Nocton Hall - access to grounds

Private property - no unauthorised access

Over many years local residents have enjoyed unfettered access to the 'pleasure grounds' of Nocton Hall.  Local residents have also 'witnessed' the asset stripping of the building, before a mysterious fire took hold in 2004, accelerating its dilapidation.

Steps have been taken to improve security of the site.  The most recent being the installation of a security gate and temporary Heras fencing.  Also, the fencing is now checked and repaired on a regular basis for health & safety reasons and to deter those wishing to carry out further malicious acts.  Motion sensors have been fitted and covert cameras have been utilised to record evidence too.

The most recent action has been to erect security signs warning that this is 'Private Property - No Unauthorised Access'. If anyone is aware of any announcement from Leda Properties about retaining authorised access for local residents, please will you comment below accordingly.

Plate 1 - Access to grounds from Yew Walk

near All Saints Church

Plate 2 - Entrance of driveway to RAF Hospital

Plate 3 - Access to grounds adjacent to Nocton Hall

Plate 4 - Access to grounds near Lower Lodge

Plate 5 - Access to grounds from rear gates of All Saints Church

Right of way... possibly

Some landowners allow access over their land without dedicating a formal right of way. These are often indistinguishable from public rights of way, but are usually subject to restrictions. Such paths are often closed at least once a year, so that a permanent right of way cannot be established in law.

A right of way – sometimes called an easement – can also be created by long-time use under statute or common law.  For example, if you’ve been using a path over land owned by someone else for the past 23 years or so, then there is a good chance you have acquired a right of way, even though it hasn’t been formally registered. However, you would need to establish that you have enjoyed that right for a continuous 20-year period or 20 years up to the date any action is brought about.

This is not a clear cut issue and will depend on what has happened over a period of many years.  It would probably require the services of a legal advisor to determine the position, following provision of evidence of use.

It remains to be seen whether any action will be taken against those who choose to ignore the signs and continue to enjoy the grounds of Nocton Hall for walking their dogs and observing the local flora and fauna.

Nocton Village Hall - redevelopment

Planning application now submitted

I refer to my last blog dated 23rd February 2017.

I am now pleased to be able to publish the final plans that are in the process of being submitted to North Kesteven District Council for planning permission.

When I last checked, the application is not appearing on the Planning Online site, so hasn't been validated yet. I will publish the formal planning application number when the application finally appears, so you can study all the accompanying paperwork.

Plate 1 - Village Hall - interior

Plate 2 - Village Hall - exterior

Helicopter on Nocton Estate

Callsign G-CHOA

Bell Helicopter Textron 206B JetRanger 3

[photo taken Tuesday 25 Apr 2017]

Both photos taken from public bridleway

Registration details

Haverholme Farm Partnership
Haverholme Park
Sleaford
Lincolnshire
NG34 9PF

http://www.airframes.org/reg/gchoa

Haverholme Farm Partnership and Velcourt

"Velcourt is the leading provider of farm business management and advisory services in the UK and overseas, with fifty years’ experience of delivering solutions for our clients."

http://www.velcourt.co.uk/

N.B. Richard Williamson (Director of Beeswax Dyson Farming Ltd - appointed 24 Nov 2014) was previously a Director of Velcourt Ltd between 1 Oct 1993 and 21 Nov 2014

Open Gardens 2017

Gardening Club

Nocton Club - beer fest

Beer Fest Pre Taster

Beer Fest Friday

Beer Fest Saturday

Beer Fest Sunday

Beer Fest Monday

Notice of road closure

Parish Council

We have received this notification from LCC Highways.

Location: B1202 (from B1188 to a point 200 metres East, Nocton)

Period of closure: 29/05/2017 to 12/06/2017 (5 nights only 19.00hrs to 05.00hrs during this period)

Alternative route: B1188, B1178, B1202 & vice versa
(closures to be implemented as & when required in each location during this period, signage detailing accurate dates & times will be displayed on site in advance)

If you have any queries, or require further information, please contact the LCC Customer Service Centre on 01522 782070.

To search roadworks locally and nationally - https://roadworks.org/

Parish Council notice - photo taken 19 April 2017

Beeswax Dyson Farming - relief access track

Construction work

I refer to my blog dated 4 March 2017 which reported that preparation work had commenced on marking out the new relief road. I can now report the construction work has started in earnest.

