County Councillor Liz Maddison has provided an update of activities.
The cost of replacing equipment on the North Park play area site has now escalated with further damages reported following a second arson attack and swings have been burnt out. Police have reported that they are following all leads to find the culprits.
Further work will be done to make safe this area and the police are recommending the removal of bushes to open up the area.
The police have reviewed all hot spots in the Town Centre as well as this play area and we are now hoping to match fund with them for additional CCTV cameras.
Anti-social behaviour (ASB) has continued in the town centre with more pellet damage reported.
The police drone has been flown over areas were ASB and off street bikes have been reported.
There have been some successful operations with some offenders identified and referred to the courts.
Five areas of fly-tipping have been identified with some areas now cleaned up. Several areas have been visited by our Neighbourhood Warden to position dog fouling warning signs and I have asked for two new dog bins on the large open space behind Kirkdale to Langmere/Hazelmer where dog bags have been dropped.
I have reported drainage issues off pathways on Whitworth Terrace, St. Pauls Gardens, Durham Road and Church Street at Byers Green.
On Church Street, an old pipe was found to have silted up. This has been cleaned out and pipe clearing at this location has been added to a regular maintenance schedule. Exploratory work has been completed further down Church Street to try to alleviate drainage issues in this location too.
A ‘clunking’ drainage cover, causing noise nuisance to nearby residents on Whitworth Terrace, has been repaired.
Cllr McAloon has reported overhanging trees and bushes behind properties on St David’s Close, Tudhoe making walking on pathways difficult; also behind Whitton Drive, Wimpy Estate.
A derelict garage at Tudhoe has been reported to Livin. This will be added to our list of garages that Livin have promised to review later this year, as reported in a previous column.
There is still opportunity to report any concerns or comments onto the planning portal for application to change the use of a private property at Byers Green to a Children’s Care Home for maximum of three children age 5 to 16 years of age, reference DM/25/0011/FPA.
Since the application came through on 27th January, I have made two visits to one of the company’s care homes to learn about the organisation and how it operates.
I have been impressed with the professionalism and caring approach seen at this care home.
This was followed up with invitations for some key stakeholders and community representatives from Byers Green, to also visit and meet representatives.
I have attended coffee mornings at the church, together with representatives of the applicant, Vita Nova, where they have introduced themselves and spoken to a large group of village residents.
I am also aware that Cllr Molloy has independently arranged for Vita Nova to attend a question and answer session at Byers Green Club.
I do hope that all information sessions have been beneficial. This application was notified as a delegated decision to be made by officers and is currently not planned to be called in to Committee. If residents do have any questions or concerns, please contact me prior to this planning portal deadline for comments of 13th February, on my telephone number at 03000 264343 or email me at Liz.Maddison[@]durham[.]gov[.]uk.
Storm Eowyn caused considerable damage to woodlands in our area and Cllr McAloon and I toured the area, reporting large trees brought down on Greenways Estate, Rosa Street, Byers Green, Cow Plantation, Tudhoe and at Tudhoe St. Charles RC Church.
After making areas safe, officers from Clean & Green have continued to clear the trees and found alternative uses for the wood itself.
The Toddler Time group approached myself and Cllr Molloy separately prior to the Christmas break after learning that their sessions would finish.
A request to agree an extension of sessions until 31/1/25 was agreed whilst the Group’s concerns were considered.
Sadly, the group held their last session on Friday, 31/1/25.
However, a valid petition has been submitted to Durham County Council and one of the group’s representatives will present this petition to all County Councillors, without debate, in accordance with Council petition procedures, at our County Council meeting on Wednesday, 19 February.
Investigation of the Group’s concerns and a formal response would then follow.
I do hope that some solution can be found for this popular group to enable them to continue to operate.
Cllr Liz Maddison 5/2/25
Spennymoor's local community newspaper.
