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Court results - Mid Sussex

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The following are results from Crawley and Horsham magistrates’ courts from September 28 to October 2:

Robert Keating, 36, of no fixed address, was fined £100, with a £20 victim surcharge, and £85 costs. He had been convicted in his absence of trespassing on a railway line at Haywards Heath.

Cara Tezel, 43, of Lister Avenue, East Grinstead, was fined £220, with £45 vehicle excise back duty, £90 costs, and a £150 criminal courts charge. She had been convicted in her absence of keeping an unlicensed vehicle on a public road.

Eugine Winters, of The Green, Burgh Heath, was fined £220, with £66.25 vehicle excise back duty, £90 costs, and a £150 criminal courts charge. He had been convicted in his absence of keeping an unlicensed vehicle on a public road in Haywards Heath.

Jake Roberts, 22, of Cromwell Road, Burgess Hill, was fined £440, with £60.42 vehicle excise back duty, £90 costs, and a £150 criminal courts charge. He had been convicted in his absence of keeping an unlicensed vehicle on a public road.

Barry Hurst, 55, of Copthorne Road, Felbridge, was fined £1,730, with a £120 victim surcharge, £625 costs, and ten penalty points added to his licence. He had been found guilty of driving without due care and attention, failing to stop after an accident, and failing to report an accident.

Richard Baker, 66, of By Sunte, Lindfield, was banned from driving for two years, with a £450 fine, a £45 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and a £150 criminal courts charge. He had pleaded guilty to drink driving in Haywards Heath.

John Baldock, 24, of East Mascalls Lane, Lindfield, was fined £100, with a £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and a £150 criminal courts charge. He had pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour to cause fear of violence, and admitted breaching a conditional discharge for shoplifting.

Simon Burch, 45, of Holly Place, Eastbourne, was fined £400, with a £27 victim surcharge, £85 costs, a £150 criminal courts charge, and five penalty points added to his licence. He had pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention, and failing to report an accident in Haywards Heath.

Valentine Devall, 57, of East Mascalls Lane, Lindfield, was fined £180, with a £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and a £180 criminal courts charge. He had pleaded guilty to common assault, and to using racially aggravated threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour to cause fear of violence.

Katrina Hilliworth, 30, of Renfields, Bolnore Village, was given an 18 month conditional discharge, with a £120 fine, a £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and a £150 criminal courts charge. She had pleaded guilty to driving without a licence, driving without insurance, and theft from a branch of Boots, all in Burgess Hill.

Billy Maynard-Berry, 20, c/o Chartswood Road, East Grinstead, was given a community order, with a £60 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and a £150 criminal courts charge. He had pleaded guilty to harassment, and to failing to answer bail. A restraining order was made, barring him from contacting the victim, or going to an address in Crawley Down.

Andrew Plastow, 60, of Hickmans Lane, Lindfield, was banned from driving for 17 months, with a £250 fine, a £25 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and a £150 criminal courts charge. He had pleaded guilty to drink driving.

Peter Cartwright, 44, of Avelmore Road, Beckenham, was fined £405, with a £41 victim surcharge, £625 costs, and six penalty points added to his licence. He had been found guilty of failing to identify a driver suspected of speeding at Handcross.

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Have your say on plans for Burgess Hill and Haywards Heath

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Plans which will have a large influence on the future of Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill need the public’s seal of approval.

Burgess Hill Town Council’s Neighbourhood Plan has been given the green light by Mid Sussex District Council to go through to the final stage of its creation - public referendum - on December 10.

Neighbourhood plans are statutory plans for a neighbourhood area. They provide a legal tool to ensure the right types of development for their community are created.

The referendum ensures that the local community has the final say on whether the plan comes into force.

Steve Cridland, chief executive Officer at Burgess Hill Town Council said the success of the referendum will have a huge influence on the future of the town especially with the £65m regeneration plan which will include the demolition on Martlets Hall.

He said: “It is essential that [the public] do adopt [the plan] as without it we will be without any controls on development in the town which could have some unwanted development especially on Folders lane.

“Of particular concern is that people may confuse voting for the plan with the issue around the loss of the Martlets.

