Buckinghamshire Council has published its draft site allocation from its earlier Call for Sites.  An informal engagement on 400 potential sites is now invited from landowners and agents, town and parish councils, developers and infrastructure providers. However, since publication of this article in Village Voice, the Parish Council has learnt that Parishioners are also able to submit comments using the Online Survey here.  The survey closes on 16th March 2026.  If you wish to share your views with the Parish Council please email clerk@cuddington-bucks-pc.gov.uk (by Wednesday 11th March).

For Cuddington, the two sites are Dadbrook Farm (Ref 216), put forward for 72 homes, and a Haddenham site beside the A418/Churchway (Ref 294).

The Parish Council will be responding to the consultation stressing that any development at Dadbrook should prioritise the existing brownfield farm buildings rather than expanding into greenfield areas. The PC’s response will also include the delivery of the Dadbrook footpath, the safety of the A418 junction and the infrastructure constraints specifically highways, schools and drainage.

For Haddenham site the main concerns are safe access onto the A418, the risk of visual or physical coalescence with Cuddington (as the gateway to Haddenham, a green buffer will be requested) and the infrastructure constraints specifically highways, schools and drainage. The Draft Local Plan with proposed suitable sites is expected in the summer and will include a formal consultation when residents can make their views known.

Please read more here:

https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/planning-policy/local-planning/buckinghamshire-local-plan/

Please view the interactive map here:

Local Plan for Buckinghamshire sites survey - Your Voice Bucks - Citizen Space

Cuddington Neighbourhood Plan

The current Cuddington Neighbourhood Plan (CNP) remains in force until 2027 but ideally should be reviewed after 5 years, i.e. April 2027. The benefits of undertaking a review include updating the CNP with the emerging Buckinghamshire Local Plan, addressing any gaps in the existing Plan, and securing protection against speculative development. The Parish Council has agreed to review this when the next major review of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is published (expected summer 2026).  The Draft of this new NPPF includes specific provision for Neighbourhood Plans.

NOTICE OF VACANCY

CUDDINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

Local Government Act 1972- Sections 87 and 89

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that due to the resignation of Councillor Eman Parker a casual vacancy has arisen in the Office of a Parish Councillor for Cuddington Parish Council.

If by 9th March (within 14 days excluding Dies Non after the date of this notice) a request for an election to fill the vacancy is made in writing to the Returning Officer, Buckinghamshire Council, The Gateway, Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury, Bucks HP19 8FF or via email to elections@buckinghamshire.gov.uk** by TEN electors for the Town/Parish, then an election will be held to fill the vacancy, otherwise the vacancy will be filled by co-option.

Dated: Tuesday 17th February 2026

Signed: Venetia Davies, Clerk

Cuddington Parish Council – c/o Prospect Cottage, The Green, Chearsley, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP18 0DJ

** Residents of the Cuddington Parish who wish to request an election must include their names, addresses and a signature and if using the email address we recommend sending a scanned copy of the request.

Since January this year a group of volunteers have been meeting once a month to tidy Cuddington in preparation for the Best Kept Village competition.

Here is the long list of the jobs that have been done:

• Roads have been swept and weeded
• Litter picking
• Bus Shelters have been repaired and swept
• Welford Way corner has been tidied and turned into a community garden – planting was done last week and give it a month or so and produce will be available to all  
• A community herb garden has been created and is situated behind The Crown in Spurt Street, for all to use
• The shop and the sign on the Upper Green have been replanted
• Ditches have been cleared and village signs/road signs have been cleaned
• The Upper Green has been edged and the Best Kept Village flower bed has replanted
• As part of National Children’s Gardening Week, the young people in the village planted pots for Welford Way and planted wildflower seeds on the playing fields
• The broken bollards on the Upper Green and outside the Bernard Hall have been replaced
• Home made signs have been installed around the village – Community Herb Garden, Community Garden, Spring Bulbs and Wildflowers
• The Church organized a tidy of the graveyard in March
• Hanging baskets have been installed outside the Clubhouse
• The Crown has new plants and will be weeded in May

In February the Parish Council secured a grant of £850 from Asda Foundation to improve community areas in the village.

