Without doubt, the big news in The Parish is the proposed development of the old Coal Research Establishment (CRE) site. It has lain derelict since the mid 1990's.

The establishment was set up in 1950 by British Coal's director of research Jacob Bronowski to investigate alternative technologies to improve the value of the energy produced from burning coal along with completely new methods of using the coal won from the countries coalfields.

From being an important government site, which the local residents were proud of, the former Coal Research Establishment is now an ever deteriorating derelict site which a clear majority of current parishioners see as a eye-sore and division between the two sides of the village.

The Current Plan
As of now, the proposal from the landowner is to sell the site with outline planning permission for over 120 houses of mixed type and nature. In addition to the properties themselves, the development includes a new carbon neutral village hall, a local shop, re-profiled river course (to alleviate potential flooding risks) and a community bud funding scheme which it is hoped, will bring a new vitality to The Parish.