As usual, although unable to be present in-person for this meeting, Cllr Simon Eardley's latest update to Saughall & Shotwick Park Parish Council is detailed below. Reports like this are sent every month for their consideration.
Report to Saughall & Shotwick Park Parish Council - Cllr Simon Eardley
For 02 September 2024
Pear Tree Farm development – update
I have communicated the following note (29/08/24) to residents who I keep updated on the latest developments in relation to this site which continues to be a source of frustration. I await a further update from the officer mentioned in this reply.
"Based on your e-mail I am guessing that the works to the Highway have not been completed and therefore the developers have not complied with the enforcement notice. (I believe the final date for compliance was 23.08.24). M is currently on leave, and she will confirm and update you upon her return."
This is now largely a matter of enforcement and the officer referred to here (M) is dealing with the case. I will relay her response when she returns from annual leave (after 03/09) and updates me further.
Shotwick Park Estate – proposed land sale
At the August meeting of the parish council, I indicated that a response given by a Cabinet member to a question posed at the full meeting of CWaC on 18 July 2024. I was unable to supply details of this response as I did not have it in written form. I have now obtained a draft copy which is repeated below. It is draft as it has yet to be published in council minutes but I do not believe it will vary from the words given below.
“The Council approved the disposal of Shotwick Park from the Farms Estate in 2021. Since this date the Council has undertaken the required engagement and valuation requirements in line with the Cabinet decision. In Spring 2024 the Council published on its website the intention to bring a report later this year.”
Issues with multiple PRoW in the parish
Further to my observations in my August report, there has been some action around the extensive list of points raised. I would also wish to acknowledge parish councillor, Mike Johnson’s engagement on this subject, including walking for a substantial amount of time routes of concern with the PRoW officer in August too. I am aware that contractors have been engaged to undertake various works and also that some good action has been taken by the Williams family (Lodge Lane) to cut back some of the worst areas of overgrowth, particularly FP16 in both directions. This remains work in progress though as, at the time of writing, much of the works remain still to be actioned, including removal of fallen trees, cutting back of the path from Church Road towards the fields and along the front of Shotwick House. This will be followed up further in due course.
An update from the PRoW officer on 20 August 2024 indicated as follows - paths to cut back:
- Saughall FP4 - between houses - already requested.
- Saughall FP17 - the drive to Shotwick House - already requested.
- Saughall FP7 - section from Seahill road to cottage boundary - already requested.
- Saughall FP15 - 2x damaged kissing gates - to be reinspected.
- Shotwick FP1 - sections overgrown - reinspect and request cut back.
- Saughall FP 16 – overgrown but being bypassed by field use.
Planning matters
An update on various enforcement and active planning matters was provided in respect of several locations around the parish.
Planning – “A Design Code for Cheshire West and Chester” – input requested
CWaC are seeking community views on ‘design codes’. These are a collection of design principles helping residents define what good development and high-quality public streets and spaces look like in their area.
CWaC said: “What makes Cheshire unique and what attracts people to live and visit our borough? We want to hear your views to set community objectives on what this design code should include to ensure development respects the area’s unique heritage, landscapes and character. A design code sets out exactly what is expected of developers in a clear and visual manner. It raises the bar for new development and supports our ambition to be champions of good design, both of new places and in the retrofit of existing streets. This leads to the creation of more beautiful and sustainable places within our communities.”
The project is expected to take 12 months and is split into four phases: 1) Analysis, 2) Vision drafting, 3) Code drafting, 4) Completion and Implementation. The Council is developing a design code for the borough in partnership with Create Streets. An interactive map of the borough will allow views about which places, streets and buildings are liked (or not). The map and short survey are hosted by Create Streets: https://communities.createstreets.com/CWC
The online survey will be open until Thursday 26 September, it can be completed in five minutes with as few or as many places picked. For any questions, or accessibility issues with the survey, email: [email protected]
Miscellaneous
- Darlington Crescent grass cutting – poor quality / lack of. Raised by a resident in respect of the green area in the vicinity of 54, 56, 58 etc. Logged on 14/08/24, ref. CE638608884. Officer response (20/08/24): “I have advised the mobile grass cutting team of this area and asked they ensure the area is cut and kept to standard as part of the scheduled work plan.”
- Hermitage Road, Little Saughall (from border with Blacon) – hedge cut back notice request. Also escalation of weed spraying request for this route. Logged on 16/08/24. Ref. CE639113089. Officer response as follows (20/08/24): “ I have notified our highways department of the need to request the land owner to cut back the hedge and can confirm that the area for weed spraying is included in our weed programme , I will check the area to see if the previous spray has been affective and act appropriately
- Direction sign to Saughall opposite Long Lane - hedge overgrowth is totally obstructing the sight of this sign. I have asked that the whole length of the hedge is cut and for CWaC officers to issue a cut back notice to the K's Nursery owners / tenants (who are often on site so it shouldn't be difficult to track them down). Ref: CE639314974.
- Loose kerbstones near the Vernon Institute War Memorial (junction of Church Road and Hermitage Road). Reported on 19.08.24. Ref. CE639642076. Response received on 22/08 from an officer: “We have undertaken an assessment in response to your enquiry. At the time of the assessment, and in line with our safety code of practice, no safety related concerns were identified. However, we appreciate the concerns you have raised, and we will continue to monitor this matter via our highways safety inspection programme and any future enquiries. Any future safety related matters will be actioned on a priority basis.”
- At the request of Paul Hanks (North Drive land), I have asked CWaC to assess the feasibility of introducing an additional waste bin (mainly for dog related waste) at the entrance to the North Drive permissive path. This was lodged on 29/08/24 with a reference for me of CLR642442942.
- Lighting column 22 (Church Road). I have been assisting a resident to get resolution to a longstanding query relating to the repair of this lighting column. A response from CWaC as follows on 29/08/24: “Unfortunately, as detailed in my previous email, during 2023/24 these works could not be completed by our Highway Term Maintenance Contractor as they were applying for Scottish Power approval to undertake this type of work. To try and reduce the delay in completing the works, we directly employed a 3rd Party company (Jones Lighting) to try and fix the fault at the earliest available opportunity. As detailed in your complaint, Jones Lighting did attend site in March 2024, but they were unable to complete the works due to traffic management issues. The remedial works have now been re-programmed to take place during the week commencing the 9/9/2024. Our Street Lighting engineer is liaising with Jones Lighting to ensure the Traffic Management is correctly planned and the works are completed without further delay.”
- Storm Lilian (22/23 August) resulted in a substantial branch from a tree in the field to the rear of Thomas Wedge Road falling into a property on Parkway. CWaC officers have been assisting with the fallout from this and updated me as follows on 30/08 with actions to date. They remain in touch with the resident affected. “The Councils insurance team have been advised of the potential for a claim. Multiple phone calls. The Forestry Officer is inspecting to address safety and tree health in anticipation of a claim expected early next week. A contractor has been employed to remove the fallen branches and tree debris form the garden expected next Friday. Resident has contacted her insurers and hence to assist, our contractor is removing the fallen branches / tree debris. Resident is aware all of the above and that whether the Councils insurance team will accept liability will depend on whether the inspection reveals either decay or disease as the reason for the branch falling.”
- I have raised with officers again the state of the path between Church Road and Smithy Close which has barriers still present and is in poor condition owing to bamboo growth from a neighbouring property. This needs to be resolved on a permanent basis; I await details of how this can be achieved from CWaC Highways.
