The current round of public consultation by the Boundary Commission for England (BCE) ends this coming Tuesday 3 April.
You will recall that the BCE is recommending that the villages within the Blackhall county division remain in the Easington constituency, but the main political parties want to transfer Blackhall into the Hartlepool constituency (see posts elsewhere on this site for more detail).
Now is your chance to write to the BCE to tell them that you believe Blackhall and its surrounding villages all have a common identity, heritage and culture and that you support their recommendation to leave things as they are.
For further details on the BCE proposals go to:
http://www.boundarycommissionforengland.independent.gov.uk/
But hurry....time is running out!!!
Friday, 30 March 2012
Wednesday, 28 March 2012
Blackhall Rocks - Picnic Area Improvements
I met yesterday with representatives from the Durham Heritage Coast Partnership and the Limestone Landscape Partnership at the parking and picnic area at Blackhall Rocks beach banks.
Both organisations have plans to improve the car park and pathway access to the beach and nearby landscape. These plans are at an early stage of development so I have asked that a wide reaching public engagement exercise be carried out to find out the opinions of local people and visitors. After all this is a public facility which is very well used all year round and the views of users are essential before any works are considered.
I am aware, for instance, that one of the proposals for consultation is the imposition of a Traffic Prohibition Order at the bottom of Deadman's Bank (between the picnic area and the vehicle turning point at the beach banks). Although this was never meant to be a parking area it has been used as such by people walking along the beach and the surrounding area and I feel they should be asked for their feelings on the scheme.
I have asked that any public engagement should be open and meaningful, with the public given every opportunity to have their say. So watch out in the near future for the formal consultation launch.
In the meantime if you have any opinion, one way or the other, please let me know and I will ensure that your voice is heard.
Both organisations have plans to improve the car park and pathway access to the beach and nearby landscape. These plans are at an early stage of development so I have asked that a wide reaching public engagement exercise be carried out to find out the opinions of local people and visitors. After all this is a public facility which is very well used all year round and the views of users are essential before any works are considered.
I am aware, for instance, that one of the proposals for consultation is the imposition of a Traffic Prohibition Order at the bottom of Deadman's Bank (between the picnic area and the vehicle turning point at the beach banks). Although this was never meant to be a parking area it has been used as such by people walking along the beach and the surrounding area and I feel they should be asked for their feelings on the scheme.
I have asked that any public engagement should be open and meaningful, with the public given every opportunity to have their say. So watch out in the near future for the formal consultation launch.
In the meantime if you have any opinion, one way or the other, please let me know and I will ensure that your voice is heard.
Friday, 23 March 2012
Speeding Traffic - Blackhall
I've received complaints today of speeding traffic at the scheme houses - and there are concerns that the chicane near to the play area at Coleridge Avenue and Chaucer Avenue is worse than useless and actually makes the problem worse.
I have contacted the highways department at Durham County Council to make them fully aware of residents concerns and to ask for all options to be considered in addressing this problem.
In the meantime I am working with the parish council - who own the land - to install replacement fencing between the play area and the road. This will make the place safer for children and also improve its overall appearance. I have asked for cost estimates for the different types of fencing available and I think it is important that residents are encouraged to come forward with their preferences.
I would be interested to hear views on either the traffic control measures or the fencing scheme so please contact me through this blog, on Facebook or by email at:
rob.crute@durham.gov.uk
I have contacted the highways department at Durham County Council to make them fully aware of residents concerns and to ask for all options to be considered in addressing this problem.
In the meantime I am working with the parish council - who own the land - to install replacement fencing between the play area and the road. This will make the place safer for children and also improve its overall appearance. I have asked for cost estimates for the different types of fencing available and I think it is important that residents are encouraged to come forward with their preferences.
