Springwell Village Residents Association      

Meeting Held on 19th November, 2024

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

In Attendance:            

Richard Johnston        Project Manager, Northumbrian Water

Sarah Jane Parvin        Customer Care, MMB

Gary Theakstone         MMB

Apologies:      
Mark Curry                  Committee Member

Lesley Pickup               Committee Member

Harry Trueman           Ward Councillor

Dorothy Trueman       Ward Councillor

Jimmy Warne              Ward Councillor

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

2.     Update from Richard Johnston:-

Richard reported that the reservoir was now 85% completed. The soil will not be put back until they are sure the reservoir is watertight, probably March 2025. Pipes are being pressure tested.

Amendments to the access road are with the Planning Team for planning approval. This is to ensure cranes can access the site for maintenance. Other changes include downgrading the security fencing. They are waiting for the Council to adopt Mount Park Road. Ducting needs to be installed to connect the transformer into the site. A pipe will be put in at the entrance to the Reservoir, probably January 2025. The pipeline to Washington is 90% complete. The work under the dual carriageway A194 is almost done and will be tested in the new year.

Restoration plans have been shared with landowners(9).  From Springwell Road to Leam Lane.  The temporary site on Peareth Hall Road is planned to be demobilised soon with the portacabins being returned to the main site. Restoration of this site will then be looked into. Looking into whether NWL does work or farmer does it himself. 

Work to remove rocks from the dual carriageway will start next week and take 2 weeks. The pipe in the right of way should be completed by the new year, with the path reopening at the end of Springwell. Will be opening PRoW as soon as possible.

Meeting at Eighton Banks on 27th.  The work at Eighton banks is taking longer than expected due to some problems with the pipes. Sandy lane/Galloping Green Road outside the Waggon Inn will be closed in the new year for 4 weeks. This is to make connections.

Resurfacing work on Mount Lane by Sunderland Council is planned to start on the 9th December. Drop-Ins continue to be held at the Village Hall every other Tuesday. The next one is on 12th December. Biodiversity Net gain is to be discussed with Mount View residents at the end of the summer.

Drop in sessions Thursdays – there will be a ‘customer friendly’ display of what reservoir will finally look like on laptops. Will be looking to engage with community possibly early summer to discuss what will finally look like – either session here, one of the drop in sessions or a bespoke session to meet everyone’s requirements.

Work will stop 19th December until 3rd January for Christmas.

A question and answer session followed. Subjects covered included:

a)     What is the difference in the security fencing now planned compared to the original plans? There will be a “quite chunky” fence and alarms to stop intruders. The covers on the reservoir have been given  a middle rating for security, this has been upgraded so that the fencing can be downgraded. This is to avoid terrorist attacks. If the covers are disturbed security will be notified by alarms. The reservoir has to be secure and discussions have been held with residents about this. The fencing will now be 1.8 metres high compared to the original plan of 2.4 metres. The fencing should help with biodiversity. Hedges and shrubs will be planted which should cover the fencing eventually.

b)    Soil replacement. Richard was asked if this would go up to the roof level. He replied yes and the soil will be grassed. The replacement hedging will be close to the road.

c)     Concerning the access on Peareth Hall Road, the meeting was informed that the landowner would like this access to be left. The fields will be returned to their previous sate by Northumbrian Water.

d)    Hedgerow replacement. Residents said they wanted the hedges to be replaced with mature hedging. Richard replied that mature replacements were less likely to survive being transplanted.

e)    Rockfall removal. Richard informed the meeting that this was just removing loose rocks and that netting will then be put over the top.

f)      Reinstatement of sites. Concerns were raised that if Northumbrian Water were to delegate this task to the landowners then they might not restore them adequately. Richard said this had not been a problem in the past in his experience.  There is a requirement on NWL to reinstate – however if it suits landowners do something different eg sow a different crop  NWL will either carry out work or pay the farmer to do it. 

g)     Future use of reinstated land. Richard assured the meeting that there will be an easement in place which means landowners cannot build within 15 metres of the pipeline but can grow crops overs this land.

h)    There is an easement over the pipeline so nothing can be built near that. Crops can be grown over the pipeline.

i)      ‘we are not in cahoots with anyone in the village – nothing has been done underhand’

j)      Legacy – we have dropped a library into the school – Liz clarified this was a collaboration between NWL, Thompson’s, transport company and artist. 

k)     A footpath can be put over the pipeline – not a road

The Chairperson thanked Richard and his colleagues for attending.

3.     Solar Farm update

The application has again been postponed by the Planning Department as they needed to consider the successful judgement against a solar farm in Durham. This concerned increasing the number of solar panels and the amount of power to be generated increasing to such a level that national approval was needed.

The Committee (especially Liz and Pauline) have been in daily contact with the Council trying to get more information which is not currently available about the amount of power planned to be generated on this site.

The Planning Committee usually follow the Planning Officers recommendations so we have to make sure the Planning Officer is aware of our concerns and objections ahead of the Planning Meeting.

4.     Thompsons Quarry

A copy of notes taken at a meeting with the Quarry manager was distributed. Residents complained about the appalling state of the road. The Quarry Manager claims it is cleaned every day.

5.     Springwell Village School

It was noted that there are still Nursery places available. Wrap around care is also available. On January 23rd there will be a display in the school in the afternoon.

6.     Date and Time of Next Meeting

This will be confirmed. This community has seen housebuilding on every available site, a reservoir and the granting of a permanent licence to process waste – we are doing out bit for the environment.  This is a step too far