Back Lane West - Fly Tipping

South Terrace's most vigilant resident reports a serious incident of fly tipping overnight in the back lane west here at the terrace.

We have contacted StreetScene and asked them to remove the items and investigate the matter.

Residents with children should for the time being keep them from the back lane.

Persimmon Planning Permission

For those who do not visit the South Terrace Residents Facebook group, here is notification that Persimmon Homes have lodged their Planning Application notification for 82 homes on the Feethams Village site. 

This would replace the existing permission for 146 homes. 

This proposal is clearly preferable, being a 56% reduction in building work and commensurate reduction in traffic into Feethams South. 

To see the traffic impact figures click to this link , and hit the first list dated 20/01/14 to 26/01/14'. The application no is 13/01038/FUL and was received on 22.01.14. It is listed on the second page.

I have responded on behalf of the South Terrace Residents Group with this link. 

The new long road to......

Just as the light was fading, the last wagon of tarmac was tipped and rolled, and the metal barriers were drawn across the new Feethams road.

Esh, true to their word and design, have completed the twin towers and the road sub-surface on time. The final road finish will have to wait until building is under way. Next week will see the completion of work at the entrance, and the contractors arriving to fence the ground.

Whilst we were promised a riverside 'walkway',(as on the plans), apparently insufficient land dealt its death knell. Was this an error, or an intentional mistake? For my part, I would have relished a new riverside walk to the village and especially the removal of the concrete section wall. Also, I am told that the council's plans to open up the river at Victoria roundabout is now almost certainly doomed due to lack of funding. So much for a river stroll from Tubwell Row to South Park.

The new road and pavement profile at the twin towers seems to present an opportunity to increase on-street parking. We should insist on being consulted before a final decision is taken in this regard. As I understand your views, we would seek more residents' parking rather than a few more 'free' spaces.

For those who do not follow events on our South Terrace Facebook page, here are the updating photographs.

Persimmon - the new Feethams Village

Stephanie and I have endeavoured to speak to as many of you as has been possible, given the short consultation time scale (to 13 December). I am pleased to report that your overwhelming view of Persimmon's proposals is favourable.

Some residents would have favoured a further reduction in the number of homes to be built, but everyone consulted was in clear agreement that the current reduction from 146 to 82 homes was a move in the right direction.

It seems that you are happier with the prospect of 'homes with an executive feel', considering these more appropriate for the site. You also favoured Persimmon's move to mirror existing development and the chance to give the site a 'more mature feel'.

Some concerns have been expressed with regard to parking for the new residents and their visitors. I have been asked to check this with Persimmon to ensure that adequate provision is made within the development. You have observed that parking on the access road, or within South Terrace is out of the question.

There have been a few concerns raised about egress from Feethams South to Victoria Road. Traffic leaving the Victoria Road roundabout travels uphill (west) at such speed as to make getting out a very difficult task. This is an issue for Darlington Council Highways, and we shall be pursing it with them. 

It has been suggested that the development could be given a new name, that of 'Feethams Village'. Whilst we have not consulted on this, it may provide a greater sense of belonging to the new community. Do have your say on this!

I have reproduced below the reply sent on your behalf to Persimmon. Should there be anyone - not hitherto consulted - who has a different view, you may wish to contact Persimmon directly so that your voice is heard.

View from the air in 1961

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To Persimmon Homes

On behalf of the South Terrace Residents Group (100% of the residents of the terrace and Pease Cottages) can I thank you for your informative information sheet and invitation to 'Have your Say' concerning the new proposals.

We have consulted within the group as widely as we were able, given the time scales, and I am pleased to report that your proposals for the site meet with general approval from members.

The group recognises that this site is suitable for high quality residential development.
The transition to a reduced number of homes 'with an executive feel' is welcomed as more appropriate for this site.

The group welcomes the decision to mirror existing local development, giving the site a mature feel.

The group believes the plan to preserve the possibility of alternative access options (to Grange Road and Victoria Embankment) is wise, should these be needed in the future.

We were concerned that sufficient parking will be available for new residents and their visitors within the site. Clearly parking on the access road or in South Terrace will be out of the question. Perhaps you can reassure us that adequate provision has been calculated? 

