How to submit your comments to the planning office

Two public meetings have been held in Hesleden WMC recently, both intended to help residents get a full understanding of a current planning application seeking consent to extend the time allowed to remove spoil and minerals from the pit heap in the village.

Details of the first public meeting held on Sunday 27 February 2022 can be found here: https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2022/02/hesleden-pit-heap-planning-application.html

The second meeting held last week on Wednesday 16 March 2022 was intended to get answers direct from the developers and the planning office. Again it was hoped that this would help residents when they submit their comments to the planning office as part of the public consultation exercise accompanying the planning application process. Details of the second public meeting can be found here: https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2022/03/hesleden-residents-in-show-of-unity.html

At the close of the second meeting residents were urged to use the time available between now and the publication of the planning report to submit their comments to the planning department either through the council's planning portal at: https://publicaccess.durham.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=R58R0BGD0ER00 or via the case officer Chris Shields who can be contacted direct at: chris.shields@durham.gov.uk 

As I mentioned at both public meetings the most important part of the planning process is making sure that members of the public have every opportunity to let the planning department know what they think about a particular planning application - so to help residents I thought it might be useful to reproduce an article I wrote earlier about the planning process and how planning applications are decided: https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2022/03/the-planning-process-and-how-planning.html

So now that residents have all the information they need to make an informed submission to the planning office the next step is to make sure they know how to register their comments - and importantly, how to use what planners call material planning considerations when making their submissions. To help with those issues I’ve included a link to the council’s planning site: https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/8276/View-and-comment-on-current-planning-applications

Please make every effort to get in touch with the planning department to let them know haw you feel about this planning application. I hope the links to the guidelines on this page will help you to do so.

New road layout on the B1281 in Blackhall Colliery

Last week, following months of traffic delays, the B1281 in Blackhall Colliery reopened following construction works to install a roundabout as an essential part of the new housing development nearby. 

The intention of the developers in including the roundabout in their plans was to slow traffic down naturally as it approaches the village, rather than leave the B1281 as it had been before - a straight road open to temptation for speeding drivers. However, in the few days since the road was reopened, I’ve been contacted by a couple of residents who believe that the roundabout might have the opposite effect and that accidents are more likely to occur as a result. 

I contacted the authorities last week on behalf of residents and I asked for their concerns to be passed to the highways section, the traffic management team at Durham police and any other relevant agency for their attention. Specifically I’ve asked for advice on installing permanent advisory signage for the new road layout and also a potential review of the speed limit if it’s deemed by the authorities to be necessary or effective.

As ever I’ll update on progress when I have a response from the authorities. In the meantime let’s hope that drivers stick to the rules, comply with the guidance in the Highway Code and drive according to the road conditions at this location and elsewhere.

Damaged bollards in Middle Street

Back in January this year I issued a request with the highways department at county hall for bollards in Middle Street, Blackhall Colliery to be replaced following reports of a collision (CRM Reference, FS 39318 9107). 

The images below show the extent of the damage back then:

I was told at the time that replacement bollards had been ordered but earlier this week I received reports of further damage at the same location. I’ve been in touch again with the highways section and I’m told there is to be site inspection next week to assess the additional damage to the bollards and any other street signage nearby.

I’ll update on progress as soon as I have more information from the service following next week’s inspection. 

Hesleden residents in show of unity against pit heap development

Despite the atrocious weather conditions residents packed in to Hesleden WMC last night to raise their concerns about the proposal submitted recently to extend the time allowed to remove spoil and minerals from the pit heap in Hesleden. This latest public meeting had been arranged following an initial meeting of residents held a couple of weeks ago where many questions were raised about the impact of the development and what lay ahead. 

A representative of the developer and two planning officers accepted our invitation to come along last night to help residents understand more about the current proposal before they register their comments and concerns with the planning office as part of the planning application process.

