Newsletter 9
March 1st, 2015
Fracking – Inskip Meeting Thursday 26th March 2015
There has been much talk in the village and in the press regarding the proposal of gas exploration company Cuadrilla to frack at nearby Roseacre Wood. Many residents may be aware that Lancashire County Council, which is both the minerals planning authority and the highways authority, have indicated that they were not minded to accept the Cuadrilla traffic proposals and that Cuadrilla are now proposing an alternative traffic plan. They are now proposing that all their inbound plant traffic would be routed via Broughton, Woodplumpton and Inskip along the B5269, Lewth Lane, crossing Carrs Green and then turning left at the Derby Arms and continuing on to the Roseacre site via Higham Side Road. Cuadrilla traffic would travel along Higham Side, past the entrance to the Inskip Pre-School and then turn right from Higham Side onto the Base and cross MOD land to finally access the Roseacre site. Return traffic would again cross the Base and turn right onto Higham Side before leaving via Dagger Road.
This new alternative traffic proposal from Cuadrilla would place an unacceptable burden of additional heavy goods traffic on our country lanes and is strongly opposed by the Parish Council. In addition the Parish Council is very concerned about the risk to both Pedestrians and other road users on Higham Side. The Parish Council have lobbied Ben Wallace MP and our Lancashire County Councillor and Wyre Borough Councillors, seeking their support in opposing these plans.
The Lancashire County Council Development Control Committee will decide on the Cuadrilla application on 30th April and groups opposed to the proposal will have the opportunity to address the committee at that time.
The Parish Council is aware that a meeting is being arranged at the YIPS Centre, Nelson Gardens on Thursday 26th March 2015 at 8pm at which Mr. Tom Hasty of Inskip will give a presentation of objections to the Cuadrilla traffic proposal that he intends to put to Lancashire County Council at their meeting on 30th April. We understand that members of the village are cordially invited to attend.
Catforth Scarecrow Festival
Many of us have enjoyed the Scarecrow Festival in Catforth with a different and entertaining theme each May. This year it runs from 23rd to 30th May and the theme will be “Walt Disney – film or fairy tale”. Would residents of Inskip also be interested in being part of the Scarecrow Festival? If there were sufficient interest in joining in then it might be worth opening it out to include Inskip.
If you think that you would like to put your skills to the test and get creative and make a scarecrow then please call Claire West of Inskip on 01772 690121 as soon as possible and leave your name and number, if no reply. This will allow Claire to gauge the level of interest and allow a decision whether to include Inskip on the route map as well.
Blackpool and District Canine Society – Championship Dog Show
The Blackpool and District Canine Society have announced that they will be holding their Championship Dog Show at their new showground in Pinfold Lane, Inskip on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 26th to 28th June 2015. It is understood that admission to the event is free, though there are car parking charges. The Parish Council anticipates that there may be traffic congestion and disruption in the area during the course of the event and in the week prior to and after the Show with HGV movements in the lane as the showground facilities are erected / taken down.
2015/16 Council Tax Bill
The Parish Council can report that the Parish Precept, which forms part of the overall Council Tax Bill that households receive from Wyre Borough Council, has been maintained at the same level as last year.
Wyre in Bloom
As usual Inskip is taking part in the Wyre in Bloom initiative sponsored by Wyre Borough Council. This year’s order for plants has already been placed but rather than spending tax payers money planting out the Parish Council are looking for green fingered volunteers to join the team and help make Inskip bloom this summer. If you’d like to volunteer please contact Alan Lingard on 01995-679239 or pop in and chat at the next Parish Council meeting.
Superfast Lancashire
Superfast Lancashire is a project commissioned by Lancashire County Council using central government and EU funding and BT Openreach have the contract to supply superfast broadband (at least 2Mbps bandwidth) to rural communities in Lancashire.
Whilst parts of the village were dug up in December by contractors working for Openreach with cables being laid, we still have no positive confirmation as to when further progress will be made. Just as soon as we have any information we will let you know.
Parish Council Elections
Parish Council Elections are scheduled for Thursday 7th May 2015. Nomination papers need to be submitted by hand to the Civic Centre, Breck Road, Poulton Le Fylde by 4pm on Thursday 9th April 2015. Look out for further details on the Parish Noticeboard.