Burngreave Area Panel Minutes 22nd July 2004

BURNGREAVE AREA PANEL

Meeting held 22nd July, 2004

at Fir Vale School, Owler Lane

PRESENT:

Councillors Jackie Drayton (Chair), Ibrar Hussain and Steve Jones.

Also in attendance:-

Kieron Williams

-

Area Co-ordinator

Joanne Roney

-

Executive Director, Neighbourhoods (Lead Manager)

Maria Duffy

)

Development Services

Shanza Hussain

)

Sam Sykes

)

Neighbourhoods Directorate

Mustafa Ahmed

)

Ian Johnson

)

Yorkshire Water

Steve Baxby

)

Graeme Hogarth

-

Balfour Beatty Utilities Limited

Thom Skelton

-

Sheffield Futures

Pete Dyson

)

Highways Management Services

Dave Gething

)

John Turner

-

Committee Secretariat

                                    There were approximately 55 local residents and representatives of local community groups in attendance.

…………….

1.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE FROM MEMBERS OF THE PANEL

            No apologies for absence were received from Members of the Panel.

2.

YORKSHIRE WATER - HERRIES ROAD HIGHWAYS SCHEME

            Ian Johnson, Yorkshire Water, gave a presentation on the rehabilitation of the Moonshine Outlet Main and the associated highway works being undertaken on Herries Road, Rushby Street and Owler Lane.

            Mr. Johnson reported that there was a need to undertake the work on the water mains as most of the mains had been laid in Victorian times, and required upgrading or replacing so as to avoid water discolouration, reduced water pressure and bursts.  The work, which would be undertaken by Balfour Beatty Utilities Ltd., involved isolating and emptying up to 150 metres of the main at a time, cleaning the inside of the pipe to remove any natural deposits, such as iron or manganese, and relining it with a protective resin.

            Mr. Johnson stated that the works had commenced on Monday, 19th July, 2004, and it was anticipated that they would be completed within 12 weeks.  It had been decided to undertake the works during this period as it coincided with the school holidays when there was likely to be less traffic on the roads.  It also fitted in with Yorkshire Water's strategic water resource plan and there was funding available at the present time to undertake the works.

            With regard to the proposed lane and road closures required in connection with the works, it was reported that there would be a requirement to close one side of Owler Lane/Rushby Street, from the junction with Firth Park Road to the junction with Page Hall Road, and this section of the road would only be open to one-way traffic, travelling in the direction of Herries Road.  A diversion route would be in place for traffic travelling in the opposite direction, along Firth Park Road, turning right into Page Hall Road and left into Rushby Street.  This closure would be in operation with effect from 26th July, 2004.  There will also be a requirement to close Herries Road to through traffic, from its junction with Norwood Road, to its junction with Barnsley Road.  This would begin on the evening of 13th August, 2004, and it was anticipated that the closure would be in place for approximately 12 days.  A diversion route would be in place along Norwood Road and Barnsley Road.  Street maps showing the roads affected were exhibited as part of the presentation.

            Reference was made to the mains rehabilitation works, which included scraping off any deposits on the interior of the pipework, and lining the pipes with polyeurethene paint.  It was considered that this would give the pipework between 50 to 100 years asset life.  With regard to the excavation works, Mr. Johnson reported that a number of very deep, large holes, would be dug using large excavation equipment.  Due to their size and potential danger, the holes would be covered with six foot high steel fences.

            With regard to the programme of works, it was reported that the Moonshine outlet main had been isolated and drained on 12th July, the site works would commence on 26th July and be completed by 28th September, the main would be recharged and chlorinated on 29th September and recommissioned on 11th October, 2004.

            Mr. Johnson concluded by referring to Yorkshire Water's external communication plan, which had included informing the City Council, the Chamber of Trade and other major opinion formers in the City of the proposed works.  Letters had been sent to customers living on the route of the works, as well as to shop and business owners, advising them of the proposals and the lane and road closures.  Yorkshire Water had also issued a number of press releases and arranged for news bulletins on local radio and in the local press.  There would also be clear signage on all the roads affected.   As part of its communication plan, Yorkshire Water also had a translation service.