In summary there were several questions from residents about the background to the original planning application approved back in 2016 and also about the planning process at the time that led to its approval. Perhaps most importantly there were many concerns raised about the damaging impact that the existing development was having on the community, and also about the likely impact for many years to come if the current proposals were to be given the green light. These included issues around traffic generation and filthy, damaged roads and how these had led to years of misery and upheaval for residents - particularly for those closest to the development site. Unfortunately many of the fears I expressed when I objected to the original planning application have come to pass. These are outlined in my report following the planning committee held in January 2016: https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2016/01/hesleden-pit-heap-removal-to-go-ahead.html

As for last night’s meeting I think the most worrying concerns related to the fine dust and particulates coming from the site and the ongoing impact these were reported to be having on the health of a number of residents throughout the village. Questions were also raised about the locations and the effectiveness of monitoring equipment and methods of dust suppression. These are serious issues and they cannot be disregarded.

In addition there were concerns expressed by residents living along the B1281 between Hesleden and Castle Eden about the suitability of the road to accommodate the weight, size and volume of vehicles coming to and from the development site - sometimes up to 44 trips a day - and occasionally crossing the central white lines into the opposite lane. The impact of noise and nuisance generated from the site was reported to be particularly significant along Gray Avenue which is the sole link road from the site to the B1281 and beyond. Residents there talked of wagons rumbling in and out of the village, often from early morning and into the evening, meaning they weren't able to use their gardens or in some cases even leave their homes.

The issues raised above are by no means intended as an exhaustive account of last night's public meeting. They are simply a few of the many comments and concerns raised by residents in Hesleden and other communities who will be significantly and adversely affected by the impact of this planning application if it is allowed to proceed.

With that in mind, at the close of the meeting residents were urged to use the time available between now and the publication of the planning report (expected in the summer) to submit their comments to the planning department either through the council's planning portal at: https://publicaccess.durham.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=R58R0BGD0ER00 or via the case officer Chris Shields who can be contacted direct at: chris.shields@durham.gov.uk 

As far as I’m concerned the most important part of the planning process is making sure that members of the public have every opportunity to let the planning department know what they think about a particular planning application - so yesterday I published an article on this site about the planning process and how planning applications are decided: https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2022/03/the-planning-process-and-how-planning.html

Now that residents have the information they need to make an informed submission to the planning office the next step is to make sure residents know how to register their comments - and importantly, how to use what planners call material planning considerations when making their submissions. To help with those issues I’ve included a link to the council’s planning site: https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/8276/View-and-comment-on-current-planning-applications

In conclusion the message loud and clear from residents last night was that they do not want this development to go ahead, and for strong and valid reasons. They’ve simply had enough of the upheaval. Although we have a fight on our hands we mustn't lose heart. With the right arguments and the voice of the entire community behind us we can win through. The key is to stand together and last night the residents of Hesleden and beyond showed that they're more than ready for the challenge ahead.

The planning process and how planning applications are decided

Over the past few weeks I’ve published several articles on this site about the background to a recently submitted planning application seeking an extension to the time allowed to remove spoil and minerals from the pit heap in Hesleden.

At an initial public meeting held in the village at the end of last month there were several questions raised about the planning application so I’ve asked the planning case officer and a representative of the developer to come along to a follow-up meeting tonight to answer questions direct from residents. Details of the first public meeting can be found here: https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2022/02/hesleden-pit-heap-planning-application.html

The meeting tonight is intended to give residents a full understanding of the proposal and its likely impact on the community. It will also help them when they submit their comments to the planning office as part of the public consultation exercise accompanying the planning application process. The meeting will be held in Hesleden WMC at 6.30pm tonight.

While Stacey and I were out promoting the meeting with leaflets last week I was asked by one or two residents about how planning applications are decided, so I thought it would be useful to post a link direct to the council’s website which sets out the planning process in full: https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/8278/Planning-decisions-and-appeals

I intend to publish more details in the next few days about how to submit your comments on a planning application. In the meantime if you have any questions about the planning application or the process involved in making decisions on planning matters please make every effort to come along to the public meeting tonight.

