Tom Thumb

As Posted on Facebook Important news from Rye House. We, the Rye house action group have received a copy of a DEMOLITION ORDER sent by East Herts Council to Carter and Bailey Limited for their unlawful construction of the extension to the old grandstand. plus others (copy below) This is a significant step forward to the fight to return the Rockets to the stadium. Now, I am not saying that this is the beginning of the end, but it might be the end of the beginning!!! We now await the next step by Messer's Carter and Bailey. IMPORTANT - THIS COMMUNICATION AFFECTS YOUR PROPERTY TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990 (AS AMENDED BY THE PLANNING AND COMPENSATION ACT 1991) (‘the Act’) ENFORCEMENT NOTICE - E/20/0423/ENF ISSUED BY: East Herts District Council 1. THIS NOTICE is issued by the Council because it appears to them that there has been a breach of planning control, within paragraph (a) of section 171A(1) of the above Act, at the land described below. They consider that it is expedient to issue this notice, having regard to the provisions of the development plan and to other material planning considerations. The Annex at the end of the notice and the enclosures to which it refers contain important additional information. 2. THE LAND TO WHICH THE NOTICE RELATES Rye House Stadium, Rye Road, Hoddesdon, Ware, Hertfordshire. EN11 0EH 3. THE MATTERS WHICH APPEAR TO CONSTITUTE THE BREACH OF PLANNING CONTROL Without planning permission, the formation of hardstanding, the erection of fencing, the extension of the existing substation building. The conversion of the open sided grandstand to form a fully enclosed gymnastic centre with the addition of a side extension and platform structure to the south east elevation. Without planning permission, the material change of use land for commercial car storage and the storage of building materials, welfare units, trailers, shipping containers, HGVs and trailers. 4. REASONS FOR ISSUING THIS NOTICE It appears to the Council that the formation of hardstanding, the erection of fencing, the extension of the existing substation building and the conversion of the open sided grandstand to form a fully enclosed gymnastic centre with the addition of a side extension and platform structure to the south east elevation has occurred within the last 4 years. It appears to the Council that the material change of use of land for car storage and for the storage of container units, welfare units, and building materials has occurred within the past 10 years. The land is located on the south-eastern side of Rye Road and is bordered by the River Lee to the south-west, Rye Park Homes to the north-east, and Rye House Kart Raceway to the south-east which is accessed through the land. The land is located within the Metropolitan Green Belt, within the Lee Valley Regional Park, and most of the site falls within flood zone 3, with the remaining small elements in flood zone 2. The site is currently being operated as a site for mix sports and recreation with there being 3 active and operational businesses on the site: Cre8 gym, Hertfordshire Gymnastics Club, life change fitness. There are also a number of supporting buildings in current use including a security office and substation building. There are extensive areas of hardstanding for vehicle parking and tall fencing in a security style throughout the site. The hard standings include consist of areas adjacent to each of the buildings on the land alongside an area of carparking to the entrance of the site. It is not considered that any permitted development rights do exist for the surfaces. The erection of 2.4 metre high security fencing is considered harsh and to have a detrimental impact on the openness of the site . Furthermore, in addition to the built form on site, the fencing creates further bulk and mass on the site which did not previously exist and which by its very nature would result in harm to the openness of the Green Belt, in addition to the harm from there being inappropriate development. The refusal of planning permission 3/21/1522/FUL at reason 3 states: The layout and appearance of the hardstanding is considered unacceptable. This is due to the high proportion of hardstanding which covers much of the site, the style, height and level of fencing proposed, and the lack of any meaningful soft landscaping. The combination of these results in a stark and hostile appearance to the site to the detriment of the character and appearance of the site and surrounding street scenes. This falls contrary to policies DES2, DES3 and DES4 of the East Herts District Plan (2018), and the aims and objectives of the National Planning Policy Framework. In relation to the substation, the addition of the atrium roof over and above the existing roof results in an increase in volume to the building however, when compared against the existing building it is clear that the increased roof space would result in a significantly larger building than that which was previously in its place. It is clear that there is harm to the Metropolitan Green Belt in terms of openness from this constructed feature. It was also noted in planning application 3/21/1522/FUL that the resultant design of the substation is of poor design appearing at odds with the overall character of the site with the large roof lantern appearing as an almost separate additional storey to the building. The development would therefore be considered contrary to Policy GBR1, DES2, DES3 and DES4 of the East Herts District Plan 2018, and Section 13 of the National Planning Policy Framework. The Hertfordshire Gymnastics Centre is a conversion of the former concrete portal framed grandstand through the installation of rendered north west elevation fully enclosing what was the open sided grandstand. Whilst planning permission was granted for this building to be converted to a gymnasium under the planning application 3/20/0650/FUL it is clear that the submitted plans were incorrect and therefore no consent has ever lawfully been given for the concrete portal framed grandstand to be converted. Whilst it was noted in this application that this use was acceptable, and this is not argued with in principle there are issues with an unlawful side extension and platform being added to the building. In this case the side extension and platform are unacceptable in terms of bulk, massing, design and would result in disproportionate additions within the Green Belt having a clear impact to the openness of the site being visible from the canal footpath and surrounding residential properties. Concerns have also been raised by the Environment Agency and the Local Lead Flood Authority these have been addressed in the report 3/21/1522/FUL whereby no accurate flood risk assessment or structural report was provided to show how the extension would avoid flood risk or undue impact on to the bank. The development would therefore be considered contrary to Policy GBR1, DES2, DES3 and DES4 and WAT1 of the East Herts District Plan 2018, and Section 13 of the National Planning Policy Framework. The land sees a partially gated off parcel of land to the southwest of the Life Change Gym and to the rear of the security office being used for the storage of high-end luxury vehicles resulting in land being turned to B8 use for the purposes of storage and distribution. It is considered that the use of the land for car storage fundamentally alters the character of the land in terms of its overall appearance. It is accepted that this land may be used for vehicular parking during operating hours of the site, and this would be considered acceptable with the rotation of a smaller number of vehicles, however, in this case there is a significant volume of vehicles located in the same position, appearing commercial and stagnant in nature. It is considered that the storage results in undue harm to the openness of the Green Belt and would fail to fall within the exception of Paragraph 155 (e) of the NPPF (2023) which states that any material change of use of land should preserve the openness of the Green Belt and should not conflict with the purpose of land within it. As this fails to comply with the aims of the NPPF this would also fail to comply with the aims of Policy GBR1 of the East Herts District Plan 2018. To the southeast corner of the site beyond the Hertford Gymnastic Centre and behind the existing grandstand there is a significant accumulation of building materials, welfare units, trailers, shipping containers and vehicles including a HGV and trailer, drift car, boat and dump truck. The Council consider that a change of use of the land has taken place for storage. This results in undue harm to the openness of the Green Belt and would fail to fall within the exception of Paragraph 155 (e) of the NPPF (2023) contrary to Policy GBR1 of the East Herts District Plan 2018. 5. WHAT YOU ARE REQUIRED TO DO 5.1 Take up and remove from the land all materials forming the areas of hardstanding as indicated shaded in blue on the attached plan “Hardstanding plan”. 5.2 Remove all metal security fencing as indicated in orange and annotated on the attached site plan ‘A3 Annotated – Rye House’. 5.3 Demolish the extension to the south east elevation of the grandstand. Restore the former elevation by re erecting in a brickwork and / or render finish to match that of the existing grandstand. 5.4 Remove the platform attached to the south east elevation of the grandstand. 5.5 Cease the use of the land for commercial car storage and remove from the land all vehicles associated with that use. 5.6 Cease the use of the land for the storage of building materials, welfare units, trailers, shipping containers, HGVs and trailers. 5.7 Remove from the land all demolition materials arising as a result of 5.3 and 5.4 above 6. TIME FOR COMPLIANCE The period for compliance is 9 months for requirements 5.1, 5.3, 5.4 and 5.7 each from the date on which this notice takes effect. The period for compliance is 3 months for requirements 5.2, 5.5 and 5.6 each from the date on which this notice takes effect. 7. WHEN THIS NOTICE TAKES EFFECT This notice takes effect on 10th of May 2024, unless an appeal is made against it beforehand. Dated: 10/04/2024 Signed: Head of Planning On behalf of: East Herts District Council Wallfields, Pegs Lane, Hertford SG13 8EQ