In addition, the Parish Council have been in contact with Fairhive Homes and the wooden barriers in Bernard Close have been replaced.  Bucks Council have refreshed the white lines in Aylesbury Road and repaired the school sign on Upper Green.  They are also investigating drainage issues around the village.  Thames Water have repaired leaks.

The Parish Council has worked in conjunction with North Bucks rRIPPLE to replace stiles with gates, to make footpaths around the village more accessible to all.

On 24th May our local MP, Greg Smith, came to see what we achieved.

This has been a great community effort – so many people have given their time and energy to make Cuddington look so lovely.  A big thank you to you all!!

Lorraine Stevens

(Click any photo to enlarge)

The Notice of Election for the Unitary and Parish Local Elections has now been published.

Unitary Elections

Parish Local Elections

Nominations open today (18 March) and close at 4pm on Tuesday 4th April 2024. Nominations are published by 4pm on Wednesday 5th April 2024.  Election Day is Thursday 1st May (but only if there are more candidate than seats).

Cuddington Parish Council is seven seats.  The timetable for elections, nomination papers and further guidance can be found here:

Election Timetable

Nomination Papers

Electoral Commission Guidance for Candidates

To stand for election for a local Council you must:

Be a UK, European Union or Commonwealth citizen.

Be at least 18 years old.

Be an elector of the local Council, or at least in the past 12 months have occupied land or other premises in the area the Council serves (as owner or tenant); or work or live in the area the Council serves, or no farther than 3 miles from the Council boundary.

If you would like further information please contact: Venetia Davies, Clerk

Email: cuddingtonpc@gmail.com

Thame after an automatic LINK assessment determined the town should only be provided with an Automated Deposit Scheme (ADS) machine once the last bank (Lloyds) has closed.

ADS machines provide limited cash deposit facilities only, whereas a banking hub would provide regular counter services, with each of the major banks allocated a specific day in the hub. Customers could carry out regular cash transactions and talk to a representative from their bank about more complicated issues on the day their bank is in the hub.

Thame Town Council fully supports the need for a banking hub in Thame. Other towns have been successful in overturning ADS decisions and securing banking hub services. We believe Thame’s decision should be overturned too.
 

Public Help for a Hub

For Thame to get a banking hub, Thame Council need to prove that the town fits LINKS assessment criteria.

To date, Thame has been assessed as an urban location with a 1-mile radius. This fails to take into account the town’s rural hinterland, including large villages such as Haddenham and Chinnor, and smaller villages such as Towersey and Chearsley.

These villages depend on Thame for many of their needs, including banking services.

In order to secure a banking hub, we need to show that Thame is a rural location with a 5-mile radius of people who depend on its services.

Take the Survey

If you support the campaign for a banking hub in Thame, complete the online survey at www.surveymonkey.com/r/C9XY8BR  Replies must be received by Friday 28 February 2025.

Local government is at an important point in its evolution with increasing responsibilities to meet the changing needs of their communities. The present focus is on increased community, engagement and local representation.

In May, all Buckinghamshire Councils will hold elections.  This means that the Term of Office for all current Parish Councillors will come to an end.  Any of those Councillors wishing to continue in office will stand for re-election. Nominations open on 18 March (and closes at 4pm on 4 April 2024).  Nominations are published by 4pm on 5 April 2024.  Election Day is 1 May (but only if there are more candidate than seats).

Cuddington Parish Council is seven seats and is calling on all residents to consider becoming a Parish Councillor.  If you care about Cuddington and are passionate about your community, your Parish Council needs you! 

What we do

Working together as a body with overall responsibility for the wellbeing of the community, our work falls into three main categories:

• Delivery of services
• Improve quality of life for residents
• Give communities a democratic vote.

Becoming a Parish Councillor

As a Parish Councillor you can become a voice for your community and help shape change for the benefit of your area. Councillors are community leaders and represent the interests of the communities they serve. Local Councillors have three main responsibilities:

• Decision-making
• Monitoring
• Getting involved locally.

Getting Elected

To stand for election for a local Council you must:

• Be a UK, European Union or Commonwealth citizen.
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be an elector of the local Council, or at least in the past 12 months have occupied land or other premises in the area the Council serves (as owner or tenant); or work or live in the area the Council serves, or no farther than 3 miles from the Council boundary.

