'Feethams fate' - Esh Group and Persimmon Homes

'Please help save Feethams' Facebook group has broken the news that Esh Group, the owners of Feethams have sold the site on to Persimmon Homes. It is yet to be confirmed, and the blogger has been unable to speak to those 'in the know'.

But they are reporting that Persimmon will be launching a new planning application for executive homes on the old Feethams Football site, rather than the mixture of housing previously envisaged.

The original plan was for a mixture of housing, including flats that would have overlooked the cricket field. It is possible that this plan may change, whether in the hands of Esh, Persimmon or other developers. After all, the profitability of the development will come from both the nature and number of homes permitted.

Clearly, the South Terrace Residents' Group interest to support and save Darlington Cricket Club is now met. Whatever may be the fate of the site, the cricket club has been paid in full under the option for purchase that was exercised some months ago. Now, the simple question is about corporate profit for the developers.

Undoubtedly, Darlington needs new development, and modern housing stock. The site cannot remain as it is - derelict and unused.  Should the previous development plans be changed? How do you feel about executive homes on the site?

Back in February, we covered the story of the sale of the site to Esh. At that stage, the future seemed unremarkable. Since then, we have faced the prospect of serious flooding of Feethams football field, and questions as to whether the development proposals are seriously flawed. Darlo Uncovered is yet to cover the story - is this a prelude to the return of football to Feethams? Should it be returned to sporting use?

Since the Esh plans were passed, proposals for the southern side of the town centre have changed dramatically. We now look forward to the new Feethams North leisure development on the far side of Victoria Road. Is the time ripe for a root and branch review of the fate of the former football ground.

This topic is of such importance for the South Terrrace Residents' Group, that we must air our views, or face the prospect of being disregarded. What do you think?

Contribute below, or on our Facebook Group - or simply send me an email with your thoughts.

Bin day at South Terrace

New wheeled bins out for the first time - all in a straight row....but one seems a bit different!.......

Well done in remembering.

South Terrace selected in top five for 'Support a Watch' project

Congratulations, South Terrace!

The national Neighbourhood Watch Scheme has selected its top five schemes for the 'Support a Watch' programme, and ours is one of them.

South Terrace, with our 33 residents, competed with the large, civic and metropolitan Neighbourhood Watch schemes around the country - and found itself along side Bristol, Bedfordshire and London as a chosen project.

The distinction of our bid was the way in which we are using social networking to create and maintain a cohesive neighbourhood community - one that is inclusive without being intrusive - and that can offer other schemes advice and support in the use of social networks such as Facebook, Twitter and News blogs.

That is why it is important to maintain our momentum as a Scheme trail blazer. If you have not joined our Facebook group, why not? You can set up an account simply and with privacy. Should you seek confidentiality, having opened your Facebook account - simply:

•  click the 'padlock' button - top right,
•  click the first two boxes marked 'privacy shortcuts';
• set them to 'only me' in the 1st box, and 'strict filtering' in the 2nd.

Do share the link to our scheme, and watch these pages for its future progress.

Here is the full version of our bid -

South Terrace Neighbourhood Watch

South Terrace Neighbourhood Watch, Darlington, started in January 2013, is leading the way in scheme coordination by social media. They have 100% membership across the 33 homes on South Terrace, and communicate with members via their Facebook group, blog and email.

The use of Facebook means that messages can be sent to residents and picked up in ‘real time’, which has enabled the police to circulate effective crime warnings. At the same time this method respects the privacy of people who do not want to share their email address.

The Darlington Terrace scheme’s blog, started in February 2013, enables the scheme to reach members who do not use Facebook (including older residents in a local sheltered housing complex) as well as allowing for more in-depth discussion of events and issues. It has worked very effectively and received over 1,100 hits in four months. This has led to better communication between local residents who may not wish to share their personal details with each other.

Why do they need your support?

They aim to forge an even stronger partnership and improved communication with the Neighbourhood Policing Team, using a variety of social networking methods, particularly Twitter. They would also like to have more interaction with other Neighbourhood Watch groups in the local area and beyond, and use the internet and social networks to reach younger people and minority groups and to develop an inclusive scheme that could serve as a national model of good practice.

They need some help to develop their present work with social media. They would like someone with expertise in this area to assist them to evaluate their work so far and expand it further to include Twitter and to provide a template for other Watch groups across England and Wales who may see this as a good way forward for the future.

What do they need?

• Funding for or guidance from a ‘Social Media Management Consultant’ or similar, to support them in setting up, operating and extending social media communications for the South Terrace scheme.
• Feedback from and discussions with other schemes that have used social networking to their advantage.
• Evaluation of the initiative at the end of the pilot phase.
• Promotion of their social media ‘template’ to give other schemes the opportunity to learn from their good practice.

Contact

If you are able to help, please contact Stephen Twist on 01325 480954 or by email.

How alarming!

Darlington Business Services at 78 Victoria Road do it again. Alarm sounding this evening, just as it did at 3.30 am. It rings for us, but clearly not for them. Why not phone in, or email your complaint to the council?

Use the link    http://www.darlington.gov.uk/Environment/Pollution/noise.htm

• Your name, address in South Terrace and telephone number - this will be kept in strictest confidence.
• The address is 78 Victoria Road, Darlington, DL15JG
• The type of noise: Intruder alarm sounding at front and rear of premises.
• When and for how long the noise occurs: 4 June 2013, 3.30 am and again at 8.00 pm, sounding for about 30 minutes
• The way the noise affects you: unable to sleep
• Anything you have done to try and deal with the problem: site is unattended commercial premises.