The main emphasis of the meeting was on Home Zones
This is an idea that developed in the Netherlands and is currently popular in the UK.
Home Zones are a way of remodelling neighbourhoods to provide a better environment for residents. Traffic is tamed and parking is made less intrusive. More area is giving over to living and playing. Seating and tree-planting are often included.
The first Home Zone in County Durham has recently been opened in Thornley (near Wheatley Hill). Photos of the scheme were circulated. The Thornley home zone covers two terraced streets. Cars are still allowed but are effectively put in their place. Trees have been planted, lighting has been improved , seating installed and the area has been resurfaced. Residents are pleased with the outcome. There is an improved community spirit. The main fears prior to the scheme were youths gathering and loss of parking space, but these fears do not appear to have been warranted.
A video on Home Zones entitled ‘At Home in My Street' was watched by the meeting.
A discussion on the relevance of Home Zones to streets in Durham City took place. Residents were enthusiastic about the idea as a way of giving the Forum a positive objective rather than being in a position of objecting to proposals for the neighbourhood.
Many residents expressed disquiet and annoyance about the extent to which the houses in the terraced streets in Durham City were being increasingly occupied by student households. This has brought various problems including noise, waste, and a loss of community.
Home Zones offer the possibility of making the terraced areas more attractive to families with children and could help to reverse the long-term trend of families moving out of these streets.
Among the other points made were:
• It is important that the right streets are chosen for Home Zones
• Home Zones require capital. We need a positive, realistic plan with achievable steps in order to succeed.
• The County is in charge of roads – see if they can access money.
• Currently dealing with traffic engineers – need to involve other local government departments as well – those concerned with environmental improvements and community development.
• Need a fresh approach – interests of residents to be taken into account.
• We need to sort out our current parking problems as well as looking at long-term changes. The new yellow lines will make things worse in the short-term
The point raised about dealing with our current parking problems was one of the issues covered by the information update.
• Subsequent to the meeting held in early May between residents, councillors, and council officers (reported on in the May Forum), Dave Wafer (Durham County Council) has been in touch via email. We have agreed to work toward identifying a common set of principles that we can build upon. John McGargill to outline some ideas to set the ball rolling. Dan Keenan, Colin Green, and Simon Squires are to respond from the residents' perspective and keep the Forum updated on progress.
• Since the last meeting residents have become aware that there are proposals to introduce Pay and Display parking in Mitchell Street (near to the bus station). This street voted for resident only parking in 2001, but in March a Durham County Council letter was posted to residents proposing the change. During discussion, concern was raised that residents' votes could be reversed in this way without the need for another ballot. When the plan for Pay and Display parking in our neighbourhood was proposed the Council had promised to change the designation to resident only if necessary. We are not aware of any instances of this happening in other streets. The reverse is happening, however, with proposals for Pay and Display parking to replace resident only parrking! The Mitchell Street situation is similar to that in Ellis Leazes and Renny Street (Claypath area). The treatment of all three streets will be monitored and the implications will be discussed when further information is available.
• The Buzz. This is a magazine that has been produced by Durham City Forum which heavily promotes car travel to Durham City. Residents were dismayed to find that the local retailers are marketing on-street parking places in residential neighbourhoods. The main aim was apparently to dispel the notion that all drivers in Durham City must pay a £2 toll. It is a pity that this has been done in a way that alienates local residents who spend money in their local shops.
• The Sands proposed temporary car park. The City Council are going ahead with an application to build a temporary car park on the Sands. This is another example of the interests of retailers being given higher priority than the interests of residents. The plans can be viewed at the City's office at 4 Saddler Street. Objections have to be in by 18 th July. Objectors can also write to the County Council because the Sands is common land. Write to Barry Charlton. Legal Dept at County Hall.
• The Website. This is in the process of development. An E-group will be part of the website. This will allow members to share information and to debate issues, and should be a valuable tool for campaigning to improve our environment, developing ideas and encouraging local action. If you want to be involved please contact John Richardson at:
discus @discus.plus.com
At the May Forum we had identified a possible oversupply of short-stay parking meters when the Park and Ride sites are open. We looked into this in more detail based on the findings of the Buchanan study (Durham City Travel Study, 1997). This indicated that the normal demand for short-stay on-street parking would be 500 places by 2006.