If you would like to find out more, please come along to a Parish Council meetings (we usually meet on the 4th Wednesday of the month – although our next meeting is on Wednesday 19 February at 7pm, and then Wednesday 26 March at 7pm) or email the Clerk at cuddingtonpc@gmail.com who will provide a more detailed account of the role of Parish Councillor.

We hope to see or hear from you soon!

Cuddington has won the Morris Cup category in the 2024 Best Kept Village Competition with a score of 190/200.

Full marks were awarded for floral displays, general environmental features and the quality of competition entry. The judges gave high marks for the tidy graveyard, children's play area, community facilities including the sports pavilion, Bernard Hall, Cuddington Stores and the Crown PH.  They commented on the well maintained bus stops and war memorial, the provision of seating around the villages, Cuddington's well kept noticeboards and bins, and evidence of community engagement which included the publication -  Village Voice; Cuddington's monthly newsletter distrubuted to all homes.

The judges will be touring the winning villages (Cuddington, Burnham, Marlow, Cheddington, Weedon and Stewkley) on Saturday 21st September and presenting the Morris Cup (population 501-1500) to Lorraine Stevens, Chair, Cuddington Parish Council at approximately 12.30 (departing at 1pm).  Refreshments will be served on the Upper Green. 

Please save the date and join us in celebrating Cuddington's success!  

Following the Notice of Vacancy, Cuddington Parish Council is now in the position to co-opt to fill the vacancy of Councillor.

A new Parish Council will be elected in May 2025 – just 9 months away.  Becoming a Councillor now will give anyone interested in Parish Council business the chance to have a taste of the role before standing for election in 2025 (if it's for you!).  You must live or work in the Parish and be on the electoral roll to be eligible. 

If you are interested or want to find out more, please get in touch as detailed below.  The Parish Council hope to fill the position at its September meeting.

Local Government Act 1972 Section 87 (2)

CASUAL VACANCY

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that one vacancy exists in the office of Parish Councillor for the PARISH OF CUDDINGTON.

The Parish Council will take steps to fill the vacancy by co-option.  Any person interested in becoming a Cuddington Parish Councillor should please apply to:

Venetia Davies
Clerk, Cuddington Parish Council
Prospect Cottage
The Green
Chearsley
Aylesbury
Bucks  HP18 0DJ

Email: cuddingtonpc@gmail.com

Cuddington Parish Council

Haddenham and Waddesdon Ward

Local Government Act 1972 - Sections 87 and 89

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that due to the resignation of Councillor Ken Trew a casual vacancy ;has arisen in the Office of a Parish Councillor for Cuddington Parish Council, Haddenham and Waddesdon Ward.

If by 6th August (within 14 days excluding Dies Non after the date of this notice) a request for an election to fill the vacancy is made in writing to the Returning Officer, Buckinghamshire Council, The Gateway, Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury, Bucks HP19 8FF or via email to elections@buckinghamshire.gov.uk** by TEN electors for the Town/Parish ward, then an election will be held to fill the vacancy, otherwise the vacancy will be filled by co-option.

Dated: 17th> July 2024

Venetia Davies, Clerk
Cuddington Parish Council
Prospect Cottage, The Green, Chearsley, Aylesbury, Bucks HP18 0DJ

** Residents of the Haddenham and Waddesdon Ward who wish to request an election must include their names, addressses and a signature and if using the email address we recommend sending a scanned copy of the request.

It has been a constant theme of public consultation in Cuddington that villagers are concerned about speeding. The Parish Council has discussed traffic calming measures with Buckinghamshire Council and implemented its proposals i.e. road markings at the entrances to the village and a build-out on Aylesbury Road. Buckinghamshire Council has not identified any further measures that it would find acceptable.

The Parish Council is seeking to extend the 30 mph speed limits but have not yet had a response from Buckinghamshire Council.

Many of the local villages support 20mph but have struggled to get Buckinghamshire Council to agree to this. Ironically Buckinghamshire Council insist that existing average speeds must be around 23mph before they will consider a 20mph limit.

