GENERAL MEETING
Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership - Charity Number 1112151
Tuesday 19 July 2011 from 6.30pm
Present: B Bates, M Bell, J Blackburn, J Blakey, A Boseley, I Boseley, R Cowen, G Dee, S Featherstone,
J M Grace, K Griffiths, K Haigh, D Hindshaw, R Hogg, S Hogg, S Johnson, John Kane, G Kitson, D Paget,
A Richardson, Maggie Robinson, S Robinson, C Robson, W Rumney, S Sudder, M Syer, B Temporal, S
Thompson, R Walsh (Chair), S Walworth, A Wilson, C Zand
In Attendance: J Davis (JD), M Redshaw (MR), M Ridley, D Watson, M Williams
1. Apologies for absence: J Anson, PC Cockburn, G Marsden, S Raine, J Shields, J Sudder,
Cllr Blakey left the meeting before the start of the next item and took no part in the discussion.
2. Parkhill Village: The Chair introduced Jill Davis of Davis Planning Partnership and Mike Redshaw of Redscape.
Jill Davis outlined the proposals of their client Redscape Ltd and Mike Redshaw commented on a possible
development at Park Hill: this includes provision of 295 dwellings plus business units, shopping facilities and
community facilities on a 12 hectare site between the B6291 and the line of the Clarence Railway – in the next 5
years. In the spirit of ‘Localism’ they were pleased to meet with the Partnership before the planning application was
made so that the needs of the community could be considered rather than the ideas of the planner being imposed.
Member - asked the following:
*According to the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) the land in question was an ‘Unsuitable
Site’ for housing – how can it be developed?
*Would there be sustainable drainage systems? *Would a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) be appropriate?
*What would be the impact of the site on wildlife and footpaths?
JD replied: (SHLAA) According to the recent Core Strategy the government must have the projected housing needs
plus 20%, which would mean that areas coloured ‘orange’ for no housing could change to ‘green’ for housing within
5 years. This would be in preference to using designated Green Belt land.
(Drainage) The site would be up to BREEAM standard (BREEAM sets the standard for best practice in sustainable
building design which includes aspects related to water use.)
(CIL) There would be a statutory payment per house.
(Paths) With reference to Page 6 of the brochure the ‘green’ areas would have the possibility of free public access
and there would be a landscaped area next to the bridleway – there would be no building on this ‘green’ area.
*Members also queried the poor drainage on the site, and carbon offset which is important.
MR: The BREEAM standard covers drainage and carbon offsetting.
1*Member: Would the S106 be given to the local community because promised monies in Bowburn were not paid.
MR: The allocation would be designated to the local community through consultation with the County Council.
*It was asked who would have to maintain the woodland.
MR: It would be possible to donate a sum of money to the county for maintenance.
*Member: Was concerned at the lack of commercial use, plus the increase in traffic – both ignored in Bowburn.
MR: Their plans were to put shops in the area – see Page 9 of the brochure. (It was suggested that a Legend on
Page 9 would be useful.)
There would be a traffic impact assessment for the area by the Highways department.
Cllr Williams: The housing on Tail-upon-End Lane went through the former City Council, and county councillors did
oppose the increase in traffic and lack of a S106.
*Member: The lack of a secondary school, where all the children in the area can attend, is a concern.
JD: This development is not big enough to supply a secondary school with enough children for a new school, but
Redscape will raise the issue with an education officer.
*Member: Suggested there are three options; housing, commercial use, and open countryside with no development.
*Member: If all the residents did not want this estate would it go ahead?
*Member: Living adjacent to the site would like to keep the open countryside and not be overlooked.
JD: All residents have the right to oppose the development.
*Member: Summing up, said that the Partnership was not in a position to say what the result of opinions would be.
As Ms Jill Davis and Mr Mike Redshaw left the meeting they were thanked for their attendance.
Cllr Williams left the meeting and Cllr Blakey re-joined to the meeting.
3. Police PC Cockburn sent the following report:–
Parkhill 0 Crime; Cassop 0 Crime; Bowburn 2 Burglary (other) - Garage broken into in Burn Street where ladders
were taken; Garden shed broken into in Burn Street where tools taken, 4 Theft - Pedal cycle from garden in David
Terrace; Building materials from Taylor Wimpey site; Wheelie bin from Jones Court; Plant pots and bird feeder from
garden in Dallymore Drive: 2 Damage - Cars in Prince Charles Avenue - 1 arrested and Charged; Fence in Durham
Road: 1 Bilking - Vehicle at Bowburn Filling Station filled up with Fuel and made off without paying.
4. Masterplan Updates – Project Leaders:
i)Highways sub-group: A consultation process will be arranged to construct a possible reversing point at the top of
the Old Quarrington road.
At this meeting a resident in that area was informed that the local councillor would be arranging the consultation.