“In fact without the plan we are in a much weaker position to protect assets and to develop the centre of the town which is largely aimed at the cultural quarter.”

Some of the plan’s aims include: Promote well designed sustainable development in the right locations, improve community and recreation facilities, protect heritage buildings, protect and improve open space areas, ensure adequate parking for all new development, encourage enhancements to Wivelsfield and Burgess Hill stations.

Haywards Heath Town Council is in the earlier stages of its plan creation. It intends to consult on its Draft Neighbourhood Plan, from the beginning of November, for six weeks.

The exact dates of the consultation, the consultation event dates and where you can find the Draft Neighbourhood Plan and its associated documents, will be sent out to residents next week.

Haywards Heath Police grant for Ashenground Community Centre CCTV

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Haywards Heath police has donated £400 to Ashenground Community Centre to assist with the installation of CCTV.

Sue Netherway, centre manager, said: “The grant will be used towards the installation of CCTV, which is one of the requirements identified in order for us to be able to open a community cafe in 2016. We are seeking funding from elsewhere including the town, district and county councils.

“The community cafe is one of the community outreach initiatives the centre is hoping to set up following consultation with the local residents in 2014 and 2015. We are also preparing the main hall so we can start some family film evenings. Details will be placed on our website and the centre notice boards.”

The donation comes from the Police Property Act Fund (PPAF), made up of monies received by the police from property confiscated by order of the court and then sold.

Photo: Richard Goddard, chairman, PCSO Emma Wyborn and Sue Netherway, centre manager

Clampdown as 160 young people are caught without a TV licence in Sussex

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More than 26,000 people between 18 and 25 were caught watching live TV without a licence in the past year, with more than 160 caught in Sussex, according to new figures.

In particular, with 75% of first year undergraduates aged 25 and under, TV Licensing is reminding freshers that they could face prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000 if they are caught watching live TV, on any device, without a TV Licence.

Recent research by TV Licensing shows 29% think TV Licensing can’t catch people watching live TV on a computer, laptop or mobile device and just over half of students believe that people in general are unlikely to be caught if they watch live TV without a TV Licence.

Martin Dyan, TV Licensing spokesman for London and the South East, is keen to dispel the myth: “Every year myths circulate about when you do and don’t need a licence.

“We want to make sure students know one is needed by law to watch or record live TV, on any device including a laptop, tablet, mobile phone or games console.

“A TV Licence costs on average £12.13 a month which goes towards services like Radio 1’s Big Weekend, BBC iPlayer, Newsbeat and BBC One Match of the Day.

“To avoid the risk of prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000, we encourage students to check if they need a licence on our website – or by calling 0300 790 6113.”

According to the report, when asked, two in three students had a positive opinion of the BBC and 67% thought the TV Licence offered value for money.

When do students need a TV Licence?

You need a TV Licence to watch or record programmes at the same time as they are shown on TV, regardless of which channel you’re watching, which device you are using (TV, computer, laptop, mobile phone or any other), and how you receive them (terrestrial, satellite, cable, via the internet or any other way).

If you live in halls of residence and use a device to watch or record TV in your own room, you need your own separate TV Licence.

You also need your own licence if you are sharing a house with other students and use a device to watch/record TV in your room, and your room is a separately occupied place (a separate tenancy agreement would normally indicate that this is the case)

If you have a separate tenancy agreement but a television is only being used in a communal area, then only one licence is required.

If you are sharing a house with other students and you use a device to watch/record TV in your own room, but the house can be treated as one place shared by all, then only one TV Licence is required (a joint tenancy agreement would usually be evidence that the house is a single licensable place for this purpose).

A device powered by its own internal batteries - a pocket sized TV or a mobile phone for example - may be covered by a licence at the student’s parents’ address. However, you must not install the device (plug it into the mains) when using it to receive television. If there is no TV Licence at your parents’ address, you will need to obtain one to watch TV.

Costs

A colour TV Licence currently costs £145.50, and a black and white licence is £49. The licence fee is frozen at its 2012 level of £145.50 until March 2017, three months after the current charter period.

