Children’s forest activities
★ Explore the woodland and churchyard
★ Play active outdoor games
★ Discover local wildlife
★ Learn simple green woodwork skills
★ Make crafts from natural materials
★ Listen to stories around the campfire
The activities are led
by a Level 3
Forest school qualified
facilitator
Free
Donations welcome
These activities are strictly for
2-5 years
Children must be accompanied by a
parent/carer
For further information or to
book contact:
Meeting place:
St Michael and All Angels
Church, Coach Lane,
Witton Gilbert, DH7 6SX
Booking essential
Come weather prepared
No dogs please
DON’T FORGET TO VOTE ON NOVEMBER 7th FOR YOUR
NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN
The Parish Council has been consulting on the Witton Gilbert Neighbourhood Plan since 2013 and in November2018 a pre-submission draftwas completed and submitted for inspection by an Independent Planning Inspector. The plan has since been recommended to go forward to a referendum after consultations with Durham CountyCouncil.
The Plan has taken countless hours of work and research and has at all times involved residents and it is based on your comments and views given at the well attended public meetings and feedback sessions. It is YOUR plan and it can now become formal part of the planning process with full legal status.
A formal referendum organised by the County Council will be held on the November 7th and polling cards will be issued to all registered voters in Witton Gilbert Parish. The Neighbourhood Plan is important to the local community as it will sit alongside the County Plan and be used to make planning decisions within the Neighbourhood area.
The aim of the plan can bebriefly expressed as follows:-
* Defines a Settlement Boundary to prevent the erosion of the countryside around Witton Gilbert
* Controls Housing Development within the settlement Boundary, and makes provision for affordable housing and homes for older people
* Defines a Historic Zone and helps to ensures all development or alterations within the zone are appropriate
* Encourages Sustainable design
* Protects and promotes Biodiversity within the Parish
* Defines and protects Local Green Spaces from development.
These are shown on the proposals map and include such areas as the playing fields and the allotments
* Protects and supports Community Assets, e.g. The Community Centre, Primary School, the Store and Post Office
* Encourages new and existing business, farm diversification and home working
* Encourages Community energy generation projects.
The plan will also help provide some revenue for Community projects as all Neighbourhood Plan areas get 25% of any Community
Infrastructure Levy applied to a development within the Neighbourhood area.
We encourage parishioners to read all of the information related to this plan contained on this web site or access the plan at the County Council site. There is also a hard copy deposited at Cooper Hall.
If you have any comments please use the form below
The Parish Council with the full backing of the allotment holders are continuing to look at all options in an effort to save the allotments.
In September 2018 Langley Estates put up for sale 18 plots of land around Witton Gilbert including the Sacriston Lane Allotments (next to the School) currently leased to the Parish Council.
The Parish Council put in a bid to buy the allotments to preserve them for community but were unsuccessful. Their bid of £10060 was based on the recommendation of a professional valuer who advised that the site was agricultural land, with limited development potential.
The Parish Council has received 12 MONTHS NOTICE TO QUIT from the new owners.
The allotment site was acquired from Lord Lambton in 1909 following the 1908 Allotment Act. For 110 years local people have enjoyed this popular amenity which continues to welcome new members, provide healthy exercise, fresh, local food and friendship for generations of Witton Gilbert residents. The importance of the allotments is reflected in the designation of the site, as “Protected
Green Space” within the Witton Gilbert Neighbourhood Plan so its important to vote in the referendum on the 7th November.
The 48 allotment plots bring people together from a mixture of ages and backgrounds. Some are new to growing and benefit from the advice of older members of the community; others have lovingly tended their plots for decades. They share an appreciation of fresh produce and the sense of community and wellbeing that the allotments provide.
The Parish Council intend to do everything within their power to preserve this valuable resource for future generations.
Please sent your comments using the form below
comments to make on the
There will be a Christmas party at Witton Gilbert Community Centre on November 30th between 12 pm and 4 pm. Telephone
07982862127 for further information.
Fancy Dress Halloween Party at Witton Gilbert Community Centre on 2nd November 2019 3PM TO 5PM!!!
Entertainment from the amazing Captain Raggy Beard. Tickets £4.
Contact
Helen on 07764897060 for
more information.
A fireworks display will be held on Saturday 2nd November. The Bonfire will be lit at 6.30 pm and there will be a Fireworks display at 7.00 pm. Refreshments will be available. Could anyone who would like to help the organisers contact Kristi on 07758 334238
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