Letter to The Journal re SKDC Development Strategy

Given recent events I have sent a letter to The Journal this week. Will have to see if they publish it...

 

Dear Sir/Madam

 

In The Journal Letters, Friday September 30, S. Footit raises concerns about the proposed development of the Southern Quadrant. At our last Full Council meeting, when the proposal was discussed and voted upon, I put forward a motion to defer any decision until more information was available. We received a high number of objections from Stamford residents. For Grantham there are other concerns.

 

Whilst the Labour Group recognise the need for more housing, the needs of low income householders need to be met. The Conservative group have decided not to require developers to provide the maximum number of affordable homes in the new developments.

 

Another issue is the potential impact on traffic in the local area. In the Southern Quadrant, if there is a build up of traffic on Bridge End Road then it is likely new residents will look out for alterative routes affecting local residents and businesses.

 

The strategy also has contradictions. There was significant emphasis on conservation yet development in Grantham could start before an excersise identify local sites/buildings and street scenes of interest, (being progressed by SKDC officers), is finished. I have requested the development sites are prioritised to minimise loss of our towns assets.

 

At the full council, the Labour Group (and some Independent Councillors) supported my motion but we were defeated by a block vote from the Conservatives. They argued that development of the South Quadrant will not take place until we have the by-pass and then everything will be ok.

 

I am not convinced. Firstly, whilst the council is putting some money up front to pay for the by-pass it is requiring developers to subsequently contribute to the cost of the new road. This is a high risk strategy in the current economic climate. It gets worse when you consider the Localism Bill comes into play next year. Under

current proposals it will be possible for developers to plead they cannot make an acceptable profit if they make such contributions and could, thanks to Rt Hon Eric Pickles, be let off the hook. Who pays for the road then? Will we still get the by-pass if this happens?

 

Secondly, the building of the by-pass is no guarantee our traffic problems will end. It is great news that HGVs will no longer be permitted to trundle through the town centre  - provided this is enforced. However, much also depends on the needs of people moving into the new areas. How many will need to go via the town and not use the by-pass? There are many unknown factors at this time.

 

Finally but most importantly, despite some public consultation having taken place I am deeply concerned at the feedback I am receiving from residents and business people who have very little awareness of the development proposals. With such a lack of public awareness, how can we be sure the developments deliver what the people of Grantham want? It is important local people take a look at the plans during the public consultation, which ends mid-October if they want a say in what the development should include. Details are available on-line and printed on request through the Council Offices for those without computer access.

 

 

Cllr Charmaine Morgan (Labour)
St Anne's Ward
South Kesteven District Council

 

45 Harrowby Road
Grantham
Lincolnshire
NG31 9ED

 

Tel: 01476 574748
Mob: 07809 488 528

 

http://charmaine-morgan.blogspot.com

Grantham Area Action Plan - How to view it online

There is a six week deadline for public consultation regarding the South Quadrant Masterplan included in the Grantham Area Action Plan. South Quadrant borders, and in places, overlaps St Anne's Ward. 

You could be affected if you live in St Anne's Ward or go to any of the development sites in the GAAP.  

This is your chance to have your say. I will also be reviewing the Masterplan. The proposals supported by the Tory councillors in Full Council were very high level and insufficient as to identify all potential issues, which is why the Labour group asked for decision to progress to this stage to be deferred. The Tories voted against the deferral proposal and as a result the plans are now going ahead.


Our key concerns are:-


a. The council has backed away from delivering maximum affordable housing on each development.
b. The councillors were asked to vote on the plans BEFORE the detailed Masterplans were available and a number of members of the public have raised concerns, especially in Stamford.


c.  Whilst there is significant focus on Conservation there is no guarantee that Development will not start BEFORE an assessment of our valued street scenes and buildings has been completed. I have asked for the asset list in the areas earmarked for development to be prioritised.


d. There are some fundamental inaccuracies in the plans and maps. For example the boundary of the Greyfriars development includes the shops on the map at present on Westgate whilst the plan indicates the area behind the shops will be developed.

The public consultation activity will comprise:-

Website Access

From the 16^th September people will be able to access information on this and SKDC will also be contacting people regarding the South Quadrant proposals as follows:-

Letters

Letters will be going out to residents and businesses surrounding the site on the 14^th & 15^th September to advise them of this.  

Public Drop-In Session 22 September

A public drop-in-session will be held on the 22^nd September in Witham Place Community Room on Bridge End Road from 2pm – 7.30pm  

South Kesteven District Council Planning Policy Officer Andy Moger is dealing with this consultation.

It is possible to view a Submission version of the Grantham Area Action Plan online via the details below received from South Kesteven Planning Policy Officers.

Go to http://moderngov.southkesteven.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=261&MId=2714&Ver=4  and scroll down to No.8 and click on Appendix A.

Please note the main document is in Appendix A.

If you know someone interested in viewing the document who does not have access to a computer please note CD versions can be provided on request to Colm Ryan.

I have asked that printed versions of the document are made available. 

Officers are currently considering this request. I will update this blog as soon as I have any news.