Tom Wilkinson, Assistant Engineer at Lumsden & Carroll Civil Engineering for Esh Developments has sent us regular email updates, which we have posted on our residents' Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/groups/southterrace/
and on occasions on our blog
http://southterrace.blogspot.co.uk/
May we invite you to do the same? 

Feel free to contact me should you wish to meet with the residents here, or to raise any particular topic associated with the development.
Stephen Twist

End of Year Round-Up - and the Year Ahead

The South Terrace Residents blog has now been up and running for 11 months (starting on Sunday 10 February 2013). In this time we have tackled a number of issues close to your hearts: including crime, scams and SmartWater with the Darlington Neighbourhood Police team, Sainsburys development, the Esh housing scheme on the football ground, the new Terrace Hill cinema complex at Feethams North, parking in South Terrace, the Big Spring Clean 2013, South Terrace garden Spring and Summer competitions, departing residents and new arrivals, the demolition of the Feethams twin towers, and of course the important publication by South Terrace's own writer, Karl Bone.

I sense that 2014 is going to be a challenging year for us on the terrace. Esh have handled their part of the Feethams housing development with a degree of sensitivity - especially with the frequent updates on our South Terrace Facebook page, but will the same be true for Persimmon? How will Darlington Council respond to the development of 82 new dwellings on the Feethams estate? Will we get the Victoria Road pedestrian crossing point we have been seeking? Is the council going to address the parking issues we have raised?

With care and collaboration, South Terrace residents could be the beneficiaries of the recent and proposed changes. But to achieve this, our voice must be heard, and that voice should be a united one. We need to keep our group active, informed and involved.

I propose that we arrange a meeting early in 2014 to prepare an agenda for the year. Pending this, think about what you would like to see happen during the year, and what you most wish to avoid. This way, we can exercise a level of influence over the decisions that will or may most affect us.

Persimmon seek a revision of planning for Feethams

Persimmon propose 82 new homes, to include a 4 storey apartment building providing 12 flats overlooking the cricket field. They describe the proposals as carrying 'an executive feel'. You will recall that the previous planning permission was for 146 homes. Take a look at the attached information sheets, and note the deadline for comments is Thursday 13 December!

Anyone wanting to make representations may do so direct to tees.consultation@persimmonhomes.com, by post to the address in the leaflet, or via comment here or on our South Terrace Residents Facebook Group page.

Big Spring Clean 2014

Photo of  South Terrace residents participating in the Big Spring Clean 2013 

Message from Councillor Gerald Lee

Good morning everyone,

A date for your diaries.

LitterFreeDurham are planning the next Big Spring Clean for April 7th 2014 so hunt out your litter sticks, dust off the cob webs and apply a little oil......

As always thank you for supporting the Big Spring Clean. It seems that more people turn out every year to clean up their communities and until people stop dropping litter, the work will have to go on - even more so with the cutbacks of council services.

We did well in 2013, lots of school children turned out and I do feel that once someone has actually been around the streets to actually pick litter it stays with them and the likelihood that they drop the stuff reduces. We also managed to talk to over 1500 young people from 5 yrs old to 16 in school stressing the consequences to wildlife, the environment and to the pocket of dropping litter. I feel that education is so important for young people. If we are ever to change attitudes then we must start with the children when they are young and the anti-litter message should be given as part of the school curriculum as well as the Central Government supporting the actions.

If you can open the door to a school near you to allow me to talk to the children/students I will be pleased to do so even before the BSC starts.

To those of you who may have had people say that they are against voluntary litter picking as they pay Council Tax for the Council to do the work you could remind them that in 2007 in England alone we spent £584million and this figure has been increasing annually to over £1BILLION last year. Councils have been doing their best and unless we accept an an increase in Council Tax or a reduction in Front Line services to pay for the councils to spend even more time cleaning our roads then we either help them or we sit back and let the litter pile up........    

 I would be grateful if you could pass this 'e' mail onto any group or individual who you feel may be interested in taking part in the BSC as the more the merrier.

So than you once again for your support. We will be sending out the 'package' sometime in the New Year.

As Christmas is fast approaching, I wish you a Very Happy Christmas and a Joyful, Healthy New Year.

