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Nunthorpe Parish Council – Waste Management Policy
Meeting of NPC with Taylor Wimpey – Nunthorpe Grange
Meeting between Representatives of Nunthorpe Parish Council
and Taylor Wimpey on 2nd September 2020 regarding NUNTHORPE GRANGE
Steven Longstaff and Rachel Winckles (Taylor Wimpey)
Morgan McClintock and Wade Tovey. (Nunthorpe Parish Council)
The representatives of Taylor Wimpey outlined proposals to construct 56 houses adjacent to
Guisborough Road. Since at least 2014/15, they have had “an option” to develop the site,
subject to planning permission, but it has taken time for Taylor Wimpey to prepare this planning
application. They believe that this is the first planning application by Taylor Wimpey in relation to
this site.
The representatives of Nunthorpe Parish Council articulated the concerns of Nunthorpe
residents about further housing development in Nunthorpe, and noted that, while accepting that
landowners are entitled to submit proposals relating to their land, the Parish Council is currently
engaged in consultation with various Nunthorpe interests and Middlesbrough Council, in an
attempt to obtain a coherent plan in the wider context of the entire site of Nunthorpe Grange.
The Taylor Wimpey representatives stated that Middlesbrough Council’s Planning Department
had made them aware of the additional consultative process recently introduced by
Middlesbrough Council for Nunthorpe, and so they had heard of “Nunthorpe Vision”; but, in
preparing their proposal, the focus of Taylor Wimpey had been the 2014 Housing Plan of
Middlesbrough Council and the Nunthorpe Design Code.
When asked about market research, Taylor Wimpey is confident that they will avoid the
difficulties of some competitors which may have had too great a focus on “Executive” housing,
because the Taylor Wimpey plan for Nunthorpe Grange is for a wide range of house sizes –
from 950 to 1660 sq feet. In response to a question about housing appropriate for elderly
people, which the Parish Council believes to be particularly relevant for Nunthorpe, Taylor
Wimpey repeated that their plan is for a range of housing sizes. However, they are primarily
taking into account the case made by Middlesbrough Council in 2014 that the greatest need of
Middlesbrough is for 3 and 4 bedroom houses. The Parish Council representatives queried
whether this remains the case, in the light of the changes within Middlesbrough Council, the
current review of Middlesbrough’s Local Plan, and the most recent independent population
projections – but Taylor Wimpey stated that they are following the statements made by
Middlesbrough Council in the 2014 documentation.
The Parish Council wondered how the calculation was made that Taylor Wimpey is entitled to
56 out of a total of 250 houses for the whole of Nunthorpe Grange, given the relatively small
proportion of land available to Taylor Wimpey. The Taylor Wimpey representatives replied that
there had been no discussion with Middlesbrough Council about the number of houses to be
built as their share of the Nunthorpe Grange total. They questioned the total of 250, because
they had read in the MasterPlan and the 2018 Local Plan that Middlesbrough Council intended
to increase this total to 350, and the figure of 250 could therefore be regarded as guidance. The
Parish Council queried how this would be possible, as the Planning Inspector had set the limit at
250, and had also ruled that no building could start until there had been significant progress with
the Nunthorpe Park and Ride, but the Taylor Wimpey representatives felt unable to comment on
these matters.
The Parish Council voiced serious concern about access to the estate being from the busy, but
narrow, Guisborough Road. The response was that the proposal had been validated by Taylor
Wimpey’s planning consultants and the “highways authorities”, and fitted into Middlesbrough
Council’s “Highways Model”. The Planning Department of Middlesbrough Council has stated
that it would not wish to prejudice whatever proposal about road access Taylor Wimpey may
wish to make. Taylor Wimpey evaluates that the impact of 56 houses on the road infrastructure
(Guisborough Road and beyond) would not be significant, but the Parish Council
representatives stated that the incremental cumulative impact has become intolerable. The
Taylor Wimpey representatives drew attention to a second point on their plan where the road
through this site linked into the wider Nunthorpe Grange, potentially relieving pressure on
Guisborough Road, but stated that it is not possible for Taylor Wimpey to be more specific about
how this might help until Middlesbrough Council presents a definitive traffic plan for Nunthorpe
Grange.
Consideration of potential Section 106 community contributions from Taylor Wimpey was
agreed to be premature, in the absence of decisions on the more fundamental issues such as
the number and nature of houses, and the access to the site.
Returning to Taylor Wimpey’s thoughts on integration of their site within the wider context of
Nunthorpe Grange, Taylor Wimpey stated that their website would be updated regularly until the
date of handover.
The Parish Council emphasised the importance of continuing dialogue, even when there is
fundamental disagreement. Taylor Wimpey agreed to keep in contact with the Parish Council.
Co-Option Notice (August 2020)
Have your say about the future of Nunthorpe
As part of the community consultation on the development of Nunthorpe, the Parish Council has convened a special meeting with the sole purpose of providing residents with the opportunity to make their views known. This will be a virtual meeting by Zoom because of the current situation but anyone can join by obtaining details from the Parish Clerk on clerk@nunthorpepc.org.uk
WEDNESDAY, 29TH JULY @ 19:00
Parish Councillors also welcome comments on the “Nunthorpe Vision” introductory leaflet circulated to all residents by Middlesbrough Council, and made available on the Nunthorpe Vision Facebook page.
