The Mall Resurfacing – Update on Tarmac Colour Choice and Timings

Following CARA Council’s invitation issued to owners on 20 March to offer views on black or red tarmac for The Mall, your Council has decided to proceed with red tarmac.

The order has been placed with M A Hart and the timing is unchanged – work starts on Tuesday 8th April 2025, with The Mall being closed for approximately 4 – 5 days.  Residents will have to make alternative arrangements to park elsewhere within Cerne Abbas or on Tower Road if they wish to use their car during this time.

Once the tarmac is laid it cannot be driven on for at least 24 hours.  Also, dustbins will have to be placed in an accessible place for residents and the refuse collection team.  Mall residents can work together to organise this.

As also stated previously, if anyone on The Mall would like work to their drive when Hart’s are on site, please contact them direct on 01202 391931 or email info@mahart.co.uk and Mark Hart will endeavour to visit and give you a quote. 

Private Property Insurance

The recently revised terms and conditions of the private property insurance for 2023-2024 as arranged for CARA by our managing agents are posted on the CARA Ltd page of this website.

The main change to the insurance cover this year is that the Unoccupied conditions are now based on +90 days rather than +45 days, which will be useful for quite a few owners.  But please be careful to check your own Contents policy for any other timescales imposed.

Phase 1 owners should note the General Exclusions section 8 (Asbestos) in relation to the report at the House Surveys page of this website. Please also note that Nettleship Sawyer had previously expanded condition c (letterboxes) to reflect feedback from owners and subsequent clarification from our insurers.

Cerne Abbas Gardening Club

Information and notices about the Phase 1 Gardening Club is posted on a separate web page under the “Gardens” main page on this website.

Cerne Abbas Drainage Drawings and Specifications

Drainage plans and specifications for Cerne Abbas (copied from the Dorchester Records Office) are on the “Drainage Specifications” sub-page of the “Specifications” page of this website.

Parking Reminder 

The 2017 AGM approved the following parking rules:

• Visitors bays to be reserved for visitors
• Residents who use their drive for a visitor can park short-term in a visitor bay

• Residents with overflow parking needs will use the entrance circle

Residents are reminded of the covenants which refer to parking in Cerne Abbas.  In particular only to use designated parking i.e.  driveways and garages – with no parking on the roadways and pavements.

House Surveys

The periodic safety review of Phase 1 properties was undertaken in March 2018 and the owners have been notified that the report is available in the House Surveys page. Information on the Phase 2 soffits replacement (including an asbestos survey) and owners’ responsibilities for cleaning are also included in the House Surveys page.

Cars:  Risk to Pedestrians 

Nettleship Sawyer (CARA’s managing agents) sent a letter dated 15 August 2019 to all owners stating:

“Unfortunately, it has been brought to our attention that there have been a worrying number of occasions on which pedestrians on the pavement outside Cerne Abbas have been nearly hit by drivers entering or leaving the development. Please be reminded that whilst Cerne Abbas have a right of access over this public pavement, one should always give way to pedestrians on this pavement. It would be appreciated if you can please ensure that you, any tenants, visitors, or deliveries you have, enter or leave the development very slowly and stop to check for pedestrians who may be passing the entrance.”commencing(