Regards,

Damian.

I know developers have a bad press and I know better than most that some do deserve it but once in a while there is an exception that proves the rule! 

Taylor Wimpy Homes are part of the build out at Fenwick Park and I have to say never shied away from my calls or emails!  In my experience they tend to meet the problems head on and try to resolve them as soon as possible.  Some are easier than others of course but…………

Just as examples, their staff have helped with litter picking at West Lea Cemetery and the area manager donated a load of plants, again to the cemetery. 

A while back I was after a defibrillator for the new Playzone at West Lea and happened to mention this to them.  A week or so later I had a message, I think we can let you have two, have to check first!   

Firstly they had to be overhauled and new batteries fitted then thoroughly checked out so it has taken some time.   In the meantime NCC fitted a defibrillator to the PlayZone just a week or so ago.    

Upshot is that I took delivery of them yesterday morning and they will soon be winging their way to two local community groups!   

Thanks very much to the lads and lasses at Taylor Wimpy it’s all very much appreciated!    

(Pictured Steve Wall - Production Manager, Malcolm Robinson- NCC ward councillor, Charlie Arkless - Customer Relations Manager and Michael Coombs- Technical Director.) 

Naturally it’s in Bedlingtonshire and for those that don’t know where this is, it’s between the river Wansbeck and the river Blyth. 

With over 77 hectares of land and with the ability to install 3.25 million ft/sq of industrial space, it will be one of the largest developments seen within Northumberland for generations. 

Members had the presentation last week about this and apologies to other members there (not really!) who complained about the length of time I took asking questions so I understood what was being proposed.   I do hope some of my suggestions were taken on board too. 

I immediately lobbied trying to make sure Bedlington and its environs had seamless access to this development because the job opportunities are without doubt the best we have seen! 

In fact the committee who heard it, in camera, insisted we are kept up to date with its roll out because, as I explained, to make sure it actually happens and in orderly procession. 

So this time the job is to make sure it’s rolled out and because it’s being developed in our backyard make sure we see some major benefits this time! 

https://www.businessnorthumberland.co.uk/council-unveils.../

https://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/news/politics/council/bedlington-councillor-elected-as-new-leader-for-county-councils-independent-group-6940625?fbclid=IwY2xjawRVYuxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEegbmPi9RC-Pj6QGHCHEo0KfiVh2KV65wntJq0pwkE8AfKmFcSXpYtmLlyGqg_aem_e4LVRXTZ1rrB_sqcSZCZgA

Construction is well underway on a new outdoor climbing attraction for Plessey Woods Country Park. 

The investment in specially constructed ‘climbing boulders’ will complement the refurbished and improved visitor centre and toilets which are due to re-open in the coming months. 

Three large manmade boulders, around ten feet in height, will be installed in a clearing in the trees, providing fun and fitness for a range of skill levels and abilities. 

There will be a rubberised surface underneath alongside safety signage. 

And as part of the scheme a child-friendly boulder climbing is also being put in by the current playpark. 

The boulders have been paid for by the County Council, Section 106 monies and local County Councillor Malcolm Robinson through his Member’s Small Schemes fund. 

The boulders will complement the range of improvements to the park’s visitor centre, also supported by Cllr Robinson, which include an enlarged cafe area, modernised kitchen and improved serving area and new toilets. 

Councillor John Riddle, cabinet member for environment, farming and rural, said: “We are committed to ensuring our parks and green spaces are well managed and maintained, and to invest in them so that they continue to be among our most popular attractions. 

“We know how important our open spaces are for people’s health and wellbeing and this will be a fantastic new addition for the park, alongside our refurbished and improved visitor centre and toilet facilities.” 

The climbing structures have been designed to look realistic and provide a range of different holds and routes for climbers and non-climbers of all abilities to have a go at the growing sport of ‘bouldering’. 

Bedlington West County Councillor Malcolm Robinson said: “This is going to be a great new feature for this wonderful park, and it’s something I’ve been keen to support through funding. 

