by, Peter Hayman
It’s been a little while since our last news update. This is mainly because it’s quite hard to say something meaningful about not very much, and still make it sound interesting! So, I apologise in advance.
Our new committee has met twice since the AGM, most recently last Wednesday – this being the first time since last summer that we have managed to meet in person, due to Covid restrictions! Simon Oldroyd continues his often-frustrating tasks, and updated us on the completion works situation, following our official submission in February, to FoD Council Planning Enforcement department.
Unfortunately, it seems that it is going to take some considerable time for Planning Enforcement to action those points where they have jurisdiction. This is partly because of the backlog of cases built up during the lockdowns, and partly because the officer to whom our case had been allocated, was employed only briefly, and has now left the department. His replacement has not yet taken up post.
We held a ‘Zoom’ meeting a couple of weeks ago, with Clive Reynolds, the officer in overall charge, and Emma Hughes from FoD Planning. Clive Reynolds outlined what had happened so far, which is basically that DWH had been asked for their comments, and have, predictably, claimed that the drainage works have now been satisfactorily completed, and that everything in the garden is rosy. This is demonstrably incorrect, and we hope to be able to arrange an ‘on site’ meeting soon, with the planning department, the council drainage engineers and DWH, in order to further discuss the necessary works needed to resolve the outstanding issues.
As regards the landscaping, we have been assured, by DWH, that a new contractor has been appointed and that the works on the public open spaces will be commencing in June. (We’re not quite sure which June, but we remain hopeful!) They seem to be quite relaxed about the fact that the normal ‘planting season’ ended two months ago! They also seem unconcerned about the ‘Lower Trenchard’ coal seam, which lies only just under the surface of the central open space. We look forward to seeing how the trees and shrubs fare, with their roots buried in the fossilised remains of their distant ancestors!
We also hope to be able to get the unsightly pile of Heras fencing at the corner of Caudwell Close removed in the next week or two. (It seems that DWH don’t know who it belongs to and are content for TRRA to dispose of it!) It was good to see though, that ‘Lake Caudwell’ has suddenly (and rather mysteriously) disappeared!
On a brighter note, now that there appears to be some prospect of a relaxation of Covid restrictions and happier days ahead, the TRRA is hoping to organise an estate ‘fun day’. We plan to hold this on Sunday 29th August (bank holiday weekend,) using Caudwell Close and the wide central section of Blakes Way adjacent to the children’s play area. We’ll be meeting again in early June to firm up on the plans, but in the meantime, we’d welcome any ideas and/or offers of help, in organising and running what should be a great day for everyone (weather permitting of course!!)