Beaminster: Society is safe after volunteers come forward (From Bridport and Lyme Regis News)
Contact the Bridport News with your stories, pictures and video footage. Send us an email
Beaminster: Society is safe after volunteers come forward
10:00am Saturday 17th December 2011 in News By Rene Gerryts
Planning officer David Gardner and chairman Bob Lake
ENOUGH volunteers have been found to ensure the future of the Beaminster Society.
The group was in danger of folding earlier this year with fewer people wanting to serve on its committee.
In his last message as chairman Bob Lake told members that for now the future of the society was safe – and how important that is in the face of government changes to planning laws.
He said: “The society has at last acquired enough volunteers to fill the positions that will become vacant at the beginning of next year.
“This means that the Beaminster Society will continue to function well into the future.
“The committee believe that this is very important due to the change in the planning regulations that are imminent.
“We all need to know how these will affect Beaminster now and in the future.”
David Gardner, committee member for planning, urged members to take part in the local plan consultations.
He warned of fears that the estimated population increase in West Dorset of more than 11 per cent in the next 20 years could see 456 homes built every year until 2031.
He said: “Building on prime agricultural land and within an AONB, should be discouraged and residential development of greenfield sites is not justified.
“If this kind of development continues, how will we grow enough food for our population in an increasingly competitive and uncertain world? The society is not against progress but the balance of a growing population, its needs and requirements are challenging what exists.”
Mr Lake thanked all who had supported the society in the past four years.
John Stapley has agreed to be chairman for one year only and Mr Gardner has agreed to continue his role overseeing planning matters.
June Cull continues as secretary with Paul Roberts as treasurer, Ursula Winterbourne as secretary and members Peter Body, Allen Cull and Jim Holden.
