Springwell Village Residents Association

Residents Meeting

14th July 2026

Springwell Village Social Club

Present: Angela Silk Chairperson

Liz Reid Vice-Chairperson

Mark Curry Treasurer

Christine Brown Secretary

Pauline Cooper Committee Member

Alison Nairn Committee Member

Deborah Gallagher Committee Member

Keith Nairn Committee Member

Lesley Pickup Committee Member

Chris Green Committee Member

Martin McKeever Committee Member

In Attendance: Chris Eynon Council Leader, Sunderland 

Brandon Feeley Ward Councillor

Joanne Chapman Ward Councillor

Adrian Pickering Ward Councillor

Adam Lewis MMB Contracts Manager

Donna Rawlinson Northumbrian Water

Paul Wood Northumbrian Water

1. Minutes

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

2. Councillor Chris Eynon, Leader of Sunderland Council, introduced himself. He noted the issues in the Village, particularly the Quarry. He said the Council were investigating breaches of operating conditions and looking at noise, dust and air pollution and the concrete silos.

3. Northumbrian Water

Donna reported that the reservoir is substantially complete. Planting will be in October and November. A smaller compound will be there until October. They are discussing potholes and the road with Sunderland Council. Donna said there will be an ongoing commitment to the Village after completion. Chris Eynon noted that the  Highways Team would be visiting at the weekend and are hoping to resurface the road in September. Donna was asked to look at planting plans to see if the hard lines on the Reservoir could be disguised better.

4. The Quarry and Ashcourt Group

A briefing from the Environment Agency was distributed which confirms non-compliance by the  Ashcourt Group. The Council need diaries from residents giving evidence of any nuisance from the Quarry. These need to be repeated for every incidence. A monitoring unit will be sited at the Bowes Railway. The need for monitors was noted. The Environment Agency is also collecting its own evidence. Residents noted that there had been no action taken by the Council for more than 6 years over breaches of operating conditions.  The level of noise at 7am was discussed. This has become worse since Ashcourt took over the Quarry. The Council’s response to noise complaints was that it does not constitutes a statutory nuisance. Chris Eynon asked to be kept up to date and to receive evidence eg videos of noise and mud on the road. It was noted by a resident that permission was granted with a condition that the local environment be protected yet the pond with the Great Crested Newts has been so polluted the newts have died and the bright blue concrete silos (installed with no planning consent) can be seen from all viewpoints in the area. The piles of waste are now much higher than they have ever been. A resident noted the Council had taken no action to protect residents and had made no attempt to monitor the situation or gather their own information. It was also noted that dust from crushed concrete can microscopic elements which can be cancer forming. Water used on the site may also be contaminated from the crushed concrete. Concerns were raised about the noise and dust that would come from the proposed concrete manufacturing facility – the main reason the blue silos have been installed. Ashcourt’s Dust Management Plan has not been updated since 2018 although the way the site operates has changed dramatically since then.

5. Planning Applications

The application for 17 bungalows in Fairhaven has led to over 400 objections. It is expected to go to Planning Committee in September or October. Any resident wishing to speak at the Committee needs to contact the Council.

6. Community Projects

The Green Day was very successful. Litter picking equipment is now stored in a shed in the school grounds. Litter picking now takes place once a month but some residents are doing this on a more regular basis. The flower beds in Seldom Seen Park have been weeded and replanted. Local residents are watering the plants. The funds for these projects came from the Village Ward  Councillors Community Chest.

7. Bus Stop on Springwell Road 

This was due to be demolished on 29^th July but no plans have  been made for a replacement. Councillors and residents have contacted the Council and Nexus trying to stop the demolition and to get Nexus to consider a bus stop that fits in with the area rather than the metal and glass one they originally proposed as nearly all bus stops in the Village are stone built.

8. The Chairperson thanked everyone for attending.

9. Date of next meeting:  Tuesday, 15^th September 2026 at Springwell Village Social Club.