Archive for year: 2023

Roundbarrow Farm (the land to the west of the Pitton Road) was previously managed as a dairy farm and was returned to Wiltshire Council in September 2021. Wiltshire Council intend to manage the land to enhance the natural capital and for conservation purposes, rather than as an intensive dairy farm, and create nitrogen ‘credits’ that can be traded to counterbalance the nitrogen burdens from new development.

A public consultation meeting has already been held by Wiltshire Council, and they have committed to provide a new footpath linking Firsdown and Pitton. The Parish Council intends to formally submit ideas for conservation use of the land. We discussed this at our public meeting on 8th June.

Ideas already suggested include:

• Circular foothpath – in addition to the new Firsdown/Pitton footpath
• Allotments
• Community orchard – with less common fruit tress such as pears, plums and cherries
• Wildlife pond/wetland area
• Areas specifically set aside for wildflowers

If you have ideas that you would like us to submit then please get in touch – our contact details are on the Home page.

The current shop in Pitton is due to close within the next 2 years due to retirement of the proprietor. After much research, the Community Shop Steering Group has identified that Pitton Village Hall is the most appropriate site for the proposed new community shop and hub, with the building of an extension to house the facility.

The Community Shop and hub will provide post office and newsagents services as well the usual offerings, sell local produce, and contain a café, all of which will be of interest to Firsdown residents.

The Parish Council are seeking the views of Firsdown residents as to whether we should make a contribution to legal, architects and planning application fees.

Please use the contact us details to let us know your views.

https://www.firsdown-pc.gov.uk/contact-us

Videos of the Annual Electors Meeting – which provides a summary of the work of the Parish Council over the last year, and the Annual Parish Meeting, both held on the 3rd May 2023, are available to watch on YouTube.

The links are here: https://www.firsdown-pc.gov.uk/parish-council-meeting-videos

Wiltshire Council via the Area Board, is setting up a Health & Wellbeing subgroup to help steer/inform/advise/support the work it attempts to do on this priority, utilising a small annual grant. This work is principally around supporting older people and vulnerable adults.

Would anybody be interested in becoming involved, or know of someone who would? If so, please use the contact details on our Home page to get in touch.

Wiltshire Council is restoring land at Roundbarrow Farm to create a chalk grassland nature reserve and create a new greenway link between Pitton and Firsdown.
A drop-in engagement event is taking place for Wiltshire Council to introduce the project to the local community:

Wednesday 24 May 2023
5.45pm – 7.15pm
Pitton Village Hall,
White Hill, Pitton, SP5 1DU

There will be details on the need for the project, what the plans are, the timescales and the next steps.
The route of the proposed new access link will be shown and there will be an opportunity to provide feedback.