Following verbal remarks
made by several residents of Netherton and Allotment Holders on the Westwood
Allotments the Association thought it wise to draw the attention of the
Peterborough City Council Planning Department to the activities on The
Grange building site (Planning Application ) which were causing concern as
there appeared to be activities outside the planning approval conditions and
some conditions which were not being implemented.
A Member of Netherton
Neighbourhood Association and two staff of the Peterborough City Council
Planning Department met on and toured The Grange building site, Netherton
Football Club area and the Westwood Allotment area of The Grange to bring
attention to several emerging possible problems and difficulties which have
arisen on the Site since the contractors took over the site and commenced
operational activity.
The tour started on Ledbury
Road when the following items were pointed out:-
A culvert which was filled
in circa 1965 and ground which rises up to the Childrens ? Playing field
Residents were suffering
from deposits of dirt and dust from day one of the site opening.
Morris Homes operatives had
worked both Bank Holiday when, it was understood, that they were not allowed
to unless they had approval of PCC.
Extra hours have been
worked from time to time.
Attention was drawn to
exploratory holes which had been dug in the Football Car Park in an attempt
to record the water flow direction.
Entered the Westwood Grange
Allotments and examined a dug hole which showed water flowing toward Portman
Close and away from Mayors Walk which was contrary to flow expectation and
it was suggested that this may be a critical activity which must be
investigated and solved.
Several constructed
concrete manholes were prominent by several feet above ground level which
produced a suggestion that the site levels may be in error and which may
also produce a raising of foundations and ultimately houses as well as being
several feet higher than the children's playground, allotments, football
club house and car park.
The showhouse which had
reached two courses of brick above concrete block footings was very
disturbing as again, there is a suggestion that site levels may not be
accurate.
Ms McSherry verbally
confirmed that all soak aways would be within the housing site boundary.
Ms McSherry also said that
the plan showed one what? In the car park behind Isham Road. These
were to be designed by PCC and approved by Anglian Water
There was an opinion
expressed that these ? were being designed by Morris Homes.
It was understood that PCC
cannot enter the football club car park although Morris Homes can.
Ms McSherry was understood
to say that the football club car park, the football pitch and children's
play area, road through The Grange and football club car park, would be a
Morris Homes contract although there was a positive earlier opinion that
these area would be an entirely different contract possibly let by the
Netherton Football Club.
Previous correspondence and
a planning approval condition contained a change in car parking numbers in
the football club car to 101 spaces from and earlier figure of 84. It is
very doubtful that this condition can be maintained when, as NNA understands
the approval condition also contained an area of island landscaping in the
car park centre when it was now being said that buses would be allowed to
park on the car park thereby reducing, very considerably, the previously
approved 101 car park spaces. A weekly count of football spectator and/or
family cars is on average 140 with 80 parked on the grass, and a remainder
of 20/30 on Portman Close, Ledbury, Mayors Walk.
Ms. McSherry said that
surface water from the football pitch (presently under re-construction)
would enter the housing soak aways.
On several other football
pitches in the Town restriction had been placed upon the numbers of people
who could attend training sessions because spectator noise is more of a
problem to nearby residents than floodlighting and the question was asked
how many spectators are allowed at Netherton and/or is there any rule
imposed upon Netherton.
A firm statement was made
that if it was the intention of either the contractor or PCC extending their
construction or access activity outside the erected perimeter fence and
encroaching onto Westwood Allotment land a legal application must be made to
the Secretary of State (As was the case on the existing building site)
Attention was drawn to an
existing and stinking manhole/sewer on Plot 8 of the Allotments which was
not shown on the site drawing or Ordnance Survey. It was suggested that
this sewer, allegedly, not in the ownership of Anglian Water or PCC would be
the subject of great difficulty when the site opened and occupied. Gulper
Tankers were operational over the Christmas weeks either cleaning or pumping
water under pressure through this sewer.
It was reported Anglia
Water had claimed that site ground is 'contaminated' although it is not
known what with which suggests that household water supply must be separated
from this contamination.
It is understood that Fire
Hydrants to be placed on site will not meet the standard expected by
Appendix 5 of the National Guidance Document. Question was asked what will
this mean - will the water force be less than is or should be expected and
if this is so will householders and will the services be able to prevent and
or defend homes from fire.
6 May 2011
LETTER SENT TO PLANNING SERVICES RE: MORRIS HOMES
Head of Planning Services
Stuart House East Wing
St. John's Street
Peterborough
PE1 5DD
3 November
2010
Dear Mr.
