|
Longfield Road 20mph Scheme |
|
Written by Mark Burton
|
|
Thursday, 08 April 2010 |
 I have today received the initial outcome of the recent consultation with residents with regards to the proposed 20mph scheme.
Whilst the consultation has shown a majority in favour of the scheme, there have been a significant number of objections and the council have therefore decided to review the scheme to see if it best fits the defined scheme outcomes and the views of the residents.
Various options have been considered and it is hoped that a more suitable scheme will be produced, taking residents views and concerns in to account, by week commencing 26th April 2010.
If there are significant changes to the scheme, residents will be consulted once more.
|
|
|
Digging at Drinkfield Marsh |
|
Written by Mark Burton
|
|
Wednesday, 07 April 2010 |
 An application has been submitted to regularise the current position of operation of works at 630 Whessoe Road. The descendants of the Blair estate, who now own the land, have submitted the application. Council Officers assures me, that this application is not related to the Shepherd situation in any way.
Currently the Council have no control over the operation of the land until the outcome of the enforcement action, by way of Public Enquiry, to be held on 27th April 2010. The reason this application is being considered is to potentially apply control to the situation by the imposition of planning conditions, should permission be granted.
The council have no powers to evict Mr Shepherd - this is a matter that is being pursued by the site owners separately. It is the intention of the applicant to remove Shepherd from the site and operate the site themselves, within the terms of this permission, should it be granted. This will allow the Council much more control in seeking to protect the amenity and minimise the effect of the development on nearby residents, in terms of noise and nuisance, times of operation and landscaping of the site. It is also intended to control the duration of the permission to tip at the site and to secure a completion of operations within a set time limit.
It is intended that the application for planning permission will be presented to a special meeting of the planning application committee before the inquiry date, which is on the 27th April.
There are two options that residents, who have been adversely affected by the operations at 630 Whessoe Road, may wish to consider; firstly to reject the application completely and secondly to seek to impose conditions within the application.
Should planning permission be granted, in any case, residents should be seeking to impose these types of control; a planning statement setting out the full details of the operation, a contamination report, which may result in further required action to any contaminated land, a noise assessment report relating to the future activities, a transport statement, an hours of operation condition, a dust action plan, a layout plan showing skip storage areas, any proposals for lighting, any special requirements to protect long term future of nature reserve, a flood risk assessment, clear finished levels throughout the site, including landscaping and means of enclosure. This is, of course, not a comprehensive list.
A residents meeting with Dave Coates, Principal Planning Officer, to discuss the planning application is to be held this Thursday 8th April 6.30pm. If you would like further details of this meeting, please email me at
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
or text 07770771877 as soon as possible and I will replay those details to you. Sadly, I'm unable to attend this meeting due to work commitments.
|
|
|
Written by Mark Burton
|
|
Wednesday, 07 April 2010 |
 Police & Communities Working Together (PACT) meetings
Harrowgate Hill’s new Community Support Officers, Mark Alexander-Smith and Christopher Smith (pictured) have been quick to get and about ‘on the beat’ to meet local residents on their patch and would like to invite you along to their PACT meetings.
PACT meetings will be taking place from 6.00pm at The Gateway Club on Salters Lane every four weeks
PACT Meeting Schedule dates
07/04/2010
05/05/2010
02/06/2010
30/06/2010
28/07/2010
25/08/2010
NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING
Use your postcode to get access to local news and events from your Neighbourhood Policing Team, at http://www.durham.police.uk/local |
|
Last Updated ( Thursday, 08 April 2010 )
|
|
|
Written by Mark Burton
|
|
Thursday, 01 April 2010 |
 Weighing up the options for disabled people, a bus pass or a travel voucher?
The Bus Pass
Eligible people, who live within the Borough of Darlington are entitled to a National Bus Pass that enables them to travel for free on local bus services anywhere in England between 9.30 am and 11pm, Monday to Friday, and all day at weekends and bank holidays. For Darlington residents the scheme is enhanced by Darlington Borough Council to enable free travel at any time of day within the Borough.
The Taxi Voucher
Taxi Vouchers are a discretionary element of the National Concessionary Travel Scheme, and are funded by the Council. Eligible residents are offered the choice between the taxi vouchers or a bus pass. Taxi vouchers are an alternative for those who cannot use conventional public transport. The Council could not afford to offer both concessions to all eligible residents.
The problem
If you’re eligible for a bus pass you can choose between that or a £50 taxi voucher, but if you're eligible and disabled, where you cannot use the conventional bus network, there is no choice but to opt for the £50 voucher.
The current average "benefit" a bus pass holder receives in Darlington is £168.82 (based on projected costs of free bus travel/current number of pass holders).
The current cost of a return trip by bus from Harrowgate Farm to the Memorial Hospital is £2.70 whilst the current cost of a return trip by taxi from Harrowgate Farm to the Memorial Hospital is £10.50 (approximate cost based on tariff 1 0600 to 2300) or £6 by Ring a Ride.
I believe we should be offering a better deal for disabled eligible people, who are unable to use the conventional bus network and I would like to see this discussed at Scrutiny where a recommendation could be made to Cabinet to provide a fairer, better service to eligible people who are disabled to a degree where they are unable to use public transport.
|
|
Last Updated ( Thursday, 01 April 2010 )
|
|
|
Petition for the improvement of the lane leading to Bensham Park from Bensham Road |
|
Written by Mark Burton
|
|
Tuesday, 30 March 2010 |
 One hundred and two residents have so far signed the petition for the improvement of the lane leading to Bensham Park from Bensham Road.
The lane, which leads from Bensham Road to Bensham Park, is in dire need of some form of improvement. At most times of the year this pathway is wet, full of mud and potholes that form large puddles.
The condition of this pathway deters potential visiting families form making the most of this park and it’s play equipment.
Improving this pathway will enhance the area and aid families as well as young children, elderly and disabled people, allowing much better access for all, especially when the park its self is going to be improved with an investment of a further £30k in play equipment.
Petitioners request Darlington Borough Council to use monies received for the provision of open space enhancement to improve and enhance the lane leading to Bensham Park from Bensham Road.
|
|
|
|
<< Start < Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next > End >>
|
| Results 28 - 36 of 383 |
13°C 