Saughall & Shotwick Park Parish Council update - November 2024

As usual, I attended the meeting of Saughall & Shotwick Park Parish Council on Monday 4th November 2024. My full report is given below for those who might be interested. It was great to see the Vernon Institute lit up red as we approach Remembrance Sunday.

Parish Council By-election – October 2024

Congratulations to new parish councillor, Lynda Rutter, on her election to the Parish Council in mid-October. I very much look forward to working with her in the months and years ahead, for the good of the village and wider parish. It is also positive to know that Graham Haughton, the other candidate, is taking an active role in leading the ‘Community Speedwatch’ team and that this is having a good impact around the parish. I am committed to working with him and others on this ongoing priority and project – once I can be re-trained!

Shotwick Park Estate – proposed land disposal

Parish councillors will already be aware of the developments around the above, as detailed by email on 01 November 2024. As this report is published more widely following your monthly meeting, I have repeated the text below which was released by Lex Greensill on the ‘project website’ (www.shotwickpark.co.uk).

I expect to have a briefing with senior CWaC officers early working w/c 04/11/24 to understand the ‘next steps’ around this matter in the context of the borough council’s ongoing commitment to sell its existing farm estate. In a wider sense, I reiterate my well stated and longstanding concerns regarding the protection of greenbelt land in Saughall and other areas, in light of changes to national planning policy as indicated by the new Labour Government. We will need to be alert to this going forward as our collective ability to preserve and protect the greenbelt from development may well be severely and detrimentally impacted.

“For the past 18 years, this village has been home to me and my family. We love it here, and protecting the environment around us has always been close to our hearts. Over the years, I’ve poured my energy into developing plans for a conservation and regenerative agriculture project on Shotwick Park Estate—a vision we’ve openly shared, with deep gratitude for the support many of you have given.

After much thought, however, I’ve decided to withdraw these plans for now. The journey of purchasing Shotwick Park Estate from Cheshire West and Chester Council has been complex. Along the way I’ve realised that, despite support from so many of you, some voices feel left out of the process. This project, which was always meant to bring us together and foster environmental stewardship, has unfortunately become a point of division. As a family, we don’t want any conflict within the community we care so much about.

My hope is that one day, Shotwick Park Estate will be a place of flourishing nature and biodiversity, a sanctuary we can all enjoy and take pride in. I sincerely hope Cheshire West and Chester Council can find a path forward that resonates with everyone.

Thank you for your understanding and support.”

Joint ‘Surgery’ report – 26 October 2024

I am grateful to parish councillors Jenny Young and Jeanne Storrar for their attendance at the above ‘joint surgery’ on Saturday 26th October. Unfortunately, Cheshire Police were unable to be present on this occasion owing to staff non-working / leave. A number of residents engaged with us on a range of issues which I will deal with as appropriate. In summary they were:

• Ongoing concerns regarding inconsiderate parking in Vernon Close (cars too close to the junction with Hermitage Road).
• Community Speedwatch matters (practical issues) to be raised by SE with Cheshire Police.
• Concern regarding the overgrown hedge on Hermitage Road (Little Saughall) – from the boundary with Blacon down towards the village.

This session concluded our planned surgeries for 2024, and I will seek new dates for each quarter of 2025 as soon as possible.

Proposed ‘restriction of waiting’ (double yellow lines) on parts of Church Road (including Aldersey Close)

Parish councillors will recall that, including through discussion with the Highways Group, we have been seeking formal consultation on proposals to introduce some further double yellow lines on Church Road, including at Aldersey Close, to improve the flow of traffic on this (often challenging) route in the village. I had hoped that we would be in a position to advise much more firm movement on the matter by now, but this is unfortunately not the case.

I chased our main highways engineer contact at CWaC for an update at the start of October and have been informed that the new IT system (which was delaying the process for notification and consultation) has delayed matters considerably. I am now advised that it is functional and that training amongst key personnel at CWaC has been undertaken. This will allow proposals such as those for this location to be progressed. However, there are severe budget constraints and these will now have a major impact on progressing this further at this stage. The budget for ‘signing and lining etc’ and small minor works for 2024//25 has all been allocated and is much reduced in any case. It may therefore be that we have to wait until the next financial year before progressing this further – very frustrating. This will remain on my ‘to do’ list and I have also had some recent, positive engagement with a number of interested residents on the subject whom I will continue to keep informed.