The bus lane scheme, Transit 15, is subject to a Traffic Regulation Order but the group realise that it is likely to go
ahead if the comment of a minute of time saved on this section of the road is not taken into account.
The consultation process about the speed calming measures on Tail-upon-End Lane is waiting for plans from the
Highways department. The group will monitor the effect on Grangepark Crescent, as traffic may take the C12a to
avoid the speed restrictions.
It was agreed to comment on the Western Relief Road/Business Link as part of the consultation process for the
draft County Durham Plan.
Cycle/Walkway – ideas are being sought to overcome the problem of greater crested newts. The Wheels to Work
section to Bowburn North Industrial Estate is unable to come through the park because CISWO, the owners, are
against a designated route for cycles on their land.
The second Speedwatch Unit has been delivered to Durham but has yet to be stored in Sedgefield.
ii) Parkhill: Residents overlooking the footpath to the park are all in favour of the footpath apart from 1.
There is no residents’ meeting in August.
iii) Community Centre: The Sub Group have agreed the following actions:-
Updated information for the Fitting Estimates of the servery, Millennium Decorators, and Roof Quotations will be
discussed at the next meeting
iv) Youth Centre: The young people were meeting today to plan the improvements to the back garden area.
The Fun Day is on 24 September from 10am till 4pm; ideas are being discussed with Lisa Bennison.
v) Environment: Julie is on leave and there are no updates for the lighting schemes agreed at the last meeting.
At this meeting it was asked if dog bins could be installed on the quarry road from Old Quarrington.
2Cllr Blakey reminded members that there is a problem getting a wagon along the path to empty the bins. A member
questioned whether agreement could be reached with the Quarry owners to use the quarry road for this purpose.
vi) Park Project: Minutes from Julie Anson.
Levelling works have been completed and the container has been removed.
The Group expressed that they would like to see the additional Dog Bins and Litter Bins ordered.
JA would be putting out the tender for the new outdoor gym equipment.
It was agreed to ask B Alderson to attend the next meeting to advise about signs and dogs on the football pitch.
Bowburn Youth FC would like to purchase 4 x benches to install along the Junior Pitch area outside of the fence for
parents and spectators.
At this meeting it was said that
Snagging works have started on the additional drainage channel to be sited at the rear of Broadmeadows, and the
gate has been straightened and can now be locked.
T Collins is to come to a meeting concerning the park cottage.
It was pointed out that the school fence was damaged between the school and park, and there are holes in the
footpath from the park to the Junior School.
vii) Regeneration:
a) Fund: Nothing to report.
b) Working Group: No questions.
c) Walkabout/Housing Issues: The poor weather has delayed the resurfacing of the road in Prince Charles Avenue.
There has been flooding in Philip Avenue. Northumbrian Water suspect that the old drains need repairing.
viii) East Durham Rural Corridor AAP:
Dawn Watson, community development officer for East Durham Rural Corridor AAP, introduced herself.
The following are the key messages from the Forum held on 6 July 2011 at Trimdon Station Community Centre.
Tim Morton, Engage Associates, the Independent Tenant Advisor who has been appointed by the Council to carry
out the consultation on the Stock Option Appraisal gave a presentation on the potential options for future ownership,
finance and management of Council housing across the county.
J Bellis updated the Board on progress to date in relation to project development and partnership working around
the 2011/2012 priorities
The Board endorsed the following projects currently being developed through the Joint Priorities Steering Group:-
Darlington Sport in the Community > Stray Aid
East Durham Play and Community Network - Play Rangers >Job Clubs
Youth Workers > Netpark
Recipients of the Small Grants Pot funding had been invited to attend and celebrate in the success of their
contributions to the community and receive a ‘big cheque’ from the AAP Chair. Photographs were taken.
Round table discussions took place on the benefit to communities from Small Grants allocations and other AAP
related money, Health Check Clinics with Lifestyle Advice and Changes to the Urgent and Emergency Care services
to be offered by One Life in Hartlepool.
There was a drama performance ‘The Last Act’ from Sedgefield Players Youth Section, who received funding from
the AAP Small Grants Pot.
The next Board meeting is in Bowburn Community Centre on Wednesday 7 September from 5pm to 7pm.
ix) Future Plans for the Partnership: See Trustees’ minutes.
5.Minutes:
(i) AGM: Members gave approval to the draft minutes for the AGM on 17 May 2011.
(ii) Minutes of General meeting, 21 June 2011, were approved as a true record and agreed by members.
Matter Arising:
>3 (ix): There was an error in the email address and the request did not reach Cllr Ian Thompson so Janet will
contact him again. (Janet)
The next phase of homes on the Cape site is deferred until the crossing point is put in place. (Cllr Blakey)
The computer training course will be in Bowburn Community Centre. Enrolment is on Tuesday 13 September from
6pm to 7pm; start Date Monday 26 September from 6.30pm to 8.30pm; the course is for eight weeks.
