Springwell Village Residents Association

Residents Meeting and Annual General Meeting

20th May 2025

Springwell Village Social Club

Present: Angela Silk Chairperson

Liz Reid Vice-chairperson

Christine Brown Secretary

George Martin Treasurer

Pauline Cooper Committee Member

Alison Nairn Committee Member

Keith Nairn Committee Member

Martin McKeever Committee Member

Mark Curry Committee Member

In Attendance:

Harry Trueman Ward Councillor

Steven Whittaker MMB Contracts Manager

Gareth Giles MMB Contracts Manager

Donna Rawlingson Northumbrian Water

Paul Wood Northumbrian Water Projects Manager

Amanda Hunt Northumbrian Water

Apologies:

Lesley Pickup Committee Member

Deborah Gallagher Committee Member

Dorothy Trueman Ward Councillor

1. Minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting were proposed and seconded. Approved.

2. Update on Reservoir

Paul Wood reported that the Derwent Main connection has been made and the

reservoir is now being filled with water. It has been decided to use Mount Park Road

as lorry access for the backfilling as this will be quicker and easier. A conveyor belt

will soon be used to put the gravel on the roof. Good progress has been made on the

Outlet pipeline, testing will start soon and then this will be reinstated and planted

over, hopefully 3-4 mths. Northumbrian Water are engaging and listening to

residents to ensure the fencing will be agreeable to all. The finish date for the Project

is now the end of this year/start of next year.

A discussion followed covering the following areas :

a) Mount Park Road. Mount Park residents expressed concerns over the use of

b) Mount Park Road could be used for backfilling. Paul said there should not be any disruption and

it will be quicker.

c) Fencing. Residents asked for more information about the proposed fencing. It

 was noted that Northumbrian Water initially said it would be environmentally

friendly but does not seem to be. There was a lot of bad feeling and lack of

confidence about this issue. Residents felt Northumbrian Water were more

concerned with saving money on the fencing than meeting residents wishes.

Residents want the fencing lower down on the site and with bushes in front of

the fencing to reduce its impact. The residents had bought the houses with an

open aspect and were now faced with a high security fence. The Chairperson

suggested Paul should have a meeting with the residents most concerned to

discuss this issue, develop options and come to an agreement that suits both

sides. Donna pointed out that there are regulations that relate to security issues

on the site that they have to abide by. Residents asked that samples of fencing

be brought to the consultation meeting. The Chairperson said the Residents

Association would make sure everyone knew when and where the meeting will

take place. Possibly a site visit followed by a meeting. Paul was asked if planning

permission was needed to move the location of the fencing. Paul said he would

find out and prepare some options. The Deputy Chairperson said any residents

with issues could contact the Residents Association by email:

SVRA12@hotmail.com.

d) Dust. It was felt that the dust is very bad at the moment, with layers of dust

everywhere and not just near the site. Paul said they would manage the dust as

best as they could. It was pointed out by residents that dust management had

not been successful so far and they wanted details of plans for the future. Paul

said plans will be developed.

e) General environment. Residents complained about the height of weeds on the

bund and that it is now difficult to turn right safely due to the weeds. Paul agreed

to deal with the weeds. Paul was asked if Mount Lane will be resurfaced, he said

this was down to Sunderland Council but they have committed to this. Paul is

working on traffic management plans which he will share with residents.

Finishing date. Residents wanted to know why the finishing date had been put

back nearly a year as we had not been informed of any problems/delays. Paul

replied that the rocky ground had caused some delays; there were problems with

the pressure testing; deliveries of concrete slabs from Ireland had also caused

delays. Residents were unhappy that these issues had not been revealed before

and that Northumbrian Water had not been open and honest with residents

which damages residents confidence in them. Amanda said they had hoped to

catch up but hadn’t. Paul noted that there is always a risk of problems with new

installations which might affect the current timescales. Any leaks will only be

minor seepage. The reservoir is currently 1/6th full.

The Chairperson thanked Paul and his colleagues for attending.

3. Thompsons Quarry

A report of the last consultation meeting with Thompsons was circulated. Keith

noted that they always get the same answers from Thompsons so he had contacted

the Environment Agency this time who backed up Thompsons saying they monitor

noise and dust and have no concerns. When asked about the height of the rubble

mounds, the Environment Agency said there were no recommendations or

standards about this. There are some dust monitoring sites around the Village and

the Environment Agency will put one in residents gardens if asked.

It was noted that it is hard to tell if dust/dirt in the Village comes from Thompsons or

the reservoir site. Concern was expressed over the state of footpaths near

Thompsons which are covered in sandy soil. Keith will ask Thompsons to deal with

this again.

4. Solar Farm

There is no information so far as to whether Boom Power will appeal the Planning

Committee’s voting against the proposal. They have until 6th July to appeal. Harry

Trueman noted that the people who spoke at Committee were excellent and that it

has been a long time since an application was voted against by all political parties.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Chairperson presented the Annual Report. Among the Residents Association

successes this year was the continued fight to protect the Green Belt, the fight

against the Solar Farm and helping the Village School get a Reading Cabin installed

and kitted out.

The Treasurers Report noted the Association currently has a balance of £975.

Expenditure this year consisted only of printing costs. George Martin is retiring as

Treasurer this year after many years of hard work for the Association. Mark Curry is

the incoming Treasurer. On behalf of the Residents Association, the Chairperson

thanked George for all his hard work over many years. George will continue as a

committee member with the Residents Association.

At this point the Committee stepped down. Councillor Truman took over the

meeting and commented on how impressive and effective the Committee were,

wishing all the villages in his ward had Residents Associations like this one. Following

a unanimous vote from residents the Committee was re-elected. Angela Silk was re-

elected Chairperson and Liz Reid as Vice-chairperson.

Date and Time of Next Meeting

To be confirmed.