Accent Homes in Blackhall Colliery

Please click on the link below which will take you to an article in this week's Peterlee Star (dated 25 February 2015) in which the reporter implies that Accent properties in Horden and Blackhall could be sold for £1 each. Clearly the headline and the article have been written in a style intended to mislead the people of these communities into thinking that Accent properties in their village are about to be flogged off for £1 to the first bidder:

http://www.peterleestar.co.uk/news/local/abandoned-homes-could-be-sold-for-1-to-halt-decline-1-7106615

As a direct result we have been contacted over the past few days by Blackhall residents concerned that the disproportionate level of environmental and anti-social behaviour problems caused by some, less responsible absentee landlords already owning properties in our village is about to spiral out of control. The tone of the article has clearly caused some confusion and has also had an unsettling impact on quite a few residents and we feel that this sensationalist, attention-grabbing style of journalism is to blame.

However, in order to clarify matters on behalf of our residents, we have met with officers from Accent to discuss the impact of their company withdrawing housing renewal funding from our village. This was money which, it was promised three years ago, would help to regenerate our community and we have expressed our disappointment at Accent's unilateral decision to relocate that funding to their housing stock in other parts of the country. The residents we represent find this particularly galling when it is considered that Accent has fared well financially for over 30 years from rent receipts in our village. 

We have also asked Accent to consider a range of options before disposing of their empty homes in Blackhall (it should be noted that Accent will remain as landlord of all their existing tenanted properties in Blackhall, with only 30 or so empty properties to be sold). We received the following response from the company:

The sale of all these homes remains subject to approval by our regulator, the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and will, in the first instance, be offered for sale under a Homesteading scheme.

A Homesteading scheme offers buyers a discount on the market price in return for a legal commitment to live in the house as their primary home for at least three years.

Any homes that are not bought on this basis will then be offered for sale on the open market by  local and national agencies.

Whilst we remain disappointed that Accent feels that it is not able to fulfill its commitment to regenerate its housing stock, we feel that their statement above at least clarifies its position on the options they will consider before disposing of their empty properties in Blackhall. 

We have been assured by Accent that they will keep tenants fully informed about ongoing issues relating to their homes. For our part, we will continue to monitor the situation and report on any significant developments which may have an impact on our village and its residents.

Accent housing offices in Middle Street, Blackhall Colliery

Operation Stop It: a campaign to combat fly-tipping

Please see below details of a campaign launched by Durham County Council, Durham police, Crimestoppers and the Environment Agency to fight back against fly-tippers across the county:

Flytippers are more likely than ever to be caught red-handed as extra CCTV cameras are being set up at hotspots throughout County Durham. 

Footage from these cameras is proving an increasingly useful tool to successfully prosecute people who spoil the environment of our county by dumping their rubbish in places like country lanes and beauty spots. See our video for how we've already caught several people in the act and prosecuted them.

You can report flytipping online at  www.durham.gov.uk/flytipping or by calling 03000 261 000. 

Flytippers and unlicensed waste carriers can also be reported using the anonymous Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555 111.

If flytipped items are in a dangerous place or causing an obstruction to a highway please contact police on 999.

‪#‎OperationStopIt‬ is the biggest crackdown on flytipping ever seen in the county and involves the council, Durham Constabulary, Crimestoppers and the Environment Agency.

A video showing various flytippers who have been caught on CCTV and subsequently prosecuted is now available to view at www.durham.gov.uk/flytipping*

Advice on apprenticeships and training schemes in County Durham

We have been notified of a county council-run scheme aimed at encouraging young people to seek advice about apprenticeship and training opportunities.

Please see further details and contact information below:

Why not start today?

Young people looking for training or apprenticeships can get help with the Start Today campaign organised by Durham County Council’s One Point service.

It can match-up vacancies available for 16 to 19 year olds who are not in education, employment or training.

The vacancies can be accessed in an on-line booklet at: www.help4teens.co.uk/start

One Point personal advisors can also give information, advice and guidance to young people who are unclear about their future career paths. They are available on 03000 261

111.

The campaign, now in its third year, saw 350 young people sign up to apprenticeships or training during January to March last year.  During the same period, the on-line booklet was accessed on the Help4Teens website by more than 35,000 people.

0-5 year-old's Valentine's event at Blackhall Community Centre

Pelican crossing upgrade in Middle Street, Blackhall Colliery

We have been notified that works to upgrade the pelican crossing in Middle Street have been slightly delayed and have been re-scheduled to start tomorrow.

We have received the email below setting out further details and also confirming that an alternative crossing will be installed for the duration of the upgrade works.

I am e-mailing regarding the upgrade of a signal crossing on Middle Street, Blackhall Colliery and wish to provide you with an update relating to the works.

The traffic signal crossing on Middle Street is due to be upgraded this week and a temporary crossing was to be provided whilst work was ongoing. Unfortunately the installation of the temporary crossing has been delayed and we are working to have this in place for tomorrow (Tuesday 10 February)

Please take extra care when driving through Middle Street or when crossing the road in this area.

