the East Court Estate.

The major ground floor windows and doors have all been replaced with state of the art energy saving glazing units. Access has also been improved with door widths increased and remote access equipment installed for ease of use. The upgrades to the facilities will make it even more attractive for those wishing to hire the Hall for weddings and similar functions.

The Town Council would be happy to show you around if you are interested in a potential booking. Phone 01342 323636 or else see details on their wedding website www.eastcourtweddings.co.uk/venues