One idea is to apply for a 20mph zone for Cuddington to include all the village roads. The low speeds in the Conservation Area would help to bring down average speeds when assessed alongside the higher speeds on Aylesbury Road, Bridgeway and Dadbrook.

However 20mph speed limits can be controversial and it would be helpful to understand if the village would support this initiative

Please send your comments to:

The Parish Clerk at cuddingtonpc@gmail.com

Thank you

Please will residents be mindful of their neighbours when lighting bonfires, especially in the summer months when windows are open.

Here is the link to the Buckinghamshire Council website with suggestions for alternatives to bonfires.

https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/environment/environmental-health-and-nuisance/noise-light-smoke-and-smells/how-to-deal-with-bonfires-and-smoke/bonfires-advice-and-guidance/

If you decide to have a bonfire, we advise you to follow these guidelines to reduce the likelihood of causing a problem:

• advise your nearest neighbours before you light a bonfire so they can be prepared for any minor inconvenience that may arise
• choose the time of day and weather conditions that will cause the least inconvenience - a bonfire when people have doors and windows open will cause greater annoyance
• burn material quickly in small quantities so the minimum amount of smoke is created
• be aware of where the smoke is likely to travel - consider your neighbours and roads
• choose your bonfire site carefully, well away from trees, boundary fences and windows
• do not burn wet or green garden waste as this creates heavy smoke - allow clippings to dry and turn brown for a couple of weeks before burning
• do not burn any oily rags, rubber, plastics or other materials that will create heavy smoke or toxic fumes
• do not light a bonfire when your neighbours have washing drying, are enjoying their gardens or have windows wide open
• never leave a fire unattended
• do not have a bonfire when there are unstable weather conditions as on windy days it can get out of control - have a hose pipe and buckets of water handy just in case

Cuddington PC

Local Government Act 1972- Sections 87 and 89

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that due to the resignation of Councillor Ken Birkby a casual vacancy has arisen in the Office of a PARISH Councillor for Cuddington Parish Council

If by 26th April 2023 (within 14 days excluding Dies Non after the date of this notice) a request for an election to fill the vacancy is made in writing to the Returning Officer, Buckinghamshire Council, The Gateway, Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury, Bucks HP19 8FF or via email to elections@buckinghamshire.gov.uk** by TEN electors for the Town/Parish, then an election will be held to fill the vacancy, otherwise the vacancy will be filled by co-option.

Dated: 4th April 2023

Signed: Venetia Davies

Cuddington Parish Council

Prospect Cottage, The Green, Chearsley, Aylesbury, HP18 0DJ

** Residents of the Parish who wish to request an election must include their names, addressses and a signature and if using the email address we recommend sending a scanned copy of the request.

Cuddington Parish Council has been trying to allow verges and banks to reestablish themselves after some have been damaged by building works and inappropriate parking.

Following the example of Nether Winchendon, the Parish Council recently had signs made for Spickett's Lane where damage to the banks has been particularly noticeable. In places on this narrow lane the built up banks have been very eroded and their vegetation reduced to grass, so it is particularly important that these are reinstated - all part of the Parish Council's effort to improve the environment for wildlife in the village. 

The signs politely requesting no parking on grass verges were the first step in this process, so the Parish Council were extremely sorry to see that a mere 3 hours after the signs had been installed, one of them had disappeared.  We are sure that someone did this inadvertently but would be extremely grateful if it could be returned so that the PC do not have to get other authorities involved.  

At a time of belt-tightening when everyone, the Parish Council included, is thinking hard about how it spends its money, this is an expense it would be desirable not to have to repeat.  

Many thanks and we look forward to the return of the sign!

This year, the Parish Council has started an annual programme inspecting the trees on the land for which it is responsible.  The scots pine on the south side of the Upper Green has had remedial work carried out and the horse chestnuts on the Upper Green are scheduled for removal of dead wood, reducing branches overhanging buildings and general maintenance.

During the inspection of this group of trees, it was observed that the tree nearest the village pump had severe rot around nearly 60% of its girth at low level and evidence of fungal attack.  In addition to the tree surgery company contracted to do the work, this situation has been confirmed by another independent tree surgeon and thirdly by David Williams, an arborculturist asked to give an opinion.  David has confirmed that this tree has a serious loss of structural wood and active decay, which could lead to unpredictable structural failure of all, or part of the tree.

