12 June 2025 The Future is Bright for West Parley Community Hub
West Parley Parish Council is delighted to announce that works on the West Parley Community Hub commence on the 23rd June.
After years of neglect, the Parish Council has secured the funding for a complete, redevelopment and refurbishment of the entire building, at no additional cost to residents of West Parley.
The Parish Council understands the importance of a community provision, and by undertaking this project it will protect this faciltiy for many years to come, for all ages, both socially and phyiscally.
In a time when so many community facilities are closing or under pressure, it has been a fantastic effort by all concerned for the works to begin.
The Parish Council want to provide a fantastic facility for all its current users, and we look forwards to welcoming new user groups to the Community Hub.
The Parish Council would like to thank everyone that has helped get us to this point, especially to Westmade Construction, Spase architects, Veolia Environmental Trust and ECO Sustainable Solutions.
We are hopeful that the project will be completed by early October 2025, and we will keep you updated on the progress of the project.
10 June 2025 Recycling collections disrupted due to vehicle breakdown
It is with regret that Dorset Council have informed us, that due to a vehicle breakdown today, they have suffered a service disruption on todays recycling collections, in West Parley.
The roads affected are:
Elizabeth Way
Church Lane
Clarence Place
Kensington Drive
Christchurch Road
New Road
Dudsbury Gardens
Longfield Drive
Ridgeway
Barrack Road.
A plan is in place to have these roads collected first thing tomorrow morning.
Dorset Council apologises for the inconvenience caused, this is just down to a vehicle breakdown.
3 June 2025 Roll Up, Roll Up! MS Centre annual fair Saturday 12th July
It's the annual Summer Fair at the MS Centre Dorset, on Saturday 12th July, between 11am and 2.30pm.
Lots of games, stalls, refreshments, something for everyone, only £1 entrance.
Please support this charity event, which supports one of only 3 centres nationwide.
3 June 2025 Urgent traffic Notification, lights on Christchurch Road
We have been have notified by South West Water of urgent 2-way signals on Christchurch Road West Parley, to repair a com-pipe leak.
The works are expected to be completed by 09-06-2025.
For more information or any access concerns please contact - 01726224400.
23 May 2025 West Parley Community Hub Update
The Parish Council has concluded the tendering process on the Community Hub to remove the first floor items and undertake a total roof replacement. After undertaking due diligence, the preferred contractor has been appointed. During the construction works the building will not be accessible to any user groups and alternative arrangements for toilets, refreshments and a 'room' are being arranged. The works are anticipated to start at the end of June to mid October. The scaffolding around the building, equipment and workforce will mean the availability of car parking will be reduced but much of the parking will be available as usual.
As part of the Land East of New Road development, a section 106 agreement for a community donation up to the value of £130,000 specifically for works on the Community Hub, was agreed. However, the payment triggers are in 2 phases once both were half occupied; which could be some years in the future. Following negotiations with Dorset Council and Bellway Homes, both parties have agreed to our request to forward fund the monies for the works this summer. This is a significant figure but falls far short of the total project cost. Twice a year, Councils receive a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) payment from Dorset Council which has been generated from property development within the parish. In recent years, these payments have been larger than normal, mainly due to the construction of both the Care Home & Lidl on Christchurch Road. As their name suggests, these must be used for infrastructure within the parish and council has set these aside towards the hub.
The Parish Council was keen not to burden the parish with a loan to undertake the works. But through careful management and delivery of functions, we have managed to keep our element of council tax low for residents. For example, a 'Band D' property in West Parley contributes just £50.81 towards the parish council within their Council tax payment to Dorset Council, compared to £123.75 in Ferndown or £71.03 in West Moors.
We are keen to pursue funding opportunities, which is evidenced by the outside gym only costing the parish council £1000 and the new play equipment from a grant of £58,000. In addition to the statutory reserves, councils can build earmarked funds for specific projects. Since 2011 we have increased total reserves from £40,000 to a little under £300,000. More recently, included in this is funding from the Dorset Council Capital Leverage Fund, receiving payments of £10,000 in round 4 and £12,500 in round 5. In June, we will hear the outcome of a funding application for £75,000 and are currently preparing 2 additional applications for up to £40,000. By seeking funding for the community building, it allows us to liberate funds for other projects within the parish without increasing the precept for residents.