I would be interested to hear views on either the traffic control measures or the fencing scheme so please contact me through this blog, on Facebook or by email at:
rob.crute@durham.gov.uk
Thursday, 22 March 2012
Wind Farm - Reasons to Object
If you would like to oppose the planning application for the 5 turbine wind farm at Sheraton but you are not sure of the reasons, here are some suggestions:
1. Visual Impact: the turbines will be visible for miles around and do not look particularly attractive
2. Cumulative Impact: it is considered that our communities have been targeted unfairly by energy companies and wind farm developers and that the area has now reached saturation point
3. Ecological Concerns: the turbines (and associated infrastructure) will have a serious impact on wildlife in the area. This includes detrimental effects on badger setts, bat roosts and protected species of birds and insects
4. Noise Nuisance and Shadow Flicker: this applies especially to businesses and homes in close proximity to the rotor blades of the turbines
5. Road Safety: the impact of the development, particularly during construction, may have an impact on traffic safety given close proximity to the A19
6. Air Traffic Safety: Durham Tees Valley Airport has submitted an objection to the development, citing concerns they have over the effects of turbines on the electronics systems of aircraft
There are further concerns about wind turbines which aren't really material planning considerations but are worth mentioning in your objection anyway. These include issues around the viability of wind farms considering they are ineffective, inefficient and expensive and produce energy intermittently (it is estimated that most turbines produce less than 20% of their capacity).
Everyone accepts a need for a safe and secure energy supply but wind farms are not the answer. Massive public subsidies mean that they are attractive to energy companies, landowners and developers only. There is no evidence that they will ever benefit the community, and plenty of evidence to illustrate the opposite!
For further details: go to the county council's website http://www.durham.gov.uk/ and search for:
Case: CMA/5/31 in the planning applications online page
Send Objections to: Planning, Durham County Council, County Hall, Durham. DH1 5UL or
dmstrategic@durham.gov.uk
1. Visual Impact: the turbines will be visible for miles around and do not look particularly attractive
2. Cumulative Impact: it is considered that our communities have been targeted unfairly by energy companies and wind farm developers and that the area has now reached saturation point
3. Ecological Concerns: the turbines (and associated infrastructure) will have a serious impact on wildlife in the area. This includes detrimental effects on badger setts, bat roosts and protected species of birds and insects
4. Noise Nuisance and Shadow Flicker: this applies especially to businesses and homes in close proximity to the rotor blades of the turbines
5. Road Safety: the impact of the development, particularly during construction, may have an impact on traffic safety given close proximity to the A19
6. Air Traffic Safety: Durham Tees Valley Airport has submitted an objection to the development, citing concerns they have over the effects of turbines on the electronics systems of aircraft
There are further concerns about wind turbines which aren't really material planning considerations but are worth mentioning in your objection anyway. These include issues around the viability of wind farms considering they are ineffective, inefficient and expensive and produce energy intermittently (it is estimated that most turbines produce less than 20% of their capacity).
Everyone accepts a need for a safe and secure energy supply but wind farms are not the answer. Massive public subsidies mean that they are attractive to energy companies, landowners and developers only. There is no evidence that they will ever benefit the community, and plenty of evidence to illustrate the opposite!
For further details: go to the county council's website http://www.durham.gov.uk/ and search for:
Case: CMA/5/31 in the planning applications online page
Send Objections to: Planning, Durham County Council, County Hall, Durham. DH1 5UL or
dmstrategic@durham.gov.uk
Wednesday, 21 March 2012
Wind Farm - Public Meeting Update
The informal public meeting in relation to the Sheraton wind farm planning application was held last night at Hesleden Community Centre.
The purpose of the meeting, which was organised jointly by myself and the clerk to Monk Hesleden Parish Council, was to raise public awareness of the impact of the development on our communities - especially in High Hesleden, Hesleden, Castle Eden & Hutton Henry - and also to encourage residents to write to Durham County Council with their objections.
There was no formal structure to the event and it took the form of a drop-in session. This was done purposely to encourage residents to circulate and discuss options for objection to the EDF proposals, which would erect 5 wind turbines close to the A19 at Sheraton. Model letters of objection were made available along with a list providing residents with "material planning considerations" or in other words, those reasons we can use to oppose the application when it is heard by the county council's planning committee later this spring.
It is estimated that around 60 to 70 people attended during the two hour event, coming from all potentially affected communities - including a strong contingent from the Hart ward in Hartlepool where one of the turbines will be erected.
I intend to follow up the event by delivering leaflets to all addresses in both Hesleden and High Hesleden to encourage those residents unable to attend last night's meeting to contact the planning department with their objections.