Most students would need to buy a TV licence at the beginning of term in October in order to allow enough time at the end of the year to qualify for a refund.

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PCSOs hailed as heroes after elderly couple’s car plunges into pond

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Two police community support officers have been hailed as heroes after diving into a West Sussex pond to rescue an elderly couple who were in danger of drowning.

Two PCSOs were the first on the scene after a car plunged into a pond in Easebourne, near Midhurst, on Tuesday.

Sussex Police said the accident was ‘believed to be driver error’.

The Vauxhall Corsa accelerated into Benbow Pond, east of Midhurst on the A272, just after 3pm on Tuesday (October 20).

It rolled over as it did so and slowly began to sink into deep mud.

Sussex Police said local PCSOs Richard Boston and Heidi Hay were first on the scene and with the driver unconscious and his female companion holding his head above the rising water level, they went into the pond and tried to smash the rear window to gain access to the vehicle.

Their initial attempts were unsuccessful until PCSO Boston broke through using a garden spade.

They released the woman’s seat belt and with the help of a member of the public, got her safely on to the bank.

West Sussex Fire and Rescue colleagues assisted in releasing the man from the car and he was also carried to dry land.

The couple, both in their 80s and from Hindhead in Surrey, were not seriously injured.

Inspector Kris Ottery from the Chichester neighbourhood policing team, said: “There is no doubt in my mind that Richard and Heidi’s quick thinking and actions undoubtedly saved lives.

“While the water in the pond is relatively shallow, the mud is very deep and the car was slowly sinking, presenting an imminent danger of the trapped couple becoming immersed.

“We are very proud of what they did and happy to hear that the couple are recovering from their alarming ordeal.

“Unfortunately, Richard will be leaving us next month to become a police officer in Wiltshire - our loss, but certainly their gain!

“Both he and Heidi dried out the police station and were back on duty looking after the people of Midhurst on Wednesday morning.”

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Dame Judi Dench crowned as favourite Bond girl by Crawley cinema-goers

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More than a quarter of Crawley residents asked in a survey have chosen Dame Judi Dench as their ultimate Bond girl.

The actress, who has played head of the Secret Intelligence Agency, M, for 17 years, was chosen ahead of Gemma Arterton who starred in Quantum of Solace and Halle Berry in Die Another Day.

In a poll of 3,000 Cineworld Ultimate Card members 28 per cent chose Dame Judi as the Bond actress they’d like to see back on the big screen for an unlimited amount of time.

The survey also showed that Spectre was voted as the film people are most looking forward to see over the next few months (77 per cent), beating the much anticipated sci-fi Star Wars: Episode VII- The Force Awakens which comes out in December 2015.

James King, film critic and Cineworld’s Unlimited Ambassador, said: “It’s quite a serprise to see Dame Judi Dench come out top ahead of the younger, more stereotypical Bond girls- but it goes to show what a national treasure she is.”

Andreas Vass, head of Film at Cineworld, said;”Our Unlimited Card customers are some of the biggest film fans in the country

“It’s great to get their opinions and we know how excited they and all our customers are to the Specter next week.”

Daniel Graig was also selected in the poll as the favourite actor to play 007 by 53 per cent, beating Sean Connery (19 per cent) and Pierce Brosnan (16 per cent).

Jaws was selected as the favourite villan, narrowly beating Le Chiffre in Casino Royale.

Sprectre is out in cinemas Monday October 26.

Shipment of toxic skin lightening products linked to cancer seized at Gatwick

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A large shipment of toxic skin lightening products linked to cancer has been seized at Gatwick Airport, says West Sussex County Council.

The consignment of almost 1,000 jars of cosmetics, containing banned substance hydroquinone, were prevented from importation by West Sussex County Council’s Trading Standards Service, working in partnership with UK Border Force at Gatwick Airport.

The products, with a retail value of more than £14,000, had been flown in from Africa for distribution in the UK.

David Barling, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Public Protection, said: “Our Trading Standards Team in its role as a Market Surveillance Authority, works with partner agencies to protect our national borders and prevent dangerous products such as these entering the UK.

