Developer tries to save money at community expense, but Lib Dem councillors put their foot down

Builder tries to cut contribution to community facilities

A national housing developer as been forced to wake up and think again about their contribution to a planning application for homes houses in Yate. Prior to the South Gloucestershire Council’s Development Control East meeting Taylor Wimpey had tried to back out of its Section 106 agreement with the council, which included a contribution of £150,000 towards a community building. However, Lib Dem members were in no mood to accept the revised plans which were presented and convinced the committee to hold the builder to their original more sustainable proposals.

Developer forced to wake up to sustainable housing

The developer also wanted to reduce the environmental standards of the new housing, but councilors rejected this too. Councillor Linda Boon said after the meeting, “Outline approval for the development was given just last September, but Taylor Wimpey wanted to go back on issues agreed at the time because they say the site is no longer economically viable. However, it’s vitally important that we don’t let sustainability and environmental standards slip just because a developer opportunistically claims the recession means they can’t keep their side of the deal.”

She continued, “To those not involved in planning matters it might not seem much difference but we all know and understand how cold the weather can be and it’s essential that new properties are built with better energy efficiency in mind. We want to make sure people who buy the new homes are helped to keep their bills down as well as avoiding wasting energy by it going straight out through the roof or windows. It’s a great day for the environment and planet when will these developers wake up to the new world"

Development contribution is not a voluntary tax

Councillor Alan Lawrance, who is also on the committee, said, “The Community and future residents needed defending against a national building developer seeking the kind of support Gordon Brown gave the banks. The Council doesn’t make unnecessary demands it just asks for a fair and sustainable deal for South Gloucestershire residents and communities. If there’s been a contribution requested then that is because it’s needed to maintain the services and facilities for the existing residents when under pressure from increased numbers of those moving in or it’s because it is needed in order to provide additional services or facilities for the new inhabitants”

He continued, “Having signed an agreement a few months ago in September the developer now wanted to break promises and save money at the expense of the Community, including breaking pledges to support the library, a new community hall contribution and reducing a commitment to pay for maintenance costs on open spaces. What the developer wanted to save would have in time had to be paid for by local people."

Sea Stores consultation time extended

As the planning application wasn´t available on South Glos´s website for a few days, the consultation for the Sea Stores has been extended until 2 September 2009.

Therefore, the plans will remain on display in the foyer at Poole Court until Friday 28 August.

Please use this opportunity to give your views on this important development.

Sea Stores planning application - your chance to comment

The Sea Stores planning application is open for comments until 19 August. Details are available from the South Glos website here

There are masses of documents and papers, so you may find it easier to pop into Poole Court, where there will be an exhibition of the proposals in the foyer until Monday 17 August.

==== Update 13-08-09 ====

The South Glos system isn´t showing this application now - maybe they have a problem, it was there the other day. We suggest that you visit the Poole Court exhibition to view the plans.

==== Update 15-08-09 ====

Apparently S Glos were updating their system. The application is now visible again at the link above.

New theatre for Yate?

At the recent consultation display about the Sea Stores housing development, Yate Town Council unveiled their vision for the public part of the site - a three-storey theatre and arts venue. It would include a 300-seater theatre, performance rooms, an exhibition space, bar and restaurant. If the project goes ahead it could be open by 2013. It would cost £2.5 million - largely funded by developers, who have to contribute towards community facilities as a condition of getting planning permission. Nevertheless £1 million will have to be raised to make the scheme a reality.

The new venue aims to respond to demand from members of local amateur dramatic societies, community groups and audiences. For example, Yate Town Councillor and member of the University of the Third Age Sue Walker said there was a real need for a new theatre and meeting place in Yate. "The U3A has 450 members and 26 different groups and we have nowhere to meet at the moment. It is such a job booking places and there really is nothing around".

Those behind the project hope it will result in Yate staging leading dramatic productions and hosting prestigious arts events. "The town centre needs somewhere for people to go in the evening and there is nothing for people aged between 30 and 60," said Cllr Chris Willmore. "There is no other venue like this around."

Read more about the theatre project in the Gazette article here.

Have YOU visited the Sea Stores exhibition yet?

Yate Town Councillor Chris Willmore (centre) points out some of the details to Cllrs Sue Hope (South Glos Council) and Paul Hulbert (Dodington Parish Council)

Please don't forget to visit the Sea Stores housing exhibition at Poole Court - it's open until Saturday. The exhibition shows the developers' ideas for the site, and you can also find out about and comment on Yate Town Council's ideas for the section of the land set aside for community purposes.

The exhibition is open until 9 pm tonight (Thursday), then 9.00 am - 9.00 pm tomorrow, and 9.00 am - 5.30 pm on Saturday.

Sea Stores Site update - exhibition coming up

Taylor Wimpey, the developers who have bought the Sea Stores site, will be holding an exhibition at Poole Court from 1st to 5th July. This is the latest in a set of consultation stages, and they want to hear residents' reactions to their ideas before they apply for planning permission in a couple of months time.

Please visit the exhibition and make your views known. You can also find out about and comment on Yate Town Council's ideas for the section of the land set aside for community purposes.

The exhibition will be open as follows:

Tue 1 July 12.00 - 9.00 pm
Wed 2 July 9.00 am - 9.00 pm
Thu 3 July 9.00 am - 9.00 pm
Fri 4 July 9.00 am - 9.00 pm
Sat 5 July 9.00 am - 5.30 pm

Representatives of Taylor Wimpey will be there on the Thursday from 2.30 pm to 7.30 pm to answer questions and hear your views.