Pear Tree Farm development update

The CWaC Enforcement officer dealing with this site advised on 04/09/24 as follows:

“The date(s) for compliance with the Breach of Condition Notice served in April 2024 has now passed.  The next options for Planning Enforcement / Prosecution proceedings will now be considered, which we will need to liaise with Legal Services for and provide a further update following this.”

I have stressed the need to bring about progress on this in a timely manner as the various challenges here have been going on for a long time and do need to be brought to a head as speedily as possible.

Stanlow Refinery – odour / environmental concerns

In early September I received a number of complaints from residents regarding excessive ‘odour’ / emissions most likely from the Stanlow Refinery. This was particularly acute in the Chortlon-by-Backford, Backford and Lea-by-Backford areas but it was also a wider problem, including in Saughall. The matter was raised with the Environment Agency, CWaC Regulatory Services and a direct contact I have at Essar/EET. The response from the latter below (received on 10/09/24).

“Our environment team has looked at the period detailed by you.

All refinery units were operating normally and within our Environment Agency determined emissions limits during the period 6-7th September (and in the periods before and after).

However, the wind direction was from the North East during this time, which is not the prevailing wind direction (normally from the North West/West).  So it is possible that some odours from the industrial complexes in the area (Stanlow Manufacturing complex, Argent, United Utilities waste water treatment works) reached the area of Chorlton-by-Backford.

The dispersion modelling completed by CERC in 2017 shows the areas where it is predicted that SOX exceedances could be recorded in normal operation. This includes the villages of Elton and Thornton-le Moors, which is why there are council monitors located there.  However this does not extend as far as the Chorlton-by-Backford area.

[An image was included here in the original report - it is not possible to reproduce in on this page].

There is more information about our operations, how we are regulated and the Cheshire West air quality monitoring on our website: https://www.eetfuels.com/esg/environment/managing-our-emissions/

Here is a link to the live air quality monitors from Cheshire West and Chester Council. There are monitors at Thornton Le Moors and Elton https://cheshirewest-air.info/

You may also be interested to know that the investment we are making at our site will reduce the likelihood of odours.  Our investment on lower carbon technologies and carbon capture will reduce emissions from our site over the medium term.”

Other planning issues

• Parish councillors will recall I notified enforcement action taken by CWaC in respect of multiple issues at Oakwood Farm, Parkgate Road, Saughall in my recent reports. I have been notified (04/09/24) that an appeal has been lodged against the decisions taken which will be considered by way of a public inquiry with a consultation closing date of 11 October 2024. The nature of the appeal relates to ‘unauthorised development’ without planning permission, the material change of use of the land to residential use and the erection of a residential garage.
• Planning enforcement case: 24/00025/EMCOU - Land Adjacent Ness Cottage Coalpit Lane. There has been activity at this site (reported to me on 08/09/24) – vegetation clearance, hedge cutting, clearance of branches at the entrance area. It has a special nature designation as colleagues may recall from previous correspondence on the site. I have updated CWaC Enforcement accordingly. See image attached.
• Planning appeal. A planning appeal has been lodged in respect of Kingswood Lodge, Kingswood Lane, Saughall in relation to ‘retrospective alterations.’ Planning or Enforcement ref: 24/00973/FUL. Planning Inspector ref: APP/A0665/D/24/3353198. Appeal reference: 24/00113/REF. Appeal start date: 22 October 2024. NB: “As this appeal is proceeding under the Householder Appeals Service, there is no opportunity for you to submit comments.”
• A longstanding planning application process has now concluded in relation to “Land to the South of Roslyn, Long Lane, Saughall, Chester CH1 6DN” with a decision notice issued by the Planning Inspectorate on 03 October 2024. Basic details are below. I have the full report should anyone wish to view it.
  • Appeal Ref: APP/A0665/W/24/3337711.
  • The appeal is made under section 78 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) against a refusal to grant planning permission.
  • The appeal is made by Mr P McDonagh, of PKL Partners Limited, against the decision of Cheshire West and Chester Council.
  • The application Ref is 23/02832/FUL.
  • The development proposed is erection of stable block and associated hard standing.
  • Decision: the appeal is dismissed.