If you have any matters of concern you wish to discuss with me, or would like me to raise on your behalf, please feel free to contact me on 01476 574748 or email me.

Ward Newsletter - St Anne's Rose

My Newsletter will include details of the Grantham Area Action Plan to ensure as many people as possible in my ward have a say. 

The proposals for South Quadrant could affect anyone living around Bridge End Road, or roads off Bridge End Road. Additional Public Consultation will take place regarding other areas.

Ideas on what will be required in the development zones, potential issues etc are all required.

Grantham Area Action Plan puts our heritage at risk

South Kesteven District Council officers have confirmed, in a response to a question I posed in Full Council 8th September, that they cannot guarantee they will complete a list of all of our towns historical assets before development starts on the sites identified in the Grantham Area Action Plan.

Given this concerning news I have asked officers to look at prioritising their work so that the sites earmarked for development in GAAP (and elsewhere in SKDC for that matter), are checked out as a priority to reduce the risk.

New fencing at College Street river crossing

New fencing has been installed at the bridge crossing over the River Witham at College Street. Anti social behaviour on and around the bridge has caused concern for both local residents ande people passing.

Unfortunately whoever installed the fencing paid more attention to aesthetic requirements than the original objective. Rather than the vertical slats PC Wright and I proposed, horizontal slats have been put on the fencing. Combined with the large gaps it is now possible to sit and rest your feet on the planks. This somewhat defeats the object of the fence which was to discourage, rather than encourage loitering.

I have asked for details of the order to find out what has gone wrong and to get the situation rectified.

Tories push through development plans despite Labour concerns.

Busy day at the council chamber today.
Hotly debated Grantham Area Plans.
Labour Group voted against existing plans due to concerns about feedback from Stamford residents and lack of detail around proposals for the North and South Quadrant.
The Tories are proposing not to stick to targets for affordable housing on development sites which is concerning.
I also spotted that conservation sites and areas have not yet been identified and some potential sites fall into the sites allocated for housing. It is possible development could start before protection is given to our historic assets. Sent in a list of amendments covering the issues above as well as an amendment for the inclusion of urban trees.

I put forward an amendment to the motion to agree the plans, suggesting we defer a decision until the areas above are addressed. The Tories voted against this but we won 12 votes so there were some other concerned councillors agreeing with us.

The Labour Group also put forward a motion proposing that councillors have the ability to question Cabinet members on decisions in full council. This was rejected by the Tories. A record of how councillors voted is available in the minutes on this item.

This evening I had a discusion with Francis from Save Newark Hospital. We are planning joint campaign to improve services at Grantham and Newark Hospitals given their close proximity and shared issues with patients being diverted over 20 miles to other A&E units. Lincoln now has queues between 3-4hrs in A&E as a result of patients diverting from satellite hospitals. With the Hospital Trust sitting on a deficit of £16m thanks to Coalition Govt budget cuts we will have a fight on our hands to protect our services, this is before the NHS Bill hits us.

Would You Like a Visit to the Mayor's Office? I can help

As a Grantham Ward Councillor I find myself also a member of the Charter of Trustees. As a result I am required to attend meetings in the Mayor's office and assist with civic duties, including fundraising.

I personally would also like the Trustees to put aside political differences in the Council Chamber and put forward ideas that would support the people of Grantham! We can but dream (and keep badgering away at the idea too).

At our meeting this week debate was largely around the Mayor's car. It was generally agreed that the lowest cost, most fuel efficient vehicle should be found that can take four passengers. A Reliant Robin was suggested.

I  have volunteered to help feed the hundreds of cyclists who will arrive at the Mere's in November cycling for charity. It is the same day the Christmas Lights go on.

I had a delightful tour of the Mayor's Office with Peter who has a number of roles supporting the Mayor's Office including chauffeur, tour guide, assistant, washer upper and organiser. (Ann does most of the organising it has to be said from a tiny office at the back.)

Peter showed me a number of artefacts, most of which are gifts to the Mayor over the years. The Mayor's Staff is ornate and beautifully crafted but the most moving items were the most humble. Tiny origami gifts from the children of Fukushima,Japan so tragically struck by the earthquake and tsunami. There have been links for some time between children in Fukushima and children in Grantham through schools.
I made the point to Peter that I find it concerning how divorced the Mayor's Office seems from the people of Grantham. I am glad to say he agrees. He is keen to open up the office as much as possible. He has agreed that if any of my ward members (or other Granthonians for that matter) would like a tour of the office please contact me and I will arrange it with Peter for you. You are also welcome to bring relatives along.
Peter has produced a booklet on the contents of the Mayor's Office available for £6 which will go to the Mayor's Charities.


The Mayor's Office belongs to all of us. Come and take a look.

Ward Surgeries

It has taken some research but I have decided the best way to hold ward surgeries is to invite you to visit me in my home. Please ring for an appointment. This way you don't have to wait for a monthly surgery and if you cannot come to me, I will visit you.

My number is 01476 574748.

I plan to hold meetings at residential centres as well including Welby Everard Court, Sandon Place and Witham Place.