The Boundary Commission are now consulting on their final draft recommendations that will become effective at the next County Council elections in May 2025, writes Cllr Liz Maddison on behalf of the Independent Spennymoor County Councillors.
Anyone can submit comments regarding the proposed enlarged areas (Spennymoor Division suggested to incorporate Binchester and Newfield) and Tudhoe Division suggested to include Croxdale and Hett) as well as a comment for consideration to move the boundary of Spennymoor Division by placing High Street, Ox Close and surrounding streets into Tudhoe Division. It has already been proposed that County Councillors will reduce from 126 to 98 Councillors. The Boundary Commission are also seeking views on a suggestion put to them to rename current County Divisions of Spennymoor and Tudhoe to become Spennymoor East and Spennymoor West.
I have already communicated our ‘Independent County Councillor’ view to keep established high street links and community identity between our two Divisions, as well as being opposed to moving Ox Close boundary. The Tudhoe and Spennymoor area names feature in historic maps of our area. The final consultation ends on 10th July and is open to any resident to provide comment by emailing: reviews[@]lgbce[.]org[.]uk or writing to Review Officer (Durham), LGBCE, PO Box 133, Blyth NE24 9FE, including your address/postcode.
News of a public consultation organised by hedleyplanning.co.uk for Monday, 26th June, was received this week. This consultation meeting is to be held from 3pm – 7pm in Spennymoor Town Hall, to discuss a proposal for 214 homes on land west of Whitworth and provide comments by 30th June. In view of this short timescale notification, I have asked if an online discussion could also take place and I am awaiting a response.
A planning application has come through for 65 dwellings, with associated access, infrastructure and landscaping on the site of the former Greyhound track next to the Daisy Field and Merrington View on behalf of Hardwick Homes and Livin Housing. This application can be viewed on the Council’s website on reference DM/23/01358/FPA.
As reported in last edition, Durham Brass Festival Little Brass Bash, is coming to Spennymoor market area in High Street on Thursday 13th July from 6pm to 8pm. This event has been funded by all County Councillors for Spennymoor and Tudhoe areas.
Find and Fix have completed requested painting of barriers in the town centre and have done an excellent job; some outstanding work will be completed on their next visit. We are also awaiting a delivery of new bins to replace rusted ones.
Highways Division have installed upgraded barriers to replace rusted ones either side of the pedestrian crossing on Oxford Road. Further Member funding to put in a speed visor and safety features to slow down traffic on Oxford Road has already been put through and a date to start this work is awaited.
Earlier this week we joined with children from Rosa Street and the Clean and Green Team to plant a celebration flower display at the corner of four lane ends to mark the year of King Charles III accession to the throne. A similar display is on the main access road into the town off Whitehouse roundabout. Flower beds were prepared earlier in the year to await the summer bedding plants with their official red, white and blue King’s insignia. We thank the children and teachers of Middlestone Moor Primary School for coming along and planting some of the bedding plants and Clean and Green Team for doing excellent preparation work for a super display.
Spennymoor's local community newspaper.
