Ashington Parish Council aims to represent the interests of all residents of the parish.

The Council is responsible for a range of services and also works in partnership with other Councils and with organisations in the village.
All Council meetings are open to the public and time is allocated for public comment. If you have any points to raise you can either attend one of the Council meetings or contact the Clerk or individual Councillors. If anyone has any questions or needs more information on any topics then please use the 'Contact Us' page and we will forward your questions to the appropriate person.

Current
Issues:

There have been some minor incidents of criminal damage around the village recently. If you are a victim or if you witness anything then please call the Police on 101 and the Wardens on 891543

Ashington Parish Council has decided not to renew its 'Quality Parish Council' award for the time being. The Council was awarded Quality status 4 years ago and renewal was due in December 2011. After reviewing the cost/benefit of the scheme, coupled with the changes that may take place as a result of the Government's new Localism agenda it was agreed to delay renewal until more details of how the Quality Scheme would fit with Localism initiatives become available. The Council will continue to manage its business in the same way that it did as a Quality Council.

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GypsyTraveller Planning Application at Penn Retreat (Land bordering Penn Gardens and Rectory Lane): DC101288

Villagers may recall that in 2010 the owner of this site submitted a planning application to Horsham District Council (HDC) to use the site for GypsyTraveller pitches. The Parish Council (PC) and many villagers objected to this application. During 2011 various discussions were held with the owner with a view to using this site instead for a mix of affordable and market priced houses, and plans were discussed by the owner’s agent with the PC. The PC therefore expected a formal application for a mixed housing development would be submitted to HDC. However, on Thursday 19th January, the PC was advised by HDC that the owner had now requested that the original application for GypsyTraveller pitches be progressed. The PC therefore assumes that there will be no application for mixed housing by the site owner, but that he now wishes to use it for GypsyTraveller pitches. The PC will discuss this matter at its next meeting on Thursday February 2^nd at 19.45hrs in the School Hall, Foster Lane, and will decide what action it needs to take. HDC have advised the PC that everyone who had previously objected to the application during 2010-11 will be contacted by HDC in the coming days, and will have the opportunity to reconfirm (or change) their previous comments. Once the PC has met it will advise what action it will be taking.The Ashington Residents Association have been advised of this development, and may be making statements on the matter in due course.

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Proposed Petrol Station

A planning application for a petrol filling station, country store and fuel distribution depot for the land at the north of the village (next to the northbound slip road) has been submitted to HDC ref. DC/11/2648. Visit www.horsham.gov.uk for details. The Parish Council discussed this application at its Planning Committee meeting on 18th January. See 'minutes' for more details of the Parish Council's Objection to the application.

Redevelopment of Castle Kitchens, The Hollow, Washington

A planning application for redevelopment of the Castle Kitchens site at The Hollow has been submitted to HDC ref. DC/11/2460. Plans could result in up to 1000 vehicle movements per day on/off the A24 at The Hollow. Visit www.horsham.gov.uk for details. The Parish Council discussed this application at its meeting on 5th January and has raised an Objection. See 'minutes' for more details.

Anti-social vehicle usage

 To view a copy of the Council's New Annual Report click here. These were distributed to all households in June 2011 together with a Neighbourhood Wardens fridge magnet. Contact the Clerk if you don't receive these.