Hassocks Parish Council

Hassocks Parish Council traffic calming proposals

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Village Traffic Calming and Speed Limits – Consultation

The Council is exploring measures which could be introduced to help make Hassocks roads calmer and safer for all road users which includes motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. A working group comprising of councillors and representatives from two local community groups has been set up to explore the benefits and viability of introducing 20 mph speed limits at various locations around Hassocks and Keymer. Similar schemes are being introduced in other Sussex villages including Hurstpierpoint.

West Sussex Highways are responsible for our roads. They operate a Community Highway Scheme to encourage communities to identify highway concerns and to propose improvements such a traffic calming, Detail to be developed by West Sussex Highways in consultation with the Parish Council crossing facilities, etc. Proposals can be submitted annually in June/July and the merits and costs are assessed; successful applications are then delivered over a 1–3 year period.

We have recently held meetings with West Sussex Highways to obtain traffic data, including actual vehicle speeds, and accident data for our village to see where the issues are so that any proposed scheme is effective. Concerns have also been raised recently about children crossing Dale Avenue near The Windmills Junior School. We are therefore proposing a 20-mph speed limit which would cover the main routes through the village. All residential roads and cul-de-sacs within this zone are included in the proposal.

You may have already seen representatives from the Parish Council at the recent Hassocks Village Market on 22nd March. Consultations with parents from The Windmills Junior School and Hassocks Infant School also took place at the end of March. If you would like to comment on the proposal:
You can send an email to info@hassocks-pc.gov.uk or post a letter to us at the Parish Centre, Adastra Park. The closing date for submissions is Friday 2nd May 2025. Once the consultation is complete the results will be published on our website. Please check our website https://www.hassocks-pc.gov.uk/ and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/hassockspc for further information.

Hassocks Parish Council news - March 2025

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Village Traffic Calming and Speed Limits – Consultation

In the January edition we mentioned that the Council is keen to explore measures which could be introduced to help make Hassocks roads calmer and safer for ALL, and as part of this has set up a working group to explore the viability of 20 mph speed limits in various locations. In the coming months we will be seeking the opinions of Hassocks residents to ensure that any scheme we propose has broad community support. We hope to conduct this consultation in the spring and will publish the details on our web site https://www.hassocks-pc.gov.uk/ and Facebook pages.

Village Parking

Mid Sussex District Council (MSDC) are responsible for managing and operating vehicle parking in the area and, as has been widely reported, they are reviewing the various schemes that operate on roads and in their car parks. They are currently consulting with Parish Councils to seek their views.
Our view is that the current parking arrangements generally work well in Hassocks. The importance of free parking to the health of the High Street businesses cannot be underestimated.

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There are some minor improvements which could be considered. For example, the Parish Council whilst open to splitting the Dale Avenue Car Park into Long Term and Short Term (4 hour max) areas is not in favour of new charges particularly as this would affect visitor numbers and tourists. Visitors could easily migrate to the local Garden Centre / Visitor Attraction where free parking is available. The current Parking Discs work well in the Orion Car Park and these should be retained and potentially used in the short-term section of the Dale Avenue Car Park even if the method of implementation changes.

Above all, any management system in the Car Parks must be simple and easy for all types of users including those who find parking technology challenging ...and must not result in any additional technology costs that MSDC then passes on to users.

To read the full newsletter, please pick up your copy of March’s Hassocks Life or click the images to enlarge them.

August 2024 | Hassocks Parish Council News

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO DO OVER THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS?

Come and play tennis at Adastra park community tennis courts

To Book visit https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/AdastraPark/HowToBook


The Role of a Parish Council on Planning Matters

The role of the Parish Council in planning, is to represent local views; drawing on local knowledge to raise areas of concern, inform, debate and add value to the process. Parish Councils are what is known as statutory consultees in the planning process. They must be informed of all planning applications and any amendments to those applications, within the parish. However, it is the local planning authority which is responsible for the majority of planning matters and makes the final decision on planning applications. The planning authorities for Hassocks are Mid Sussex District Council (MSDC) and the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA).

The Parish Council (PC) can only comment on planning applications in the same way as members of the public. Any comments submitted by the PC must be agreed during a publicly called Parish Council meeting, which in the case of Hassocks, is the Parish Council Planning Committee. Hassocks PC Planning Committee meets on a Monday evening at 7.30pm (with the exception of Bank Holidays) every three weeks throughout the year; the date of these meetings and agendas are published on the Hassocks Parish Council (HPC) website and noticeboard. The meeting minutes are also published on the website. HPC endeavours to publish the agenda for forthcoming meetings of the Planning Committee at least five days in advance of the meeting date to allow members of the public time to comment on any applications on the agenda, in writing or at the public meeting.

