PARISH COUNCIL: One planning application, for Mr and Mrs D Adams, for a first floor extension over to create an extra bedroom and en suite bathroom at Kintor, 6 Hill View was still in circulation awaiting comments.

Similarly the application by Mr D Robinson to demolish the a development and construct a dwelling at the Water Tower site Broad Hill was yet to receive comments.

The proposal for Defford Millennium Green Trust for change of use of agricultural land and redundant land to public open space plus two disabled parking spaces at land off Church Lane had received no objections.

However, the Highway Authority had challenged the map as inaccurate and not showing the turning head.

Hopefully this will not cause any delay.

Our county councillor Adrian Hardman continued to give full support over the retention of the temporary 7.5 tonne weight limit which had been imposed on the Besford to Pershore road through Besford bridge.

As everyone was aware the new sewerage work was proceeding along Upper Street and the A4104.

Harpley Road and Church Lane had finally been reinstated although work on the pumping station continued.

The dreadfully wet weather had not helped with keeping the road clean and the village hall car park resembled something from the Somme.

However Barhale, would reinstate it when the project neared completion.

Notification had been received that footpath grant would be paid despite work being held up due to the foot and mouth restrictions. The Pathfinders had cancelled all walks.

The clerk had estimated that costs to provide a memorial to those who lost their lives while serving at the airfield would amount to £1,260 and funds were therefore needing to be raised.

It was proposed to put on an exhibition at Croome Landscape Park during the summer featuring the model of the airfield but donations in the meantime would be welcome.

The first dog bin had been provided and was located inside the gate of the village hall car park. However, access was less desirable due to the current activity by contractors.

The ownership of the lane down to the old Railway Yard had at last been resolved by Mr David Lavender of Highways advising that it was their property.

Hopefully this will allow the gates to be repositioned and deter further dumping on the land.

Mr Hardman had also pressured the highways department to repair the stretch of Ladywood Road which had suffered badly due to the lorry traffic servicing Besford Court development.

The appeal for people to volunteer for vacant posts was reiterated.

The posts are: a parish councillor for Defford, a school governor for Defford school and a village hall PC representative.