BOROUGH OF POOLE

MINUTES OF THE HAMWORTHY EAST & WEST AND POOLE TOWN AREA COMMITTEE

HELD ON WEDNESDAY 24th SEPTEMBER 2003

AT THE CIVIC CENTRE POOLE

The meeting commenced at 7.00 p.m and closed at 9.07 p.m.

Members of the Committee Present::-

Councillor Leverett (Chairman)

Councillors Knight, White and Wretham

Members of the public in attendance:- 25

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bulteel and Gregory.

Apologies were also given on behalf of Miss Mary Parsons, Mrs Anne Smeaton, Mrs Shirley Chick, Mr Mike Wilkins and Mr John Wilson.

  1. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE HAMWORTHY EAST AND WEST AND POOLE TOWN AREA COMMITTEE HELD ON 30TH JULY 2003

Page 1 – Outdoor Education Centre - Mr Chick indicated that Miss Parsons had still not had a reply regarding the future of the working party to look at the Outdoor Education Centre. The Chairman instructed Democratic Services to send a written response to Miss Parsons as quickly as possible.

Page 2 – Item 3 – Form to be placed on the Web site. Mr Harris reported that the form would be available on the Web site in approximately 1 week’s time.

Page 3 – Minute 6 – Seldown Road site. Mr Howard explained that the Parkstone Bay Resident’s Association had recently had a meeting with the developers, Crest Homes. Amongst other things they had discussed the options for the removal of the concrete on the site estimated to be in the order 250,0000 tonnes and whether this should be broken up and crushed on site or removed. After weighing up the considerable amount of lorry movements that would be involved it was agreed that it would probably be best for the concrete to be broken up on site. Mr Howard pointed out that Councillor Gregory’s comment in the minutes that sites could be cleaned up without noise was misleading and inaccurate as Crest Homes had confirmed to the Association that the works on site could not be done without noise and all the discussions would concentrate on how to minimise noise and disruption or at best keep it to the least possible levels. Certainly the works could not be carried out without noise.

Page 4 – Skatefest – Councillors Leverett and Wretham commented that the event had been extremely successful and had been carried out without undue nuisance to local residents. Mr Howard confirmed that the event had been successful and local residents were pleased at how it had been managed and operated. He did however, point out that there was an ongoing problem of vandalism to residential properties as a result of the use of the Skate Park in the evenings by various people not just youngsters. He suggested that this was caused in the main by the Skate Park being floodlit which therefore acted as a magnet for people to meet. He suggested that the Council should experiment with turning the floodlights off for one or two months to see whether this would reduce the effect of vandalism from people going to and leaving the Skate Park. The Chairman suggested that this was primarily a matter for Police enforcement and should be reported to the Local Police Station.

Page 5 – St. James’ churchyard – The Chairman reported that following a request from the residents for the pollarding-crown lifting of trees around St. James’ churchyard an estimated cost had been obtained in the sum of £1110. However, due to pressure of works from other sites and the lack of financial resources for the management of trees across the Borough, this work was not considered urgent or to have safety implications. He suggested that later in the year, when the Council was looking at all its budgets it might have resources unspent which could be utilised for this work. The matter would therefore be examined later in the year when the precise position on spending of all the Council’s budgets was known.

  1. DEVELOPMENT OF WEST QUAY ROAD SITES

Mr Doug Evans of Planning Design and Control Services gave a presentation on the development of sites in West Quay Road. These covered the Dalgetty site and the RNLI site and Mr Evans used photographs and sketch layouts to show the changes that had already happened and those that were taking place together with a projection of those in the future. He explained that the Asda store on the Dalgetty site would be accompanied by a large car park which was capable of multi-decking. Indeed, the Asda Company were themselves going to construct a car park at ground and first floor level so that any future decking would minimise any disruption. The future decking would be probably available to the Local Authority for public carparkign purposes should it be required. The various proposals of the RNLI were now advanced including their training college and there was an area of land adjacent to Whittles Way which was being provisionally reserved possibly to accommodate voluntary water users such as the Sea Scouts and/or Sea Cadets, but the details of this had not yet been determined. As part of the developments, there was a continuing waterfront walkway and access to the water at appropriate points. The discussions had covered fully, the use of Slip Way and to a great degree Whittles Way. Mr Evans also mentioned that the eventual developments along the West Quay frontage would in turn lead to a need to deal with the development of the Railway goods yard so as to provide a complete traffic generation arrangement in this area. It was likely that proposals for the goods yard site would come forward in the next few months. After his presentation Mr Evans answered various questions as follows:-

