Crossgate Village

Notes of meeting held on 26th June 2006
7.30 p.m. at Waddington Street Church Hall

Durham City Visioning Exercise

Tracey Ingle (Durham City Council) provided an outline of the outcomes.
The plans have yet to be approved by the Council. Following this there will be further public consultation.
The North Road area could be improved.
There is a need for more cultural diversity, especially things to do for young people.
Small independent retailers distinctive to Durham City can be encouraged.
Resources to implement the plan will be needed, and it will be important to work in partnership with other organisations, and with the community.
Land owners (e.g. Network Rail, Waitrose) need to be assured that Durham is worth investing in.
The 'necklace park' concept is important, whereby various sites next to the River Wear can be improved for public access with more use made of the potential of the river.
Events can be organised in order to strengthen the initiatives that will result from the Vision.
Tracey will be willing to attend another Village meeting during the next round of public consultation to hear our views.
There was a wide-ranging discussion, and among the points covered were:
The issues surrounding our aim of achieving a more balanced community.
The University has now drafted a Development Plan, which will need to be integrated with the new Planning Framework and the Vision.
The sensitive Elvet Waterside site (old swimming baths, etc) - a mixed-use development is planned, but exact details are confidential at present. Consultation with Elvet Residents is ongoing.
A parcel of land in Milburngate next to the bus stops may be developed as purpose-built student accommodation with shops as well.
The City Council will look beyond financial gain and will give priority to the long-term benefit for the City, including the landscape, architecture, public facilities, etc.
Extensions to the riverbank walkways are planned (e.g. on the East side under Framwellgate Bridge).
The Vision includes a strategy for walking and pedestrianisation (e.g. improving the gateways to the city).
Crossgate Village plans for open spaces linked by better public paths and facilities (e.g. seating areas) are being supported by the City Council.
Several thousand pounds have been allocated in the budget to implement our suggestions, and Grenville Holland will follow this up.
Councillors each have £2,000 to spend each year. They are open to suggestions, but we need to know which of our ideas are already going to be provided.
There is still a lot of concern that routine maintenance of the area (street repairs, waste collection) is below standard. These will need to be put right in order to make the area more attractive to a wider range of people. (in order to encourage a balanced community).

Proposed Community Centre for Neville’s Cross

Desmond provided feedback on the exhibition that was held in St John’s Church.
Andrea showed us detailed plans of the proposals.
The extent of interest in the idea is being established at present.
The location could be a problem, as it is at the far end of Merryoaks estate.
Car use might be encouraged.
Part of a basketball court will be lost.
This could be a good facility for people in that part of Durham.
Other initiatives might also go ahead in the future (e.g. community facilities at the new Durham Johnston School).


Crossgate Community Partnership

We now have a Constitution that has been signed by six people who are now the Interim Management Committee.
Their main task is to organise an AGM, at which the Constitution can be approved by the wider community, and Officers and a Committee can be appointed.
The AGM is likely to be in October.
Nominations will be welcome from anybody who qualifies as a member.
It is intended that we retain the use of the name Crossgate Village when referring to our organisation, although the formal name is Crossgate Community Partnership.

Fun Day

Stephen described how the Fun Day held in Peskies Park on June 10th had been a great success.
This was the third event in the park, and it celebrated our achievements.
Over 200 burgers were consumed at the barbecue.
The event lasted for three hours, and involved families with children, students, and other local residents.
Families who hadn’t used the park for a long time were attracted back, and the event seems to have been successful in making people aware of the park and the improvements made.
The Fun Day included a bouncy castle, magician, races, lots of games, and a spinning demonstration (by Anne Evans).
Many thanks are due to everybody who made it such a success.

Waste Collection

The usual end of term issues are being experienced at the moment.
The back lanes are in a dreadful state
There are many houses up for sale and the poor state of the streets is likely to put off potential buyers.
Our local councillors will get in touch with officers to ensure that the area is cleaned up as soon as possible.

Notice Board

A bronze sculpture is being commissioned from the sculptor Fenwick Lawson. This will depict monks carrying the coffin of St Cuthbert. £200,000 needs to be raised. It is likely to be sited on the historic route of the coffin, at Walkergate.
The poet Jackie Litherland has written a poem that is partly inspired by Crossgate Village, and it is hoped that she will read this at the July meeting.
The ‘edge of scheme’ parking problems are now being experienced in the Farnley Hey area. A revised plan from the County Council is awaited. A problem throughout is that the police are not giving enough priority to illegal parking on double yellow lines. This situation should improve when decriminalised parking control is introduced (Local Authority will then enforce parking regulations).
DSU is asking for their licence at Dunelm House to be extended to 2.30 am. Although this will not cover alcohol consumption, this move might cause noise nuisance during the early hours of the morning.
The next Walkabout meeting on licensing issues is at 7pm on Thursday 29th June.
According to a report in The Times, property prices in Durham have risen by 122% over 5 years, but the city centre terraced houses are described as being unattractive for professional people, because they are predominantly occupied by students.
A walk to the Crowtrees Nature Reserve is being organised for Saturday 15th July, starting from Quarriington Hill Community Centre. (contact Andrea Boyd at the City Council for full details).
The path that leads from the Peth to the A690 is informally maintained by residents. Could this become more organised? A future meeting could look at the possibilities, and the potential for a proper crossing of the A690 at this point.


Date of next meeting

Monday 31st July 2006