Coastal Grasslands Project completed at Blackhall Rocks

Last Thursday (5 February) we had the privilege of being invited to formally mark the completion of the Coastal Grasslands Project with an opening ceremony at Blackhall Rocks beach banks.

The scheme, which was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and coordinated by the Limestone Landscapes Project in partnership with Durham County Council, Groundwork NE, Durham Wildlife Trust and the National Trust, was aimed primarily at conserving and restoring the grassland areas on the beach banks and making them more accessible to people visiting the coast for both leisure and health benefits.

The site at Blackhall Rocks has had a number of natural improvements such as grazing to encourage the special grasses, orchids and other flowers to grow there. Fields have been fenced and hedgerows have been planted. Other significant enhancements include the road closure at Deadman’s to prevent fly-tipping, car park improvements, information boards, easy access routes and signposting to local amenities. Durham Wildlife Trust also worked with local schools during the project.

Although it was cloudy and absolutely bitterly cold on the day it stayed dry and the ceremony was very well attended by representatives of the organisations mentioned above, along with members of Monk Hesleden Parish Council and members of the general public who came along to see the improvements for themselves.

The view south from the newly improved footpaths at Blackhall Rocks

Justice prevails as Castle Eden crematorium plans are dumped

Following a lengthy, hard-fought campaign stretched over many months the residents of Castle Eden, working with the parish council and local businesses, have won the battle against developers intent on building a crematorium in their village.

Plans were first submitted in March 2014 by Dignity plc to construct a crematorium on a site to the north of the former Castle Eden brewery (please see post dated 3 March 2014). We immediately set to work with residents, local businesses and Castle Eden parish council to co-ordinate a campaign against the proposal and this resulted in Durham County Council's planning committee rejecting the plans a month later, in April 2014 (please see post dated 1 April 2014).

In July last year however Dignity plc launched an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate against that decision, with the appeal being heard in September 2014 (please see post dated 18 July 2014).

Following a tense and lengthy wait we received notification this morning from the planning inspector to tell us that the appeal had been dismissed, thereby confirming that there would be no crematorium built in Castle Eden.

Naturally we are delighted at the outcome, and especially so for the residents and businesses of the village who fought tirelessly and remained resolute throughout the campaign, despite a number of setbacks. Although the campaign was long and arduous it has demonstrated that residents and their elected representatives standing together can have a real and effective impact in their communities, even against the odds. However, we should remain alert to the possibility that Dignity plc could choose to submit another planning application at some point in the future.

Our gratitude for their unswerving support and commitment goes to the residents and businesses of Castle Eden, alongside the clerk and members of Castle Eden parish council who remained resolute and determined throughout.

Aerial view of the former Castle Eden brewery

Works on High Hesleden traffic calming measures to begin this month

Residents at High Hesleden told us of their concerns about traffic speeding through their village and they told us that they would like to see traffic calming measures installed to address this problem (please see post dated 10 December 2014 for background details).

We raised residents' concerns with highways officers at county hall and, following a series of consultations aimed at identifying the type of traffic calming measures most favoured by residents, we have now been notified that works to install chicanes in the village are due to begin on Monday 16 February. The notification, giving further details of the scheme, is reproduced below in full:

C81 Mickle Hill Road, High Hesleden

Proposed Introduction of Traffic Calming Measures – Update

Following the recent resident consultation on the proposed introduction of two additional chicanes, to the same layout as the existing chicane at the western end of the village, I can confirm that the proposal has been well received.

A total of 43 responses were returned with 77% of the responses being in favour of the proposed chicanes. As there was a higher level of support for this proposal, compared to the mixed responses returned in relation to previous options, further discussions have taken place with Cllr Rob Crute and Cllr Lynn Pounder. A decision was reached, based on the response to the consultation, to proceed with the scheme.

It is anticipated the works will be introduced in February 2015. 

Blackhall Rocks coastal improvement project completed

Works to improve access and restore grassland at the coastal area at Blackhall Rocks have now been completed. We will be carrying out the official opening ceremony this coming Thursday, 5 February, at 11am.

In advance of that event we have received the following press release, issued by Durham County Council, giving further details of the improvement works:

Coastal project completed

New easy access paths and signs have been installed on Durham’s Heritage Coast around Blackhall Rocks along with fencing, car parks and grassland restoration.

The work is all part of the Coastland Grasslands Project to conserve and restore the natural features of the limestone plateau.

The environmental improvements, which also include the installation of a water supply, have led to the return of rare breeds of cattle for grazing, such as Belted Galloway.

Tony Devos, Limestone Landscapes programme manager, said: “We are delighted that we have managed to merge natural improvements which enhance the botanic diversity of the coast with upgrades to the infrastructure.  They are a great way to preserve and protect a very important area.”

The Coastlands Grasslands Project is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and also involved Durham County Council’s countryside team and the Durham Wildlife Trust who have restored areas and worked with local schools. 

After touring the improvements, both of the Blackhall ward county councillors and residents will cut a specially created cake to celebrate completion of the work.