Potholes at the Scheme Houses

I was contacted a couple of weeks ago by residents concerned about a number of potholes at several locations along Shaftesbury Road - which runs down the middle of the Scheme Houses - with the area around Kipling Avenue and Shakespeare Avenue reported to be particularly badly affected. 

I put in an initial request on 14 February for the roads and potholes to be inspected and for repairs to be carried out as required. I checked on progress this morning and I’m told that all necessary works have been included in the current works programme, and that repairs in the most badly affected should be completed within the next few weeks.

If you have any similar issues to report in your area please get in touch with me at: rob.crute@durham.gov.uk 

Hesleden Pit Heap - A Timeline of Developments

A couple of weeks ago I published details on these pages of a planning application received by the council seeking consent to extend the time allowed to remove spoil from the pit heap in Hesleden.

Since then Stacey and I have liaised between the planning office, the developer and the community to make sure our residents have all the information they need to reach a fully informed opinion on the proposals set out in the application prior to another public meeting to be held at Hesleden WMC at 6.30pm on Wednesday 16 March to enable residents to put any questions to the developer and the planning case officer. Full details here: https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2022/03/hesleden-pit-heap-public-meeting.html

In addition to that information I thought it might be helpful to bring together in one place all the salient articles published on this site since the original planning application to remove the spoil heap was first submitted to the council back in 2013. 

Please see details below, set out in chronological order:

Thursday 12 December 2013: the developers seeking permission to remove the spoil heap holds a public meeting to gauge the feelings of the community: https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2013/12/hesleden-pit-heap-consultation_12.html

Wednesday 2 April 2014: the county council receives a planning application from the developers: https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2014/04/planning-application-to-remove-hesleden.html

Wednesday 9 April 2014: I raise initial concerns on behalf of residents: https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2014/04/local-concern-grows-about-impact-of.html

Tuesday 29 April 2014: I formally submit objections to the planning office on behalf of residents: https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2014/04/objections-to-removal-of-hesleden-pit.html

Saturday 31 May 2014: an update on progress: https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2014/05/hesleden-pit-heap-planning-process.html

Wednesday 6 January 2016: plans to remove spoil from the pit heap are approved: https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2016/01/hesleden-pit-heap-removal-to-go-ahead.html

Thursday 3 November 2016: details of the Public Right of Way (access track) closure: https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2016/11/proposed-temporary-closure-of-public.html  

Wednesday 4 January 2017: junction improvements at Gray Avenue: https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2017/01/proposals-to-improve-visibility-at-gray.html

Wednesday 22 February 2017: an update on progress: https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2017/02/update-on-works-to-remove-hesleden-pit.html

Thursday 12 October 2017: monitor and update report published: https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2017/10/hesleden-pit-heap-removal-monitor.html

Saturday 25 November 2017: notification that works are due to commence: https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2017/11/hesleden-pit-heap-removal-works-to.html

Thursday 20 September 2018: reports of dust issues throughout the village: https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2018/09/measures-taken-to-control-dust-from.html

Thursday 21 February 2019: footpath closure extension: https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2019/02/hesleden-footpath-24.html

Sunday 21 July 2019: first planning application received to extend time allowed to remove spoil from the pit heap: https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2019/07/hesleden-pit-heap-planning-application.html

Tuesday 22 February 2022: second planning application received to extend time allowed to remove spoil from the pit heap: https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2022/02/hesleden-pit-heap-company-seeks-consent.html

Monday 28 February 2022: personal report on the first public meeting arranged by residents: https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2022/02/hesleden-pit-heap-company-seeks-consent.html

Friday 4 March 2022: details published of the Community Liaison Committee set up by the developers to maintain links with the community throughout the period of the first planning application: https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2022/02/hesleden-pit-heap-planning-application.html