Best Wishes

Gerald

Going, going, gone....Feethams Twin Towers

We all knew that the Twin Towers were doomed. Paul's last posting from Esh Developments told us that they would go this week, and they did. The moment was both sad and spectacular as the hydraulic arm of the digger embraced the first tower. It fell with a thud and a cloud of dust, bringing to an end 100 years of football architecture here in Darlington's South Terrace.

Residents have expressed mixed views. Some regarded them with affection, reminiscent of the days when life was simpler and strings of dedicated football fans queued at the turnstiles. Others regarded them as ugly and outdated. Certainly, the working days of the Twin Towers had passed - without football to draw the crowds, and most certainly with the strictures of health and safety to condemn them. 

Perhaps both groups will find solace in the fact that they are to be re-built in an 'as yet' secret location nearby.

Feethams - Latest Update

Paul's latest  2 weekly update for the Feethams Developments;-

·         With the completion of the cricket season the final stages of the football stand (Tin Shed) demolition  can commencing this week and should be complete by the end of the week.

·         The importation of the recycled granular materials to raise & level of the existing ground is still ongoing which we hope to have complete by the middle of next week.

·         The old concrete & timber benches along the north & east side of the pitch have now been removed and work on the new access road  has started, with the area being excavated ready for the new road construction.

·         The existing concrete coping pillars on top of the turnstile entrance are to removed later this week in preparation for the demolishing work commencing next week. These are to be retained and if in a suitable condition they are to be reused on the new walls that are to be installed at the site entrance.

                The next 2 week the following works are scheduled to start:-

·         The turnstile & scored board demolition.

·         Construction of the new access road will continue.

·         Once all the recycled granular material has been imported to site. The existing concrete posts and rail around the east side of the cricket pitch are to be removed to allow for the installation of a new timber fencing & ball stop mesh.

Please note the footpath in front of the existing turnstiles entrance gates (see attached sketch) will be closed from  the beginning of this week as works at the site entrance start to commence (copping pillar removal) and is to remain in place during  the turnstile demolition, installation of foundations & new access walls, drainage and the new access road entrance.

Regards

Paul Nicholson

Senior Site Engineer

Lumsden & Carroll Civil Engineering

Esh House, Bowburn North Industrial Estate, Bowburn, Durham, DH6 5PF

T: (0191) 3774500 M: 07971 981268 F: (0191) 3774501

Public Consultation on Residents Parking Zones

There are currently 15 residents parking zones in Darlington, stretching from Pierremont in the north west, Beechwood Ave / Green Park in the south west, Skerne Park in the north east, and Bank Top in the south east.

We at South Terrace and Pease Cottages are Residents Zone D. We are unique in Darlington as the smallest zone, and the only zone comprising one undivided street. Our's is the most sensitive area for parking, nestling on the edge of the town centre, being the closest to the Town Hall, the Market Square - and of course, the proposed Feethams North cinema complex development and Beaumont Street commercial area.

Your representatives from nos 6 and 8 attended the meeting tonight (23 September) to pass on your concerns arising from our own residents parking survey and discussions, held earlier this year. From that, the principal issues were that commuters enter the terrace after 8.00 am and stay until 5.30 pm for free parking. This puts pressure on the residents bays, and eliminates any chance of our visitors and tradespeople parking on the terrace. We said that we want more residents' spaces, and better control over the non-resident spaces.

We sense that the message was understood by Owen Wilson, Principal Policy Officer and his team. It remains to be seen what action, if any, will follow. 

If you have any further thoughts on the issue of parking, post your views here, or let either me or Stephanie know about them - and we will pass them on to the council.

Square Peg in a Round Hole

How could the South Terrace blogger resist the opportunity to announce the latest publication from the terrace's top author, Karl Bone.

Out this week as a Kindle download (or if you have no Kindle, to download to your computer using the free App) we have Karl's unique take on managing life's mysteries in a down-to-earth way.

Karl's 'Square Peg in a Round Hole' does not attempt to change the shape of the peg - or the hole - but gives interesting insight into the fact that 'shape' is not the problem. Sharing his experience and his personal philosophy of life, Karl brings a resounding common sense to living a life in situations that do not quite fit.