Members of the public are welcome to attend all HPC planning meetings and have the opportunity to speak on any application which is included on the agenda for that meeting. There is a designated Public Participation period of fifteen minutes in total for this purpose, prior to the Committee considering applications. Once the Committee proceeds with considering applications, no further public participation is permitted other than if invited by the Chair. However all members of the public are very welcome to stay and observe the Committee’s deliberations. Comments agreed in the council meeting are then submitted in writing by the Parish Clerk to the relevant planning authority for consideration.

Prior to the meeting, members of the HPC Planning Committee review all documents online detailing each application on the agenda. These documents are available to view through visiting the relevant local authority website planning pages, which can be accessed via the links below: MSDC - https://www.midsussex.gov.uk/planning-building/view-and-comment-onplanning-applications/

SDNPA - https://www.southdowns.gov.uk/planning-applications/find-an-application/

To read the full newsletter, please click the images to enlarge them or pick up your copy of August’s Hassocks Life.

Hassocks Parish council - All about the waterways

Living on the banks of a stream

Riparian Ownership - What does it mean? By Cllr Peter Richardson, Member of Flood Action Group – Hassocks Parish Council

In Hassocks Life issue #52 (August 2023) an article by Jonathan Taylor outlined the streams which run through the Hassocks/Keymer area. Watercourses enhance our lives in many ways and yet can pose a threat when in flood. It would seem obvious that watercourses should be allowed to flow freely and without pollution. They need to be respected, protected and maintained for the mutual benefit of the entire community.

At the time of writing, some residents may have already received (or are imminently about to receive) a booklet from Hassocks Parish Council regarding streams. This booklet outlines the significance of resident’s relationship with these watercourses and the associated legal context. Many people probably do not know that if they own land or property adjoining a watercourse (stream, ditch or culvert), or if there is one under their property, then they are by definition, a “Riparian Owner”.

This involves certain responsibilities. In our Hassocks/Keymer area it is believed there are approximately 450 properties which fall into the category of Riparian Ownership. The booklet is not intended to frighten but merely to inform. It is trying to raise the knowledge for such owners who may otherwise have been completely unaware of the issues.

It is not the intention here to duplicate the details provided in the booklet. It is probably sufficient to understand that the relevant rights and responsibilities basically follow what would merely be expected in a manner of general ‘good neighbourliness’. This would be to ensure that water can flow freely, without obstruction (causing flooding) or pollution that would affect the rights of others.

To read about the three main issues of Riparian Ownership, pick up your copy of November’s Hassocks Life or click to enlarge the picture above.

Hassocks council relaunch Adastra Park tennis courts

Park tennis courts at Adastra Park have been officially reopened after a £83,000 renovation, funded by Hassocks Parish Council, the UK Government, LTA Tennis Foundation and Developer Contributions. Tennis courts at Adastra Park hosted a ceremony attended by Hassocks Parish Council representatives, along with representatives from the LTA. There was an opportunity for people from the local community to pick up a racket and get on court for a range of tennis sessions.

Through the Parks Tennis Project, the LTA is investing across Britain to help develop grassroots tennis. The three courts at Adastra Park have undergone extensive work to ensure viability for years to come, including resurfacing, repainting, new fencing, nets and a new gate access system. As well as weekly free park tennis sessions, with equipment provided, the new courts will host Local Tennis Leagues, giving people the opportunity to get involved in friendly and social local competitions. All courts will be available to book via the LTA website. New booking systems and gate access technology means it is now easier to get on court by booking in advance to guarantee availability. A small booking fee will ensure that the courts are maintained at their new high standard for years to come.

The LTA, Hassocks Parish Council and KB Tennis Coaching will work together to ensure free park tennis sessions are available on the courts, providing regular opportunities for anyone to pick up a racket and play. Cllr Ian Weir, Chair of Hassocks Parish Council said: “The new tennis courts are the latest step in the Parish Council’s commitment to deliver improved facilities in Adastra Park following Community Consultation. Our partnership with the LTA and their Club Spark Booking and Gate entry systems have enabled us to provide simple and easy access to the new courts which we hope will make them more attractive to occasional and first-time users as well as giving our existing users a greatly improved playing experience.”

Helpful facts: How to ‘Pay and Play’ Booking online is quick and easy. Courts can be booked up to seven days in advance.
All our courts are available for pay and play, allowing you to book and pay for a single booking at any time. The cost is £7 per court per hour. Concessions £3.50 per hour.