            The following questions were asked and responses given:-

Q.        Will there be any disruption to the water supply during the works?

R.        No.

Q.        Will the taste of the water be altered on completion of the works?

R.        Following the works to clean the pipes, the water quality would improve.

Q.        On the basis that the works only involved lining the inside of the pipes, does this mean that Yorkshire Water are happy that the cast iron pipes were still in a good enough condition?

R.        Yes, research had shown that the cast iron pipes were still in a reasonable condition.

Q.        How many pits would be excavated as part of the works?

R.        A total of 21 pits would be excavated.

Q.        Will the fencing erected round the pits be sufficient to keep people out and had the Police been contacted and informed of the location of the pits?

R.        It will be very difficult to climb over the fencing due to its height and yes, the Police had been informed of the location of the pits.

Q.        Have the other utility companies been informed so that they could undertake any necessary works whilst their pipework was exposed by the excavation work?

R.        Yes, the Council's Highways Management Service had informed the utility companies.

Q.        Will the flooding problems on Skinnerthorpe Road be resolved following the works?

R.        No, because the works simply involve clearing out the existing pipework.  Any reports of flooding problems on Skinnerthorpe Road should be reported to Yorkshire Water and they would be investigated accordingly.

Q.        What level of disruption will be caused to the entrance of the Northern General Hospital?

R.        There has been close liaison with the Northern General Hospital in connection with the proposed works, and all parties are happy that the flow of traffic to and from the hospital will not be adversely affected by the works.

Q.        Will residents’ water pressure be affected after the works?

R.        No.

Q.        Have the bus companies been informed of the works, particularly in connection with those routes to and from the Northern General Hospital?

R.        All the bus companies have been informed about the works.

Q.        On completion of the works, will the roads and pavements be resurfaced to a good standard?  In the past, following excavation works, the resurfacing had not been undertaken to a sufficient standard and looked very unsightly.

R.        The roads and pavements will be resurfaced to a high standard.  The Council will also be imposing a Section 58 Notice in respect of the area concerned.  This would prohibit any other contractors digging up the same stretch of road or pavement for a period of one year, unless in the case of an emergency.

RESOLVED: That (a) the information reported as part of the presentation, together with the responses provided to the questions, be noted; and

            (b) the thanks of the Panel be conveyed to Ian Johnson for the presentation now made and for keeping local residents informed of the proposals.

3.

BURNGREAVE AND FIR VALE MASTERPLANNING

            Maria Duffy gave a presentation on the Burngreave and Fir Vale Masterplanning exercise, which had been commissioned by the City Council and undertaken by LDA Urban Design, Consultants.  The consultants had been given a brief to draw up a plan having three key objectives, which were to improve the quality and range of housing and radically transform the character of Burngreave and Fir Vale.  The plan would provide the vision for the area and guide future development.  The work was only at the option stage and represented the ideas of the consultants in response to the issues and opportunities in the area, as well as the comments made by residents and businesses during the previous consultation and stakeholder events held in March and April, 2004.

            Ms. Duffy referred to the consultation which had been held with local residents and shop and business owners and key stakeholders in the area, and stated that this presentation would form the final part of the consultation on the options.

            In terms of the future work, the consultants would produce a final draft plan at the end of September, 2004, for the last round of public consultation, with a view to the Council approving the final plan around November/December, 2004.  Bids would then be made to the Housing Market Renewal for the necessary funding required for the works. 

            The overall plan for the Burngreave and Fir Vale area would involve major investment, predominantly with regard to housing, in Woodside, Fir Vale and Catherine Street, improved local service centres in Spital Hill, Owler Lane and Page Hall, the extension of the Facelift Scheme and other environmental improvements to other areas and improvements to parks.

            Ms. Duffy reported on the issues, vision and options with regard to proposed developments in connection with each of the areas, referring to photographs showing various styles of housing and business premises and plans of each area showing the various options.  She stressed that the options referred to were merely ideas drawn up by the consultants, as part of the Masterplanning exercise, and no decisions had yet been made with regard to any sites or areas.  The reason for the consultation was to seek the views of local residents, shop and business owners and key stakeholders in the area, and once their views had been taken into consideration, a more detailed draft plan would be drawn up.  It was hoped that this plan would be completed by September, 2004, and that there would then be a further period of consultation during September and October, with a final plan for each area being approved in November or December, 2004.  This plan would form the basis of the bids to the Housing Market Renewal Fund.

