Cllr Peter Maughan addresses Gateshead's planning committee calling on members to reject the proposals for house building on the stables and former depot on Chase Park, Whickham.
A decision over proposals to allow house-building on the former depot and stable block in Whickham's historic Chase Park has been put on hold.
Gateshead Council's planning committee considered the proposals at its meeting on 9th January at which Lib Dem Councillor Peter Maughan led the battle to prevent the house building plans from being given the go-ahead. Peter told the meeting that the site is part of the historic heart of Whickham village and was totally inappropriate for housing.
He also warned that granting permission would be a frightening precedent for Chase Park and for other parks in Gateshead. However, the planning committee decided not to take a decision but to carry out a visit to the park itself to see for themselves the concerns raised by Peter.
Above: Lib Dem Focus Team members Peter Craig, Sonya Hawkins, Jonathan Wallace and Peter Maughan next to the site in Chase Park where Labour want to build houses.
Cllr Peter Craig, who also registered an objection to the planning application said; “The Labour council have allowed the stable block to fall into dereliction. Liberal Democrats want this neglected corner of the park to be of benefit to the community, not to house builders."
"We are also very concerned that if this application is approved, there is then nothing to stop the Council from building in the rest of our park.”
Lib Dem campaigner Vicky Anderson (pictured below), who has joined the fight against house building in Chase Park, said, "I’m passionate about protecting our green spaces. If Labour gets away with this, many people fear they will start eyeing up other parks for house-building, just as they have done with our greenbelt.”
“They have already stopped financial support for our community centres and libraries. Bowling greens and football pitches could be next and then after that our parks could be targeted. Building on our parks would mean that they wouldn’t have to find the money to maintain them, so residents are rightly concerned about this.”
Cllr Jonathan Wallace said “We hope the visit by members of the planning committee brought home to them why the site should be part of the park, rather than a housing estate."
The planning committee members carried out their Chase Park visit on 24th January. The house-building proposal will come back to the planning committee for a decision on 30th January. If agreed, the stables, former depot and social services building, along with the Rectory Lane entrance will be marketed to builders. The successful bidder will then bring back to the planning committee detailed proposals for the site.
Meanwhile, Cllr Peter Maughan is considering how to challenge legally any sale of the site. He argues that the agreement entered into by the former Whickham Council in 1937 to take on the land of the former Chase House to use as a park shows that the Council holds it in trust on behalf of the people of the area. And that means it can't be sold.
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Cllr Jonathan Wallace explains the proposals for house-building in Chase Park and why the Lib Dem Focus Team opposes them.
Defibrillator installed at Whickham Library
Cllr Chris Ord has welcomed the installation of a defibrillator outside Whickham Library.
A 24-hour outdoor defibrillator has been installed on the outside wall of Whickham Library in St Mary's Green. It has been paid for by generous donations from local businesses and individuals and by Whickham Rotary Club who carried out fundraising events.
Access to the defibrillator is via a 999 call which will provide an access code to open the cabinet. Instructions are contained within the cabinet to demonstrate how to use the defibrillator, which hopefully will not need to be used.
Cllr Chris Ord said, "Many thanks to all who donated and to the Whickham Rotary Club for organising the project."
Sunniside table top sale
Sunniside Methodist Chapel are holding a table top sale on Saturday 9th February, 10.30am-12.30pm. Everyone is welcome to come along and pick up a bargain! If you are interested in hiring a table, please contact the Chapel on Sunnisidemethodistchurch@gmail.com.
Council housing improvements
Planning permission has been granted for external wall insulation and render on various council homes on The Drive and Southfield Road in the Watergate Estate, Whickham. Some properties will also have replacement felt roofing on outhouses.
Consultation on bowling greens and football pitches
Gateshead Council's draft budget for 2019/20 include plans to withdraw funding from bowling greens and football pitches. As part of the consultation on the proposals, the Council are holding a stakeholder meeting for bowling clubs and other users of the facilities. It will be held in the Council Chamber of Gateshead Civic Centre on Wednesday 30th January 2019, 6pm to 7pm.
We are also pleased to be able to report that Marley Hill Bowling Club's application for charitable status has been approved by the Charity Commissioners.
Anger at planned closure of Fellside Road
Maintenance work on Fellside Road will result in it being closed from 9.30am to 3.30pm on week days from Monday 28th January to 8th February, from The Broadway to the Pack Horse at Burnopfield.
But the closure has not met with approval from local Lib Dem Councillor Jonathan Wallace who has warned that disruption and damage to local businesses could be the result.
"In discussions with the Council's Highways Dept, I've been informed that the work needs to be done through the daytime as low night time temperatures will affect the materials used," said Jonathan.
"I've put forward a suggestion that the work could be delayed until the spring brings warmer night times or that instead of closing the whole road, temporary traffic lights could be installed. At the moment the Department is not budging on its original plans.
"The closure will also have a direct impact on Byermoor, Marley Hill and Sunniside as there will be a large increase in through traffic. There may also be a temporary increase in traffic at the Lobley Hill junction with the A1 and the Rectory Lane junction with Whickham Front Street.
Temporary bus service changes
As a result of the temporary road closure, bus services will be affected as follows:
Services M6, M7 & M8 from Metrocentre will operate normal route to Fellside Road (Parkway stop), then divert via Broadway, Burnthouse Lane, Kingsway and Hole Lane, Sunniside Road, Sunniside Front Street, Marley Hill and Tyne Valley Motorhomes to re-join normal route from Pack Horse.
Services M6, M7 & M8 from Stanley will operate normal route to The Pack Horse, then divert past Tyne Valley Motorhomes and Marley Hill to Sunniside Front Street, Sunniside Road, Hole Lane, Burnthouse Lane, Broadway and normal route on Fellside Road.
Services will be unable to serve stops at Fellside Road Golf Club, Woodmans' Arms or East Byermoor Guest House and Byermoor Farm.