“This consignment of nearly 1000 jars of cosmetics contained hydroquinone. This substance is banned for use in skin lighteners by many countries including all EU member states and has been linked to thinning of the skin and cancer.”

Peter Aston, Trading Standards team manager, added: “These unsafe cosmetics were not declared and investigations are continuing into this illegal trade. We estimate the products seized have a retail value in excess of £14000, which is potentially very lucrative to the unscrupulous traders ultimately selling on these products.”

Tractor and muck spreader on fire near Billingshurst

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Firefighters have been called to a tractor and a muck spreader which are on fire in a field near Billingshurst.

West Sussex Fire and Rescue said the blaze is in a field off the A29 between Billingshurst and Adversane.

Two fire engines and a land rover were called just before 1pm.

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Tools worth £10,000 stolen from Hurstpierpoint farm

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About £10,000 worth of tools have been stolen from a farm in Hurstpierpoint.

Sussex Police’s Farm Watch has reported a unit on a farm, in Malthouse Lane, Hurstpierpoint, was broken into on October 13.

The report said around £10,000 worth of tools were stolen.

Gatwick to US budget airline to quadruple size of long-haul fleet

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A budget airline that runs flights from Gatwick to the US will quadruple the size of its long-haul fleet in the next five years.

Norwegian’s order for 19 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners will be used on its services to New York, Los Angeles and Fort Lauderdale.

A spokesman said the airline will launch flights to Puerto Rico next month and routes to Boston in May 2016.

The European airline announced its third quarter results for 2015 showed its strongest growth in passenger numbers was at Gatwick Airport.

Norwegian CEO Bjørn Kjos said: “UK activity has played a crucial role in a strong third quarter for Norwegian, with Gatwick seeing our biggest overall growth in passenger numbers. With new aircraft and new routes planned, expansion in the UK will continue to be at the forefront of our long-term plans.”

Norwegian’s long-haul fleet will quadruple to 38 aircraft by 2020.

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Network Rail banned from removing Plumpton level crossing barriers

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Lewes District Council has successfully obtained an injunction banning Network Rail from removing Plumpton’s level crossing gates without planning permission.

Following a public meeting last Friday (October 16), Network Rail announced it would remove the historic gates this weekend and install an automatic barrier in order to allow the road to reopen by the end of November.

The company insisted it would keep the gates safe until a long-term solution for the crossing had been agreed.

The announcement had local residents and councillors in uproar and swift action has been taken to prevent Network Rail going ahead as planned.

Plumpton’s District Councillor Sarah Osborne said: “This is what you get when you don’t listen to local communities and try to ride roughshod over planning law.

“Network Rail made it clear after the public meeting on Friday night that they were intending to go ahead with the work regardless of the law, so the council had little choice but to get tough on Network Rail.

“Once again I urge them to start listening to local concerns, reopen the crossing and work with us to find a better solution.”

Cllr Osborne handed in a 1,100 signature petition calling on Network Rail to work with the community over the future of the gates and to reopen the level crossing.

A spokesperson for Network Rail said: “Lewes District Council has obtained an injunction that means Network Rail cannot carry out any work for the removal of the crossing gates, associated equipment or mechanism at Plumpton Level Crossing. Following legal advice we will not be removing the gates this weekend.

“We were grateful for the opportunity to hear the views of local people at the public meeting on Friday and for the petition to be presented to us.

“We have read all 290 specific comments included and were reassured that so many of these believe the priority must be to reopen the road as quickly as possible.

“We are working closely with the local authorities to resolve this situation as quickly and as safely as possible and will be submitting a new planning application soon.”

East and West Sussex slump in Best Place to Live rankings

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Both East and West Sussex have slumped dramatically in the latest uSwitch.com Best Place To Live rankings for 2015.

uSwitch’s Best Places to Live (part of their UK Quality of Life Index), assesses more than 130 UK cities for 26 different lifestyle factors including working hours, life expectancy, hours of sunshine, food and energy bills, disposable income and more.

West Sussex has dropped 48 places to 71st while East Sussex has slumped 47 places to 117th out of 138 regions.