Machin,
For the
attention of Miss A. McSherry Case Officer
Planning Application 10/00493/REM Land south of
Atherstone Avenue and Portman Close, West of Grange Road and North of
Mayor's Walk (part of The Grange/Mayor's Walk Allotments) Peterborough
Application for approval of access, appearance,
landscaping, layout, scale and construction of 156 dwellings.
Thank you for the opportunity to make observations
upon the above revised details submitted by
Morris
Homes.
Netherton residents are concerned that the proposed
structural elevations of approximately 30/40 houses are a change from the
original design. The revised drawing suggest a radical change in materials
and visual appearance of the proposed houses. It is assumed that these
houses are to be those within the 'affordable housing' section of the
site. The revisions list also provides information of a change in layout
in the north east corner of the site.
Peterborough City Council and residents are aware
house prices fell for the fourth consecutive month in October as buyers
continue to stay away from the market and the average home now costs about
£156,200.out of which a builder has to make a profit and it appears that
this may be the reason for the detrimental changes in elevation. Further
price falls are inevitable and are likely to continue well into 2011.
These changes will impact disastrously upon the visual aspect Netherton
currently enjoys and will have a negative effect upon house prices in
Portman Close and surrounding areas.
In these
circumstances residents recommend Officers not to approve or accept these
elevation revisions which appear to them to be based solely upon building
costs and a lessening of architectural merit.
Yours sincerely
Eric Dent, Secretary.
9 June
THE
GRANGE
10/00493/REM
Planning Application (Reserved Matters) for approval of access, appearance,
landscaping, layout, scale and construction of 156 dwellings at land south
of Atherstone Ave and Portman Close, west of Grange Road and north of
Mayor's Walk (Part of Mayor's Walk Allotments) Peterborough
Netherton Neighbourhood Association offer (without prejudice) the below
comments which may help you in writing your own comments to the City
Planning Officers either at Planning Services. Stuart House East Wing, St.
John's Street, PE1 5DD or at
planningcontrol@peterborough.gov.uk. Full references must be
quoted on all correspondence. Attention of Miss A. McSherry and/or Mrs. V.
Nutter.
Public
consultation letters dated 3 June 2010 (Thursday) arrived on 9th
June 2010 (Wednesday) with a closing date 24 June 2010 for comments.
COMMENTS
This
site was the subject of an outline planning application in 2008 for the
erection of 177 houses and flats. The current proposal is for approval to
component parts, mentioned above, with a lesser number of properties, 156,
containing 30% affordable homes.
The
proposed development is too intensive for the site.
The
development is out of character with the established style and general
pattern of the 1930 and 1960 existing residential development in the
immediate locality to the detriment of the character and appearance of the
area.
The two
storey houses immediately to the south of Portman Close would provide a
dominant adverse overbearing relationship to the rear of the existing
bungalows due to their size and close proximity.
The
first floor rear facing windows of those properties on the north perimeter
line of the proposed development would allow overlooking into the rear
gardens of close by bungalows and the bungalows themselves.
The
site is contained by two roads, Westfield Road and Mayor's Walk. Both
these roads are heavily trafficked and are feeder roads into and out of town
as well as frequent bus routes (every 10 minutes).
The
access in Westfield Road
is off an existing roundabout, near to a petrol filling station, and may be
the cause of road traffic accidents.
The
boundary fence proposed at 2.2m is of sufficient height but there may ensue
difficulties of maintenance and ownership.
There
may be a loss of sunlight and daylight entering gardens. There will be a
loss of garden privacy.
The
construction of the properties would be detrimental to the amenities of the
occupiers of the Close by residential properties by way of noise, dust,
smells, fumes, vibration and grit.
The
proposal is considered to be an over development of the site.
Regardless of previous Consultants Reports and statements by experts there
is a continuing persistent opinion of abutting and adjacent residents that
the land area to be built on is now subject to the sporadic surface water
flooding and if and when the ground is disturbed for building the flooding
incidence will become more positive and increase. It is suggested that a
more comprehensive survey is undertaken prior to building works to convince
residents that all steps have been taken and, if found necessary, a
comprehensive pattern of drainage is installed.
Concern
is also expressed regarding access to the construction site and the effect
upon local residents and traffic both in Mayor's Walk and Westfield Road and
the footpath entrance at Wilton Drive/Portman Close.
NNA
9th June 2010.
5 June
There is a Meeting in Town Hall on 15 June at 1.30 pm regarding planning
application for 156 houses on part of Westwood Grange Allotments. All residents are
invited to attend the meeting; your support would be most welcome. Mr Drewnicky is going to speak. If
you wish to make comments about
Planning Application 10/00493/REM (see below) please
contact
Planning Officer, Miss A McSherry, tel no 453410. Closing date is 23
June.
