Highways and Streetscene

Annual Footpath Survey

The Parish Council undertake a survey of all footpaths in Holt every year, this ensures that we have evidence of existence and also that maintenance issues are reported to the relevant authority where they cannot be dealt with on a local basis. We will soon be commencing the 2016 walks (see the footpaths section of this website for previous year’s results). If you are a regular walker or would like to explore the wonderful countryside and would be willing to help us please use the Contact the Parish Council tab and we will give you further details of how to participate.

Thankyou

 

Planning

Tannery Planning Application

Wiltshire Council has circulated the Tannery planning application for consultation. The deadline for comments is 1 April 2016. Residents with property adjacent to or close to the proposed development should have received notification from Wiltshire Council. The application documentation is very large but may be viewed on the Wiltshire Council website.  To do this, go to the planning section then follow links for search applications and use the number 16/01306 to access the application.  All of the supporting documentation can be viewed/downloaded.  A copy of the Desisign and Access Statement is available here.

General

Dawes Pond

The Parish Council recently appealed for sponsors to help towards the cost of restoring Dawes Pond to an amenity that the village can be proud of.  The Council has received a very generous offer from Mr Nick Kirkham of Glove Factory Studios to pay £3750 towards the cost. The Parish Council decided at its last meeting to go ahead with the project, funding the balance of the cost from the Village Development Fund.  A contractor has been selected and the work will be carried out late August/September this year. The delay is in order to cause the minimum disruption to wildlife. The project will re-shape the pond to include a shallow margin area all round for safety.  A buried butyl rubber liner will ensure that there are no leaks and a pump will be installed to top up the level of the pond from the brook. The whole area will be grassed and works to some of the trees will be undertaken. Some new planting of evergreens at the rear of the pond will be made.

Village Facilities

Dawes Pond

 

Over a number of years the Parish Council has tried various ways of restoring Dawes Pond to its former glory. Sadly, in spite of considerable effort and expenditure, none has been successful.The problem is two-fold – firstly, stopping leaks and keeping water in the pond and secondly, topping up the water when it gets low. Without going into every detail of what has been tried before, the Parish Council are now advised that fitting a liner is the best solution, together with an electric pumping system for topping up the pond when the water level falls through evaporation. having spent £2000 re shaping and dredging the pond the Parish Council now needs to raise an  additional £6-7000.00 to complete the work. Some of this money can undoubtedly be raised by “matched funding” grants but a substantial part will have to be found from other sources. Opinion is mixed as to whether this is money worth spending but many villagers (and the children of Holt School) have strongly expressed the view that this is an amenity that should be kept and restored.

So, this is an appeal for individuals, local businesses and organisations to make a donation towards the cost. Alternatively there may be those willing to organise a fund raising event/s to help the Council raise the amount required. If the money cannot be raised then, sadly, filling in the pond will remain an option

Please contact the Parish Clerk if you can help.