Edinburgh has taken the top overall spot with the lowest reported crime rate in the entire UK, boasts cheap energy bills, an average salary of £29,558, a disposable income average of £20,083 and super fast broadband speeds of 23Mbs.

Bottom spot went to Bradford.

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Sussex-London train journeys during Christmas period could take an hour longer

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Rail passengers looking to travel from Sussex to London in the fortnight after Christmas could see more than an hour added to their journey times.

Due to engineering work between East Croydon and Redhill a rail replacement bus service will run between the two stations from Boxing Day until January 4 as well as between Gatwick Airport/Three Bridges and East Grinstead.

According to train operator Southern journey times are expected to be ‘increased by over 60 minutes’.

Southern’s website reads: “A revised Southern train and replacement bus service will operate between London and Gatwick Airport from Saturday 26 December 2015 until Sunday 3 January 2016 inclusive.”

For more information visit {http://www.southernrailway.com/your-journey/plan-your-journey/improvement-works|Southern’s website|Southern’s website}.

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Campaign to promote courteous behaviour on countryside paths

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A campaign to promote courteous behaviour on countryside paths in West Sussex has been launched.

‘Think, Share, Be Aware’ aims to ensure the county’s countryside can be shared and enjoyed by walkers, riders and cyclists.

When using public rights of way West Sussex County Council is asking people to remember the following:

- Respect other visitors on your route and be courteous;

- Cyclists please slow down and give way to walkers, horse riders and wheelchair users;

- Please keep your dog under control and clear up after them. Any public bin will do;

- Be aware parts of the Downs Link passes through working farmland; and

- Take your litter home with you.

David Barling, WSCC’s cabinet member for residents’ services, said: “Whether by foot, hoof or bicycle, West Sussex boasts many countryside paths for adventurers of all ages to explore.

“The paths have seen an increase in the number of cyclists, ramblers, horse riders and dog walkers over recent years.

“If we can all think, share and be aware, these areas of outstanding natural beauty will always be around for future generations to enjoy.”

More information visit the {https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/campaigns/think-share-be-aware|campaign’s website|campaign’s website}.

If you have any questions regarding rights of way call the countryside rangers on 0330 222 5544.

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Prizes awarded for best cycling routes in West Sussex

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Two West Sussex residents have won prizes for sharing their favourite countryside cycling and walking routes.

Mike Croker from Bramber won a Garmin Edge Touring GPS from South Downs Bikes, which has branches in Storrington and Goring, and Rebekah Sibley from Crawley won a £300 voucher to spend in store at Giant Shoreham.

Mike’s route took in a section of the Downs Link starting at Bramber and leading through to Shoreham-by-Sea, while Rebekah provided a family cycle route comprising a three-mile circuit of Goddards Green.

They both entered the summer competition which asked West Sussex residents to share their favourite cycling and walking routes.

The winning routes will be available to view at www.west-sussex-weekends.com

The competition was part of a summer campaign promoting West Sussex as a place for residents and tourists to get out and enjoy the beautiful outdoors, as well as helping local businesses.

Louise Goldsmith, leader of West Sussex County Council, said: “We’ve received some wonderful walks and cycling routes which will go on the West Sussex Weekends website. The greatest ambassadors for West Sussex are residents who are out enjoying everything that the county has to offer day after day.

“West Sussex is very much a hidden treasure. We want to change this and encourage people to come and visit West Sussex and discover our beautiful countryside. Encouraging more people to come and visit the county, bring their families, maybe stay for a weekend, will help our local traders and the economy.

“But it’s not just tourists we want to come and visit West Sussex. We’re keen for all residents to discover what’s on their doorstep and beyond and enjoy our beautiful countryside across the county, from the rolling hills of the South Downs to the miles of unspoilt coastlines and fabulous food and drink.

“I’d also like to take the opportunity to thank the many West Sussex businesses who worked closely with us and supported our summer competition with some wonderful prizes.”

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Monsoon and Accessorize underpay staff by £104,507.83

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Staff at high-street chain Monsoon and Accessorize have not even been paid the national minimum wage, the government revealed today (October 23).

Tory business minister Nick Boles announced a ‘name and shame’ list of more than 100 employers nationwide who were underpaying staff.

