Burradon & Camperdown Village Public Meeting

3 October 2006 at 7pm

Burradon Primary School

Present:

• Mr J Allan-Ward Councillor and Deputy Mayor of North Tyneside
• Mrs J Shotton-Ward Councillor
• Mr P Gallagher-Places for People
• Mr J Meldrum-North Tyneside Council’s Safer Estates Team
• Inspector G Cross-Northumbria Police
• Mr I Bethan-North Tyneside Council’s Education Department
• Mr N Cathie-North Tyneside Council’s Valuation Department
• Mrs D Shearer-North Tyneside Council’s Housing Department
• PC Damian Ramsay-Northumbria Police
• 50 Local Residents

Cllr Allan opened the meeting at 7.05pm

Burradon Primary School Site

Cllr Allan: Explained that the building was to be declared surplus to requirement by the education department in the near future and North Tyneside Council (“NTC”) was keen to receive the views of the local residents regarding the future.

NTC had previously completed a consultation process with the community and it was the opinion of the majority of people that the houses should be built on the land.

Several residents have suggested the building may be used as a community facility. However, it was the view of the council that the provision of the new community centre would probably prevent any external funding to renovate the building.

The condition of the building is extremely poor and the costs to maintain the internal and external structure would be prohibitive.

NTC would prefer to utilise the land to provide social housing in partnership with a housing association for families of local residents whether for rent or affordable housing for sale.

Local resident’s contended that the village had experienced significant problems with tenants of social landlords and a development of homes for sale would be preferred. The local community has little confidence in NTC’s nomination policy which is determined by the Homeless Act, as the calibre and conduct of tenant’s previously allocated property had undermined the quality of life of many residents.

Affordable housing for sale would be preferred as many young people aspire to own their home,however, the price of properties in the village prevent many young families buying a property.

The meeting voted to develop the land for housing and the Burradon & Camperdown Forum was to be the conduit for future discussions on the site.

Fryers Millennium Green

The meeting was advised that during recent years the Millennium Green (“The Green”) had been a focal point for anti-social and criminal behaviour which had deterred local people using the amenity.

The maintenance of the green was becoming a problem for the Trustees.

NTC has agreed to adopt the green subject to the approval of the local community. There are two options for the green:

i) The green is transferred to NTC and is retained as a Millennium Green and is maintained by grounds maintenance

ii) The green is transferred to NTC and developed for housing

Residents stated that the green is a lung for the village and the loss of the green space would be detrimental to the community.

The Trustee’s explained that residents are afraid to the use the green due to the conduct of a minority of people. Regularly, gangs congregate on the green to consume drugs and alcohol and the Trustees have to clear the litter and repair the damage.

Local residents pass the green and do not report incidents to the police.

The reason for creating the green was to regenerate the village,however, in view of the activities of a minority of people the green is no longer viable. The maintenance of the green is difficult and all attempts to attract support from the local community have failed.

A resident suggested that the green is transferred to NTC and the position is reviewed within 18 months and in the event the problems remain the village considers the option of developing the land.

Mr Cathie-The green was developed with grants from The Countryside Agency and NTC and in the event the land is developed the grant to the Countryside Agency would have to be repaid. There may also be planning restrictions which would prevent the development of the land due to its present status.

The Trustee’s explained that NTC had provided an undertaking to repay the grant in order that there was no liability to the Trustees.

Cllr Allan-With regards to the planning restrictions the Unitary Development Plan is to be replaced with the Local Development Framework which allows the local communities to stipulate their requirements for planning and development priorities. It would be possible to recommend the inclusion of the green for future development.

It was resolved that the green is transferred to NTC and the situation is monitored for 18 months and in the event the problems with anti-social behaviour persist the development of the land be reconsidered by the local community.

Other Issues

An issue was raised about anti social behaviour around the Library in Fordley. It was agreed that we should arrange a meeting at Fordley to discuss the issues.

There was a feeling that we should do something about the speed of traffic through the village and that improved road markings would assist with the issue.

There were a number of outstanding matters relating to the Highways from the Last Forum meeting which Mark Towers had promised to respond on. It was agreed we should chase a response.

The streetlights in the back lane of Burradon Road were the old type and it seemed that they had been forgotten. The back lane was been neglected in terms of weeds and grass cutting.

The odour from the Whitley Bay Meat Factory was discussed and Bill Campbell had maintained a diary as requested and sent it in to Helen Watson, but nothing had appeared to have been done. JA agreed to chase to see if we could discuss the issues collectively with the owners, councillors and environment team.

The meeting were informed that the Alcohol Exclusion Zones were being approved for 49 sites across the borough and that the three in the village would be established within the next ten days.

A review of the new Burradon and Camperdown Community Agreement was to be undertaken on Thursday afternoon. The scheme was a unique partnership that had been set up in May this year and was assisting with the general improvement of the village. The meeting were informed that a review of CCTV across North Tyneside was soon to be carried out with a view to upgrading the 100 plus cameras and monitoring equipment. The Police were proposing the installation of a static camera on Front Street which would be monitored and controlled by the central monitoring team. The meeting were asked their views about the Installation of the camera and the proposal was unanimously endorsed.