Drainage and flooding issues – Saughall specifically (and wider borough comment)

Ongoing instances of heavy (or even moderate) rainfall continue to cause major challenges for the parish, as was once again experienced around the 16th/17th October 2024. I look forward to debating this with parish councillors at your meeting, but the key problem areas continue to be largely at Long Lane, Hermitage Road, Seahill Road, Parkgate Road, Lodge Lane (mainly to properties at the ‘Church Road end’) – in other words some of the key in / out routes to the village. I thought it would be helpful to relay below also some contents of an email I sent following the 16th/17th ‘event’ to add a little wider context to the challenges faced. This doesn’t diminish the need to make progress in the parish in the areas we know are a problem.

SE email to some residents:

“This won’t be known widely necessarily, but it is important to add context to some of the most recent rainwater event in terms of what CWaC highways were engaged with and why it would not be possible, for example, for them to have visited [your roads] during this recent ‘event’. The following is a copy of a note I was sent on Friday afternoon which I think is worth passing on as it illustrates the challenges across the whole borough, including in places where there was a potential threat to life and extensive threat to property and actual flooding of properties (especially in Tattenhall and Lower Kinnerton). This does not diminish the situation we have been exchanging about on [name of roads] – which we must resolve – but this does show the extent of the overall challenge when these events are happening.

‘It is an immense effort on the teams’ part, as a Highways Service, we received almost 100 call outs, plus many other issues raised with through CEMART and TCG.  We also looked to mobilise the pumps in Northwich, although this was called off when we got there at 5:30am.  We had 17 road closures, including major A roads such as the A540 and A41, with substantial diversions, and there are still 9 roads closed, which we are looking to reopen as soon as possible.  There were approximately 28 staff in total involved in our response from Colas and ourselves, and our response to this is still ongoing.’

A formal feedback / investigation is also being undertaken into this whole situation last week in order that lessons might be learnt. It will consider, amongst other things, the following (I will, of course, also relay what happened within the Saughall and Mollington Ward as part of this assessment). These bullets do illustrate the gravity of the position across the borough:

• Various Yellow Warnings for Rain issued by the Met Office; various Flood Alerts and Warnings issued by the Environment Agency including (1) Mill Brook at Tattenhall, (2) Highfields Drain and Finchett’s Gutter at Abbots Mead and Abbots Terrace in Chester, and (3) Tidal Flood Warning for the River Dee.
• Declaration of a Major Incident Standby by Cheshire Police on 16/10 due to flood impacts in Lower Kinnerton, then extended to cover the borough, resulting in the establishment of a Tactical Co-ordinating Group (TCG). This group met 4 times before standing down.
• Flooding of properties in Ashton Hayes, Chester, Christleton, Crowton, Great Barrow, Norley and Tattenhall.”

In respect of a longstanding area of concern, to the rear of properties in The Ridings and Thornberry Close, I have listed below my recent and extensive engagement with seeking resolution here. I am pleased to advise – after much chasing – that a date is now likely to be agreed this coming week (for later in November) for a comprehensive site meeting to consider a way forward in this location, ideally with CWaC support, albeit that they are unlikely to have direct responsibility themselves. I have listed this engagement below to illustrate the complexity of these problems but also the importance that I attach to getting them resolved. It is not always a fast process!

• October 2023, Storm Babet, report – no reference as this was submitted as part of an overall comprehensive collation of multiple issues relating to this major event – 4 pages + images
• May through to July 2024 issues – no reference as this was submitted as a 7-page Word document when relayed to the Flood Team reiterating the need for the promised site visit
• 01/10/24 – CLR651276142 – The Ridings drainage experiences of 30/09/24 and 01/10/24. This report added to previous logged from May to July 2024 as above
• 02/10/24 – CLR651629246 – additional information supplied by Anne relevant to the report logged on 01/10
• 03/10/24 – CLR651752454 – additional information relevant to the above, photograph of the pipe to the rear of 3 Thornberry Close
• 13/10/24 – CLR654233386 – correspondence from Bill Abram relevant to all above reports.
• Experiences from 16/17 October also relayed in detail – ref. CLR656784842.

It is also worth noting at this juncture, not wishing to be ‘political’, the attempts I have made as part of the main opposition group on the council to inject additional resources into the overall highways budget in recent years – nearly £3 million. This has all fallen on deaf ears within the ruling administration – and now we see the consequences in ever increasing severity.

