Springwell Village Residents Association

Residents Meeting 15 September 2026

Springwell Village Social Club

Present: Angela Silk Chairperson

Liz Reid     Vice-Chairperson

Martin McKeever Treasurer

Pauline Cooper Committee Member

Alison Nairn Committee Member

Deborah Gallagher Committee Member

Keith Nairn Committee Member

Chris Green Committee Member

In Attendance.

Brandon Feeley Ward Councillor Joanne Chapman Ward Councillor Adrian Pickering Ward Councillor Adam Hewitt MMB Manager

Drew Robertson MMB Amanda Hunt Northumbrian Water

Donna Rawlinson Northumbrian Water Paul Wood Northumbrian Water

Marion Dixon Sunderland CC Pamela Collins Sunderland CC

Paul Whitehall Environment agency Gary Wallace Environment agency

PC Hendren Northumbria police PC Terry Northumbria police

1. Minutes

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

2. Northumbrian Water

NWL reported that the reservoir’s main construction is complete. There are to be some valves installed within the perimeter of the fence and a crane will be arriving 05/10/26. This work will take less than a week. There are also to be some pressure reducing valves to be installed within the fenced area and this work will take approx 6 weeks and is to commence in January. Re-instatement of the compound is currently taking place on Mount Lane. They advised they have been working with the team regarding landscaping and there is little they can do other than planting hedges and trees. MMB advised they can’t plant on the embankment due to maintenance concerns below ground in many areas. Planting of hedgerows and trees is to commence in October this year. 

NWL confirmed that members of their team helped in the village on Green day, they also commented that a final decision will be made by October in relation to any projects NWL can help with. They are still committed to leaving legacy projects – including help with the bus stop and with the planting around the community venue. 

3. Update on the Quarry and Ashcourt Group.
   The Environment Agency gave a presentation on their role and on how the quarry operates. They explained how they regulate conditions and any permits that are in place. They also advised that they conduct frequent unannounced visits to the quarry and informed residents they should report incidents of concern every time they happen, as the more complaints they receive the more visits they will undertake.
   
   Marion Dixon, Ass Director, Regulatory Services at the council explained it is her role to ensure compliance of planning conditions. She gave an update on the planning applications recently made by Ashcourt in relation to the concrete facility and explained the target date for these applications are 19/11/26 and 25/11/26. She explained both are out to public consultation and that more than 60 residents had been contacted. She advised planning officers are currently in consultation with specialists to see if there are any breaches at the quarry, at the end of that consultation they will assess to see if any appropriate actions are required. In relation to noise, she advised at this point there is insufficient evidence to warrant it amounting to a statutory nuisance. In relation to air quality this is still on going but an interim report is due soon.
   
   Residents raised their concerns regarding the height of stock piles and the breach of conditions made by Ashcourt, there was a discussion on leachate and the lack of council actions in general. Concerns were also raised regarding stockpiling outside of the working area of the quarry, to which the EA advised they are currently looking into this matter. Further concerns were raised regarding the ponds, the effects on the greater crested newts and how there had been no reply from the council since the issue was raised in April. Marion Dixon said she would take this away and look into it. SVRA reiterated the importance of responding to the planning application and that the council will take their views into account.

4. Planning Applications

An update was given on the application for 17 bungalows on the land north of Fairhaven, it had been heard at the council planning committee meeting on 07/09/26 and any decision has been deferred pending a site visit being made by planning committee. There was no further update on the planning application at Usworth Farm.

5. Community Projects.

The next job in Seldom Scene Park will be the weeding of the flower beds and planting of spring bulbs. Planting around the Guide Post is to commence soon.

6. Northumbria Police.
   An input was given by neighbourhood officers from Northumbria Police. Residents raised concerns regarding vehicles speeding through the village and the need for more speed vans in the area. Officers explained there have been 2 reports received by police in the last month of speeding and advised residents to report any incidents of speeding they witness. Officers advised they are aware of the problems in the area with e-bikes. They stated there is an on going operation with a bike team in place to address the issues. There is also a plain clothes operation taking place in October and they stressed the need for residents to submit complaints.

7. AOB.
   It was noted that the LED speed camera in the village had been removed. Councillors advised these are funded and are only temporary . Concerns were raised re the bus stop and the fact that as it is boarded it affords no shelter. Councillor Feeley is to take this away. It was also asked what was happening with the Chase and the councillors advised they will look into this.

8. Date of next meeting to be confirmed