In the last year we have seen and experienced severe threats to the greenbelt setting of the village and local people  have experienced unprecedented disruption to their lives. SVRA has monitored issues, informed local people and represented them on issues affecting the village.  That has involved numerous contacts with contractors, councillors, council officers and businesses, drafting and circulating information and plans to demonstrate the effects and organising public meetings so that people can voice their views directly with those concerned.

Northumbrian Water Limited (NWL) The main issue facing our village has been the works being undertaken by (NWL).  The scale of the works is much bigger than most people anticipated and they have affected a significant amount of the greenbelt setting of the village.  Much time has been spent in relaying residents’ concerns about the disruption caused including

·       The destruction of hedgerows – the Planning Enforcement Officer was involved in inspecting the work and ensuring what was being done fit within approval – assured of reinstatement

·       The removal of trees – assured three will be planted for every one removed

·       The poor state of the road on Mount Lane – the Council now agreed to repair

·       The noise and dust caused by the preliminary works to the reservoir

·       The closing of Public Rights of Way and footpaths

·       Noise and vibration on compounds

·       Lack of maintenance of boundaries – weeds, rats

·       Poor communication – the unsatisfactory reliance on the NWL portal that is clearly not well used.  NWL now has a weekly presence in the Community Venue and SVRA shares links to project updates to local community groups

·       Road closures – suspension of bus routes – ongoing

Wrote to the Chief Executive of NWL, Heidi Mottram, to complain about above issues and stressing the need for better performance particularly on communications.

The committee has been instrumental in a project involving NWL and Thompsons to develop a reading space for Springwell Primary School, planned for completion during the summer holidays.

Thompsons: Regular meetings and involving Thompsons in public meetings to discuss development plans for the site and issues raised by residents

Solar Farm : Planning application for huge Solar Farm on greenbelt in the north east of the village

Distributed plan showing the scale

Organised (drafted, distributed, collected and delivered) 432 objections

Monitoring progress

Northern Power Grid : involved in public meeting to explain power cuts

 Traffic: meeting with councillors and officers to discuss speeding and affects on access to school