Springwell Village Residents Association       

Meeting Held on 11^th March, 2025

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

Deborah Gallagher Committee Member

Lesley Pickup Committee Member

In Attendance:  

Richard Johnston Project Manager, Northumbrian Water

Sarah Jane Parvin Customer Care, MMB

Gary Theakstone MMB Contracts Manager

Steven Whittaker MMB Contracts Manager

Gareth (Gilles?) MMB Contracts Manager

Donna Rawlingson Northumbrian Water

Paul Wood Northumbrian Water Projects Manager 

Amanda Hunt Northumbrian Water

Apologies: Mark Curry Committee Member 

Harry Trueman Ward Councillor

Dorothy Trueman Ward Councillor

1. Minutes of previous meeting proposed and seconded. Approved.

2. Update from Richard Johnston:- 

The reservoir structure is now complete. Scaffolding is going up on the northern side ready to waterproof the roof. The control building has been installed below ground and is now being fitted out. We will start to fill the reservoir at the end of March/early April. The inlet/outlet pipe is being installed. This requires a lot of excavation and it will then be backfilled. 

The main structure is made of precast concrete with infills between each block. These will need to be checked for leaks as filling takes place. The filling will be a gradual process to allow checks for leaks. Any leakage will drain into the sewer system.

Mount Park Road is not in good shape due to frost and the work so temporary repairs will be undertaken. The Council will be filling potholes. The road will be resurfaced properly when the project is completed. 

Minor amendments to the plans have been submitted to the Planning Department. The access road has been redesigned to accommodate the temporary use of cranes should this be required in the future. As mentioned earlier, the Control room has been moved to below ground. The SUDS basin to the south of the reservoir is currently being designed. Discussions are being held about the location of the perimeter fencing. The rodent problem continues and work is being undertaken to deal with this.

Richard was asked if the landscaping will be the same as on the plans. Richard said they are committed to net gain for the environment and they will take on board residents comments and ideas. There is not yet a timescale for the landscaping – this depends on the progress of other work on site.

Residents commented that even with planting the fencing be very intrusive and asked if it could be moved higher up the bank. Richard said they will look at this but security of the site is the key issue. The fencing will be green and the shrubbery should deter people from climbing on it. They will share the plans with residents at the appropriate time. The Chairperson suggested Northumbrian Water should invite affected residents to a meeting on site to discuss this.

The pipeline is now fully laid and is being tested for leaks. When the weather is dry enough top soil will be replaced. It is hoped that the footpath at the bottom of Peareth Hall Road will be open by Easter.

A resident asked when the compounds would be removed. Richard replied that pipes are still being tested and holes will then be refilled. It was noted that there is dirt on the footpaths and Richard said he would see to that. A resident asked if the replacement trees/shrubbery will be mature. Richard said no, not initially.

Richard then reported that he was retiring at the end of March. Paul Wood is currently shadowing him and will then take over.

The Chairperson thanked Richard and his colleagues for attending.

3. Solar Farm update

The Chairperson reported that Springwell Village Residents had won the fight against the Boom Solar Farm with ALL councillors on the Planning Committee voting against the proposal. Boom Power will probably appeal (they have 6 months to do this) and we will continue to fight them if they do.

They would need substantive points to get it overturned as they need relevant grounds. A lot of work went into this objection especially by Pauline, Liz, Mark and Deborah. Several Committee Members spoke against the proposal as did Councillor Harry Trueman. Councillor Warne spoke in favour of the Solar farm. at the Planning Committee. Sunderland Council listened to its residents.

Chris Lane gave a massive vote of thanks to all the Committee members for their hard work. It was noted that 450 objections from local residents had been received by the Council.

4. Thompsons Quarry

A copy of notes taken at a meeting with the Quarry manager was distributed. These covered several issues. The height of the mound was raised and Ross Orchard (Site Manager) that the mound was in line with Environment Agency views. The soil mound will eventually be reduced. Work continues on the new wash plant. Ross confirmed the road around the site was swept on a regular basis. There is currently some yellow sandstone on site which is being washed. Noise and dust levels continue to be monitored.

Residents noted that the heaps of soil are very dominant for residents. There is also often a digger very high on top of the mounds. 

The very bad state of the public footpaths by the Quarry was noted. This makes walking, especially with a child’s buggy, very dangerous. This will be raised at the next liaison meeting with the Quarry Management.

5. Springwell Village School Library

Thompsons, MMB, Northumbrian Water and Wentworth Builders all contributed to the new library. Thompsons contributed money and the use of their haulage contractor to crane the Library Cabin into position. Thompsons are also arranging for a ramp into the Library for disabled access. There was a discussion about other book providers that could be approached.

6. Any Other Business

Planning Applications have been made 1) to convert the barn on Springwell Road into two 6 bedded houses under Clause Q. This allows existing barns to be converted into houses.  2) Havannah Farm has an application in for Livery Stables. It was noted that the traffic sensors on Springwell Rd near the school have been set at the wrong speed. The sad face only appears at 30 mph, not 20 mph as it should. The Council will be contacted about this. More volunteers are needed by the Association, mainly for leaflet distribution. This would be for houses near where the volunteer lives and would help when the usual distributors are away or ill. Any volunteers should contact Keith or Alison, Committee Members.

7. Date and Time of Next Meeting

This will be the AGM on Tuesday, 20^th May 2025, 6.30 pm at the Springwell Social Club.