Roadworks at High Hesleden

We have received notification from Northumbrian Water of a road closure next month to allow for sewer connection works to be carried out:

C81

Mickle Hill Road, High Hesleden

Sewer connection

2 way lights (8:00am - 4:30pm)

3 June

14 June

Northumbrian Water

Damaged steps at Hillcrest Place, Hesleden

Some time ago we received complaints from concerned residents about damaged and dangerous steps at Hillcrest Place in Hesleden (please see post dated Thursday 29 June 2017 for details).

We were told at the time that the steps would be made safe and we were assured that repairs would be carried out as soon as possible. The steps were then cordoned off to prevent access.

Following further contact from residents this week we have contacted the relevant sections at both Durham County Council and Believe Housing (formerly East Durham Homes/County Durham Housing Group) to ask for repairs to the steps to be carried out without delay.

We will update this post as and when we receive updates on progress.

* Update, Wednesday 29 May *

We have received the following CRM system report from the council confirming that the repair request has been passed to the landowner Believe Housing (EDH/CDHG):

Thank you for your recent report about report about a wall at Hillcrest Place, Hesleden, reference number FS-Case-120613551.

The Wall or fence is located on land that is not owned or maintained by the Council. On this occasion the responsible land owner we believe is East Durham Homes, info@cdhg.co.uk.

The service request has therefore been forwarded to East Durham Homes, info@cdhg.co.uk for their attention.

We will maintain contact with Believe Housing and update on progress as soon as possible.

Planning application: Housing development south of Hesleden Road, Blackhall Colliery

We have received notification of a planning application seeking consent for a housing development on land to the south of Hesleden Road, Blackhall Colliery:

The following application has been received in your ward.

Application Ref: DM/19/01230/FPA

Site Address: Land To The South Of Hesleden Road Hesleden Road Blackhall Colliery TS27 4QW

Proposal: Erection of 123 No two storey, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom semi and detached dwellings with associated works.

Full details of the application is contained in the following link:

http://publicaccess.durham.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=PPUPXKGD0A000

We are aware that a similar application was received and subsequently approved for a housing development on land at or near this location two years ago (see post dated Monday 9 January 2017 for background details) so we asked the planning case officer to comment on the differences between the two separate applications. This is the response we received:

The application relates to the erection of 123 dwellings to the south of Hesleden Road taking an access to the north.

There is an outline application for 97 dwellings which also relates to the same site and has a resolution to approve but is awaiting the signing of a Section 106 Agreement. The current application has been submitted by another applicant and no longer includes the provision of a roundabout on Hesleden Road which was a key feature of the previous outline application.

Representations on this planning application can be made on the council’s planning portal by using the link above.

Selective Licensing Scheme Update

On Wednesday 24 April we formed part of a delegation set up to meet with civil servants from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to discuss the direction the council was taking in introducing a Selective Licensing Scheme (please see background information on this site in articles dated Thursday 21 March 2019, Thursday 11 October 2018, Wednesday 30 May 2018, Tuesday 15 May 2018, Friday 27 April 2018, Friday 23 March 2018 and Friday 23 February 2018).

Along with representatives from Durham Police, the Police Crime and Victims Commissioner's Office, Durham County Council Housing Office and the Cabinet Member for Housing we talked through the work undertaken already in compiling an evidence base to present to the Secretary of State with the intention of introducing a Selective Licensing Scheme in every part of County Durham.

At the end of the visit we brought the civil servants to Blackhall Colliery so they could see for themselves the impact that poor quality private sector housing stock can have on our communities. They saw first-hand the effects of pockets of low demand housing, particularly the number of empty properties and the back yards filled with rubbish from opportunist fly-tippers. We told them about the frequent complaints of anti-social behaviour and other environmental concerns reported to us as local councillors, alongside those complaints reported to the police at their local PACT meetings. They acknowledged that we were managing the problem as best we could under difficult, restrictive circumstances, but they also understood the desperate need for effective legislation to bring communities, landlords, agents, housing agencies and other public bodies together if we are to make real and long-lasting inroads into the problem.

Although applying for a SLS is an arduous and long-drawn process it is a legal requirement which the council must comply with if it is to introduce measures which will help to deal with problems relating to housing market decline, crime and anti-social behaviour and other associated issues (please follow the link below for additional information on the SLS process and timetable). If the SLS is to be effective it must be well researched and evidence based and it must be sufficiently sound to convince the Secretary of State that such a scheme is both necessary and that it will have the desired impact on our community.

As we always make clear, the overwhelming majority of private sector landlords take their responsibilities seriously. They provide a vital service and are keen to work with other agencies when problems arise in relation to their properties or tenants. Many of these landlords are based locally and react positively to community concerns. However, many of our settlements have more than their fair share of irresponsible absentee landlords who are prepared to rent out their properties to anyone they choose without adopting any vetting procedures. This can often lead to problems further down the line when there are complaints made about the condition of their properties or the unacceptable behaviour of some of their tenants.

At the moment this group of rogue landlords and agents lies largely beyond the control of the council and other local agencies so a Selective Licensing Scheme, in which all landlords in the private sector would need to acquire a licence in order to let their homes, would help in regulating the private sector and in tracking down absentee landlords when problems arise. It would also help the council and its partners to take swift and positive action in addressing those concerns.

Additional information on the process followed to introduce a Selective Licensing Scheme can be found in a DCC Cabinet report from last year at: http://www.durham.gov.uk/article/19394/Selective-licensing-opportunities-being-explored