Bassetlaw District Group
The Bassetlaw District Group of the Campaign to Protect Rural England works to help to protect the environment of Nottinghamshire - to preserve and enhance the Green Belt, woodlands, fields, trees, hedgerows and wildlife areas, and so keep Bassetlaw a decent place in which to live, work and spend our leisure time.
Report for Bassetlaw District Group for 2007
Bassetlaw District Group Launched
Four members of the Nottinghamshire Branch Executive – Stuart Byfield, Rosamund Macfarlane, Ruth Robinson and Peter Holland – took part in a meeting in September in the Retford Library to encourage the formation of a District Group for Bassetlaw.
The meeting was attended by members of the public interested in becoming individual members, together with representatives from the Parish Councils of Everton, Misterton and Markham Clinton. The meeting ranged over the aims and objectives of CPRE at the national and branch levels as well as the role of local district groups.
A lively debate ensued on national campaigning issues such as the preservation of the Greenbelt, the “Nightblight” campaign and recent changes in Planning Laws and Procedures. Comment was expressed on CPRE’s national stance on wind farms, which essentially recommends that local groups adopt a case by case approach to individual planning applications. Some contributors thought that CPRE national office could provide stronger guidelines.
Members of the Executive Committee talked about the range of social and campaigning activities undertaken in recent years. A pleasant lunch last year at the Harley Gallery in Welbeck Abbey had been an important opportunity for networking with members from diverse parts of the county as well as listening to a short talk by Derek Adlam on the recent history of the Welbeck Estate. The AGM at Thrumpton Hall and the annual picnic in the grounds of Welbeck Abbey were also mentioned as enjoyable occasions.
Much of the evening perhaps inevitably focussed on local planning issues. A major concern was the proposed Equestrian/Angling Centre to be built on agricultural land at Bevercotes. This had attracted considerable opposition from local residents concerned about the transport of very large quantities of minerals/spoilage away from the site along narrow country lanes during the construction process.
Questions were also raised as to the appropriateness of this kind of major development in a quiet, peaceful, rural location. Concern was also expressed over a planning proposal to build a large garage and high boundary wall close to a delightful historic Saxon/Norman church at West Markham. Finally, members noted with some concern that the development of Robin Hood Airport was attracting ever increasing aircraft movements over North Nottinghamshire, with consequently more problems associated with night-time over-flying. It was hoped to liase with other interested parties on this matter.
The meeting agreed to the setting up of a small informal group to take forward the business of the district. It was hoped to hold a meeting in November or December and for a speaker to provide an introduction to recent changes in planning regulations and procedures so as to inform and update members.
Peter Holland
Autumn 2007
The local contact for the Bassetlaw District Group is:
Peter Holland,
8, Martin Lane,
Bawtry,
Doncaster DN10 6NJ.