Play 365 days a year, subject to essential court maintenance and weather. For further details, visit: www.clubspark.lta.org.uk/AdastraPark

Hassocks elections this May 4th 2023

Do you want to make a difference to your local community? Making decisions on the services and facilities provided by Hassocks Parish Council?... Have you thought about becoming a parish councillor?

Parish councillors have responsibility for representing your local community, delivery of services and improving the quality of life and community wellbeing.

To be a councillor you need to be:
A UK or Commonwealth citizen; or a citizen of the Republic of Ireland; or be a citizen of another Member State of the European Union.
At least 18 years old.
An elector of the local council; or in the past 12 months occupied land or other premises in the area the local council serves; or work in the area local council serves; or live within three miles of the local council boundry.

If you’re interested, click the picture to enlarge for more details or visit www.midsussex.gov.uk/elections-voting/upcoming-elections

Nominations open on Tuesday 21st March 2023 and close at 4pm on Tuesday 4th April 2023.

Hassocks Parish Council - Community Consultation

Priorities Statement - Hassocks Parish Council

Hassocks Parish Council is preparing a ‘Priorities Statement’ that will explain the important issues for the residents and business of Hassocks, Keymer and Clayton over the next ten years. It will use this Statement to inform its own work plan and its consultation responses to the reviews of the Mid Sussex District Plan and the South Downs Local Plan.
You can help us make this Priorities Statement as accurate as possible by:

Priorities Statement - Hassocks Parish Council

  1. Attending one of the virtual workshops on the 15th November 2022 (see second picture)

  2. Competing the survey that will be in the December copy of Hassocks Life. This can be done via a link or QR code, or as a hard copy by posting it into the Parish Council’s letterbox.

  3. Attending a drop in session on Saturday 18th February 10am-1pm at Adastra Hall to see the results of the survey and have the opportunity to discuss how the Priorities Statement should reflect local views.

To read the full council announcement please click to enlarge the pictures or pick up a copy of November’s Hassocks life.

Adastra Park in Hassocks announces May Day celebrations return!

By Michelle Binks

Everyone is welcome to Adastra Park to join in the merriment and festivities of Hassocks May Day on bank holiday Monday 2nd May from 12noon-4pm.

Our infamous Dog Show is back! Entry will be £2 per class per dog. Just turn up on the day to enter. We are delighted to welcome the Maypole Dancers from Hassocks Infants School, led by Mrs Brewer, Acting Deputy Head, to perform at the Maypole. Burgess Hill Marching Youth will be playing to open our event.

Come and enjoy in tea and cake at the community café in The Pavilion run and raising money for PearlPower. Donations of cakes greatly appreciated too!

We look forward to music from the crew of Burgess Hill Community Radio to keep us entertained. Enjoy the produce of the BBQ and a festival of beer hosted by Keymer and Hassocks Sport and Social Club (KHSSC). And all that before we get to the numerous community and charity stalls offering a plethora of activities and other delights to interest you and help them to raise funds for their many great causes.

A big thanks to Hassocks Parish Council and Keymer and Hassocks Sports and Social Club for supporting Hassocks May Day. If you are a community group or charity and would like a stall please contact michellebinks5@outlook.com. I look forward to seeing you there!

Hassocks Parish Council news - new village sign

A village sign had been on the Parish Council agenda for some years. When the long-standing sign, positioned in the entrance to the Adastra Park, blew down over a windy weekend in Spring 2021, the time had definitely come to turn this aspiration into a reality.

The previous sign in Adastra Park was erected in 1977, 44 years ago. It formed a part of the celebrations to commemorate the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, in June 1977. The wording on the old sign referred to the ‘Parish of Keymer’, ‘George Vth and Elizabeth II,’ and ‘1910-1977’. The sign included various heraldic symbols, including Martlets and Lions Rampant, and was enclosed in a metal frame topped with a crown.

It was painted onto a sheet of marine ply and lasted for far more years than anyone may have expected. This sign had come to a natural end and so opened the door for something new and more appropriate to represent the village of Hassocks. Meanwhile, around the same time, a local Sussex based artist, Joanna Myles, had contacted the Council enquiring about plans for a new sign. The burning question was, what should the fresh sign be like? The general consensus was for a more typical village sign which identified in words the name of the village and including pictorial references to local landmarks and /or historical features.

To read more about how the new sign was designed and what to look out for within the design, pick up a copy of Hassocks Life January magazine or click the pictures to enlarge them.

Hassocks Parish Council has initiated a Flood Working Group

By Cllr Frances Gaudencio Chair of the Flood Working Group, Hassocks Parish Council

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Having been experiencing some hot summer days it may be easy to forget the incessant downpours which led to surface water flooding in Hassocks earlier this year. We are then reminded - by intense summer storms that have the same effect! These have not been a 1 in a 100 years event as modelling predicted! These have been regular occurrences with waterlogged fields, surface water pooling on roads, submerged gardens and water damage to some business premises.