Jordan to 2, Adam to 4, Kenyan to 6.

47 I think, Jason Doyle whos wife went into labour & Pawlicki missing.

No

Believe its 14th, with the meet the riders event in the evening.

Think that was Banger World Final so not just a normal meeting tho.

Bring out the squirrel!!

All 7 Witches riders are here.

Surely Troy Batchelor would be available?

he was at Foxhall on Thursday night.

today.

Somersham track is looked after by Great Blakenham as a second track, it hosts racing 4 times a year.

It is fake, type Stansted Airport in Google and it's the second image that comes up. People will believe any bullrubbish posted on here.

Available from Friday.

Supporters Club AGM & quiz night. Just paperwork to finalise before they can officially announce riders. others items of note, NO transfers after 31st July, league matches done by end of August, draft fixtures done, more work on track banking, looking to run 16lapper but wont be in initial fixture list.

Riders not yet signed, as stated by Chris tonigh, hopefully sorted before Christmas.

no, demolished several years back.

yes

Cycle Speedway British Individual Championships in Birmingham on BH Monday.

No engine issues that I saw, the clock had counted to zero and he was still off the bike, gardening, then proceeded to get on the bike and pull further back from the tapes and adjusted clutch. Red lights came on and he then came up to tapes.

None of the withdrawals today could be blamed on track conditions. Conner King fell right on front of his team mate who had nowhere to go, Jamie Halder fell off on his own and hurt his hand. Both these I would put down to inexperienced riders. Ben Morley got hit from behind by Adam Roynon in a first bend. Only our 2nd visit to West Row this year and unfortunately probably our last due to other commitments but wouldn't be put off.

There will be thousands more at Foxhall next week as it's National Hot Rod World Final Weekend. no denying the atmosphere after the Superheat was great but was just as good after heat 15 after we'd salvaged a draw and 1point was prob all we deserved.

Believe it was Basso.

Chris Louis said last week at the Ipswich Pre Season function that No.8 (Danyon) had to be named in the match team declaration and could take a ride for any of the 1-7 for any reason.

https://fb.me/e/4wvdKOpUO?ti=icl Details This full evening at the Kesgrave Social Club will include: * Supporters' Club AGM * Q&A with the Ipswich Witches promotion * Mini quiz (time permitting). There will also be a Christmas raffle too. Everyone - members and non-members are welcome and this is your opportunity to quiz the club management about 2022 team building etc. In addition to the quiz you can purchase your copy of the 2022 Ipswich Speedway Supporters' Club calendar (subject to availability). Start time is 7.30pm and the venue is Kesgrave Social Club, Edmonton Road, Kesgrave. Hope to see you there!