News  »  Local Parish Upate

The Parish Council would like to inform our local residents with a few updates on what is happening in the Parish

Clifton Triangle

A number of trees on Clifton Triangle were identified as being diseased with Ash Die Back some time ago. These trees are dying and can potentially lose branches into the road creating a hazard to passing motorists and pedestrians. Consequently, some have had to be cut back in the last month by Lancashire County Council. Acer Contracts have kindly volunteered to fund the carving of living sculptures in the trunks that have been left as well as planting replacement trees. Watch this space in the coming weeks.

Sandy Gap

The area in Newton known as Sandy Gap is the area behind the Christmas tree & Book Hub next to Newton shop and alongside the path through from Bryning Lane to Acorn Avenue. Following the construction of houses on Acorn Avenue this area was discovered to be infected with Japanese Knotweed. By law, areas infected in this way cannot be dug over.

Consequently, the area has become very unsightly with excessive nettles and brambles. Community Gateway (CGA) are funding the treatment to eradicate this invasive plant and have recently provided an indication of the area that is clear of knotweed. The Parish Council have decided to grass that area and remove the old fence behind the Christmas Tree. Treatment of the area still infected with Japanese Knotweed is continuing and once this is completely eradicated, we will finalise the landscaping of this area.

Morgan and Morecambe Offshore Wind Farms

Central Government’s Planning Inspectorate has begun the process of examining the planning application for the Morgan and Morecambe transmission assets (i.e. the cable corridor from Blackpool to Penwortham and the onshore substations). Following the submission of over 2300 representations from councils, businesses and Fylde residents the Planning Inspectorate have held the first hearings on this application. Newton with Clifton Parish Council, along with other Town and Parish Councils and the Newton Residents Association, were well represented by councillors and our legal representative who spoke at the hearings to cover all the issues in the Parish Council’s written representation. Fylde

Borough Council and Lancashire County Council also attended and raised their concerns. Further hearings are planned over the coming months. We will keep you updated as these progress.

Proposed Solar Farm off Parrox Lane, Newton

Following clear feedback from both the Parish Council and Lancashire County Council Highways Authority, the developer has decided to remove the original planned constructionaccess route via Parrox Lane. The construction access will now instead be using Lower Lane in Freckleton and an existing bridleway. Whilst the change of access is good news for Newton with Scales the deconstruction route is unclear and may have to use Parrox Lane. It

will also present problems for Freckleton, particularly as Lower Lane is also narrow and significantly affected by the Morecambe and Morgan planned scheme. The remaining issues that the Parish Council raised last time are still largely unaltered. The revised solar farm application will be considered at our June Parish Council meeting and residents are welcome to attend.

William Pickles Park, Clifton The Parish Council have now completed the necessary drainage works at William Pickles Park. The Friends of Clifton Park are working with Fylde Borough Council to progress a replacement play park.

The next Parish Council meeting is Thursday 5th June at 7.15pm at the Newton and Clifton Village Hall. Everyone is invited to come along to the public forum and have your say as well as voice any concerns you have regarding the villages.