The Parish Council also encourages feedback on the four minimum requirements presented to Middlesbrough Council by the Parish Council, available on the Nunthorpe Parish Council Facebook page and the Nunthorpe Vision Facebook page.
Please, please join us to ensure that we can represent your views.
Parish Council Priorities for Nunthorpe Vision
Nunthorpe Parish Council’s opinion is that Nunthorpe has already suffered enough from
housing developments without the infrastructure to help compensate residents for the
environmental implications.
Therefore, although the Parish Council thinks that it is probably unrealistic to expect zero
housebuilding in Nunthorpe Grange by those who have bought land already zoned for
house-building, the Parish Council has presented Middlesbrough Council with the
following four minimum requirements –
1. HOUSE-BUILDING LIMITATION
NPC seeks a commitment from Middlesbrough Council not to authorise
house-building in Nunthorpe Grange until a comprehensive development plan
has been agreed for the whole of Nunthorpe.
Such a plan must –
Oppose all housing development in Nunthorpe outside Nunthorpe
Grange (such as at Ford Close)
Establish a total number of no more than 250 houses across all of
Nunthorpe Grange, and prioritise accessible housing at
Nunthorpe Grange.
Oppose any subsequent attempt by developers to renegotiate the
number and/or nature of houses in Nunthorpe Grange.
2. TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE
NPC seeks a commitment from Middlesbrough Council not to authorise
housebuilding in Nunthorpe Grange until a comprehensive transport plan,
incorporating an implementation schedule, has been agreed, in order to
alleviate various problems – particularly the “Marton Crawl”
In such a transport plan, an immediate improvement in rail and bus service
should be prioritised over the long-term aspiration for an additional station in
Nunthorpe.
3. GREEN ENVIRONMENT
NPC seeks a commitment from Middlesbrough Council to protect and
enhance the green environment of Nunthorpe, including the creation of a new
park in Nunthorpe Grange.
4. COMMUNAL FACILITIES
NPC seeks a commitment from Middlesbrough Council not only to facilitate a
Nunthorpe Health Centre, but also to provide –
sufficient land for a comprehensive Community Centre
sufficient funding to enable construction of at least the first phase of
the Community Centre before any housebuilding is started in
Nunthorpe Grange.
5. SPORT
NPC seeks a commitment from Middlesbrough Council to protect and enhance the facilities for sport in Nunthorpe.
Welcome Pack for Nunthorpe Residents
Ward Councillor Mieka Smiles had an idea prior to her election for a Welcome Pack for new Nunthorpe Residents. It’s now complete and can be downloaded from her website via the link below. It is a very comprehensive document and will be of use to any residents regardless of how long they have lived in the area. Enjoy.
NUNTHORPE PARISH COUNCIL, MIDDLESBROUGH – CASUAL VACANCY
IN THE OFFICE OF PARISH COUNCILLOR
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a casual vacancy exists in the office of Parish Councillor for Nunthorpe Parish Councillor Ward of the Borough of Middlesbrough.
An election to fill this vacancy can be requested if a request in writing is given by Ten electors for the Parish area to the Returning Officer, Middlesbrough Council, PO Box 503, Town Hall, Middlesbrough, TS1 9FX. This election would take place in May 2021.
Angela Livingstone
Date: 10/05/2020
If you are interested in becoming a Parish Councillor by co-option to fill one of the 5 vacancies please contact the clerk.
Email: clerk@nunthorpepc.org.uk Telephone 01642 274283
Presentation to Ken Tomlinson
Ken Tomlinson was a member of Nunthorpe Parish Council for seven years until he stepped down at the end of April this year. For most of that time he served as Chair and saw the Council through a very unsettled period in its history at the beginning of his tenure. Thankfully, he now leaves it in fine health.
In recognition of his service to Nunthorpe as Chair, the Parish Council have presented Ken and his wife Lesley (who herself served for many years as Secretary to Nunthorpe Community Council) with an inscribed crystal bowl on behalf of the community.
Thank you Ken for all of your time, effort and commitment to Nunthorpe.
Footpaths around the Grey Towers Estate
The Covid crisis has understandably meant more people walking around our Nunthorpe public rights of ways, footpaths and bridleways, including at Grey Towers.
A public right of way is over land owned by somebody. In the case of the Grey Towers building and adjacent land, the land is owned by the Grey Towers residents.
The public may use rights of way which are highlighted along the route with signage as in the accompanying illustration.
We must all stick to the rules to ensure safety and keep to the two metre-wide path. This includes dogs, which must be kept on leads, as paths go on to farmers fields where there is livestock.
After recent meetings, we wrote to Middlesbrough Council and received an indication of support to work together with residents to seek greater understanding in the future and to see what progress can be made.
We are also working in partnership with OurGreenways in producing a clear map showing paths and rights of ways along with further guidance.
The Parish Council, Ward Councillors and the Grey Towers owners are engaged in discussions and working hard to tackle issues and will keep everyone updated to minimise any misunderstanding.