Wilkins Way

A questioner asked whether Wilkins Way was to be replaced and why no one had heard as to what its future was. Doug Evans responded by saying that a lot depended on the precise line of the bridge. The RNLI land extended to Whittles Way but there was a small bit that was reserved for possible relocation of Sea Scouts and others together with a possible slipway. Part was used as a temporary car park for the RNLI but this was only temporary. There would need to be a linkage of pedestrian and cycleway movements along the Quay frontage and the exact development around Wilkins Way had not been finalised at the moment. The questioner responded to say that therefore, Wilkins Way was still in jeopardy.

Poole Harbour Association

Mr Pearce raised the question that he had written to the Planning Officer asking a number of questions and these had not been satisfactorily answered. He asked Mr Evans a number of points. The Chairman indicated to Mr Pearce that if he would like to send him a copy of the original letter and a copy of the answer, he would discuss the matter with the Planning Officer and see if further information could be given to clarify any answers.

Loss of accesses

Councillor Wretham and number of people present at the meeting indicated that there had been a gradual reduction in the loss of public slipways in Poole over the last few years.

Slip Way

Mr Pearce asked whether Mr Evans was happy with what was being built at Slip Way as he regarded it as ‘scandalous’. Mr Evans replied that what had been built was in accordance with the approved plan he was aware that there was a disagreement as to where the highway actually ended, but all he could deal with was whether the development had been built in accordance with the permission. Mr Pearce then asked questions about whether the sea wall had been built in accordance with licenses and whether the appropriate licenses had been obtained from other bodies. Mr Evans replied that it was not for the Council to ensure that licenses were obtained from other appropriate bodies, but it was the responsibility of the developer. Mr Pearce also raised questions about the amount of water traffic. At this point the Chairman suggested that if Mr Pearce and the Harbour Association had further questions then these should be put in writing to him and he would endeavour to see that an answer was given. At this point Mr Pearce pursued further questions concerning the Visitor’s Centre, Slip Way, further proposals of the RNLI and the various entrances and accesses that would exit onto Slip Way. The Chairman suggested that it might be beneficial if the Harbour Association had a meeting with the Planning Officer where all these points could be discussed in detail and the relevant plans looked at. He suggested that either Mr Pearce contact Mr Evans direct or write to the Chairman who would arrange a meeting.

Boat traffic between the two bridges

Mr Greenslade raised the question about boats milling between the two bridges whilst one opened and closed and the other then opened and closed. He suggested that it would be better to build a roadway alongside the Railway Bridge across Holes Bay. He also asked what would happen if the seabed was not good enough to accept the structure of the proposed bridge. The Chairman reported that the Government funding was for the existing bridge and it was unlikely that any other scheme could now be considered and therefore the Council needed to look at the current proposal and work with it. If there were reasons why the current scheme could not proceed then these would be considered by the Council at the time they arose but all possible surveys and examinations were under way and would be dealt with as part of the development proposals.

Safety Survey

A member of the public asked whether the safety of boats between the two bridges had been examined and the Chairman reported that this would be part of the proposals that the Council looked at with regard to the details of the bridge.

Further slipways on Hamworthy side

A member of the public asked for further slipways on the Hamworthy side of the Harbour to be provided as part of the future development. The Chairman stated that this would need to be examined as part of the detailed proposals.

Proposed Bridge- danger

A member of the public asked whether the bridge would be re-sited if after it was built it was found to be dangerous. The Chairman replied that the bridge would not be built if it was regarded as dangerous.

Public information

Mr Marsh asked whether all the details concerning the safety and other implications would be made public. The Chairman replied that as far as possible all information would be made available to the public unless there were any confidential elements falling within existing legislation.

  1. TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMME

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Transportation Services indicating that requests for measures to reduce vehicle speeds around the bend in Lake Road near Dene Close were now an issue. A package of warning signs “slow” markings and red stripes could be introduced for £2,500, and this would leave approximately £5,235 available for the remainder of the year.

It was agreed that the package of warning signs at a cost of £2,500 should be implemented and that the details of the scheme be delegated to the Head of Transportation Services in consultation with Ward Councillors.