In the meantime, what's happening on the site? As we reported recently, the demolition contractors have started work. They are starting by cutting off the services and fencing the areas that are important from a wildlife point of view.

Next, any the asbestos on the site will be removed by specialists. Then they will remove the buildings above ground, and later in the summer the concrete slabs and other ground structures.

A letter has gone out to all houses in the nearby streets, giving a point of contact for any concerns or problems. If they've missed you, please let us know using the email form in the right hand column of our contacts page (click here), and we'll put the developers in touch with you.

Sea Stores - demolition starting

Demolition contractors have moved onto the Sea Stores (former Highways Agency) site, which was sold to house developer Taylor Wimpey a few weeks ago. A letter has gone out to some nearby households, though not to all the people who would be concerned. In case you didn't get one, the text is below.

Responding to concerns from local people, Yate Town Council has asked how the contractors are going to deal with asbestos and any other hazardous substances.

So why is demolition starting now, as there's no planning permission yet? Simple - the longer they leave the buildings up, the longer the developers have to pay business rates.

In a couple of weeks there is planned to be an exhibition of the developer's ideas for the site, plus Yate Town Council's suggestions for the community part of the land. We'll publicise it here when we have firm details.

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Text of hand-delivered letter:

Dear Sir/Madam

Demolition of Highway Agency Stores, Kennedy Way, Yate, Bristol

We write to inform you that Lawson Demolition Limited has recently been awarded the demolition and site clearance contract for the above site.

Please understand that demolition and construction sites are very dangerous areas, particularly during demolition. Safety is a priority with Lawson Demolition, therefore should you have children we would appreciate you reiterating this to them and distracting them away from all scaffold/fencing and machines that should be present.

We aim to keep any disruption and inconvenience which may be caused, to an absolute minimum but apologise in advanced should any be caused.

Should you have any queries with the above or wish to discuss further please do not hesitate to contact me on 01793 782000.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you in advance for your cooperation and patience whilst these works are being carried out.

Yours faithfully...

Sea Stores housing development set to go ahead after all

As we reported in September, the Sea Stores development was held up by a claim by previous owners of the land. The development of 250 homes is now back on the rails again after the claim was rejected. The Gazette gives more details of the Sea Stores claim here.

Before the hold-up there had been consultations agreement on a "concept statement" setting out a general idea of what would go on the site. The next step will be for the government to find a buyer for the site and for the new owner to apply for outline and then detailed planning permission. These stages will provide more opportunities for comment - we'll keep you posted when something happens.

Sea Stores development could be held up

The Highways Agency put an advert in the local papers recently trying to identify previous owners of the Sea Stores site. It was bought during the Second World War. If land has been bought by compulsory purchase - or the threat of it - it has to be offered back to the previous owners or their successors at current market value.

Part of the land was owned by the Newmans, and one of the family has now come forward. The Gazette reports that another part was owned by an electrical company that has stopped trading (Could this be another part of Newmans? Or could someone else come out of the woodwork?)

A third portion was owned by a council that has now been succeeded by South Glos, who don't seem to be interested in having it back. But should they be interested? Is there a potential profit that could be used for improving local facilities?

It's a case of "watch this space" - but we have to ask why the Highways Agency didn't investigate this earlier. It's very likely to hold up the redevelopment of the site for a short while, and could even jeopardise the careful negotiations about the layout of the new development. Or maybe it could result in something more advantageous for the local community going there?

Out and about

Last Wednesday evening a group of Dodington Parish Councillors took our summer minibus ride round the parish to make sure that we all know what we're talking about (well, hopefully)

We hired the minibus from Yate, Sodbury and District Community Transport - a group that the Parish Council has supported for many years. (Many thanks for an excellent trip!)

These are some of the sites we looked at, together with a brief update on several of the "hot potato" issues:

• Sea Stores - The government has put it up for sale, and is awaiting bids. When someone buys it we expect to see a planning application for housing, plus a little community land.
• Kelston Close Playing Fields - Should we upgrade the changing rooms, maybe get rid of the garage and put in some better storage?
• Westerleigh Road railway embankment - No, Network Rail haven't gone away and forgotten it. We're hoping to have another meeting with them soon about planting - watch this space.
• Beech Hill Farm (just in Westerleigh Parish Council's territory) - A proposed tipping site just the other side of the railway from the Westerleigh Rd embankment, Rodborough and Chedworth. More details to follow here shortly.
• Wapley allotments - They were looking very well-kept as usual - well done!
• Wapley picnic site - We get complaints from next door from time to time, when people camp out overnight, which they're not supposed to, and light fires other than on the barbecue. We have talked to the police about the incidents of rowdy behaviour.
• Wapley burial ground, next to St Peter's Church - the Parish Council runs the burial ground and the churchyard.

Then we toured some more of the South Ward, which stretches right out to the motorway. We glimpsed some deer in the twilight up near Dodington Ash. Finally we stopped for refreshment at the Codrington Arms. We can recommend the Codrington Codger, brewed just down the road at Cotswold Spring Brewery (no, neither of them sponsor this blog!)

Are there things in the Birds or in the area between Shire Way and Rodford Way that we should have looked at? Or do you have comments about some of the issues above? Please let us know through the feedback form - click here and fill out the form in the right hand column.