About TRAG

A meeting was held by local residents on 13 March, 2008 at Throckley Community Hall to discuss the impact of the proposed development by Northumbrian Water and Esh Group of the former Henderson Filter Treatment Works at Hexham Road, Throckley.

Throckley Residents Action Group was formed by volunteers at the meeting to take forward the views and concerns of local residents.

Our Current Focus

The proposed development of the former Henderson Filter Treatment Works

Fairhurst, Consulting, Structural and Civil Engineers (on behalf of Esh Group) notified Throckley residents, by letter, of a public consultation event concerning the development, which was being held in Throckley Primary School on Wednesday 13 February 2008.  Unfortunately they failed to send letters to all of the residents who were most directly affected by the development.  This included residents in Hexham Road who live opposite the site.   There has been no satisfactory explanation as to why this occurred, although they have apologised and stated that it was a mistake.

Some, but by no means all, of the affected residents did manage to attend the meeting on 13 February to make their views known, especially their concerns about the mistake that had been made.  As a consequence Fairhurst agreed to attend another meeting with residents.  A venue, Throckley Community Centre, was obtained by residents and a meeting arranged for 13 March 2008.

On 10 March, three days before the meeting, a letter was received from Fairhurst, stating that they would not be attending the meeting.  Amongst the reasons given was that given you attended the exhibition it is not considered appropriate to meet again without extending the same opportunity to other residents.  .meeting with you may only leave us open to further suggestions that we are consulting .on a selective basis.  This was despite the fact that Fairhurst were aware that extensive leafleting had taken place (by Throckley residents), to inform householders of the meeting.  As a result many of those who had not received the original consultation letter, or had been unable to attend the meeting on 13 February, would have attended.  Apparently, the preferred approach of Fairhurst is now to speak to residents individually rather than to attend meetings.

In Fairhursts letter of 10 March 2008 they state that the reason for this is to enable them (the residents) to express an opinion.  If anyone does express opinion we are going to have to take the word of Fairhurst as to what it was. Hardly an objective approach and their statements can hardly be given any credence bearing in mind the mistake that they made and their subsequent actions.

Our main concern is that the aim of Fairhurst appears to be to push through their development proposals with little or no genuine consultation.  This opposition is not directed at the development of the Filter Treatment Works as such, but rather at the nature of the development itself.

Latest Position

TRAG have obtained over 200 signatures of local residents who are opposed to the style of the development as detailed in the pre application plans currently in circulation.

TRAG (on behalf of local residents) is currently in communication with the following:

• Fairhurst
• Esh Group
• English Heritage
• Paul Hancock, Newcastle City Council, Planning and Transportation
• Fiona Hall MEP - supportive of TRAG actions
• Ron Beadle - Newcastle North Parliamentary Spokesperson - supportive of TRAG actions
• Councillor Linda Wright - supportive of TRAG actions
• Councillor Mike Lynch - supportive of TRAG actions
• UNESCO - is aware of our campaign

TRAG expect Esh Group to submit the planning application during the last week of April 2008.  When the application is received by Newcastle City Council (NCC) local residents will enter into a three week consultation process.   NCC will write to residents asking for their views of the development.

During May TRAG have met with Geoff Woodcock of ESH Group and positive dialogue has taken place. ESH Group has taken some residents concerns into consideration and has made changes to the proposed plans. See Proposed planning application drawings as outlined in the Throckley Residents Update Issue 4

TRAG will, once planning application has been submitted, hold a meeting of all local residents to discuss their views and concerns and agree the actions which they wish TRAG to take forward on their behalf.

1st August 2008 update - to date ESH have not submitted a planning application

Development of Prospect House, Hexham Road

Having received negative comments from residents following Mr Dillon's planning application submission TRAG wish to retract the statement that local residents are fully supportive of the proposal to build town houses and flats opposite Dillon’s Fish Shop on Hexham Road (Prospect House). See Prospect House development plan on our Application Page.

Local residents have given negative comments to Throckley Residents Action Group. Whilst some residents may consider the style of this build to be in keeping with the environment, issues have been raised, which are detailed on the Residents Concerns page.

Limited details are on Newcastle City Council’s website - accessible through ‘planning’ application reference 2008/0752/01/DE - and further details, when available, will be posted on the TRAG4U website.

Good news - Prospect House planning permission has been refused.

The application is was to be presented to Development Control Committee on Friday (20 June 2008). However, it was recommended that planning permission be refused for the proposal. A copy of the Development Control Committee Report dated 20 June 2008 can be found on the Correspondence Page.

Residents Concerns

If you have any concerns or views you wish to raise on this or any other issue please contact a member of TRAG or complete the form on the Contact Us page and a member of the Action Group will contact you.

Petition and questionnaire

Please support TRAG by printing and signing the petition and/or completing the questionnaire (found on the Residents Concerns page) and return to any member of TRAG.   The Residents Concerns page also lists the comments TRAG have received to date.

Drove Road Neighbourhood Watch Scheme

Throckley residents met in Throckley Bank Top Club on Wednesday 11th June 2008 and raised concerns regarding home security and traffic related problems in and around Throckley village. A special welcome was given to Councillor Linda Wright, Alastair Grant our Community Support Officer and Dorothy Dobson from TRAG. Everyone agreed that this was a very useful start to make Throckley a better and safer place in which to live. A further meeting will take place in early September. A report by Idwal John, Drove Road Neighbourhood Watch Scheme Co-ordinator can be found in our Correspondence Page.