Lack of Transparency /Secrecy : March / July 2010 Report
submitted to Cabinet and Full Council in secret Residents not
consulted and not given access to the information that resulted in
the decision to declare our green spaces surplus to requirements.
What was the real reason detailed in the original report that made
it an imperative to sell off our green spaces ?
Slide 4
Retrospective Communication / Consultation: Letters sent to
occupiers in Tranche One and Two stating reasons for sale as:- To
reduce the cost of looking after council owned land and property.
To enable necessary development to meet the needs of communities
such as housing. To raise funds that will support the councils
future capital programme.
Slide 5
Sale of Land Surplus to Requirements : At a Meeting of
Residents with the Chief Executive and other officers on April 18
th 2011 the Sale of land Surplus to requirements suddenly becomes.
The Newcastle Development Programme:
Slide 6
Newcastle Development Programme Scrutiny Task and Finish Group:
This group was set up to carry out a scrutiny review and provide a
critical friend challenge in order to evaluate the rationale of the
Newcastle Development Programme. This group continues to evaluate
this Programme (NDP) by using and presenting witnesses to
previously agreed strategies, reports, and Policies
Slide 7
Slide 8
Issues Talke Specific : Housing Needs: The Strategic Housing
Land Availability Assessment( SHLAA ). Placed the land at Thomas
Street for three houses as required in 2024/25 see map 1 The Land
Bounded by the A34 Thomas Street and Coalpit Hill (SHLAA ref 159)
is not scheduled for any period in the SHLAA and is contained in
the appendix as land unsuitable for development. See map 2
Slide 9
Map sent out with dear occupier letter declaring plan to sell
off land surplus to requirements SHLAA Ref 159 land declared
unsuitable for development SHLAA Ref 160 3 dwellings 2024 / 25
Slide 10
3 Houses 2024/5 Not Suitable see Map 2 MAP 1
Slide 11
MAP 2 Land Unsuitable for Development ( SHLAA ) Land bounded by
the A34 Coalpit Hill And Thomas St
Slide 12
A valuable area of green space which is well used for community
use. Additionally given the presence of a slope development would
have a visual impact on those existing dwellings already to the
North Land Unsuitable for Development ( SHLAA )
Slide 13
A valuable area of green space which is well used for community
use. Additionally given the presence of a slope development would
have a visual impact on those existing dwellings already to the
North SHLAA REF 159 Comments on Suitability,
Availability,Achievability and constraints of Sites.
Slide 14
Developments in Talke are already scheduled to make a
significant local contribution to housing needs. Imperial Works 32
Houses ( planning permission approved ) West Ave 80 Houses
Congleton Rd 5 Houses Social Club Site 8 Houses (already under
construction ) Hill Tops Primary School Site 25 Houses Slaken Ave
220 houses 2019 to 2025 Other Developments in SHLAA 22 Houses
Slide 15
Traffic Problems: Proposed sites are at the lower end of Crown
Bank and Swan Bank roads that have traffic calming measures in a
failed attempt to slow traffic on this busy thoroughfare. This is a
major Bus Route two busses can pass slowly and with difficulty on
stretches of this road During peak times and when there are
problems on the M6 North or South or the A500 roads become
gridlocked. Developments approved or already under construction
will be accessed by using Coalpit Hill / Swan Bank. Vehicles
including Heavy Goods use the roads to service Jamage Ind Estate
and Freeport. This Area Cannot Support The Additional Traffic
Further Development Would Bring
Slide 16
Common Occurrence On This Busy Road COALPIT HILL
Slide 17
Slide 18
Social benefits of Open Green Space: (quote from Green Space
Strategy) By providing space for recreation, play, exercise and
relaxation. Provides health benefits; by creating safer
environments and reducing crime. Presents opportunities to
experience and learn at first-hand about our natural environment.
Providing a community focus and common ground where people can come
together to demonstrate and celebrate diversity.
Slide 19
Green Space Strategy: We agree with this strategy as a
framework. We are not so naive as to believe : That residents
walking their dogs, or taking the air. Children playing with their
family and friends. Communities socialising together. Will do so in
an area designated by a planner, a bureaucrat, or as outlined in a
green space strategy.
Slide 20
Communities will use these precious resources: Because they are
close to and part of their communities The children can play with
family and friends safely observed by their communities. They can
benefit from a wide range of social and community pursuits. THESE
GREEN SPACES ARE NOT SURPLUS TO OUR REQUIREMENTS.
Slide 21
Reasons Given For Sale of Surplus Land: To reduce the cost of
looking after council owned land and property. When asked the
Council stated it was unable to inform us the cost of maintenance.
Is this a true and valid reason ? To enable necessary development
to meet the needs of communities such as housing. The SHLAA would
suggest there is no requirement for our sites to meet housing
needs. If Brownfield sites and properties left vacant are utilised
there is ample availability to meet demands Is this a true and
valid reason ? To raise funds that will support the councils future
capital programme. Now we have the Truth The Cabinet/Council want
to sell off our heritage to develop their own pet projects.
Slide 22
Slide 23
Programmes can be started or re-introduced. New Developments
can be afforded. Once our much loved sites are sold and developed,
they are :
Slide 24
Consign this hastily conceived and ill thought out programme to
the bin.
Slide 25
Slide 26
Do You Want ? To See This Become This
Slide 27
The SHLAA the councils own Land Availability Assessment shows
clearly that our green space is not required for housing
development and is in fact unsuitable for development. Why as the
council ignored the SHLAA and identified our green space as surplus
to requirements. This green space has been used by our community
for many years, is much loved, and is an asset to the area. THIS
GREEN SPACE IS NOT SURPLUS TO OUR REQUIREMENTS