If you need further information to enable you to object to the planning application please contact me for further information.
The purpose of the meeting, which was organised jointly by myself and the clerk to Monk Hesleden Parish Council, was to raise public awareness of the impact of the development on our communities - especially in High Hesleden, Hesleden, Castle Eden & Hutton Henry - and also to encourage residents to write to Durham County Council with their objections.
There was no formal structure to the event and it took the form of a drop-in session. This was done purposely to encourage residents to circulate and discuss options for objection to the EDF proposals, which would erect 5 wind turbines close to the A19 at Sheraton. Model letters of objection were made available along with a list providing residents with "material planning considerations" or in other words, those reasons we can use to oppose the application when it is heard by the county council's planning committee later this spring.
It is estimated that around 60 to 70 people attended during the two hour event, coming from all potentially affected communities - including a strong contingent from the Hart ward in Hartlepool where one of the turbines will be erected.
I intend to follow up the event by delivering leaflets to all addresses in both Hesleden and High Hesleden to encourage those residents unable to attend last night's meeting to contact the planning department with their objections.
If you need further information to enable you to object to the planning application please contact me for further information.
Tuesday, 20 March 2012
Bus Shelter at Blackhall Rocks
Following an incident on Saturday during which the bus shelter at Coast View, Blackhall Rocks was destroyed by fire, I contacted the transport manager at the county council to ensure that the immediate area would be cleared and made safe and secure for passengers. This was done yesterday (Monday 19 March).
I have now had it confirmed by transport staff at county hall that a replacement shelter has been ordered from the manufacturers and should be in place within 6-8 weeks which is the standard response time for requests of this nature.
I have also alerted the police and neighbourhood wardens to this matter and they will ensure that the area is patrolled regularly, although they feel that this is a one-off incident.
I have now had it confirmed by transport staff at county hall that a replacement shelter has been ordered from the manufacturers and should be in place within 6-8 weeks which is the standard response time for requests of this nature.
I have also alerted the police and neighbourhood wardens to this matter and they will ensure that the area is patrolled regularly, although they feel that this is a one-off incident.
Monday, 12 March 2012
Funding for Community Groups
I attended the launch at Hesleden Community Centre today of two new community funds run jointly by the East Durham Trust (EDT) and the East Durham Area Action Partnership (AAP).
The new funding streams are open to organisations in the community and voluntary sector and are:
The Community Learning Fund and
The Community Building Fund
Application packs for the funding (along with guidance) are available from the EDT website at:
http://www.eastdurhamtrust.org.uk/ or go to the East Durham Trust page on Facebook
Please let me know if you have any difficulty and I'll see what I can do to help.
The new funding streams are open to organisations in the community and voluntary sector and are:
The Community Learning Fund and
The Community Building Fund
Application packs for the funding (along with guidance) are available from the EDT website at:
http://www.eastdurhamtrust.org.uk/ or go to the East Durham Trust page on Facebook
Please let me know if you have any difficulty and I'll see what I can do to help.
Friday, 9 March 2012
Thursday, 8 March 2012
Blackhall - do we belong in Hartlepool???
The simple answer of course is NO! But some would like to transfer the villages of the Blackhall county division into the Hartlepool constituency (see my blog posts of 19 January & 13 February for background information).
The Boundary Commission for England (BCE) has now published all representations it received from the first round of consultation and is asking for your comments before 3 April 2012:
www.consultation.boundarycommissionforengland.independent.gov.uk/what's-proposed/north-east
When you respond remember that the BCE is recommending that Blackhall stays where it is (in the Easington constituency) and organisations such as the main political parties are recommending that we transfer into the Hartlepool parliamentary constituency.
Hopefully the BCE will see through this as a little more than cynical political manoeuvering by the main parties to gain electoral advantage.
However it is vital that as many people as possible contact the BCE before 3 April to let them know that we are a living, thriving community and not a bargaining chip to be used for political purposes.
The Boundary Commission for England (BCE) has now published all representations it received from the first round of consultation and is asking for your comments before 3 April 2012:
www.consultation.boundarycommissionforengland.independent.gov.uk/what's-proposed/north-east
When you respond remember that the BCE is recommending that Blackhall stays where it is (in the Easington constituency) and organisations such as the main political parties are recommending that we transfer into the Hartlepool parliamentary constituency.
