Planning Committee Reject Landlord’s Plan
Dear Sir,
I have served the people of Newton Aycliffe in local politics for many year and during this time have experienced disappointments and occasionally success, but Thursday 16th February was a most successful day. A pattern has developed recently where Livin, who were set up as a social landlord, has been applying for and granted permission by officers of the County Council to demolish garages and build houses/bungalows, some of which were for sale. Recently I wrote in the paper that livin had applied to build five houses for sale on a garage site and open space land at Armstrong Close/St Oswald’s Walk. Concerned local residents contacted their local councillors requesting assistance in opposing the application. Councillor Sarah Iveson and Councillor Jed Hillary immediately insisted that an officer would not make the decision on the development but that it would be decided by the planning committee. Councillor Wendy Hillary, Councillor Malcolm Iveson and myself immediately posted written objections to the development.
At a meeting of the Town Council, it was decided to oppose the development and appoint a consultant to present our case and opposition to the proposal was based on the following:
1. The ‘piece of grass’ that the application referred to was not any piece of grass, but amenity open space. Livin claimed they could do anything they wanted with the piece of grass as they owned it – this is not so! This area has been used by successive generations of children as a play area and was transferred to livin to maintain, not develop. Yes, this is a liability not an asset for livin but at the time of transfer from Sedgefield Borough Council, livin received a ‘sweetheart deal’ with considerable assets and only a small amount of liabilities. Open spaces are some of those liabilities.
2. The removal of garages and parking spaces would have an adverse and cumulative effect on parking in the area. The parking provision already there and other parts of the town was made in the 1960’s. Car ownership and parking problems have increased tremendously in the intervening years. Plans already approved by officers will result in the removal of 110 garages leaving many more cars parked on our streets and green spaces.
3. The amount of weight that should be given to the Great Aycliffe Neighbourhood Plan should be taken into consideration. The GANP has been in progress since 2012, with residents, business representatives, landlords and councillors involved. It has proceeded through the necessary consultation processes and been examined and approved by both the Durham County Council planners and the Independent Examiner, passed ready for a referendum, subject to minor alterations. These amendments have been made, agreed and the Plan is ready for referendum. Two of the major issues in the Neighbourhood Plan are the retention of our green amenity open space and problems associated with parking.
Local residents rose to the occasion – thirty nine objections were submitted in writing, together with a petition with twenty more signatories (note – a petition counts as only one objection). The meeting to discuss the application was held on Thursday 16th February, with the committee comprised of eleven County Councillors. Only two councillors were from Newton Aycliffe, the remaining nine came from other parts of the County. The County Planning Officer dealing with the case recommended approval, as did a representative from livin. The Town Council’s Consultant, Mr Steve Barker, Councillor Jed Hillary and myself spoke in opposition to the proposal.
When the committee members discussed the proposal, Councillor Mike Dixon immediately proposed that the application be refused. Councillor John Clare seconded the proposal and both councillors spoke effectively and with some feeling to the proposal. It is most unusual for members to go against planning officers’ advice but it soon became clear as members spoke that they were in support of the proposal to reject the application. When the vote was taken, all voted to refuse livin’s application. This was not only a victory for democracy but it showed that if residents of the town are prepared to stand and fight for a good cause, they can win. This case also set precedent on a number of areas showing developers cannot proceed on our green amenity open spaces. Already our Neighbourhood Plan has weight in planning decisions and if, following a referendum, it is agreed it will have even more substantial powers especially as Durham County Council still does not have a Local Plan, therefore it is essential we vote for the Plan when it goes to referendum in Cllr. Bob Fleming June.
I have no doubt that as I write this letter, livin will be planning an appeal against the decision. So be it, but we will fight to retain our open spaces to the bitter end as there is no open season on our open spaces.
Cllr. Bob Fleming Leader – Great Aycliffe Town Council