This compares with a supply of 600 places in streets that are largely non-residential,
plus 500 places in residential streets that currently have Pay and Display parking,
plus 400 places in residential streets that have voted against the scheme.
I.e. it appears that there is indeed a predicted over-supply of short-stay on-street places when the Park and Ride sites are open.
(Note that the above does not include the proposed expansion of the Controlled Parking Zone to include Potters Bank and Elvet Hill Road)
All three City Councillors for the Crossgate and Framwelgate Ward were present and provided residents with important information concerning the way forward for their neighbourhood within the context of the new administration's plans for Durham City generally.
Three main areas were covered
• Improving the city and involving residents
• Students living in the community
• Durham City Area Forum
The City Council is holding Sunday sessions to discuss the problems in the City and identify solutions.
The City is at a turning point in terms of social mix. There are 2 choices:
• Residents can move out
• Residents can decide to change the neighbourhood for the better. This needs the support of the City & County Councils.
We need to bring about a culture change. The ‘us & them' confrontation between students and residents and between Councils and residents needs to be broken down.
The City Council wants to see world-class standards for a world-class heritage site. It is aware of the problems – they are a priority for the Cabinet.
New Planning Bill – by January 2004 or thereabouts. If passed in present form it will allow Councils to develop Local Plans specific to their area. Problems in the City Centre could then be targeted. City Council will take advice on the type of structure residents would like in the City Centre and will set up a planning culture that will lead to improvement.
The Planning Department has been told that it must come up with a scheme to protect the centre of the City. Good minimum standards – quality roads, parks, buildings.
The City should be able to draw down funds from the Europe because of Durham's world heritage status.
At present, the County Council allocates the same amount of funding to the City of Durham as it gives to Peterlee or Sedgefield.
City Council's approach:
• Talk
• Listen
• Decide
• Set programme.
With the support of Council Officers and representatives the City Council can develop a strategy. This needs:
• Residents' advice
• Officers' advice
• Students' advice
• Enforcement.
Students living in the community
Residents would like to foster better relations with students living in the community.
A leaflet could be sent to every student asking for co-operation. Some residents already do this. The Forum has 3 months to plan how to welcome new students (Alan & Ann Palmer have been doing this for years in Mistletoe Street. Laburnum Avenue also did this in 2002). An individual welcome for students can be combined with drawing attention to the Code of Conduct.
How do you arrest the onward march of landlords?
How do you stop the University saturating the City with students?
How do you control landlord properties?
There is a proposal to bring all student properties into the ‘Code of Standards' scheme run by the Students' Union. The City Council could then enforce these minimum good standards.
It is likely that there will be no opportunity for the University to construct its own property in the next 5 years. The University has no Development Plan. The broad impact of University expansion on the city does not seem to be given a high enough priority.
There are risks to the University in relying on the private sector to house students. University needs to be aware that landlords could get out of the market if they can get better returns for their money elsewhere.
These problems need to be addressed. Meetings with students and the University are needed. There has to come a time when procedures are worked out that lead to a resolution to problems. Council is constrained by planning protocols. Student households are not classed as HIMOs (Houses in multiple occupation). This issue is one of the matters being dealt with by the Area Forum….
Durham City Area Forum
Focus of each Area Forum Review Meeting in the Town Hall is chosen by residents attending the meeting – could choose the future of the City Centre as a focus for future meeting. The aim is to identify what the City and County Councils can deliver. Then identify possible course of action, which will lead to the development of a programme, and identify sources of funding.
Next Area Forum: 16th July 2003. Chair is Muriel Sawbridge. The meeting is non-political. Agenda items are taken from the floor. Focus of the next meeting is to be facilities for young people.
Next Action
City Councillors intend to hold meetings in the Autumn to bring together Durham City issues and to develop the vision of a world-class city. Residents wish to be part of this process and to include a programme of Home Zones.
It was agreed that the next meeting of the Residents' Parking Forum should be concerned with developing plans for Home Zones.
The next meeting will be Monday, July 28 th, 2003. 7.30pm at Waddington Street Church Hall.