Development of the former Henderson Filter Treatment Works

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Residents Concerns

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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.

Update

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. The proposed planning application drawings which are outlined in the Throckley Residents Update Issue4 can be found in the related documents section below.

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

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Residents Concerns

Following verbal concerns raised to TRAG members, TRAG have circulated a questionnaire to local residents asking for comments regarding the proposed development. The following comments, in no particular order, have been received. If you would like to make your views know, please complete the questionnaire, which can be found on this page and return this to a member of TRAG as soon as possible. Thank you.

• The style of the houses is not in keeping with the area
• The height of the flats means there is potential for an overbearing impact on the houses opposite and alongside
• The buttresses should be removed and the houses built at ground level
• The access is narrow, there is no provision for a footpath
• From the artists impression, it appears that the design is targeted to young families and young professionals, being fashion critical, would they chose to buy a home built on top of an existing water treatment works?
• Concern over the suggestion that the site is contaminated due to the chemicals used in the water treatment process
• With a build of circa 75 homes, presuming 2 cars per family, there is a potential for 150 cars to be using only one entrance, this access needs to be safe for pedestrians and cars
• Concern over the devaluation of properties opposite the site
• Has a noise and air quality assessment been undertaken?
• There is little open space and little room for parking, the houses are too crowded
• Will the trees be protected, on the artists impression there are more trees, and how will these be planted as the buttresses are solid concrete?
• Has a flood risk assessment been undertaken?
• In the mixed community of housing who will manage the social housing?
• What percentage of homes are affordable and how much will they cost?
• Would prefer the style of North Court Farm – at least the built will fit into existing recently built houses
• Who are these houses aimed at, who is the target buyers?
• In view of the credit crunch – will these houses be sold
• Will these houses be sold to landlords and will ‘for sale’ and ‘to let’ signs dominate the area
• Would the builders and designers want to live in one of these houses
• Builders shouldn’t push through an inappropriate build under an eco-friendly umbrella
• Contemporary build is not what Throckley needs
• No flats in Throckley are over 3 stories, including underground garage space
• The buttresses should be lowered, landscaped and terraced

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Related Documents

• Proposed Planning Application Drawings

  • 1. Original view toward Throckley Village
  • 2. Revised view toward Throckley Village
  • 3. Proposed location of flats on Hexham Road
  • 4. Revised location of flats to rear of site
  • 5. 5 storey cross section impact
  • 6. View up opp Vallum House
  • 7. Revised location of flats nearby school

• Correspondence

  • 27/05/2008 - Email received from Geoff Woodcock, Esh Group
  • 23/04/2008 - Email received from Geoff Woodcock, Esh Group
  • 23/04/2008 - Email sent to Geoff Woodcock, Esh Group
  • 17/04/2008 - Email sent to Matthew Stafford, Fairhurst
  • 14/04/2008 - Letter received from Matthew Stafford, Fairhurst
  • 27/03/2008 - Email received from Mike Collins, English Heritage
  • 27/03/2008 - Email received from Mike Collins, English Heritage
  • 27/03/2008 - Email received from Paul Hancock, Newcastle City Council

• Other

  • Residents Petition
  • TRAG Questionnaire

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Photography

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