Issue - meetings

This report is in response to a petition received at full Council on 15 July 2010 from Councillor Alexander, on behalf of local residents, regarding a play area behind Kirkdale Road.

RESOLVED:             That the Executive Member approves Option A to undertake planting, as approved by the management company, at the start of the planting season to alleviate the concerns of residents.

REASON:                  To ensure that in addition to the new, higher fencing recently installed that appropriate screen planting is introduced to reduce the impact of the use of the play area and equipment upon residents of Kirkdale Road.

The Executive Member considered a report, which had been prepared in response to a petition received at full Council on 15 July 2010. Councillor Alexander had presented the petition on behalf of local residents expressing their concerns regarding a play area in Kirkdale Road, Osbaldwick.

Representations were received on behalf of Osbaldwick Parish Council who supported Option C in the report, which involved undertaking more extensive work together with the reconfiguration of the play area equipment. Their representative detailed the history of the issue and lack of consultation undertaken with residents. He referred to the impact of the play equipment on local residents, which resulted in their loss of privacy and amenity.

The Local Member confirmed that he had surveyed residents in Kirkdale Road in an effort to find a solution to the reported problems. He confirmed that the new higher fence had now been installed and that he supported the Officers recommendation to undertake additional planting later in the season.

Officers confirmed that evergreen planting would take place at the start of the planting season, which would supplement the recently installed higher fence.

The Executive Member confirmed that he had recently visited the play area, which was aimed at very young children and which could be secured when not in use. He pointed out that he did not feel that the relocation of the equipment in the restricted area would have any material affect on sight lines.

Consideration was then given to the following options:

Option A

Continue the existing measures to alleviate the concerns, i.e. to install the planting as approved by the management company, at the start of the planting season.

Option B

To carry out no further action i.e. not to install the additional planting.

Option C

To seek the approval of the landowners/ managing agentsto carry out more extensive works involving the reconfiguration of equipment within the play area to alleviate the residents’ concerns.

RESOLVED:             That the Executive Member approves Option A to undertake planting, as approved by the management company, at the start of the planting season to alleviate the concerns of residents. ^1.

REASON:                  To ensure that in addition to the new, higher fencing recently installed that appropriate screen planting is introduced to reduce the impact of the use of the play area and equipment upon residents of Kirkdale Road.