Society of St.Michael's & Kingsbury August 2005      No. 20 Website Edition

KINGSBURY BARN PLANS REFUSED

The Planning Applications, submitted by Property Lande Architecture, went for consideration by the Planning Committee Central on 14th June 2005. They were all refused. The detailed reasons are Available to you on inspection of the planning files at The Civic Centre (references 5/2005/0739LB, 0740, 0880, 0856CA). Please ring 01727 866100 ext 2712 to arrange an appointment.

The proposals were refused for a total of eleven Reasons. The Planning Committee's principal Findings were that:

1. 'The proposed development by reason of the number of residential dwellings proposed, the site layout, relationship with existing development and between dwellings, proliferation of hard surfacing and parking spaces and lack of integrated landscape would represent an overdevelopment of the site, giving a cramped appearance in the street scene and having an unsatisfactory relationship with the existing development, to the detriment of the setting and character of the Grade II* listed building which occupies a central and prominent position within the site'
2. The proposals would adversely affect neighbours' environment through parking and traffic movement
3. The rooflights of Units 1-9 would overlook Camlet Way
4. The speed table in Branch Road would not enhance the area
5. The new buildings (15-18) at the Fryth Mead end would be too big for the site
6. With regard to Kingsbury Barn specifically: 'the proposed change of use to offices and associated parking would be detrimental ... to the setting and character of the Grade II* Listed Building.'

Subsequent to this refusal an advertising board has appeared at the entrance to the site offering the site for storage and distribution uses. We are seeking advice on this from St.Albans District Council and separately have written to their Conservation Department asking what steps are to be taken to ensure the protection and preservation of these historic buildings. We will keep you informed via Newsletters and our Website

Summer walk to Childwickbury 21st August As a change from our walk along the River Ver which we have now done twice, a walk has been arranged for Sunday 21st August which will take us from the Pudding Stone, across Batchwood Park to Childwickbury Green and back to St.Michael's. We can have a look round. There may be something worthwhile at the pick-your-own at Hawswick Farm and we shall check on this nearer the time. The walk is not too strenuous: about 5 miles with a stop at Childwickbury. Soft drink refreshments will be provided at the Pudding Stone on our return, and the Rose and Crown and Six Bells are not far away! It will be useful for us to have some idea of the numbers, so if you will be coming, call Michael Laws on 854452. We shall meet at the Pudding Stone to start at 2pm. The walk is open to members of SSMK or Fishpool Street RA (which you may join at the time of course).   St.Albans Chamber Opera Perform at St.Michael's Church, May 21st 140 peoplde enjoyed a concert of Operatic highlights presented by St.Albans Chamber Opera. It was a new venue for them and they were invited by the Friends of St.Michael's Church and the Society of St.Michael's & Kingsbury. The concert ranged from Purcell to Bernstein. The writer's personal highlights were Handel's Jephtha 'Waft her angels'; Mozart's Don Giovanni 'La ci darem la mano'; and B. Roe's 'The Diva's Lament'. The singers were Jacqueline Dias - Soprano, Phyl Swindlehurst - Mezzo, Phillip Daggett - Tenor and Andrew Tinkler - Bass. The unsung hero was Neil Buick on the piano, not least because he was there for every note without a rest! Our thanks go to Rev'd Terry Beaumont, Georgie Ray, and Gwyneth Tyson for making the event possible. What a lovely place for a concert! This year we added St.Michael's School to the beneficiaries of the event albeit in a modest way. We understand the School is putting the funds towards improvements within St.Michael's Paddock and Pleasance Area. Finally we must recognise the support of Kingsbury Waffle House and St.Michael's Manor Hotel.

You may have noticed the improved quality of reproduction of the discreet little logo on Page 1. Here it is a little larger. The artist is Heather Randall, who has moved away from St.Michael's. It is a lovely artistic representation of our village. We would like to thank the Parish News for giving us a good quality image. It reminds us why our Society exists.   Simon West Museum Service to talk to Society on 15th November after AGM at the Parish Centre Please reserve this date. Simon is a respected member of the 2City Museum's Department and will speak on 'Archeology in St.Michael's'. Full details will be available nearer the time. This will be our third AGM to be followed by a speaker. Brian Adams spoke on the Anglo-Saxons in '03 and Donald Buttress on village architecture in '04. Please come along to our AGM and be enlightened this year by Simon.

MICK TUTTON RUNS FOR CHARITY

Let us once again congratulate Mick for his Half-Marathon Run He raised £2170 for charity. Mick thanks those who contributed to this impressive sum.

WELL DONE MICK!

Both support our society