Monsoon has stores in Chichester, Worthing, Eastbourne, Crawley and Brighton, with Accessorize in Horsham, Lewes, Haywards Heath and several other Sussex towns.

According to the government, Monsoon Accessorize Ltd, London W11, neglected to pay £104,507.83 to 1,438 workers.

“Employers that fail to pay the minimum wage hurt the living standards of the lowest paid and their families,” said Mr Boles.

“As a one nation government on the side of working people we are determined that everyone who is entitled to the national minimum wage receives it.”

There were 115 employers on the published list, with total arrears of more than £389,000.

The government is set to introduce a national living wage next April, which Mr Boles said the government would be enforcing ‘robustly’.

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Honour for chocolate guru

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Raw Chocolate Company founder Linus Gorpe was ‘blown away’ to be named among the world’s greatest business leaders.

Salt Magazine placed the Henfield businessman alongside household names like Richard Branson and Elon Musk in its list of the World’s Top 100 Business Leaders.

Linus, who founded The Raw Chocolate Company in 2006, said: “I was blown away by this announcement.

“To be listed alongside people I have admired and followed for many years makes me very happy. We are constantly seeking to improve and better our activities.

“We’re looking into lessening the impact of our packaging, something that has been beyond our means until now.

“We’re also improving the working environment in the factory to make it an even happier place to work.”

Salt describes itself as ‘a magazine for the change agents amongst us’, which celebrates a new generation of leaders who are committed to making a difference and engage in ‘compassionate business thinking’.

A statement from the magazine said: “The Salt team drew on its collective years of experience within the world of business and environmental sustainability to draw up a list of global compassionate leaders. The following criteria were used for assessment: Sustainability, Innovation, Compassion, Impact.”

The Raw Chocolate Company came into being afterLinus, their resident ‘chocolate wizard’, went back to the confection’s Central American roots and started experimenting with raw cacao.

The company makes its chocolate from cacao beans and cacao butter, with natural sweeteners like coconut sugar, lucuma or xylitol.

The company operates on the belief that chocolate ‘can be better for us, better for the growers and better for the environment’. Their product range includes raw chocolate bars, supreme foods and raw chocolate coated snacks - all made from organic, natural and vegan ingredients.

Over the last three years, several of their chocolate bars have been awarded gold stars at The Great Taste Awards.

Visit their website at: www.therawchocolatecompany.com

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Third housing plan for Birchen fields recommended for approval

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An application for 40 homes which has received nearly 400 objections, has been recommended for approval on Thursday (October 29).

The application for the homes on land north of Birchen Lane has received 385 Representations including representations from several campaign groups and Rt Hon Nicholas Soames MP.

The new application is the third for this site. The previous two applications sought to build 48 homes. One is still due to go to appeal next year.

This recent application has a reduced number of houses to 40, it has removed access via Birchen Lane, and the field to the south of the site will no longer be developed.

Most of the objections are due to concerns for nearby Grade II-listed Sunte House, loss the areas heritage and flood risk.

Developer Crest Nicholson undertook ‘technical investigations’ which found there is a ‘low risk of potential flooding from the development’.

The council’s planning officer has stated in its agenda documents for the meeting next Thursday that the plan ‘is recognised as having less than substantial harm on the designated heritage asset of Sunte House’.

The report states: “The impact is significantly lessened in comparison to the appeal scheme and it is recognised that planning conditions can be used to further mitigate any harm. No objections are raised to the scheme by Historic England.

“The loss of the two northern land parcels will result in harm to the historic landscape character; however the retention of the southern field and preservation of the adjacent Hollow Way ensures that the relationship of the medieval landscape with Sunte House to the south can still be understood. The loss of a 6m section of ‘important hedgerow’ will not have a significant adverse impact on the historic asset overall, planning conditions can be used to mitigate impacts and in accordance with Para 141 of the NPPF further archaeological work can record and further enhance understanding of the landscape prior to the loss. No objections are raised to the scheme by the Councils Archaeological Advisor.”