This is what Karl says by introduction. Download it here.

I have written this book for those who have never really felt comfortable with the image they portray to the world—for those who have felt deep down that there was a big hole which nothing could fill. It’s not a book for those looking to achieve successful career outcomes, or for those who wish to roll about in gold and diamonds with princes and princesses. And it’s certainly not for those who seek spiritual powers or Zen-like indifference. This book does not attempt to give explicit directions for a defined path. In fact, I urge the reader to follow their own path. I do not discuss any philosophies in great depth, except when they are needed to explain something which conventional language cannot describe.
This is an autobiography of an ordinary, everyday person from a moderately dysfunctional family that I’m sure many people can easily identify with. There are no journeys to ashrams in the East, no living in caves or anything at all exotic—just the usual work, hobbies and hassles of everyday living, which include a method of how to live in harmony with these routines and with yourself.
If you feel like you don’t fit somehow, that you were meant for something more, or that you’re acting out a part in some huge play that doesn’t really reveal who you are, then this is written for you. If religion leaves you cold and uncomfortable—so much so that God seems like an odd fairy tale—then this might help.
I started writing because I realised that most of the books I’ve read contain plots driven by fictional characters. These books are useful as metaphors and parables, but the stories come across as too neat and tidy. Other books chronicle the journeys of seekers who visit gurus that live on cave floors in remote places. None of these books seem to capture the ordinary, everyday person who might just be stuck in a rut, so I decided to write about the only seeker that I knew with any intimacy, and that was me.
I hope you enjoy the book; I thank you for your custom. I wish you well on whatever path you are following and hope this meagre writing might be a tiny, guiding light on your journey.

Paul's Posts from Esh

Please find below the first of the 2 weekly updates for the Feethams Development:-

·         We have start on site (W/C 26^th August 2013) with the first week involving setting up the site compound and installing the security fencing around the site including along Polam Lane and starting the vegetation strip across the site.

·         The vegetation over half  the development has been striped and currently recycled granular materials are being imported (from a supplier with Darlington - Stan Robinson Ltd) to site. This is  to raise & level off the existing ground ready for the housing construction phase. Due to the large quantity of granular material required the wagons will be leading the material in to site until the end of next week.

·         The old concrete & timber benches along the north side of the cricket pitch are being removed at a request by the cricket club with the timber being recycled by the club for log burners.

·         Trial holes alone the side of the new access road (similar route to the existing) have been dug to locate any existing service that may have supplied the football ground and prove if the are live or abandoned prior to starting the new road construction.

·         The old concrete & timber benches & paving flags along the river side of the cricket pitch are being removed this week, with the timber being recycled by the cricket club and any concrete waste removed from site and reused as recycled hard core

·         The next 2 weeks the following should be starting:-

·         Next week the demolition contractor will be attending site to start preparing the area for removal of the stand (Tin Shed) at the end of the cricket season (Week Ending 22^nd September 2013).

·         Construction of new access road will begin (area under the old timber benches along the river side of the cricket pitch) which will involve reducing the existing ground level to the required formation before importing granular fill to stone up the road.

·         Following the end of the cricket season the demolition works will commence in full which will see the football stand, the cricket score board & the old turnstiles removed.

Regards

Paul Nicholson

Senior Site Engineer

Lumsden & Carroll Civil Engineering

Esh House, Bowburn North Industrial Estate, Bowburn, Durham, DH6 5PF

T: (0191) 3774500 M: 07971 981268 F: (0191) 3774501

September update on the terrace

New residents
We welcome our new residents to numbers 3 and 21. Congratulations on your choice of homes at no 3 and no 21. We hope you will be very happy here at South Terrace. Can we encourage you to sign up for the South Terrace Facebook group - it is a great way to get to know others here, and to keep abreast of the news that affects our community. Note, South Terrace has its own Neighbourhood Watch group. At present, all households on the terrace are represented and you will automatically be included.


Parking
There has been a yawning silence from Traffic Management at Darlington Borough Council following our enquiry concerning residents' parking. Here is a copy of our letter dated 15 July 2013:

"Over the past six months, the residents have been engaged in discussions concerning parking in South Terrace. 

