CLEVELAND ARMS
Over 100 local residents attended a meeting in High Ercall Village Hall on Friday, 2nd June. The meeting was jointly hosted by Ercall Magna Parish Council and the Cleveland Phoenix Charity and was chaired by Councillor Kevin Connor and David Haston.
Throughout the meeting we were reminded of how the Cleveland Arms Public House was the hub of the village of High Ercall for many years and how it has been missed since its closure. There was unanimous support for the organisations to continue in their fight to represent the community and to do all that is possible to ensure that the building is retained as a community asset and that we can see the return of the public house which is now more essential due to the closures of other establishments and the increase in numbers of residents, both in the village and from surrounding areas.
Telford & Wrekin Council refused an application by John Charles Homes Limited to change the use from a public house to a residential property and have much evidence to support that decision. However, the owner has appealed against the decision and a hearing is scheduled to take place on 27th June. The Parish Council, The Phoenix Charity and your Ward Member will be in attendance and have requested to speak to the Inspector to provide local evidence and opinion as to why the refusal was the correct decision and how the community very much wants the site (in the centre of the village) tidied and the building brought back into use as a community hub, with licenced bar.
At the meeting, residents wanted to thank High Ercall Village Hall, and the volunteers, for allowing a temporary pop-up-pub to be available one night a week whilst the village is without a pub. Residents also understood that this was quite a commitment and that this temporary arrangement may come to an end in the future. This was never intended to replace the pub, but only to provide a part time venue for people to continue to get together until the Cleveland Arms re-opens.
Anyone wanting to attend the hearing, can register by emailing planning.control@telford.gov.uk.
NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
The Chairman and Members of Ercall Magna Parish Council invite you to join them at High Ercall Village Hall on Tuesday, 20th June 2023 at 7pm.
Included on this agenda will be the co-option to fill the vacancies. At the recent elections, Ercall Magna (High Ercall Ward) was uncontested. Anyone wishing to be considered for one of the vacancies can submit a personal statement to the Clerk for Members to consider. If you would like to chat about the role, please ring Katrina on 07813 788094.
The Minutes of the meeting held on 16th May 2023 are now available here.
Neighbourhood Plan
The Ercall Magna Neighbourhood Development Plan is currently being inspected by an Independent Examiner. This is Regulation 16 of the process.
It is some time since we circulated the information regarding the Plan, and the process to develop this important document for our community so we thought this is a good time to remind you all.
Here is the Regulation 15 Version.
As you may recall, the Parish Council employed the services of a Planning Expert to bring together all your thoughts, ideas and comments. The Plan has been through a range of consultations, with external bodies and Telford & Wrekin Council as well as local residents and businesses.
Here is the Evidence Review Document - for your information.