Crossgate Village

Notes of meeting held on 27 th February 2006

7.30 p.m. at Waddington Street Church Hall

Talk on the Battle of Nevilles' Cross

The local historian, David Butler, has agreed to give a talk on the Battle of Nevilles' Cross on Thursday 16 th March. This is an opportunity to publicise our work and to provide an enjoyable event.

Posters will be put up at the library, local shops, the Market Place and the Indoor Market. The newspapers will be informed and flyers will be posted in the surrounding neighbourhoods. A number of people volunteered to post the flyers

David is also leading a guided walk on the Battle of Neville's Cross on Sunday 19 th March. This starts at 1.30 from outside Durham Johnston School in Redhills Lane. It is a 3 mile walk and is scheduled to last for two and a half hours. This is one of the County Council's walks, and it costs £2 per person (£1 concessions).

Village Guide

Colin raised the idea of producing a village guide that would be arranged around a map of the area. This could be a way of summarising and publicising our aims in a handy form that could help to bring about the changes that we would like to happen.

We could set out the problems and opportunities, describe what is already happening, and publicise local facilities, businesses and services, or the lack of them where appropriate.

The Village Guide might inspire other residents to get involved, encourage the local authorities to follow our agenda, and businesses to support us.

Ideas that came up in the course of discussion were:

•  We could carry out interviews with local characters

•  Include information of local schools and their catchment areas

•  Show walking times and routes (e.g. to the riverbanks)

•  Include some local history (e.g. distinctive buildings such as Harrison's Organ Factory)

•  Ask local businesses to provide information about themselves in exchange for a contribution toward our funds or expenses

Community Gardens

Good progress has been made with Peskie's Park, and feedback from Councillor Holland indicates that we may be allocated around £10,000 for improvements to other open spaces.

The Lawson Terrace Community Garden was chosen as a place where we might concentrate our efforts. Stephen, Alice, Colin and Andrea will meet together with Graham to discuss the possibilities and to take forward the bid to B & Q.

Community events could be held here and at Peskie's Park. These could be Fun Days or barbecues. Dick and Odile know a children's entertainer who might be able to take part.

Street Repairs

We have had success in getting the Deputy Area Engineer, Gordon Wingrove, to accompany us to inspect the concerns that we have about the state of the footpaths and streets. The result is a four page schedule of proposed action.

In addition, the footpath and drainage on Quarry House Lane needs attention, we would like footpath repairs in general to be given a higher priority.

During discussion, the poor state of the Conservation Area was once again pointed out and there is a need to press for implementation of the powers available under Section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as in the Hastings example).

Specific problems noted were:

•  The poor state of repair of Neville's Cross Club

•  The large banner advertising office space that has been put up on the old workhouse building opposite Alexandria Crescent.

Andrea will look into both of these situations .

Planning Issues

21 to 25 Hawthorn Terrace - this is scheduled for the Committee meeting on 8 th March. Moyra will be speaking against the proposal. The case officer has indicated that it will be recommended for approval subject to conditions on the usage of the living space above the garages.

27 Lawson Terrace - Councillor Hawgood has asked for a report from the planners and wishes to know what is now proposed.

23 Lawson Terrace - old furniture and other rubbish has been left out in the back lane. This has been reported to the City Council by residents.

Policing

Mike reported back on a meeting that he had with our local beat officers. This consists of one constable and three Community Support Officers, with no access to vehicles, who cover a wide area. We consider this to be less that what is required.

The main purpose of the meeting was to point out that motorists are avoiding the parking scheme by either parking on double yellow lines (with a low chance of getting a ticket) or in places not covered by the scheme (which are often in places that cause obstruction or difficulties for pedestrians and motorists).

As this seems to involve students, Mike has contacted Alan Pearson for his help. In one house it appears that the residents have been able to have five cars.

Cars are often parked at the exit from Byland Lodge, and the City Council are trying to stop this happening. Danielle Hartley, the Neighbourhood Warden, has been informed of these problems.

There is a feeling that the University is not being strict enough in enforcing its regulations and that enforcement problems could be made easier. For example, the withdrawal of the student badge for cars has made enforcement more difficult, but there could be a discrete indicator that would identify student cars without compromising their security.

Balanced Communities

Colin provided an update. Leeds had proposed creating an ‘Area of Student Housing Restraint', which was opposed by the Planning Inspector in favour of an ‘Area of Housing Mix‘ . Within this area:

"planning permission will be granted for student housing [and extensions thereof] where the stock of housing, including that available for family occupation, would not be unacceptably reduced."

This may provide a way of avoiding or halting the process of ‘studentification' that has happened in some areas of Durham City. There is still much work to be done, however, on what each of the terms will mean in practice - just what is ‘unacceptably reduced' for example?

A Government sponsored research paper on student housing has also been published recently. This sets out the advantages and disadvantages of large numbers of students living in the community, and aims to identify best practice.

This is very useful in providing information in great detail, but one of its main messages is that solutions need to be found locally, and this is what is happening already.

Our MP, Roberta Blackman-Woods, is organising a seminar on these issues (21 st April at County Hall), to include consideration of how we can achieve balanced communities in Durham. Colin has been invited, and any other people wishing to attend will need to contact either Colin or the MP.

Proposed Bus Lane on Crossgate Peth

Correspondence has been received from the County Council and our MP on this issue, which states that further consultations will take place to consider the issues raised, and there will be an opportunity for representatives from the group to meet with County Council officers to discuss the pros and cons.

Notice Board

We have been invited to the official opening of Antioch House, 66 Crossgate, the new community facility provided by St Margaret's Church. This is at 6.45 pm on Friday 24 th March, with eatables provided.

The next meeting hosted by Walkabout, to discuss licensing and associated issues, will be held at the Royal County Hotel on March 7 th at 7pm.

Date of next meetings

Thursday 16 th March 2006 (talk on Battle of Neville's Cross)

Monday 27 th March 2006