            The following questions were asked and responses given:-

Q.        Where would residents living in properties which were proposed to be demolished move to?

R.        Residents would be offered a variety of options, which the Council was currently working to develop.  Support will be provided to all those residents affected, including advice on the options open to them and help in making the best choice for them.  Where a decision is taken to demolish a property, the owner will be offered the market value plus 10%.  The owner will then have a range of choices, including buying a new property or moving into rented housing.  The Council is working to expand the range of choices by developing schemes such as “Changing Homes” and shared equity housing.  Work would be phased to give residents the opportunity to move into new housing in the same area.  It was the aim that no residents would be financially disadvantaged.

Q.        For all the properties to be demolished, how many new properties would be built?

R.        There were no details on this issue at the present time.  This would become more clear when more detailed plans are drawn up.

Q.        Why would a company be interested in having a supermarket in the area as there has never been any interest in the past?

R.        Companies would be attracted to the area if they were confident that there was going to be suitable investment with regard to housing and the environment.

Q.        There was no mention of any proposals in respect of the Wensley Estate.  Why did this not feature in the draft plans?

R.        This was a key area of change and consultation was still being undertaken in respect of proposed development in this area.  The proposals for Wensley will be included in the more detailed draft plans.

Q.        Had any consideration been given to pro, viding off-street car parking as this would then enable children to play safely in front of their homes?

R.        This was shown on the plans for the Woodside, Page Hall and Owler Lane areas, and would be taken into account and considered in more detail in the next stage of the Masterplanning exercise.

Q.        Was the Council confident that the necessary funding could be secured in respect of the proposed development, particularly as the works in connection with some of the options could prove to be very costly?

R.        A large amount of funding had been identified under the Housing Market Renewal.  A total of £71m was available for development in South Yorkshire, for the first two years, with Sheffield having the greatest share.  This however was not the only source of funding, and the Council would be looking to draw in funding from English Partnerships and other sources, as well as using private sector investment.  However, the money could only be used to fund major changes in the area, which were within the overall aim of transforming the area and creating sustainable communities.   Following the consultation, the option chosen would be the one that received most support from local residents, businesses and key stakeholders, and the relevant bids for funding would be made on that basis.

            The following comments were also made:-

·                    Demolition would be welcomed in some areas, but residents would want new houses built in their place at no additional cost to them.

·                    Many residents wished to remain in the area and many people were attracted to the area on the grounds that housing was cheap.  Large-scale demolition could have an adverse effect on the social cohesion in the area.

·                    Residents need to have a say in the details of the style of housing proposed.

·                    Consideration should be given to demolishing blocks of properties on Skinnerthorpe Road, and the consequent development of some form of play areas for children, to allow them to stay and play in the vicinity of their homes.

            Councillor Steve Jones made reference to a number of meetings which had been held some years ago at which residents had voiced their anger and frustration at the poor condition of the area, and the fact that there appeared to be no funding available to undertake any improvements.  He stated that the situation had changed as there was funding available through Housing Market Renewal, which the Council was able to bid for, and that following the carrying out of the works, residents will not be financially disadvantaged.  He stressed the need for residents, shop and business owners and key stakeholders to have an input into what development would take place and referred to the fact that he was the Area Panel's representative on the Fir Vale Forum, which represented Fir Vale residents' views, and that he would ensure that such views were taken into account.

RESOLVED: That (a) the information reported as part of the presentation, together with the responses given to the questions and the comments now made, be noted; and

            (b) Maria Duffy be (i) thanked for the presentation now made and (ii) requested to attend a future meeting of the Area Panel to report on the progress of the Masterplanning exercise.

4.

MINUTES OF LAST MEETING

            The minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 29th April, 2004, were approved as a correct record.

5.

PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS

            The following questions were asked and responses given:-

Q.        Despite promises made by Council Officers on several previous occasions, there had still been no action taken to combat the problems being caused by speeding vehicles on Grimesthorpe Road - could action be taken as a matter of urgency?

R.        The Area Co-ordinator would refer this to Highways Management Services.

Q.        Could action be taken to remove the car on Bagley Road, which had been left abandoned for nearly a week?

R.        The Area Co-ordinator would follow this up.

6.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

            It was noted that the next meeting of the Area Panel would be held on Thursday, 30th September, 2004, from 6.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m., at a venue to be arranged.