Currently there are 30 parking spaces on South Terrace, of which 19 are designated for residents permit parking - 5 at the east end of the terrace, 6 in the middle section, and 8 at the west side. This leaves 4 non-resident spaces on the east side of the terrace, and 7 in the middle section. 

Two issues have been detected. 
First, with 24 households and 8 cottages, and a number of households having more than one permit, there are insufficient residents parking spaces for the number of permits issued. Residents who now pay £40.00 per year to park in the vicinity of their home should be entitled to be able to access a parking space.
Second, substantial numbers of non-residents attend each morning to take non-resident spaces that have been vacated by residents. These spaces are then occupied for the rest of the working day, to the exclusion of both residents and their visitors.
The South Terrace Residents Group has formulated a solution.

Resident parking designation
Whilst residents want to keep some non-resident spaces on the terrace for non-resident parking, we request that the seven non-resident spaces in the centre of the terrace is reduced to four; and all four of the non-resident spaces opposite nos 1-7 are to be made residents permit only. 

Yellow line restrictions
Residents would wish that the yellow lines on the west side of the terrace opposite nos 9-10 should be reduced, to give another one or two extra parking spaces there, and on the east side of the terrace opposite nos 1-7 to give one extra space there. We are aware of the council's concerns about parking within certain distances of junctions, but the local wisdom is that this should not be a problem here. 

The net effect of changes:
Without yellow line alteration - to increase the permit spaces to 26, leaving 4 non-resident spaces in the centre of the terrace. 
With yellow line alteration - to increase the permit spaces to 28 or 29, leaving 4 non-resident spaces in the centre of the terrace".

It is unfortunate that Traffic Management has not even acknowledged our concerns. If no response is received before the end of the month, I will take the issue up with Councillor Harman. In the meantime, if you are free, do go along on Monday 23 September, 5 pm at the Dolphin Centre - Public consultation on Parking Strategy focusing on Residents Parking Zones. They definitely need feedback from us about the shortfalls of our South Terrace Zone D.

Esh Development and the Cricket Club
Residents will have noticed that Feethams South to the Twin Towers has been measured and marked. The plan is to alter the approach to the new road that will skirt the cricket pitch. I propose to invite Paul Nicholson, Senior Site Engineer employed by Lumsden & Carroll, Civil Engineering to Esh Developments, to post news updates on the blog, or the South Terrace Facebook page. 

Additionally, although no planning application has yet been posted, we understand that the Cricket Club is proposing to implement some development at the club building. If you have any news on this, let us know by posting here on the blog, on Facebook, or by email.

Feethams Twin Towers

Today they still stand - as did their late sisters at Wembley - but within a fortnight they too may be gone.

For those residents who have been following this blog, you will know that Esh Developments allegedly sold the old Feethams ground to Persimmon Homes. This may not now be the case due to legal wrangles. Our insider sleuth reports that Esh diggers are to arrive this week, and will set about the removal of the twin towers at the entrance to Darlington Cricket Club, making way for a football field of new houses and flats.




We understand that the first stage of development will involve fencing the cricket field and putting in a new access road.









No further planning application has been made, so whether Esh, or Persimmon, or both - it seems that the original plans are to go ahead.

This brings to an abrupt end the hopes of many sportsmen that the Feethams Football ground could be saved for a sporting purpose, or even the return of the Quakers.

Enjoy the photographs, and the peace and quiet whilst they last!

Photo by Stephen, sunflower seed by courtesy of Ken's bird table at no 7

Keeping up appearances

No, for a change, this is not a pretentious posting about the beauty of South Terrace, and certainly not a critical one - at least in relation to our residents. In fact, to the contrary, it demonstrates just how functional we residents are in caring for both the terrace and our environment.

Those who frequently use the back lane will have noticed a surprising development. It arises from the combined endeavours of residents at numbers 24, 22 and 8. Up to the beginning of the month we had substantial puddles in the lane as rain water failed to drain away. Following Dot's lead, Amanda and Stephen set about clearing the drains down the centre of the lane, and hey presto, we have averted the floods. Well done to all who participated. Perhaps we should be put on Darlington Street Scene's payroll?