Plate 1 - Access from Old Sleaford Rd, near MAC Ltd

Plate 2 - Digging out the new relief access track

Plate 3 - View from footpath

Plate 4 - Route of new relief access track

around reservoir boundary

Plate 5 - Access from junction

near Nocton Wood House

Plate 6 - Route headed towards reservoir

You may like to see the official notice regarding the 'closure' of the bridleway between Nocton and Dunston. A copy is posted on the Parish Council noticeboard on The Green.

Formal Notice

Lincolnshire County Council
Traffic Orders
Unit 7, Witham Park House
Waterside South,
Lincoln, LN5 7JN
Tel: 01522 782070
Email: roadclosures@lincolnshire.gov.uk

My Ref: TTRO/324/2017
Date: 10th April 2017

Road Closure Notice

Dear Sir/Madam,

Temporary Footpath Closure: Dunston/Nocton

Please note it will be necessary to impose a temporary restriction to all users of the footpath(s) detailed below.

Reason for closure: Essential maintenance works by Daniel Charles Construction
Location: Dunston Public Right of Way (PROW) 16 (Closed 590 metres North of Back Lane); Nocton PROW 26 (Closed in vicinity of PROW 815)

Period of closure: 24/04/2017 to 14/07/2017 (Closures to be implemented as & when required during this period, signage detailing accurate dates & times will be displayed on site in advance)

Alternative route: Local diversion routes & access arrangements will be signposted

If you have any queries, or require further information, please contact the LCC Customer Service Centre on 01522 782070.

Yours faithfully
Traffic Orders
For Executive Director
(Environment & Economy)

Ben Wills (Head of Property) - Beeswax Dyson Farming

Please be assured that this footpath will not be closed completely, as Beeswax Dyson Farming will ensure access through the crossing point throughout the period of construction works, as reported at the Parish Council meeting on 11 April.

Plate 7 - Bridleway crossing point of new relief access road

Planning application - Wellhead Lane

Variation to 16/0101/FUL

Land Adjacent To 16 Wellhead Lane, Nocton, Lincoln, LN4 2BW

Variation of Condition 10 (Approved Plans) attached to planning permission 16/0101/FUL for the erection of 4 detached houses with detached double garages to allow for the replacement of the approved double garage to Plot 4 with a double garage with storage at first floor level accessed by external staircase.

Ref. No: 17/0431/VARCON | Received: Fri 24 Mar 2017 | Validated: Mon 03 Apr 2017 | Status: Registered

Application received: 24 Mar 2017
Validated: 3 Apr 2017
Expiry: 12 May 2017

Case Officer: Steve Watson
Applicant: Paul Goy

Property for sale

Persimmon Homes

4 bedroom detached house
Parklands Avenue, Nocton
£380,000

6 bedroom detached house
Parklands Avenue, Nocton
£450,000

6 bedroom detached house
Parklands Avenue, Nocton
£450,000

5 bedroom detached house
Parklands Avenue, Nocton
£450,000

5 bedroom detached house
Parklands Avenue, Nocton
£465,000

Stonewell Homes

4 bedroom detached house
Plot 1, Hodgson Close, Wellhead Lane, Nocton
£575,000

6 bedroom detached house over three floors
Plot 2, Hodgson Close, Wellhead Lane, Nocton
£625,000

4 bedroom detached house
Plot 4, Hodgson Close, Wellhead Lane, Nocton
£565,000

Sowerby Homes

4 bedroom detached house
Woodland Drive, off Nocton Park Rd, Nocton
£289,950

Period property

3 bedroom terrraced cottage
Old Ten Row, Main Street, Nocton
£220,000

Other property

2 bedroom bungalow
The Avenue, Nocton
£189,950

3 bedroom semi-detached house
Wegberg Rd, Nocton Park, Nocton
£148,000

2 bedroom ground floor flat
Khormaksar Drive, Nocton Park, Nocton
£74,950

Land behind Village Hall

Up for auction

You may have noticed that a new board has been erected behind Nocton Village Hall, adjacent to the old tennis courts.

Plate 1 - Auction: land behind Village Hall

Plate 2 - Assumed to be the land with outline planning permission

[but will need to be confirmed]

You may recall that an outline planning application was submitted for development of this land... and this was the final decision by North Kesteven District Council.

These are the auction particulars on Pygott & Crone's site.

