Run for life - the need for a safe crossing

Our last post considered the fraught history of the topic of a safe crossing point at Barker and Stonehouse, Victoria Road.

On Saturday 3 October 2015 a group of local residents set up shop at the crossing to speak to pedestrians. The initiative was in answer to a flawed survey conducted on behalf of Persimmon.

The result was astonishing. In the course of two and a half hours - from 11.15 am to 1.45 pm - 232 individuals signed up to the petition calling for Darlington Council Planning Committee to reject Persimmon's application and to ensure a safe crossing point as was originally promised.

Following on from this, residents launched the new Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/VictoriaRoadCrossing/. This has gone viral. With a total reach in just over 24 hours of 1,501, 88 page 'likes', 599 post clicks, 31 comments, and 8 shares, the page has received universal approval and support. Amanda Llewellyn's post alone had a reach of 210 visitors.

What will the Planning Committee make of this? We understand that they may meet as early as next week. Will they permit a removal of the condition? If they do, how will you feel about it? In the absence of a proper crossing point, how can residents and visitors be kept safe at this crossing point?

Reaching across the Skerne - conservation

Tonight Stephanie and I met with the Victoria Embankment Conservation Area group - making a unique moment when two communities connected by one asset came together.

Our mutual interest is, of course, the River Skerne, and more particularly, its banks.

Darlington has 16 conservation areas, of which Victoria Embankment is one of the more recent, being created in 2007. The character appraisal makes fascinating reading, describing a journey of architecture from the 1890's through to present times.

When Esh Development first applied for planning permission on Feethams Football site, they promised to retain a wild-life corridor to the west side of the Skerne. This was an area historically protected by the east boundary of Darlington Cricket Club. The concept was to form a river-side walkway alongside the new access road.

Our recent survey of the river bank indicates that this idea has either been abandoned or alternatively given very little priority. Whilst the unsightly cracked concrete wall was removed, galvanised fences took its place where the walkway was supposed to pass, and behind, the development has impacted on the line of trees and river bank edge.

Together with the Victoria Embankment group, we propose to make a difference. I have volunteered on your behalf to join a joint residents steering committee (the Kingfisher group) to examine the options available to us as residents to protect and enhance the west bank, to spare it further environmental encroachment, and to ensure that the riverside character and tree-line is preserved.

Do get in touch with Stephanie or me if you have any ideas or thoughts about the riverside.

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. 

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.

Feethams Football Ground: episode 2

Luxury homes plans for former Darlington FC ground

By Joe Willis, Regional Chief Reporter

HOMES PLAN: Luxury homes could be built on the former home of Darlington FC.

From the Northern Echo

LUXURY homes rather than small apartments could be built on the site of a former football stadium following a change of ownership.

The Esh Group was expected to start work shortly on 146 homes at Feethams, the former home of Darlington FC.

However, Persimmon Homes Teesside has confirmed that it is in the process of buying the site.

The previous plans included 56 homes ranging from two to four-bedroom houses, 38 one and two-bedroomed apartments and 52 retirement apartments, also one or two bedrooms.

But Persimmon said it would apply for planning permission for a luxury housing development.

Neil Foster, managing director of Persimmon Homes Teesside, which incorporates Charles Church, said: “Feethams was the home of Darlington FC for a number of years. However the site is actually owned by Esh Group who have an existing planning permission to build 146 homes.

“We are currently negotiating to buy the site from Esh and we hope to submit a planning application later this year with a view to building luxury Charles Church homes.”

Darlington Council said any new plans would have to include some affordable housing.

A spokeswoman said there was no obligation within the local planning framework that dictated the size and number of houses that should be built on the land.

“We are anticipating a revised application from whoever purchases the site from the Esh Group. Any new developer will have their own ideas on how the site is developed, but this will have to include affordable homes.”However, she added: “Any new planning application will need to demonstrate how it meets housing needs including affordable housing.

A campaign has been launched by Quakers fans to return football to Feethams.

News of the sale of the site and further delays before building work will start has prompted calls for the campaign to be stepped up.

One fan on the Save Feethams Facebook page said: “All Darlo FC fans need to get on board the save Feethams bus, make it known that the residents and sports fans of the town want Feethams as a sports hub and not a housing development.”

'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.