Hopefully the BCE will see through this as a little more than cynical political manoeuvering by the main parties to gain electoral advantage.
However it is vital that as many people as possible contact the BCE before 3 April to let them know that we are a living, thriving community and not a bargaining chip to be used for political purposes.
Friday, 2 March 2012
Public Event to Oppose Wind Farms
Following preliminary discussions over the past few weeks with the Castle Eden Residents Association and representatives from the three parish councils in the area affected by the Sheraton Wind Farm planning application, a public event has been organised as follows:
Date: Tuesday 20 March 2012
Time: 6pm-8pm
Venue: Hesleden Community Association
The event is intended to be informal with the purpose of raising awareness amongst residents of the impact of the wind farm proposal on our communities. There will also be an opportunity for residents to contact the DCC planning department with their concerns over the application.
The three parishes most affected by the wind farm are Monk Hesleden, Castle Eden and Hutton Henry but anyone with an interest in this issue will be made welcome.
Please contact me if you require further information.
Date: Tuesday 20 March 2012
Time: 6pm-8pm
Venue: Hesleden Community Association
The event is intended to be informal with the purpose of raising awareness amongst residents of the impact of the wind farm proposal on our communities. There will also be an opportunity for residents to contact the DCC planning department with their concerns over the application.
The three parishes most affected by the wind farm are Monk Hesleden, Castle Eden and Hutton Henry but anyone with an interest in this issue will be made welcome.
Please contact me if you require further information.
Blackhall Issues
I met yesterday with the Environment Committee members of Monk Hesleden Parish Council and the following issues came up for discussion:
1. Litter at Hackworth Road Industrial Estate: this is an ongoing problem of litter and rubbish at the public footpath adjacent to the industrial estate. Debris has been collected regularly in the past by the environmental wardens but considering that this is a waste of time, money and resources I have asked that DCC contact the estate owners to remind them (and their tenants and businesses) of their responsibility in maintaining the area up to an acceptable standard. Meanwhile the environmental wardens will continue to clear the existing accumulations.
2. Breathless: members of the public have raised concerns about the poor and deteriorating condition of the former British Legion site. Following reports that youngsters are getting onto the premises I have asked the street/neighbourhood wardens to patrol the area regularly to ensure the security of the building and of course the safety of the youngsters. The owners of the premises are to be contacted by the environmental section at DCC with a request to make the site safe and secure.
3. Navy Club Bridge: concerns have been raised recently about the condition of the bridge from East Street to the industrial estate. In particular this relates to the brickwork and the need for pointing works. I have asked the structural engineers at county hall to contact the owners, Network Rail, with a request to investigate the issues raised. As far as I am aware there are no suggestions at this stage that the bridge is structurally unsafe.
If you are aware of any environmental issues similar to those mentioned above please let me know and I will take whichever steps are necessary to address the problem.
1. Litter at Hackworth Road Industrial Estate: this is an ongoing problem of litter and rubbish at the public footpath adjacent to the industrial estate. Debris has been collected regularly in the past by the environmental wardens but considering that this is a waste of time, money and resources I have asked that DCC contact the estate owners to remind them (and their tenants and businesses) of their responsibility in maintaining the area up to an acceptable standard. Meanwhile the environmental wardens will continue to clear the existing accumulations.
2. Breathless: members of the public have raised concerns about the poor and deteriorating condition of the former British Legion site. Following reports that youngsters are getting onto the premises I have asked the street/neighbourhood wardens to patrol the area regularly to ensure the security of the building and of course the safety of the youngsters. The owners of the premises are to be contacted by the environmental section at DCC with a request to make the site safe and secure.
3. Navy Club Bridge: concerns have been raised recently about the condition of the bridge from East Street to the industrial estate. In particular this relates to the brickwork and the need for pointing works. I have asked the structural engineers at county hall to contact the owners, Network Rail, with a request to investigate the issues raised. As far as I am aware there are no suggestions at this stage that the bridge is structurally unsafe.
If you are aware of any environmental issues similar to those mentioned above please let me know and I will take whichever steps are necessary to address the problem.
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