Sowerby Homes - Nocton Park

Resurfacing work

Further to my last report dated 14 March, I am sure residents are pleased to see the resurfacing work on Nocton Park Road has been completed.

Plate 1 - Main access to Nocton Park Road

Plate 2 - Verges and hedging well maintained

Plate 3 - New top surfacing for roads and footpaths

Plate 4 - No raised grids and manholes

Plate 5 - No potholes and puddles

Plate 6 - Road surfacing for Phase 2 completed too

Plate 7 - Top surfacing finishes at the culvert

In a recent letter to residents, there was this comment from the developer:

"We shall still be around for a few weeks completing the work for Anglian Water along Wegberg Road and then clearing the yard..."

Plate 8 - Access to the 'yard'

Plate 9 - Contents of the 'yard'

Plate 10 - Another view of the 'yard'

However, in the letter there was no mention of final 'top coating works' for Wegberg Road and Holly Close, but I assume this work will be completed prior to Sowerby Homes finally leaving the Nocton Park development.

 

Plate 11 - Wegberg Road still to be completed

Plate 12 - The alternative 'yard' on Plot 72A

Plate 13 - Top surface of road and footpaths

in Wegberg Road and Holly Close still awaited

Finally, you may remember my report as far back as April 2016 about the poor state of the roads in Nocton Park. Let's be optimistic for it not to take another year to get the remaining work completed.

Parish Council Report

Report of the Parish Council Meeting held on 11 April 2017

Beeswax Presentation
Ben Wills of Beeswax Dyson Farming gave an excellent, informative and comprehensive overview of the Beeswax ‘Empire” and a short but thorough description and explanation of all that has, and is, happening on the Nocton Estate.  In brief:

• The bridle path to Dunston which the new Beeswax access road will cross will NOT be closed, although during (and after) construction extra care must be taken at the crossing point.
• The new grain store near Wasps Nest is nearly complete and it is planned to carry out some more sympathetic landscaping to reduce the impact the building has from some aspects.
• The large house that was Mr Clarke’s residence is to become the new Estate Office.
• Should any of the Beeswax lorries or contractors be seen to be causing a traffic hazard or speeding, please let the Estate Office know as any incident of this sort will not be tolerated.
• Talks with LEDA about the possibility of Beeswax carrying out some form of development at Nocton Hall and the old hospital site have taken place but to date the two parties are still miles apart…..!
• A Beeswax Farm Visit is to be organised later in the year.  Details of the arrangements will be announced in Nocton News.

Councillor Goldsworthy thanked Ben on behalf of the Parish Council and those members of the public who had attended and assured Beeswax that any help it could give to resolving the Nocton Hall/former Hospital site issue would be wholeheartedly supported by the overwhelming majority of residents and Parish Council.

VHMC Meeting
Due to lack of support from stall holders the Easter Fair has been cancelled. However, a ‘Last Hoorah” event is to be held on Friday 7 July as a farewell tribute to our present village hall.

Neighbourhood Plan
The Plan, as amended by the Examiner, was approved after reassurance from NKDC planners that the removal of the specific policy on the Nocton Hall site would not significantly compromise the Parish Council’s position on its future.  A local Referendum to approve the Plan is planned for June.

Nocton Village Hall
The internal and external plans were finally approved after taking into consideration the layout of the Social Club area and the enlarged kitchen.  An A3 plan has been requested and will be displayed in the foyer of the Hall and also on the notice board outside.  Planning permission will now be sought by Simons on the Parish Council’s behalf.

Damage to the Footpath on the Green
Although the School, Parish Council and Tree Specialist from NKDC have all agreed that the offending trees should be removed, LCC has apparently insisted that they be retained and that the Parish Council ‘make safe’ the protruding roots.  It is intended to mark these with white or yellow paint while other avenues to arrive at a permanent and more appropriate solution are sought.

Main Street Bus Stop
It appears that cars and vans are regularly parking on the bus stop area in Main Street causing difficulties for both buses and passengers.  Highways are to be asked if a white line can be painted to indicate its presence and hopefully this will deal with the problem.  The local police have also been asked to keep an eye on the situation to ensure that the stop is not obstructed. In the meantime, Councillor Williams is compiling a list of all the outstanding highways issues in the village which she will draw to the Highways Authority’s attention using its new reporting system.