Hesleden Pit Heap - Public Meeting arrangements

Last weekend a public meeting was held in Hesleden WMC to give residents the opportunity to raise any initial comments or queries about the recently submitted planning application seeking an extension to the time allowed for the removal of spoil from the pit heap in Hesleden. A brief personal summary of the meeting can be found in this link: https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2022/02/hesleden-pit-heap-planning-application.html 

The meeting was well attended by residents keen to know more about the potential implications of the proposals, and as usual in meetings of this type there were several questions that could only be answered by those closely involved in the development and in the planning application process. To help matters along I suggested during the meeting that a follow-up public meeting should be arranged to enable residents to put their questions directly to the planning case officer and a representative of the developer.

To this end I contacted the planning office and the developer during the week and both have agreed to attend a public meeting to field questions from residents. 

Subject to confirmation the meeting will be held at Hesleden WMC at 6.30pm on Wednesday 16 March 2022

Before then Stacey and I will distribute leaflets throughout the community to make sure everyone has the opportunity to attend and put their question and comments to the developer and the planning officer.

In order to prepare properly, and to give more full and meaningful answers on the night, the planning case officer has asked that wherever possible questions are submitted in advance of the meeting. Stacey and I will make arrangements to enable this, but in the meantime if you want to put your questions direct to the case officer Chris Shields he can be contacted at: chris.shields@durham.gov.uk

Hesleden Pit Heap - Community Liaison Committee

I published a article on this site recently setting out details of a planning application seeking an extension to the time allowed to extract spoil from the pit heap in Hesleden. Details of the planning application and a personal report from the public meeting set up by residents and held last Sunday in Hesleden WMC can be found in this link: https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2022/02/hesleden-pit-heap-planning-application.html

Since the public meeting there have been enquiries from some residents about the purpose of the Community Liaison Committee (CLC) set up by the company to maintain links with local authorities, local councillors and residents themselves throughout the duration of the works.

In order to clarify the background to the CLC I’ve published below a brief outline received from the company consultant about how and why the group was established. 

I intend to publish the minutes from the six meetings of the CLC held since it was established, but in the meantime please note below a brief overview of the CLC as supplied by the company consultant:

The Community Liaison Committee was established for the following reasons and the Constitution is attached below for information.

CLC was established as a best practice in order to ensure that the local community has an understanding of the working practices of the site and that the operator is made aware of any issues or concerns that the local community may have. CLC provides a forum for communication between the operator and the local community. Such a forum shall seek to address any matters relating to the carrying out of the development which may occur at an early stage and to allow the operator to update the local community in relation to site progress.

 

Since the establishment of the Committee the following members have attended, as detailed on the attached minutes, and I have copied in the Committee members to this email.

 

Robert Surtees (RS) - B&S Recycling Ltd

Paul Davies (PD) – MD2 Consulting Ltd for B&S Recycling Ltd

Chris Shields (CS) (Planning Officer) - DCC Planning Department

Mike Tweddle(MT) – DCC Safety/Compliance Officer

Neil Thompson – (NT) Parish Councillor  

Lynda Wardle (LW) – Monk Hesleden Parish Council – Chairperson (CLC)

Claire Brown(CB) – Hesleden Residents Association

John Olley (JO)– DCC Countryside

Paula Metcalfe (PM) – Hesleden Primary School

Barry Turnbull (BT) – Castle Eden Parish Council

Cllr Rob Crute (RC) – County Councillor

Owen Shaw (OS)  - DCC Public Rights of Way Officer

Darryl Cox (DC)  - DCC Parks and Countryside

Cllr Lynn Pounder (LP) - County Councillor

Ian Goodwin (IG) -  Durham PCSO

Dawn Dunn (DD)  - (Headmistress – Hesleden Primary School)

Ross Carrick (RC) - DCC Countryside Ranger

Joanne Collins (JC) – Castle Eden Parish Council

John Olley (JO) – DCC Countryside Ranger

Paula Metcalfe (PM) – Hesleden Primary School

Cllr Mary Wilmer (MW) – Chair of Castle Eden Parish Council

Rev. Susan Richardson (SR) – Hesleden Methodist Church

 

The Committee has had 6 meetings since the commencement of the project which have been minuted.

