Page 17 - Hunstanton Town & Around - January 2016

Tel: 01485 533422 email: editor@townandaround.net Hunstanton Town & Around January 2016 17
Pride in our Neighbourhood 13 Knitting, nattering and crafting raises
funds for Cancer Care
Andrew Murray
If local people wish to help shape little progress has been made. At A cheque for £1300 was presented to Vicky Mitchell, the Macmillan
the environment in which they a policy and strategy meeting in Information and Support Manager, for the Cancer Care and Treatment
live, the Localism Act of 2011 December 2015, it was noted that Fund at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital by the residents of Lyndhurst
introduced legislation that can provided adequate consultation Court, Hunstanton on Saturday 21st November.
enable them so to do. Referenda takes place at each stage, the Meeting each week the knit and natter and craft groups at Lyndhurst
took place in November when the production of a Neighbourhood Court added to their pile of goods for sale including hats, scarves,
Neighbourhood Plans for Plan can be an on-going process. cardigans and jumpers, greetings cards and coasters. House Manager
Brancaster and South Wootton It was therefore decided to follow Kerry Smith organised the combined sale and tea and cakes afternoon
were both approved. They have Brancaster's example and when Jean and Helen made over two hundred cups of tea and coffee
come into force so that they are concentrate on just one or two for all the visitors.
now material considerations important issues. The main issue Currently undergoing chemotherapy at the Queen Elizabeth
when planning applications for Brancaster is the number of Hospital’s Macmillan Unit, resident David Bott came up with idea of
impacting those areas are before second homes and the need to donating the knitting and craft groups’ fundraising efforts to the Cancer
the Borough Council's Planning build good quality but relatively Care and Treatment Fund. “It is a wonderful centre” he said, “several
Committee. In Brancaster there simple homes that will be of our residents have been treated there.”
was an 82% “yes” vote on a 33% marketed at reasonable prices and Accepting the cheque on behalf of the Unit Vicky Mitchell said: “It’s
turnout whilst South Wootton are suitable for local people to a tremendous donation, thank you to all the residents for all your hard
achieved 90% “yes” on a 23% rent or purchase. Although the work in raising and donating this magnificent sum that will be used
turnout. This 'yes' vote is proportion of second homes is not by Macmillan for cancer care at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
important. Not only does it mean so high in Hunstanton, there is
that the local people's voices are still a problem with young people
heard in the planning process but not being able to get a foot on the
also the parish councils will be housing ladder and yet there are
entitled to receive 25% of the unfilled job opportunities in the
Community Infrastructure Levy town.
and that money can be used to Plans are now being made for
fund improvements in the a questionnaire similar to that
facilities for the residents. There used in Brancaster to be delivered
were comments that some to all households in the town.
residents did not understand the Once the responses have been
question on the ballot papers. In analysed, the results will be
no way does a “no” vote stop presented at public open meetings
development but means that there at which further discussion, ideas
would be no local input or control and comments will be sought.
over that development. Pupils in year 7 at Smithdon
Following a consultation School were set the task of
period in November and designing a logo for the Photo: Lyndhurst Court residents present a cheque to Vicky Mitchell,
David Bott is wearing an England shirt
December 2012, Hunstanton Neighbourhood Plan. A couple of
Town Council was given the the interesting ideas were
authority to prepare a combined by Kate Dunbar and
Neighbourhood Plan. Several prizes were awarded to the
meetings have been held with a winning students during
view to producing a fairly assembly just before Christmas.
comprehensive plan but relatively