• £2 million into the core highways maintenance budget.
• £460,000 into the gully cleansing budget.
• £200,000 to improve pavement safety.
• £65,000 to invest in our network of ‘public rights of way’.

Public Right of Way matters update

Parish Councillor Mike Johnson continues to be very engaged, alongside me, with multiple issues in the parish relating to PRoW. An update of 16/10/24 from the PRoW officer with latest information as per reports which commenced in earnest on 17/07/24:

• Issue 1 & issue 7
  • Saughall FP17 and FP4  were missed off the list even when I specified that they was a priority, the contractor assures me they will be down immediately.
• Issue 2
  • Saughall FP16 – has been cut back.
• Issue 3
  • Oak tree blocking Saughall FP 16 has been cutback and 3 other trees blocking ProW’s within Dingle Wood have been cut back.
• Issue 4
  • Saughall FP16 – Dingle Wood entrance area has been cut back.
• Issue 5
  • Saughall FP16 – right hand route where it enters the wooded area – bridge over this area. Wet patch. Would benefit from introduction of gravel – Still outstanding.
• Issue 6
  • Intersection of Saughall FP4 and the permissive path which runs towards Lodge Lane – post is ‘down’. – Still outstanding.
• Issue 7
  • Saughall FP4 – runs off Church Road into the fields to the rear of houses. Overgrown – This is to be cut back and path scraped and gravelled to prevent future weed growth.
• I [PRoW officer] have spoken to the landowner in respect of the Saughall FP4 where it intersects with the permissive path Shotwick drive and I hope to have this area gravelled as it is also muddy and subject to flooding.”

Miscellaneous reports

• Little Saughall end of Hermitage Road, weed spraying update. This was mentioned in previous reports as an area needing further weed spraying attention. An update received on 02/09/24 as follows: “From our records the area has been sprayed in late June but proceeded by two days of wet weather so a poor take. We are currently respraying  areas and this will be added to the list.” From observations in recent weeks, it looks like this has now been actioned and is effective.
• A wasp nest in the council owned highway verge on The Ridings (opposite number 29 on the Thornberry Close side in the vicinity of number 2) was raised with me on 06/09/24. This was reported to CWaC for action on 07/09. REF: CLR644837224. Service: Pest control - wasp nest within council verge. Enquiry summary: URGENT - large nest of wasps in a council owned verge. This has now been satisfactorily resolved.
• Kingswood Lane blocked gullies / drainage matters. With recent rain, this area continues to be a considerable challenge. I have escalated (08/09/24) my most recent report of the silting on Kingswood Lane (CE634595360) – specifically the 2x at the junction of Kingswood Lane and Fiddlers Lane as ‘ad hoc’ cleansing here has not been undertaken whilst wider drainage issues continue to be investigated in the vicinity. See wider comments in relation to flooding and drainage issues in the parish above.
• At the request of residents on Church Road (in the vicinity of Saughall FP4 – both sides of the road), I have logged: (1) Potential pavement repairs near Orchard House – ref. CE657831624, (2) request for the introduction of white h-bar lines in front of 3x driveways. Ref. CE657832127. In respect of this second report, a response from CWaC has been received. They have indicated any such costs for this, if warranted, would need to be met by residents (who have been informed).
• Concerns regarding the much-diminished footway on parts of Hermitage Road (in the vicinity of 139, but not their responsibility) were raised with me, including an alarming image of a resident on a mobility scooter having to use the road rather than the footpath) in early September. This was referred to CWaC officers for review, but I am disappointed to say that no further response has been forthcoming. To be chased again.
• Parkway ‘puddle’ – the footpath near the churchyard at the end of this road. The persistent water issue here (forms a substantial ‘puddle’, possibly owing to utility company infrastructure blockages) was raised by me with CWaC again on 02/10/24 (ref. CE651645853). I await a further update on this and will chase again.
• Hedge cut back notice request (land adjacent to footpath off The Ridings – Saughall FP5) – submitted on 23/10/24 (ref. CE656781919). PRoW officer is actioning.
• Hermitage Road, Little Saughall – lighting columns 41, 42, 43 not working. Reported on 03/11/24 – ref.  CE659499549.
• Hermitage Road – lighting columns 15 and 16 not working / faulty respectively. This issue has been reported already by a resident but there is no feedback from CWaC around fixing it hence a new report by me on 03/11/24, ref. CE659500125. Escalated by email to an officer also.