  1. PIPES LEADING FROM THE FORMER POWER STATION SITE TO HAMWORTHY PARK

The Chairman reported that this item had been missed off the Agenda having been requested by Mrs Marilyn Chatterton. Mr Harris apologised for this error and indicated that the item related to the responsibility, safety and maintenance of the various ducts on the Power Station site and the responsibility for the ducts which exited in Hamworthy Park. Mr Harris reported that the new owners of the Power Station site would in all probability have the responsibility for the pipes and ducts on the Power Station site. The Environment Agency had a responsibility if there was any danger or contamination that was expected and Mrs Chatterton could write to that body if she wished. The Consumer Protection Services were already looking at the site as part of the development proposals and they would no doubt consider the position of the underground pipes and ducts on the former Power Station site. As far as the duct which exited at Hamworthy Park, this was the subject of an agreement dated 1947 and the agents for the current owners continued to pay the licence fee for its use. Mr Harris doubted whether any hot water (the purpose of the duct) now exited from the Power Station site but it appeared that unless the owners terminated the licence agreement it would remain in force. As the duct was on the Council’s land the Council owned everything on the site but there might be responsibilities as part of the maintenance of the duct which could be pursued with the current owners of the Power Station site. Mrs Chatterton explained her concerns about dangers of people falling from the concrete area or even extending up the duct itself. Mr Harris and Ward Councillors indicated that they would look at this matter with the Council’s Leisure Services Department to see whether any action needed to be taken. Mr Harris also suggested that Mrs Chatterton might wish to write to both Consumer Protection and Planning Design Services so that the removal or making safe of the ducts could be considered as either part of the necessary closure of the pipeworks from the Power Station site or as part of the responsibilities arising from any future planning consent. Mr Harris pointed out that the ducts traversed not only Council land but other private land. Ward Councillors indicated their concerns and supported any safety action required.

  1. OPEN FORUM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Members speaking should give their names

Mr Marsh suggested that everyone who asked questions should give their names so that it could be accurately recorded. The Chairman agreed to remind people of this.

Agenda Item concerning Poole Pottery

Mr Marsh reported that he had submitted an item for the Agenda regarding Poole Pottery and that this had been delivered to the Civic Centre in July. Mr Harris reported that he was unaware of the request but that there were some difficulties since the previous Clerk to the meeting had been off sick for some time. Mr Marsh delivered a copy of the item and Mr Harris promised to follow this up.

Horse Chestnut Trees in Poole

Mr Marsh raised a question about the general condition of Horse Chestnut Trees in Poole following a recent article in the Daily Echo about the removal of the Horse Chestnut Trees in a park in Bournemouth. He particularly mentioned the trees in Poole Park. The Chairman explained the difficulties of costs in carrying out a survey of all such trees in Poole but agreed to ask Leisure Services to carry out an initial inspection of the trees in Poole Park to ascertain whether there were any immediate dangers.

Hamworthy Venues

Mr Chick repeated his firm conviction that the Area Committee should meet in Hamworthy and the next meeting must take place there. He suggested that possibly St Michael’s Church could be used if there was no Church Hall available. The Chairman asked Democratic Services to find a venue in Hamworthy for the next meeting.

Coaches visiting Poole Quay

Mr Greenslade raised the question about possible “black listing” of Poole if coaches were unable to drop down and pick up passengers. He pointed out that there was only a short area for this to be done and he had received information that coaches were not visiting the Quay because of this. The lack of visits then had a knock-on affect upon business, particularly his boat business. Councillor Knight explained the coach pick-up and dropping operations and the reasons why Council did not allow coaches to be parked at Baiter. He indicated that as far as he was aware there was no “black listing” of Poole Quay visits. Mr Greenslade agreed to pursue the matter himself with any coaches concerned.

One-way traffic system

Mr Howard mentioned that at a previous Area Committee and at the Transport Advisory Group and the Executive of the Council it had been agreed that a one-way system would be in operation in the Baiter/Old Town area once money was available from developers to fund such a scheme. He asked whether Crest Homes could be asked to pay for this as part of the development of their site. The Chairman confirmed that a package of proposals was being looked at. This was supported by the other Councillors present.

Trees in School Grounds

Mrs Evans asked whether there was any way of getting the Government to fund the examination of trees in school grounds so as to make sure there were no dangers to children. Councillor Wretham explained the obligations of School Governors and the work which they looked at as part of their responsibilities for school sites.