Red Telephone Box
The refurbishment of the red telephone box owned by the Parish Council at Wasps Nest is now almost ready to start.  Once restored it could replace the blue one that is shortly to be decommissioned and removed.  Restoring a red box to its original position and linking the history of our Church, designed Sir George Gilbert Scott with his grandson Sir Giles Gilbert Scott the designer of the iconic red telephone box.  A further report on the proposal will be presented in due course.

Open Gardens 24/25 June 2017
An application for a grant from the 200 Club for £99.48 for the printing of the event’s programme/map and for some advertising flyers was approved.

Councillors’ Reports

• Nocton News:  Councillor Kania who is now editing the Nocton News asked that articles for inclusion be sent to her as soon as they are available but, in any event, by no later than the last day of the month if it is to appear in the following month’s edition.  Her email address is: jane_kania@icloud.com  Articles should no longer be sent to the Parish Clerk.
• Picnic on the Green:  Councillor Williams’ request to use the Village Green for the annual Picnic on the Green on Sunday, 4 June 1.00pm – 5.00pm was agreed.

Date of next Meeting
Tuesday, 9 May 2017

Annual Parish Meeting and AGM
Thursday, 25 May 2017 when there will be a representative from the NHS to give a presentation on what is planned for the future in our area. The Parish Meeting will begin at 7.00 p.m. with wine, soft drinks and nibbles being available from 6.45 p.m.  The meeting will be followed by the Parish Council’s Annual General Meeting at 8.00 p.m.

“Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose.”
Councillor MaryAnn Williams

Red telephone box

Parish councils: an unlikely urban safety net

'Cuts to local services mean that in many parishes across England and Wales (Scotland and Northern Ireland have different arrangements) the precept – the extra council tax charged by parishes – is going up. Where district and other authorities can no longer afford to run services, parishes are picking up the tab.'

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/apr/13/parish-councils-unlikely-urban-safety-net

Red Phone Box

There was some debate during Tuesday's Parish Council meeting, about whether or not the red telephone box at Wasp's Nest should replace the obsolete modern telephone box on School Lane/The Green.

It transpires the dilapidated red box is a formal asset of the Parish Council, given that a nominal fee of £1 was paid to BT to 'adopt' the phone box. As such, it is rather remiss that this asset has been allowed to deteriorate to the point where it now needs complete renovation and a purpose found for it.

Councillor Williams who has been pursuing this matter should be commended. Preliminary arrangements and contacts have been established with interested parties to enable renovation to take place. This ambition is totally understandable given the historic connection of the red telephone box with All Saint's Church in Nocton - see my blog of 27 April 2015.

That said, the idea to relocate the phone box without wider consultation is somewhat flawed. Firstly, it appears there hasn't been any discussion with the Wasp's Nest community, who are quite attached to their red telephone box, which is used as a way-marker for visitors to the area. Secondly, the agreement with BT (see below) seems to indicate a requirement to retain the telephone box in the current location.

Given the Gilbert Scott connection with Nocton, perhaps the Parish Council will now find a way of renovating their asset without further delay and find a future use with full community support.

Plate 1 - Neglected state of Wasp's Nest telephone box

Plate 2 - Interior fares slightly better

Plate 3 - Delamination of paint finish

Plate 4 - Renovation long overdue

Plate 5 - The obligation on the Parish Council "to

safeguard this heritage structure indefinitely"

Plate 6 - Location at Wasp's Nest

Addendum

Please see the following petition from residents of Wasp's Nest to be considered at the Parish Council meeting dated 9th May 2017.

Report of WI meeting

Nocton and District WI April Meeting

Monday 10th April brought our first meeting of the 2017/18 programme and as the competition was “A single Bloom from your garden” there was plenty of spring colour and scent in the village hall. The flower theme continued in the business section of the meeting with discussion of, and encouragement to take part in, the Lonely Bouquet campaign on Friday 5th May which is National Flower Arranging day. The proposed resolutions for 2017 of “Alleviating Loneliness” and “Plastic soup: keep micro plastic microfibers out of our oceans” and the launch of a new website in June for WI members were also discussed. The  NWFI campaign action pack on Food Waste was on display and it was decided that a representative branch of each supermarket in our area would be given a copy of the WI Supermarket Manifesto on the weekend of action planned for 19th to 21st May. This calls for them to aim to meet four commitments; An end to overbuying, Extending the product life of foods in the home, Fully utilising the farm crop and Supermarket transparency on food waste. At the spring Witham group meeting, where there was an excellent talk on Jane Austen and the costumes of that time, Jenny began our collection of trophies for the year with a silver rose bowl after obtaining first prize in the Easter Bonnet competition.

