• PARISH Councillors gathered together to receive the formal resignation of chairman, Daniel Smy and at its meeting unanimously voted to elect current vice-chairman Joyce Rhodes to take the chair.

The decision had been preceded by discussion and debate in the public participation period over the legality of having an election. Contradictory advice had been received as to whether the council's standing orders meant that Miss Rhodes automatically became Chairman on receipt of her predecessor's resignation.

Members of the public in attendance heard from the two candidates for the forthcoming election for a vacant seat on the council. Mrs Fleur Chitson spoke first about why she felt she had much to offer the community if elected. She pledged to hold monthly surgeries' for members of the village to meet with her.

In addition she said she would ensure Crossways parish council made strides towards accredited quality council status. She expressed support for the building of a MUGA and Skatepark and community church building and other projects as identified by District Councillor Peter Read.

Barry Thomas spoke as a resident of Crossways for 12 years and a previous background in local government although now training to be a secondary school teacher. He wanted to support projects already identified such as the MUGA and Skatepark but also to see provision for the benefit of all residents.

Both candidates have until polling day on 21 August to publish and distribute their own leaflets. A further seat is now vacant and details on the process of application can be obtained from the clerk to the Council.

  • RESIDENTS of Oaklands Park are very concerned with regard to the way the land adjoining their properties has been left following the proposals to build a care home, public house, Doctor's surgery and light industrial units on it. The planning applications made on behalf of Poole businessman Richard Carr have recently been turned down by West Dorset District Council.

In his first meeting since being elected councillor Peter Tizzard expressed a frustration that this land has been repeatedly referred to as the hippy field'. It acquired this name in recent history when a group of travellers moved onto the site for a while.

The land had more of an association with the RAF Warmwell aerodrome and some structures from that time had remained on the corner of the B3390 Warmwell Road and the West Links road which skirts the edge of the village. Regular Echo readers may recall the events during the bank holiday weekend in May 2007 when contracters moved in to clear the site.

Trees and vegetation were stripped by a company contracted through the developers and local people were appalled to see the damage which was caused to the area. In addition shortly after the concrete buildings which were a last indicator of the role of this area in the second world war were demolished and reduced to piles of rubble.

In the past few weeks, the company looking to develop the site has gone into administrative receivership. Just prior to that the council had received an assurance that some limited tidying up and replacement tree planting would take place. It seems unlikely this will happen now but there is a worrying problem for those who live alongside.

In the process of clearing the site, trees that were not felled were damaged and there is a fear that these could topple into some of the homes at Oaklands Park. It would appear that this is a matter which WDDC may be able to assist with. In the meantime villagers are left looking at an eyesore on the edge of the village.

  • ALLOTMENTS for the village were discussed as the result of a formal request made by six of the electorate. Councils have a statutory requirement to consider the issue and to make reasonable efforts to provide this facility. Mrs Jo Maidment, a keen supporter of the idea is looking to hear from others who are interested.

Since asking about the idea Jo has been inundated with telephone calls and helpful advice. The first, most obvious, requirement is to find a site which can be used for the purpose. Villagers again have been asked to consider the available land around the community as the council starts to make enquiries as to the viability of the project.

Jo spoke at the council meeting and expressed the hope that this was something that Crossways could focus on as a worthwhile community project and a way of uniting residents together for a common goal. She also reminded those present that the council does not have a bottomless' pit of money with which to fund such a scheme and that there would need to be a degree of self-help.

If you are interested in becoming a part of this project then please contact Jo Maidment on 01305 853049. I will keep you posted on developments as they happen.