It is of the utmost importance that the PC considers the safety of people, as well as property, first and foremost.  In addition, the presence of known defects means any failure of the tree would, in legal terms, be entirely foreseeable and could render the PC negligent, should there be any serious consequences.  Whilst these four trees are important landmarks to Cuddington, the advice is clear and, regrettably, there is no real alternative, other than removing this tree, for safety reasons, as soon as possible.  It is proposed that work will take place in the next ten days.

Once the tree is removed and the stump ground out, it is proposed to replace it, in a nearby position, with a specimen tree, of a different species but with greater resistance to fungal attack.  The volunteer Tree Wardens, as well as all villagers, will be consulted about the variety of tree.

Cuddington Parish Council

Transport for Bucks (TfB) are asking for members of the public to continue reporting potholes through FixMyStreet – www.fixmystreet.buckscc.gov.uk – so that they can be correctly assessed and prioritised for treatment.

Inspectors are identifying potholes and other defects that have risen due to the wet weather and extra water.  Repairs are prioritised according to the maintenance and repair policy, with each defect being assessed for risk and severity so an appropriate timescale for repair can be set.

In cases where multiple defects are present, TfB inform that it’s often best to carry out significant patching or resurfacing of the area.  However, if individual defects within these areas have reached a high risk level, they have to be repaired quickly.  This is often a temporary repair until the larger more permanent repair can be undertaken – usually requiring dry conditions.

TfB are now starting a substantial programme of ‘Plane and Patch’ treatment across the county, which will continue throughout the Spring of 2020.  This is aimed at addressing the weather-related deterioration seen in recent months, particularly where there are multiple defects.

County Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Transportation Mark Shaw, said: “The wet weather has been a constant battle for us over the last few months.  The extra rainfall we have experienced has had quite an impact on the roads, and we are working hard to target the rising number of potholes.  Our Plane and Patch programme will seek to rectify some of the issues and I am confident that the public will see a noticeable improvement on local roads over the coming months.”

The final version of the plan, known as the VALP Proposed Submission, will be published for public comment for six weeks from 9am today, Thursday 2nd November, until 5.15pm Thursday 14th December.

Cuddington Parish Council has produced an insert in this month’s issue of Village Voice (attached).  It gives the background to the Plan and the housing proposals for Cuddington.  The Draft proposals for Cuddington include 25 houses, 4 of which are in progress or completed and the remaining 21 have been allocated on two sites: Aylesbury Road (6 homes) and Dadbrook Farm (15 homes).  The Parish Council welcomes your feedback.  Please email cuddingtonpc@gmail.com or return the back sheet of the insert to Cuddington Village Stores.  The Parish Council will be drafting its response to the Plan at its November meeting – Monday 27th November at 7.30pm in the village hall.

Parishioners can find out more about the Local Plan including the background, policies on housing, transport, and environment – and guidance about how to respond at www.aylesburydc.gov.uk/localplan.  Key Facts of the Local Plan are listed here.

Cuddington Parish Council is currently represented by six Parish Councillors:

Ken Birkby: Chairman and also Footpath Representative and LAF Representative.

Ken Brown: Vice Chairman and Traffic Action Group (TAG) Representative.

Richard Stanczyc: Councillor

Lorraine Stevens: Councillor and Cuddington Playing Fields Association (CPFA) Representative.

Ken Trew: Councillor and Planning Representative.

Andrew Vickers: Councillor and Parish Council Trustee - Nicholas Almond Trust.

Councillors are supported by Venetia Davies, Parish Clerk and Responsible Finance Officer.

Independent of AVDC and BCC, Cuddington Parish Council provides services at village level; representing its electors in the parish ward.  The Parish Council is funded by the precept (raised as part of the Council Tax) and takes responsibility for a range of local matters.

Meetings are normally held on the last Monday of the month at 7.30pm in the Bernard Hall.

Every meeting is a public meeting with an opportunity for villagers to ask questions and raise concerns during Parishioners Question Time at the beginning of each month.  Please come along and hear about local matters.