Some of the reasons for objections included: Impact on heritage assets, relative unimportance of housing need, revised proposals do not overcome previous reasons for refusal, contrary to Local Plan countryside policies, destroy rural character of landscape, medieval assart fields and habitats and wildlife, noise and light pollution, felling of trees, removal of ancient hedgerows impacting on wildlife, parking provision of 122 spaces is an under estimation, designated as a Green Corridor in Neighbourhood Plan, contrary to Lindfield Neighbourhood Plan, fields are a designated floodplain, dangerous junction with Portsmouth Lane and speeding traffic, infrastructure in town cannot cope, Gatesmead unsuitable for access sue to narrow windy nature, abuts an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, destruction of Ancient Woodland, southern field should be protected by condition or covenant to ensure it remain undeveloped grassland.

The site:

The site is within the countryside area of development restraint (CADR) as defined in the Mid Sussex Local Plan (MSLP). The High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is approximately 0.7km to the west and 0.9km to the north. The majority of Birchen Lane, Portsmouth Lane, part of Brook Lane and Roundwood Lane to the north comprises an Area of Townscape Character.

The application site comprises some 10.2ha of land. To the north is Birchen Wood, part of which is designated as Ancient Woodland.

History:

An application for 48 homes on the site was submitted in January 2014 but this had to be withdrawn. The plan was resubmitted in December 2014 and refused in March 2015 due to its detrimental impact on the setting of Sunte House, substantial harm to the significance of the medieval assart landscape and comprises a non designated heritage asset.

This application is now the subject of appeal which will be determined by a public inquiry to be held week commencing 16th February 2016.

Police advice after TalkTalk hack

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Police have issued advice after hackers gained personal details of up to four million customers with phone and broadband provider, TalkTalk.

Detective Inspector Andy Haslam, of the CyberCrime Unit for Sussex and Surrey Police, said: “It’s very difficult to prevent your data being lost or stolen when it is held by someone else.

“Once you are aware that you might be affected make sure you look at the advice being given by the company.

“Be mindful that any online criminals may see this as an opportunity they can exploit not just those who potentially compromised TalkTalk.

“Be cautious of emails which purport to be from TalkTalk, particularly any which request you to open an attachment such as a word document, or to click on a link or provide any account information or private details. They may be offering a benefit like compensation or raising your fears of financial loss to try and get your information.”

People were advised to change passwords or pin numbers they used for different accounts, particularly the same as TalkTalk, immediately.

Residents’ banks should be alerted that their accounts needed to be monitored for transactions.

Contact credit check agencies mentioned on the TalkTalk website.

Update patches on your devices and make sure you have a good anti-virus programme on all your laptops, phones and tablets.

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‘Role model’ staff improve pre-school but there’s more work to be done

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Improvements at a pre-school have been recognised by Ofsted – but more work still needs to be done.

Squirrels Pre-School, which is run from the United Reformed Church, in Keymer Road, Hassocks, was visited by inspector Rebecca Khabbazi on September 14 and her findings were published on October 9.

Squirrels had previously been inspected on April 29, when it was judged ‘inadequate’. Ms Khabbazi raised the rating to ‘requires improvement’ over all, with the children’s personal development, behaviour and welfare judged to be ‘good’ .

Her report stated: “The manager and staff team have worked hard to meet the actions set at the last inspection.

“The manager has increased the training, mentoring and support provided for staff. This has had a positive impact on developing the quality of teaching and children’s learning experiences at the pre-school.”

One of the main concerns raised by Ofsted following the April inspection was the safeguarding of the children’s welfare. The report stated there had been no effective recruitment system in place to ensure all staff employed were suitable to work with children.

Things had changed by the time Ms Khabbazi inspected the pre-school in September.

Her report described safeguarding as being “effective” and she acknowledged recruitment procedures had been reviewed and all staff were now suitably vetted.

Describing the staff as “good role models” who gave the children “gentle guidance and praise”, helping them learn to treat each other with respect, she said: “They encourage children to learn about each other’s lives, which develops their understanding of the wider world.”

When it came to the work which still needed to be done, Ms Khabbazi’s report said managers had to improve the way children’s progress was monitored in order to recognise any gaps in their achievements and plan for their further progress across all areas of learning.

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