>Item 12 AOB – Horses may come from the Bowburn area but needs to be checked. Reminder – PC Williams deals
with horses. (Janet, Cllr JB)
Rubbish bin at Hare & Greyhound bus stand to Durham – again councillor will check if this is possible. (Cllr JB)
Atkinson’s paper shop – opening date has fallen through.
6. Trustees meeting 5 July 2011: The Open Space Plan: Consider a bio-diversity area and other ideas to protect
open spaces from housing - suggestions were asked from all members. (Action All)
3It was agreed to submit a recommendation to the consultation that the Business Link road around Bowburn was
necessary and that Bowburn was the only settlement en route to Teeside with an arterial road driving through it.
It was agreed to enquire if the Partnership could become a Neighbourhood Forum.
7. Correspondence: > Community Awards 8. Items of Any Other Business: Coxhoe Leisure Centre, Transit 15, > County Durham Sport Partnership Awards Scheme.
Anaerobic Digester
9. Treasurer’s Report:
> Finances: Income: £99.00 from the quiz.
Expenditure: £34.00 to Bowburn Community Centre for room hire.
> Raffle prize: S Sudder won the prize donated by B Bates.
> Winners of the ‘Wedding Fever’ quiz: First S Walworth, Second, S Mawson, Third S Raine.
10. Reports and matters arising:
i) Parish Council: The next meeting is on Wednesday 20 July at 7pm in Cassop community centre.
ii) The County Durham Plan: No updates this month.
iii) Quarry: Suggestions were taken to the planning meeting on 12 July to utilise Council land to extend an
alternative footpath for the quarry so that the path next to the new working area could be avoided for safety
reasons; elected members have asked for a meeting with council officers and residents.
11. Group Noticeboard: Please contact the representatives after the meeting if you have any questions.
> Banner: The Gala Concert was well supported and the Ohio Band enjoyed their visit to Bowburn. Gala Day was
also a success, except for one complaint from a resident on Millford Way who had just come off night-shift.
At this meeting a member passed on a query as to why an American band had been chosen.
It was said that the people in the band are fabulous people who come from a mining area and offered to play for
free – whereas it would have cost a minimum of £1000 for a local band.
>BVC: The September Interchange is being prepared. Please contact M Syer to contribute to the paper.
>Church: No report.
It was agreed to remove this item from the agenda - as the Church now no longer makes contributions.
>Football Teams: Bowburn Cooperage Football Club (G Hutchinson) – now called Bowburn FC is once again
supported by Halcyon which is much appreciated. Tonight is their second friendly - they won the first game. The
club have applied for Bowburn field; G Hutchinson looks to have been accepted onto the league management
committee, and some new players from Bowburn Youth have joined the club.
Bowburn Youth (M Ridley, D Paget) – The young footballers have finished in 3rd and 4th position in their various
leagues. The re-opening ceremony of the football field accompanied by the Ohio band was a huge success and
thanks to the local community for their support. The trophy donated by Cllrs Williams and Blakey was won by
Bowburn on goal difference over Coxhoe. The club hopes to display the engraved trophy in the Community Centre.
>History (M Bell): The meeting was cancelled. The next meeting is on Thursday 21 July.
>Website: (G Hutchinson) www.bowburn.net has had problems and unfortunately the forum could not be saved
so a new one has been set up. Please join - it is easy to register. As everyone will see the website is still
growing but we need your news, birthdays and more. There will be more changes coming soon to show what
people want, and more live news - let us know on bowburnnews@aol.com Please support your village.
12. Any Other Business:
>Coxhoe Leisure Centre: Hopefully the centre will keep open. Although County Council officers had originally
recommended that the Community bid to run the Centre be rejected, they had now changed their minds in view of
new developments – Coxhoe Partnership is working with Coxhoe Parish Council to enable the Leisure Centre to be
a working concern. The Council has now resolved to continue with the bid.
>Transit 15 a member did not think either scheme on the A177 represented value for money; in view of the saving
for buses being only 1 minute; the loss of trees; and the inconvenience caused. It was thought that the Tree Officer
should provide a report on the state of the trees, particularly the lime trees at the University. However if Councillors
did decide to adopt these schemes, there seemed to be no point in opposing the proposed TROs.
>Anaerobic Digester – A representative from Quarrington Farm would like to update the Partnership on the next
stage of the Digester by sending information to the secretary or attending a meeting to pass on the information.
The chair said that either method would be acceptable.
413. Date and Time of Next Meetings: 16 August 2011 at 6.30pm in Bowburn Community Centre.
Meeting dates for 2011: 20 Sep, 18 Oct, 15 Nov, 20 Dec
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