4 June 2010
Planning Application 10/00493/REM Application for approval of access
appearance landscaping, layout, scale and construction of 156 dwellings at
land South of Atherstone Ave. and Portman Close. West of Grange Rd. and
North of Mayor's Walk (part of Mayor's Walk Allotments) Peterborough.
Notice
of the above planning application was received this morning 4th
June residents have until 23rd June to make representations.
This
application relates to housing on The Grange the AWP has been resolved and
building work is expected to commence in the near future.
Our
next meeting is not until 12th July so the date has passed the
time for submission of comments.
I
suggest to you that NNA Committee have to make a few decisions:-
You
will recall that the outline application was approved some months ago but it
seems to me that several sections or parts of the application may have
changed following our, and other residents, comments and objections.
You may
recall that a public open meeting arranged by NNA was held and the City
Council, at our request, brought along consultants and experts to answer
allotments all residents questions. This was a successful meeting and
whilst it may not have pleased everyone it was an important far reaching
event.
I urge
all members to visit Bayard Place and view the plans – otherwise those who
do not see the plans will not, in my opinion, be able to help and/or assist
in the formation of comments or objections, if, NNA decides to take that
path.
I need
to know soonest what you wish to do as I may have to book rooms or the hall
at Thorpe School and there is not much time to a. hold a meeting, b. prepare
and write comments/objections.
Eric B
Dent
4th
June 2010
8 February 2010
We
have received an email from
www.vegetableseeds.net who say that our members may be interested in
their website.
VegetableSeeds.net. For best value vegetable seeds. 10% discount for
association members. Use coupon code [AD677].
We're a supplier
of vegetable seeds to allotment associations. All sales are through our site
at www.vegetableseeds.net.
We have over 400 varieties on the site (including
organic and flower seeds), and all orders are shipped next working day. We
operate an SSL server, and are an accredited ISIS site (Internet Shopping Is
Safe).
13 January
We understand that
the land has been sold. Also that Prince Build and their equipment
have been digging holes (testing drainage) on the Grange Playing fields
between the main football pitch and a second hole at Ledbury Road.
Another company called Ennerity have also been digging holes to test
drainage.
11 January 2010
I have had a
letter dated 5th January 2010 from Planning yesterday morning. Four
pages long. Telling NNA that the Planning Application 07/01946/OUT has
after careful consideration to all consultations and representations
received, the provisions of the development plan, and Government advice, the
Council have given outline permission for this application Residential
Development at Land South of Atherstone Avenue and Portman Close, West of
Grange Road and North of Mayor's Walk (part of Mayor's Walk Allotments).
27 November 2009
Peterborough City Council
is to hold a Public Open Meeting on Wednesday,
2nd December, 2009 in the Main Hall of Thorpe Primary School at
6.30pm. Netherton
Neighbourhood Association understands that the spirit and intention of this
meeting is to hold a forum where under residents may air their views,
opinions and ask detailed questions on matters which concern them.
15 November 2009
Read NNA's
comments regarding:
Regarding
applications 1 & 2. These applications refer to revisions of the area of
original approved outline application for housing on The Grange (July 2008)
in relation to the Application No 3 where under changes have had to be made
to the boundary line of the residential area to accommodate additional land
needed for the extended proposed improved children play area and car parking
at the rear of the changing rooms and pavilion. This will result in a
reduction of the proposed number of houses on the original residential site
(177 then 173) unless, the City Council again revise their out line plan
07/01946/OUT to include further allotment sites.
NNA has
viewed the application and plans 09/01186/FUL and read the accompanying
reports and documentation.
Residents
who abut, front or live near by to the site and believe they may be affected
are recommended to visit Bayard Place at the times and days stated in their
letter and read themselves into the application and accompanying plans,
reports and other documentation and speak with the duty Planning Officer
In précis
the proposal is for a 3G All Weather Pitch which will be floodlit and
comprise an All Weather Pitch flood lit pitch measuring 100x64m surrounded
by a 4.5 metre high fence. Lighting will be 14m high with a downward
deflection. There are 6 other grass pitches of various sizes.
Car
parking will be for 84 vehicles. There will be car parking lighting with a
combination of poles and low level bollards.
The City
Council has initiated three detailed Reports from professional consultants
on 1. Flood Water. 2, Noise. 3. Lighting. There is not report on the
possible effects of car movements and car parking. All three Reports
contain no adverse effect on the surrounding areas. Residents are
recommended to read these Reports.
Contained
within this application is a much improved 1980 sq m. Children Play Area.