 

During COVID and the imposed restrictions the meetings did not take place however as COVID restrictions have just been lifted the meetings will recommence.

 

During COVID we had a continuous dialogue with Cllr Rob Crute who passed on any information from the community and we are in constant dialogue with Durham County Council. Mike Tweddle (DCC Safety/Compliance Officer) undertakes regular site visits and also produces quarterly monitoring reports.

The council's response to the crisis in Ukraine

The council has issued an update on its response to the crisis in Ukraine alongside guidance on how communities can offer their own help:

Following the announcement made by the Home Secretary in the House of Commons on Tuesday 1 March regarding a revised offer of assistance for Ukrainians, the council has issued a further update on the latest developments and the Council’s response.

We are conscious that given the horrific news coming out of Ukraine, members of the community are anxious to know what they can do to help. We have liaised with local organisations such as Durham Community Action and North East Churches Acting Together, as well as checking national websites, and the advice remains unchanged from yesterday, that the most effective way to assist, for those that can afford it, is through cash donations to reputable international support organisations such as those listed below. Such organisations have set up appeals on their websites and have teams in the region who know what is needed by the families trying to leave for their safety.

• The British Red Cross, which has launched an appeal to help the Ukrainian Red Cross to provide food, medicine, clothing and shelter, as well as first aid training in bomb shelters and, in the last few days, 15,000 litres of drinking water to villages in eastern Ukraine.
• The UNHCR refugee agency, which is funding emergency shelters, repairs for homes damaged by shelling, emergency cash assistance, psychological support and warm clothing.
• Unicef, the UN's children's charity, which is helping to ensure families have clean water and food and that child health and protection services continue.
• Save the Children, which is providing cash assistance, food and other support to refugees crossing into Romanian and Lithuania, as well as in Ukraine itself.

In terms of the UK offering a place of refuge for those escaping the horrors unfolding in Ukraine, the Home Secretary made an announcement with regard to two routes that people may enter the UK. The first related to an extension of the Family Migration Route, whereby a Ukrainian seeking refuge can enter the UK when they have a family link to someone already resident in the UK. The government has announced that they will be relaxing the eligibility around this route, and a wider range of family members, including grandparents and adult children, will be able to stay in the UK for 12 months with access to public funds and services. Further details on the technicalities of the scheme are still awaited. The numbers of people that might seek refuge in County Durham will depend on the numbers of people already living here who have family members in Ukraine. We have asked if the Council will be informed by the Home Office if family members are granted permission to live in the county so we might coordinate support to help them to settle, but if the scheme follows earlier experiences, this is unlikely to be provided.

The second method through which people might enter the UK is through a Humanitarian Sponsorship Pathway. Once again, details as to how this will operate are awaited, but in this case the Ukrainians do not have to have a family connection with the UK, but can be sponsored to stay for 12 months by an individual, charity, business or community group. Again, we have asked for clarity on aspects of this scheme, in particular, what resources will be available to the Ukrainians and the sponsoring organisation and whether they will be expected to meet the costs of the families for the 12 months they will have permission to stay in the UK. This information is important to help people make decisions.

Given there are still a number of uncertainties over the two schemes, we are not actively seeking offers of accommodation from individuals at present and would advise that you do not proactively seek offers at the current time. We are aware that some residents may want to offer a place in their home, or use of a vacant property. If you are approached in this way then please let us know and we'll pass on their details to the relevant section at DCC. The council will keep their offer on record and contact them once we have further details on the sponsorship scheme.

Advice on supporting British Nationals and their dependents in Ukraine can be found in a dedicated helpline established by the Home Office. The number for the helpline is + 44 300 3032785 and it is open 24 hours a day.