We live in a lovely area at the foot of the South Downs on low lying ground with lots of streams. However, many fields have been built on with more hard surfacing for roads, front drives and parking, which means less water absorption through the earth and more going into our streams and drains -  which struggle to cope in heavy rainfall. Whilst we love our abundant trees, heavy leaf fall on roads, if left uncleared, will often block the drains.

Hassocks Parish Council has sought to collaborate with  other local groups committed to finding ways of mitigating some of the effects of heavy rainfall, surface water and fluvial ( rising river or stream levels ) flooding. In January of this year, we held our first meeting of The Flood Working Group. Its membership includes 5 Parish Councillors, representatives from HKD Transition, OART  (Ouse and Adur Rivers Trust ) a Councillor from West Sussex County Council, a Councillor from Mid Sussex District Council and key officers from each of these Councils, who are invited to contribute their knowledge and respond to our questions and requests for support.

To date, we have collected a series of reports and audits on flood risk areas and maps of watercourses in Hassocks.

We have been looking at previous West Sussex County Council plans to deal with flooding and have asked for updates on what has been actioned. Many proposed ‘hard engineering ‘ interventions are very costly and so have not been implemented. So, we are exploring more natural options that we feel can be implemented quickly and at relatively low cost.

What we are doing now

  • The group has commissioned Peter King from OART to survey the stream flowing through Parish Council land at Parklands Copse, near the allotments. We are planning to create a couple of debris dams which would slow the flow and reduce the amount of water meeting at Spitalford Bridge. The idea is to prevent, for as long as possible, water impacting the shops near the bridge. Doing this will not increase the risk of flooding to properties near the Copse. Peter’s team will organise the building of the dams with construction by volunteers from HKD. The Parish Council is funding the project.

  • We have confirmed that West Sussex County Council has no objection to volunteers clearing leaves from drains and recommends they work safely and wear high vis jackets. These ‘first responders’ had jumped into action several times already but we needed to check the official position from West Sussex, who are responsible for drain clearances, but who may not be able to respond as quickly as local people.

  • We are exploring the possibility of installing trees pits – large holes for water retention with trees planted within, or large tubs of plants and flowers that would retain water – along the central pavements of the village. However much more research needs to be done.

  • Wider grass verges being converted to rain gardens will help to slow the flow of water. We are aiming to identify some pilot schemes with the consent of residents.

  • We will continue to work with the District and County Councils on all these proposals and others which are emerging.

What the community can do

The fantastic community spirit that exists in Hassocks, Clayton and Keymer can be channelled into making a huge difference to the way in which we deal with flooding.

If you are concerned about flooding, there are many suggestions and ideas to be gained from looking at the HKD website. For instance, you might want to consider making your own rain garden.

From the office of the Clerk to Hassocks Parish Council

Sources of information for more in - depth knowledge about this subject...

https://www.hkdtransition.org.uk/rain-gardens 

https://www.hkdtransition.org.uk/news

The West Sussex Local Flood Risk Management Strategy 2015

Analysis identifies ‘wet spots’ where a limited number of properties are considered to be at risk. These include Hassocks.

Flood risk management

https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/fire-emergencies-and-crime/dealing-with-extreme-weather/flooding/flood-risk-management/

Online article - Surface water: The biggest flood risk of all

Speech by Sir James Bevan KCMG, Chief Executive, Environment Agency, CIWEM Surface Water Management Conference, 17 October 2018

Residents vote ‘yes’ to Hassocks Neighbourhood Plan

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The residents of Hassocks gave a ringing endorsement to the Hassocks Neighbourhood Plan at the referendum held on 5th March. Voters braved torrential rain and a bitter cold wind to go to the Adastra Hall and support the Plan. 1,729 voted in the Referendum of which 1,635 voted in favour of the plan, which represents 94.8%. The turnout was 26.43%, which is very good for a local referendum, particularly in view of the inclement weather.

Chairman of the Neighbourhood Plan Working Group Cllr Bill Hatton said: “In voting to accept the Plan the people of Hassocks have shown great maturity of judgement. They clearly understood that the Plan gives us the best chance to protect our village and the countryside around it. We are very grateful for their support.

“A very big thank you, too, to the members of our community who freely gave their time and expertise to our Working Party. We could not have done it without them.

“We would also like to thank all those who took part in the lively debate about the Plan on social media, especially those who supported the Plan and encouraged others to come out and do likewise.

“I am very pleased to say that the Plan now has statutory force and all planning applications will now be judged against its Policies.”