Agenda item

a.      Response to Bowerhill Sports Field & Youth Facilities Survey

b.      Concerns about Councillor-led initiatives

c.      Any Other Urgent Questions of Public Concern

a. Response to Bowerhill Sports Field and Youth Facilities survey

Councillor Mike Mills, Chairman of Melksham Without Parish Council, was pleased to report the overwhelming response to the survey was that the land should remain in recreational use. He also explained that young people and pupils had been consulted and the amount and quality of responses received had amazed and delighted the Parish Council. 

He stated that the Parish Council fully supported the exclusion of the land required for the link road between the A350 and Lancaster Road roundabout from the agreement. Following a query from the floor he confirmed that the existing changing / youth building would have to be pulled down but that money to replace it would be part of the transfer and planning permission had been granted.

Councillor Mark Griffiths commended Melksham Without Parish Council for their effort.

Decision:

To approve the transfer of the football pitch land at Lancaster Road Melksham, extending to approximately 5.34 hectares (13.2 acres) to Melksham Without Parish Council in the sum of £1 and otherwise in accordance with the Council’s Community Asset Transfer Policy.

b. Concerns about Councillor-led initiative

The Chairman gave reassurance that concerns had been heard and registered and the board was fully aware of the sensitivity of the issue.

Councillor Mark Griffiths pointed out that no matter where or who the grant request came from, anyone and everyone could speak at the Area Board meeting it was considered at.

Decision:

To keep the Area Board updated on any development on the issue as and when possible.

c. Any Other Urgent Questions of Public Concern.

The Chairman invited Councillor Mark Griffiths, as the Unitary member for Melksham Without North, to report to the meeting the problems faced by residents of Snarlton Lane due to the utilities work being carried out for a sizeable housing development to the east of Melksham.

Councillor Griffiths expressed his frustration at having been unable to meet with representatives of the utilities companies, who had been invited to attend the Area Board meeting, or the developers to find a solution to the existing problems. He summarised the upheaval faced by residents of Snarlton Lane such as limited access, noise pollution, damages to properties and loss of trade for local businesses but felt these stories would be better told by the residents themselves.

The Chairman invited residents of Snarton Lane to explain the problems they were facing. Many residents welcomed the opportunity and expressed a range of concerns, issues and feelings including the following:

• The fact that residents had initially been told Snarlton Lane would not be affected by the development, yet seemed to be the only area affected;
• The issue of an already narrow lane being made even narrower due to a trench being dug up and heavy vehicles parked on site and all the safety issue this brought such as:
  • Access and exit of the lane being made near impossible for residents themselves, let alone emergency vehicles, refuse collection lorries and mail deliveries,
  • The danger for pedestrians and cyclists as highlighted in two separate instances (a young girl nearly being nearly knocked off the pavement and an accident involving a bicycle),
  • The heavy vehicle traffic which created a lot of noise and loss of quality of life with regular 7.30 am start, as well as damages to some properties on the lane where signs of subsidence were appearing,
  • Frustration due to a lack of co-ordination for the work carried out by utilities companies which may lead to a trench being dug up four times.

Councillor John Noeken and Niki Lewis expressed dismay at the level of health and safety risks being highlighted by the residents and pledged to bring the issue to the attention of the relevant Wiltshire Council Corporate Directors for immediate action if possible.

Decision:

To ensure any further work by utilities companies in Snarlton Lane is delayed until proper discussion with all parties involved have taken place and the issues are resolved.

Note:

Since the meeting Wales and West utilities have agreed not to start the planned gas main upgrading in Snarlton Lane on 9^th August 2010 and an alternative route to serve the Persimmon development is being investigated.