Access to
the site will be from Ledbury Road/Portman Close and perhaps later from the
access road proposed to be built when the full residential planning
application is before the Council. There will be a temporary access from
Mayors Walk until improvements are made in this area.
A 2m high
Acoustic Fence is to be constructed at the rear of several properties to the
West and two properties to the East of the Mayors Walk access. There will
be an access at this point to the Allotments site.
The
changing rooms are to be extended
It is
proposed that there will be opportunities for 16/17 years old who work on
a Saturday to play midweek.
There
will be increases in changing facilities with two further changing rooms and
an extension to the existing block.
The AWP
will be available to other Clubs and Educational Establishments
Several
other organisations already have approached Netherton Football Club to use
the proposed AWP.
No
football will be played after 10pm
(2200hours)
Details
of Landscaping proposals to be agreed by Condition.
NNA has
asked City Planning Department to arrange a public open meeting whereat
residents will be able to ask any questions that they wish
NNA at
their meeting on 9th November discussed the applications at
length and agreed in principal to accept what PCC and the FA intended to
provide subject to a detailed question and answer session to assuage any
doubts and problems raised by residents on
NOISE
pollution
FLOOD
LIGHTING
FLOODING
both surface and foul
CAR
PARKING standard provisions and control/movement of vehicles at cup tie
It has
been reported that land/drainage surveyors were on The Grange Site this
afternoon taking bore samples to determine whether the football pitches area
would be able to take the use of playing and whether surface water would or
could be successfully drained away.
There
appears to be confusion on the dates that comments should be submitted NNA
has received assurance that all comments, objections, will be considered
even if they arrive after the closing date.
This
information is supplied as an act of courtesy and upon the understanding
that no liability whatsoever is placed upon Netherton Neighbourhood
Association
1 May 2009
I have heard is
that the Surveyor working on The Grange is surveying for the All Weather
Pitch.
19 February 2009
As you know the City Council have given themselves outline planning
permission for some of the Allotment Site and have placed an advert in the
local paper offering the land for sale by closed tender.
As you also know a complaint was raised with the Local Government Ombudsman
regarding the methods and procedures used by the City Council to obtain that
permission and the Ombudsman replied to our complaint saying that there was
no activity which warranted any action. Following protracted research
the Ombudsman has been written a very careful but well crafted letter
suggesting that he may have been wrong in his earlier decision.
Surprisingly the Ombudsman replied within days, instead of weeks, saying
that ‘I note that you are unhappy with the
decision reached on your complaint against Peterborough City Council and I
am writing to let you know that the complaint file will be reviewed’
So it appears the all may not be lost and we await the result of his review.
2 February 2009
I have received a
letter from GOEast confirming the Secretary of State's decision on the
Westwood Grange Allotments. Read letter:
GOEast letter
dated 29 January 2009.
I have also
received a copy of the Secretary of State's decision on appropriation and
disposal of allotment land. Read letter:
Disposal of allotment land.
24 January 2009
The Westwood Grange Allotments
As you will, no doubt, have either read in the ET or have been engaged in
local gossip that the City Council have advertised twice in the ET seeking
tenders from developers for purchase of part of The Grange Allotment Site
with outline planning permission for housing.
As you also know this land is part of the Westwood Grange Allotment site
which has been the prolonged subject of consultation and negotiation by
Netherton Neighbourhood Association, Westwood Grange Allotment Association
and Peterborough City Council eventually resulting in an approval of change
of use of this land from statutory allotment land to land which can be used
for housing or other ancillary purposes.
The current situation, as NNA understands it, is that under the Allotments
Act 1925 Section 8 the Secretary of State (Go East) has not given approval
to the change of land use from allotments to housing of the whole area of
the proposed sale and that there still remains on file some September 2008
unanswered letters to Peterborough City Council, Go East and the Local
Government Ombudsman regarding the administration procedures and the
legality involved in this activity.
NNA and WGAA are also aware that two parcels of the land proposed for sale
may not have been totally cleared of restrictions. The first area of land,
on the Eastern boundary is, so far as we understand, still at the public
consultation stage and is under Planning Policies DPD Site SA 10624 and SA
10625. The second is that the children’s playing field to the East of the
site was the subject of a supplementary request by Peterborough City Council
and an add on to their original application for change of use which has
never been approved by the Secretary of State (Go East). Nor, as NNA
understands was this land part of the planning application
In these circumstances we ask you to keep a watchful open eye on what is
happening on The Grange and we also sincerely hope that prospective
purchasers will look very carefully at the documents contained in the
Information Pack and if what we think may be true any sale will fall through
and, hopefully, not go ahead.
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