Dear Editor,
On the subject of the development of the site off York Hill road in Spennymoor and after numerous attempts to have clarified what the term “identified harms” descried in an earlier communication meant, I have received a copy of the actual planning committee minutes via Alan Strickland’s (MP) office. I am most grateful for their assistance in this matter
I was quite surprised to learn however, that Councillor Liz Maddison [Independent] who regularly represents the interests of our townsfolk and keeps us all updated through her column in your paper, was denied the right to debate the planning application on a point of order? It was said, and I quote: “that she had attended the committee with a predetermined view on the application”, so, not only is democracy under threat at a national level, it applies locally too, it would seem?
My worry over the use of the term “identified harms” was based on concern for the already overstretched essential services such as GPs, dental practices, pharmacies, fire service and police service provision, as well as other types of infrastructure. Spennymoor is not so much a community in the old sense, but has become merely a commuter town. The by-pass built nearly 40 years ago to alleviate traffic through the town is now busier than ever, but the volume of traffic within the town itself has increased exponentially and continues to do so. Yet, the roads which service it have barely changed, often leading to considerable congestion and parking issues. The majority of supermarkets have for a while now, needed to impose strict parking regulation to avoid commuters parking their cars for extended periods. It has even been suggested that some people who work elsewhere park their vehicle and car share or, use other forms of public transport to get to work. We have no access to parking enforcement officers although the time has come where we could do with our own surely and, despite my own attempts to have DCC mark out parking bays on Cheapside, Clyde Terrace and elsewhere to assist good parking practice, they have declined to do so.
I am not against the need for development but in the case of Spennymoor, the granting of this particular application and with yet more underway elsewhere in the town, I would argue, we have accommodated more than our fair share. Do the people who live here matter or not?
On a final note. The local government has for a long time been able to charge the developer a Community Service levy which is meant, or so I believe, to be a contribution to essential services brought about by the increase in population created by the development. In the case of York Hill road that comes to around £1.7 million. The question that must surely be asked though is, does that sum benefit solely the people of Spennymoor or does it disappear into the general coffers? Next time you want a GP appointment or an NHS dentist, look to the police for assistance, witness inconsiderate parking, raise concern about road safety and who knows what else, then you decide for your self.
Yours sincerely,
Mr P Laidler
Spennymoor's local community newspaper.
