VILLAGE activities throughout the Petersfield area could be under threat from proposed new government planning regulations, it has been claimed this week.
Members of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) have warned that the red tape could threaten the centuries-old tradition of English village fetes throughout the country. They face uncertainty, along with dozens of other rural activities that take place most weekends, especially throughout the summer, in villages around Petersfield.
The CLA in the south has been making its comments on a public consultation paper from the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions.
The association claims that new planning regulations could mean that organisers of fetes, country fairs, clay pigeon shoots, bring and buy sales, temporary car parking, weddings and many other rural events will have to apply for planning permission in order to hold their events.
At present land can be used on a strictly temporary basis for many events without planning permission, for up to 14 or 28 days a year, depending on the type of event.
However the Government is now proposing a change to the regulations that would require any such temporary uses to have full planning permission.
The CLA has expressed deep concern about the proposals. In its response to the Government consultation the CLA has pointed out that there is no evidence to suggest that any change in the law is necessary or desirable, and has warned that the proposed regulations could damage rural businesses and communities.
For many groups the well- supported charity events are their major means of fund raising.
CLA Director Andrew David said this week: ÒEvents like village fetes and clay pigeon shoots are some of the mainstays of life in the countryside.
ÒIt is madness to suggest that planning permission should be required to hold a country fair or fete that might typically last for just one day a year. We all know that if such temporary uses are brought under planning control, there will be extra costs for application fees, delays in appeals and ultimately possible refusal of consent for some events. The Government should resist the temptation to interfere.Ó
Tory leader of East Hampshire District Council, Elizabeth Cartwright, told The Herald that East Hampshire district councillors had recently made their response to the Government paper.
She said there was a case to address the problems of regular noisy events in the countryside which could be a nightmare for people who lived nearby.
But she said she did not believe village activities such as fetes and bring and buy sales should be included in the GovernmentÕs measures.
ÒI think the CLA have concentrated their concerns on fetes and country fairs and events we all enjoy and ignored some of the problems which are occurring, such as clay pigeon shoots and noisy motor sports,Ó she said.
She added: ÒThis council has tried to strike a balance in this respect to the DTLR and considers that these noisy events should only take place up to seven times a year without planning permission.
But the council did not include markets such as the Hampshire farmersÕ markets in this category and we certainly do not intend to include such events as country fetes and fairs.Ó