verwood news
Afternoon Music Concerts at the Hub
Verwood in Tune concerts are switching to the afternoons this year. Held on the last Wednesday afternoon at 2pm each month, February to November, the concerts will have a performance by a different professional artiste each month. Each will provide a varied programme of popular music over a wide range of genres on an electronic keyboard, which can create the sounds of a full range of instruments and even an orchestra. Screen projection shows the hands on the keyboard and of course you can see the busy feet wherever you sit in the theatre’s tiered seating. Tickets are £8 from the Verwood Hub on 01202 828740.
Party Time for TG
A variety of events will be held around the country this year as the Townswomen’s Guild celebrates its 90th birthday. The recent local Verwood TG celebrated the guild’s 38th birthday, the New Year got off to a fun and entertaining start with a performance by ‘Retro Rita’ (Jo Geraghty) who sang songs from several musicals over the decades, to much appreciation from members. A birthday cake was served at the tea break and a large raffle was held. Committee member Carole Sheldon-Couch was presented with a 10-year service badge. For more information contact Linda on 01202 827575.
Tackling homelessness in Verwood
Short term accommodation for the homeless is to be provided in Verwood. January’s East Dorset District Council’s planning committee agreed, after much discussion, to approve the change of use of the former NHS St Gabriel’s care home at 25, Ringwood Road to the Sui Generis Short Term Hostel. The plan was not without its detractors and the council received 14 objections. The building will provide eight bedrooms with a maximum occupancy of 16 residents. There will be no resident staff on the premises, but a dedicated housing officer will visit regularly.
Extract from plan issued by Dorset County Council showing nominated site (edged red) with proposed access route (red broken lines). © Crown Copyright and database rights 2010 Ordnance Survey 100019790.
Residents object to Horton Heath quarry proposals A number of local people are up in arms about proposals to introduce quarrying on land near to Horton Heath and Dorset County Council has received numerous objections. The site at Redman’s Hill was announced in December, with a short period of consultation which ended on 28 January. Verwood Town Council has objected strongly to the inclusion of the site. They commented that the potential removal of up to 3.5 million tonnes of mineral would create up 80 HGV movements on a typical day during the extended 12-17 year lifetime of the extraction period. The council added that such an intensification of HGV movement would increase still further the traffic volume beyond the existing and anticipated increase resulting from the expansion of the Woolsbridge Industrial Estate on the C2. The plan for Woolsbridge includes a household waste transfer depot, which in itself will generate significant additional HGV traffic movements. The authority is also concerned about the conflict between HGV traffic and horse riders/walkers using the rights of way adjacent to the site and its proposed access. Dorset County Council along with Bournemouth and Poole councils, is in the process of preparing a mineral sites plan to identify sites across the county to meet the need for various minerals. The document was considered by a planning inspector at public hearing sessions last September and October. It did not initially include land at Horton Heath as an allocation for future development. However, following discussion at a public hearing by the inspector, landowner, the council and others, the site is now being considered as a possible additional option. There will be a final stage of consultation on the plan this spring. Any sites allocated in the plan will then need to secure planning permission to be developed. Marilyn Barber
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VIEWPOINT February 2019
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