Councillor Paul Harman and I have continued to tackle the litter on Victoria Road. Fortunately, our residents of South Terrace are constantly vigilant concerning litter on the terrace, which is now a rarity. Those stroll to town or make their way to Sainsburys have been seen to litter-pick as they go.  But Victoria Road is quite another matter, comprising the town's ring road, and attracting a major problem of littering.

Paul Harman returned with his gloves to the waste ground next to the monumental mason near the Skerne bridge. It is owned by the council and Paul is seeking a regular clearing of this area. I also took my Darlington Council 'litter picker' and black sack to clear the Victoria Road side of the bank. Forty minutes later, I had recovered two bags of cans, bottles and packaging. Today, I noticed that it was impossible to tell that the task had been undertaken.

Perhaps now is the time that the fast-food retailers should be surcharged to deal with the problem. There seem to be few incentives for Sainsburys and the food outlets in Victoria Road to restrict, or otherwise take responsibility for litter that comes from eating and drinking in the street. I believe that Paul is to raise this in the Council Chamber. Your views on the subject would be helpful.

The topic of parking is never far from our agenda here on the terrace. As you will have read from earlier postings, our minor difficulties are greatly exacerbated by the mid-week incomers who seek to avoid paying for parking in the town's car parks. On 17 July I received an acknowledgement from Paul Boyle, Customer Services Advisor, who passed our concerns to Traffic Management for investigation. Maybe that department is suffering from a 'rush hour' crush of work, but we are yet to receive a contact. I shall be pursuing this next month.

Finally, we note that Adelle has a buyer for no 3. With all of her work on the property, it was just a matter of time for the sale. Congratulations to her, and we hope her move is successful. We also understand that no 21 has at last been let. This follows Terry's sad death in February, whilst travelling. When the new residents arrive, make sure to tell them about the residents' group, the blog and our Facebook page.

South Terrace Summer Bloom

Our last major competition, 'Famous Gardens of South Terrace' which took place in February, anticipated a hot, blooming summer to come. And so here it is. With it, our latest competition - this time to be decided on your votes.

The South Terrace panel of 'impartial' selectors has made a preliminary and perhaps controversial choice, partly because the chair of the selector' s camera ran out of battery before reaching no 1. But we hope you approve of the preliminary shots to whet your appetite.

Residents are invited to make their own 'tour of the terrace' - after all, it doesn't take long, does it!...and select your favourite garden. For the first three winners, there will be prizes!

Let Stephanie or me know about your selection, and the reasons for your choice.

above - no 12 Craig and Carla enter a wild garden. Our shot omits the rugby ball which adds a 'sportyness' and extra colour

no 13 John and Pauline's hydrangea and glorious hanging baskets set the bar 'high'.

The panel were so impressed with John and Pauline's hanging baskets, that we took another shot

above - no 15 Carolyne and Dave showing off their pot plants and geraniums.

above - no 14 Joanne and Ben's 'town and country' cottage garden

above - no 16 Margaret's adorable garden is bright as a button

above - no 17 Harry and Heather show vibrant scarlet Fuchsia and roses

no 19 Yvonne's hanging basket brings fragrance to the door

above - no 20 Gary's roses cascade colour onto the terrace

no 23 Lorraine's garden, enjoying a well-earned afternoon shading. I think there may be a champagne cork lurking there somewhere?

above - no 24 Dot's garden, with flowers throughout the year, is again a picture.

above - no 6 Karen and John boast the biggest lavender bush on the terrace

above - no 7 Neat beauty - Ken's garden is a hidden delight

finally - no 5 taken as the camera battery expired - Les and Joan add fun and art to gardening

Darlington Neighbourhood Watch Association

South Terrace group invites members to 'like' the Darlington Neighbourhood Watch Association Facebook page. Encourage those who work for us!









We also congratulate Jim Allen, who is chair of Darlington NHW Association as the runner-up in the Community Advocacy category of the National Neighbourhood Watch awards. The awards, presented last month, were hosted by the Minister for Crime Prevention and Anti Social Behaviour, Rt.Hon. Jeremy Browne MP. 

The ceremony provided a national platform to showcase excellent examples of best practice. and the diverse nature of work carried out by volunteers. Jim was presented with a framed certificate, which marks his achievements.