“Plessey Woods is so popular with residents and visitors and we hope that this exciting new free-to-access facility will allow non-climbers to get involved, helping them to keep fit as well as attracting those already involved in the sport that want to practice and improve their skills in a safe outdoor environment.”  

The reinstatement of rail services from Bedlington, which many people didn’t believe they would ever see again, is gathering pace. 

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/northumberland-line-trial-run-great-21287080?utm_source=chronicle_live_newsletter&utm_campaign=northumberland_live_newsletter2&utm_medium=email&fbclid=IwAR17IMICq6IZpPHa5UtVb7mScV12yU-q4l6kYpO6BXpanRVb9hc_NKfKnKI

This Plan is important because it will shape our villages, towns and even the whole county over the next few years.    

What makes this really urgent is the Governments proposed changes to our planning system as they chase their 1.5 million new homes promise.  Northumberland has been ‘given’ our own quota in relation to that target and it’s huge! 

I’ve talked about this before and how important it will be to take part in the public consultations which will be coming out soon.   

Do we want to see new Towns created, existing settlements expanded, new industrial sites, new commercial spaces, all questions which people can have their say in answering.

The most important aspect is that we need to engage to have at least some say in what happens otherwise the Government will just impose!    

That is something I spoke about at the last Town Council meeting when I suggested they might want to re-examine the neighbourhood plan they have almost finished.  Because of the changes which could well come in, not havening local planning committees, presumption in favour of house building etc. the importance of neighbourhood plans is that at least local people have their say and it could well be the only time we do within a planning application.  So deciding where we might want to see new housing, shops and offices, industrial estates etc. 

It might not have the absolute power to stop an application but at least we will register a public opinion because neighbourhood plans have to go to local referendums before they are ‘made’, in other words adopted as part of the planning criteria. 

Yesterday I spoke about rewriting settlement boundaries and how we have seen that happen in Bedlington about 5 years ago to meet the last housing figures we were delegated to achieve.  This time it won’t be a blip on the side of the settlement boundary it will be a huge inflation right around because of the sheer numbers we have been told to achieve. 

We might even see new Towns created although I remember the last time that was a proposal in the county! 

Whatever happens having to find the sites for 34,500 new homes here, and that’s not including industrial, commercial and social infrastructure fill, will be challenging and quite obviously change the topography of our county forever. 

For more info here is the latest version……….

https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/planning-and-building/planning-policy/northumberland-local-plan-2016-2036

Political lines clearly on display!  

Procedures are there to protect everyone not be circumnavigated for the benefit of a few!  

Here is the scrutiny meeting:

Along with the banners and the speeches at Atlee Park of leading members of the Miners Union and leading Labour politicians of the time, In fact I got Harold Wilson autograph as Prime Minister when he attended one year as I was a paper boy so got past the policeman on the door as I had to deliver the papers Harold Wilson was polite and he signed my autograph book for me.

Also we had the Shows were many a fun time was had and it was reasonably cheep I can imagine there would be some archive pictures of those days happy memory's indeed.

Those were the days my friends.

Malcolm G Allan.

Bedlington Terriers should have used a accountant from either the Co-operative or Social Enterprise sector to get their accounts delivered on time to Companies House, is it possible to declare Bedlington Terriers as a Community Asset? Is it the Welfare Park the ground of Bedlington Terriers also have they lobbied the Big football clubs in the North-East for any financial support I am sure they could spare a bob or two to keep Bedlington Terriers financially afloat for the coming football seasons ahead.  

Have the Councils formed into Unitary bodies as they have done in Somerset so there are now no District Councils they are now part of Somerset County Council and like all Councils due to the cutback on the Central Government Local Authorities Grant increase making Town Councils like Glastonbury to increase Council Tax precepts thus making the local population rally against the Town Council because of the increase Council Tax charges with in some cases a decrease in services provided as the local authority have not got the financial budgets to meet the demand.

Yours in the Out of the Box thinking.

Malcolm.