We have also been informed by the North East Migration Partnership that a new pro-bono referral scheme has been launched by a group of volunteer legal professionals to give advice to Ukrainian nationals on immigration status. The lawyers who have volunteered to give advice are experts in UK visas and refugee rules but not how to travel out of Ukraine or around Europe.  More information on this service can be found here.

If you have any queries about this matter please follow the relevant links in this article or contact either me or Stacey at: rob.crute@durham.gov.uk or stacey.deinali@durham.gov.uk and we’ll see what we can do to help.

Organising a Platinum Jubilee Event

Having received several queries from residents planning to organise a street party to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee this summer the council has issued guidance to use when putting your plans in place:

This year, H.M. Queen Elizabeth II will celebrate her Platinum Jubilee after 70 years of service. You can apply to close a road free of charge for up to one day between the 2 and 5 June 2022 to hold a street party to celebrate this occasion.

Event Requirements

Your Platinum Jubilee Street Party must

·         be organised for residents, neighbours and their guests only;

·         be on a residential road (for example a cul-de-sac or where traffic is not able to access another road from the event road) where only residents traffic will be affected;

·         ensure access is still possible by emergency service vehicles during the closure;

·         ensure disabled drivers can still access disabled parking bays during the closure;

·         provide the council and Durham Constabulary of the event’s organisers contact details who will be contactable before and be present during the day of the event; and

·         end by 10pm on the day it is held 

and must not:

·         be publicised or advertised to the wider public;

·         be on a road which needs to be used to access shops, businesses or premises accessed by the public;

·         be on a road which provides access to a public car park (other than a residents’ only car park for the street being closed);

·         involve any commercial activity within the road closure area;

·         be on a bus route;

·         charge for entry to the event;

·         damage the road, footway and verge;

·         involve the selling of alcohol; and  

·         disrupt local residents with music or other noise beyond 10pm 

The organiser(s) must:

·        consult with those residents who will be affected by the road closure to confirm they have no objections to the street being closed;

·        make sure all rubbish is cleared up at the end of the party;

·        make sure that traffic signs are clearly visible to all road users approaching the road closure;

·        indemnify the council against all third-party claims arising from the road closure and the use of the highway for the street party 

Bunting

The Council recognises that some communities may wish to hang bunting in the streets to bring colour to the celebrations. The Council will welcome requests from communities who wish to include bunting as part of their celebration planning.

The bunting must:

·         Be lightweight;

·         not be attached using any form of catenary wire;

·         not be hung over the carriageway;

·         have a minimum headroom clearance of 2.5m over the footpath;

·         be removed immediately after the event.

If you wish to attach lightweight bunting or flags to streetlights please contact the  council’s street lighting team by no later than the 30th April 2022. 

Road Closure Information

The road closure will be valid for up to one day only and will be effective when the traffic signs are in place.  As part of your application, the council will supply a 'Road Closed' sign for closures (subject to availability).  Details will be emailed to you on approval and will be by prior appointment. 

Alternatively you can hire the signs from a local company, below is a list of the approved local traffic management contractors;

• Barrier Traffic Management
• Beacon Traffic Management Ltd
• Hatton Traffic Management Ltd
• Premier Traffic Management
• Roadsafe Corporate Group Limited
• Total Resources UK Ltd

Application fees are waived for resident’s Queen Jubilee Street Party closure orders.

The organiser(s) MUST, as a condition of approving the road closure, indemnify the council against all third-party claims arising from the road closure and use of the street for the party.

You can find further information, risk assessments and insurance information on The Street Party Site.

The council may not be able to support road closure application, for example, the reasons set out above which are for indicative purposes only.  Each application will be considered on its own individual merits.

How to Apply

Apply to close a road for a street party

The closing date for applications is 30 April 2022.  Applications received after this date cannot be accepted due to insufficient time to process the legal closure notice.

Find out more about the celebrations on the Platinum Jubilee website.