In addition to all of this, we are thrilled that local businessman, Justin Dampney, has offered a donation of £25,000 to the community hub project to help provide environmental solutions for heating and air conditioning. This will likely be in the form of solar panels and will form part of the larger project. If any other local businesses would like to help funding our project, please do get in touch.
We can't wait to have the building refurbished and back open for residents and users to enjoy.
23 May 2025 Bournemouth 7s - info for residents
Bournemouth 7s 2025 festival will take place from Friday 23rd – Sunday 25th May. Each year they work hard to ensure they have as little impact on the local community as possible, however should you wish to contact the festival over the bank holiday weekend, they have detailed various ways in which you can do so below.
12 May 2025 Notification of various roadworks in Ferndown and West Parley, 5th May - 9th June (anticipated)
Please see the road works notification for Ferndown predominantly, but it also includes Glenmoor Road, between the 5th May and 9th June (anticipated).
12 May 2025 Ex-Parish Council Chairman Richard Heaslip passes away
It is with great sadness that we, with the family's permission, inform residents that Rear-Admiral Richard Heaslip, Dick to his friends, sadly passed away last month at the grand age of 92.
Dick was a founder member of the West Parley Residents' Association (WPRA) which was set up to defend the village's greenspace, enhance the parish for residents and honour West Parley's heritage. In 2011, the Parish Council unusually experienced an election seeing all elected members of the Parish Council coming from the WPRA members as they wanted to be able to make even more of a difference in the village. Dick was chairman of the Parish Council for a number of years and whilst he was never shy to speak out on important matters, councillors past and present remember him fondly. Rest in Peace Sir.
This is the Dick which we know but I attach a submariners group's tribute to explain his illustrious Royal Navy career.
Rear Admiral Richard George Heaslip CB.
Rear Admiral Heaslip joined the Royal Navy in 1950 and served until 1987. He served in HMS BERMUDA, HMS SENTINEL (4th Hand), HMS TABARD, HMS SPRINGER, HMS AMBUSH, COQC No, 44 Teacher Commander B Hutching, HMS SEA DEVIL (CO), HMS DREADNOUGHT, HMS DOLPHIN, HMS COURAGEOUS, HMS CONQUEROR (CO), Director of Naval Operational Requirements, HMS DRAKE (SM2), Director of Naval Warfare, NATO Appointment, HMS SAKER, Assistant Chief of Defence Staff Commitments, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, Flag Officer Submarines & SUBELANT.
He was a Member of the Friends of the Submarine Museum, a previous member of the Submarine Association, and, Winner of the Graham Naval History Prize for 1948.
A Memorial Service will take place on 19th July at 11am at All Saints Church, 54 Church Lane, West Parley, Ferndown BH22 8TS. Everyone is very welcome to come along to the Memorial Service, and there will be a buffet lunch afterwards at 73 Bradpole Road, Bournemouth, BH8 9NY, to which everyone is extremely welcome.
24 April 2025 Residents - a date for your diary!
Parish Meeting, 1st May 2025 at 7pm at the West Parley Community Hub. Please come along and talk about any West Parley related topics.
Cllr Shane Bartlett, Dorset Council Cabinet member for planning, will be present to field all of your planning questions.
Hear about the imminent works to get the Community Hub open later this year.
Meet your parish councillors and Clerk and hear about what we do and it might make you consider joining the parish council to help make a difference on your own doorstep.
We looking forward to you joining us.
11 April 2025 Grass Treatment - Friday 11th April
Playing fields
Please be advised that on the above morning, a contractor will be applying a herbicide treatment to the playing fields as part of the annual grounds maintenance. The area should be avoided during the application and 1 hour thereafter to allow the treatment to dry.
During this time, residents are encouraged to use the recreation ground or woodland.
11 April 2025 Dorset Council need you! Survey 11th March - 30th June
Please see this Dorset Council poster for anyone considering downsizing their social housing needs.