The winning Easter Bonnet

After tea, and as always delicious cakes, Sandra Bright stepped in as our speaker for the evening after Rachel Petherham had to withdraw at the last moment. Sandra was a finalist in the BBC`s Big Allotment Challenge and she regaled us with the trials and tribulations of  the application process and interview as well as the hard work and ups and downs of each week during the competition. There was an extraordinary amount of hard work, travelling and planning involved as each week the competitors had to produce three varieties of each chosen vegetable and the same for the chosen flower all having to be grown from seed. Also a recipe had to be developed and the item produced as directed by the judges. The contestants had to work on their allocated plot of land by the Thames in London and were down there from Friday to Monday every week for 6 months whilst keeping their participation in the competition a secret!! Sandra then produced a beautiful hand-tied bouquet using flowers from her large cut flowers garden which was raffled off. Sandra also complimented us on our thriving and bustling WI of which we are very proud.

Hand-tied bouquet

Sandra Bright with raffle winner, Janet Goldsworthy

Our next meeting is Monday 8th May at 7.15pm which is not an open meeting but if you wish to come and see what Nocton and District WI is all about you will be very welcome. The very popular Rosie is returning this time to talk about, and no doubt help us produce, Whole grain Mustard.

More details about our WI can be viewed on our website at noctonanddistrictwi.weebly.com

[All images and report courtesy of Jane Kania]

Planning application - Nocton Fen

Planning Application: 17/0347/FUL

Keepers Cottage, Wasps Nest, Nocton Fen Lane, Nocton, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN4 2AY

Conversion of existing farm workshop into a function building with facilities for meetings, functions and staff training together with formation of paved areas to the entrances and car parking.

Application received: 09 Mar 2017
Validated: 17 Mar 2017
Expiry: 28 Apr 2017
Deadline: 12 May 2017

Case Officer: Tony Sergeant
Applicant: Ben Wills (Beeswax Dyson Farming Ltd)

Nocton News

Page 1 of 3

Addendum

The full newsletter can be viewed via this link.  Please note the following amendment:

• Unfortunately, Rachel Petherham is unable to attend the Women's Institute meeting tonight. The replacement speaker is Sandra Bright coming with tales of her participation in the BBC Allotment Challenge.

Parish Council - meeting

Next meeting

The next Parish Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 11th April at 7.00pm. This is the Agenda for the meeting.

Stonewell Homes - Hodgson Close

Local Authority Building Control - Building Excellence Awards

Examples of excellence in building design and construction in the District were highlighted at an annual awards ceremony recently. As clients of North Kesteven District Council’s in-house Building Control Unit, the ten winners and nine highly commended recipients of the of the Council’s own Building Control Awards will go on to compete in the regional Local Authority Building Control Awards.

https://www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/your-council/council-news/design-and-build-excellence-awarded/

Building Excellence

The award winner of the 'Best Local Builder or Traditional Craftsperson' category for North Kesteven District Council was Nocton's own resident, Paul Goy.

http://nocton.blogspot.co.uk/2017/03/building-excellence.html

More information on the national and regional scheme.

Site at Hodgson Close, off Wellhead Lane, Nocton

Permission for access was granted by Paul beforehand - he very kindly gave me a tour of his site and left me to take the photographs you can see below.

Plate 1 - Access to Hodgson Close

Plate 2 - Landscaping the frontage

Plate 3 - Landscaping the beck with wildflower and grasses

Plate 4 - Large gardens to the attractive rear aspect

Plate 5 - Plot 1 - front elevation

Plate 6 - Plot 1 - rear elevation

Plate 7 - Plot 1 - side elevation with sunroom

Plate 8 - Plot 2 - front elevation

Plate 9 - Plot 2 - rear elevation

Plate 10 - Plot 3 - front elevation

Plate 11 - Plot 3 - rear elevation

Plate 12 - Plot 3 - beautiful stonework on display

Planning Permission

The planning reference number for this development is 16/0101/FUL and the plans and diagrams can be viewed on the North Kesteven District Council planning site.

You can also view related previous blogs dated 14th December 2015, 27th August 2016 and 17th December 2016.