Agenda item

Public Consultation regarding land at Dringhouses Sidings/Mayfield Pond

5.         Public consultation regarding Dringhouses Sidings/Mayfields Pond

            Discussion led by Chase Residents Association

Minutes:

 

7.1    David Warburton, Head of Design Conservation and Sustainable Development presented facts related to the Mayfield's Pond site with the help of PowerPoint presentation.

          Apology was given to the meeting for the City of York Council officer’s actions which resulted in the current situation.

 

·        Planning application for the development of the sidings was submitted in 1996. 

·        The title of the land was not transferred to City of York Council, but the authority is committed to recover it. Legal matters are being looked at currently.

·        The site has not been registered as Public Open Space.

·        YNET is informally managing the land. 

·        Recent work was done to improve and put the site in good order.

·        On 8th March 2012 the report will be submitted to City Strategy to agree the actions that are necessary to secure future management of the site. There are number of organisations who could manage that land and City of York Council has responsibility to set up the framework for the future management of the site. 

 

Residents were given opportunity to ask questions.

 

Q       What is the expected cost implication for the land transfer back to City of York Council?

A       There will definitely be cost implication, but we have no estimate figure. Officers work time will form part of that cost. 

 

Q       That land was not managed for 10 years and that is because you were unable to sort paper work out and choose reliable contractor.

A       I can ensure you that the matter will be looked at appropriately now.

 

Q       I bought my house on Hob Moor Terrace because it was located next to the open public space. Can you guarantee that this land will become an open public space again and the fence will disappear?

A       City of York Council is committed to recover all that land, but it might be impossible. Under current Property Law regulations any tenants on land, who occupy it have the right to fence it.  

 

Q       Could you give me clear information on what is going on with that land?

A       City of York Council Legal Department is in active negotiation with tenants/owners and the objective is to obtain the land back.

 

Q       When was that land last tested for Japanese Knotweed presence?

A       There was a problem with Japanese Knotweed previously and it was dealt with by appropriate contractor. The land was inspected and there is no evidence of that invasive plant.

 

7.2    Anne Leggett, Chair of the Chase Residents Association introduced herself to the meeting and spoke about Mayfield’s Pond site with the help of PowerPoint presentation.

          Anne declared that she is only the voice of the Chase Residents’ Association and the presentation is on behalf of the Chase Residents’ Association Committee, as part of an on-going public consultation.

         

7.3    The site occupies an area of around 7 ha and is located approximately one mile south west of York at grid reference SE 586501.  It is bordered by Mayfield Grove, Ainsty Avenue and Aintree Court and split into two main areas by Nelson’s Lane.

 

7.4    PowerPoint slide with the area of Public Open Space outlined in blue was presented to the meeting.

          This land was dedicated to the community as Public Open Space on a Section 106 Planning Obligation included when the Planning Permission 7/013/03321H/FUL, dated 2/6/1997 was granted for a Housing development known as Farrier’s Chase on the site of the Dringhouses Sidings. A commuted sum of £36,000 was allocated for maintenance of the land.

 

7.5    The presentation forms part of a 12 week consultation which started on 28th November. 346 consultation documents were sent out with over 70 returned so far. The public consultation is due to finish on 27th February 2012.

No decisions have been made yet on the future management of the site.

In the meantime the Chase Residents’ Association is developing a draft management plan in consultation with the local community.

Consultation forms were provided for meeting attendees who wished to contribute.

 

7.6    Initial footfall survey was undertaken. It indicated that the main usage of the site is by dog walkers, followed by the school run and commuting to work. Surveys took place in cold weather and so there were no fishermen on the site but we are aware that the pond is considered to be a popular fishing venue. 

The site is very well used by people at all times of the day including young, old, and less able and cyclists. Therefore it is essential that all these peoples’ views are taken into consideration when planning for the future. The heavy footfall puts added pressure both on the site and the wildlife that live there.

Overall the results of the public consultation so far are very positive, however over the last 15 years the residents have seen the area under managed and degrade to the condition that it is in now.

The land is valued by the Chase Residents and they wish to see it managed and improved.

 

7.7    Number of pictures of the site and its wildlife now and in the past were presented to the meeting.

·        An old photograph of the pond around 1979 showing the remnants of an Old Claypit originally part of the Nelsons Brickyard, circa 1882, which was in use as a fishing Pond by The British Rail Angling Club when the land was sold in 1996 at that time it was known as the Railway Pond.

·        Photograph of the remnant of a larger area of mature trees around the pond with an access from Nelsons Lane for fishermen.

·        Photograph of newly created, landscaped area behind Hob Moor Terrace which had previously been the Hob Moor Brickworks circa 1887. The clay pit had been used as a landfill site and therefore was capped with clay and planted with new trees and bushes which would be naturally found in such an area. Oak, Birch, Field Maple, Hazel. This area had a hard surface footpath/cycleway through it from Nelsons Lane to Little Hob Moor.

·        Photograph of the meadow behind Hob Moor terrace 1996, before the bulldozers came. 

·        Photographs of creation of the capped site behind Hob Moor terrace as POS.

·        Photographs of site levelling, clay capping, topsoil and building work start in 1997.

 

7.8    Works were done by the developers as specified in the planning permission 2/6/1997.

The houses on the development were completed circa 2000 however due to 2 takeovers of the building companies concerned the site was not accepted by City of York Council  as complete until 2003.

At this point the land should have been transferred to a suitable person or organisation to manage as a Public Open Space to a high standard for the benefit of the community. Unfortunately, this did not happen and  9 years later the land still belongs to the developer, however recently residents of the area have been working with City of York Council  to ensure the original intention of the Section 106 is  enacted. This has been complicated by the land being in a degraded state and was not fit to transfer to a suitable person /organisation and more recently that an area behind Hob Moor Terrace was sold without the agreement to another developer. City of York Council  are now in the process of finalising these issues and the land should be available to transfer hopefully by March 8th 2012. The Council intend to retain ownership of the land themselves and then to appoint a suitable person/organisation to manage it.

 

7.9    Existing problems on the site are:

·        The site was landscaped as part of the adjacent residential scheme. For several years it had an attractive appearance as the new planting became established. However, the site has not been managed and parts of it now appear overgrown and unkempt.

·        The meadow has become tussocky with some species, including the yellow rattle disappearing.

·        The pond suffers from a lack of oxygen during hot summers.

·        Some of the fishing platforms are in a dangerous condition.

·        The trees have not been managed.

·        There is little under storey in the woodland areas.

·        The footpaths are degraded.

 

7.10    Initial responses to the consultation indicate that residents would like:

·        The land to be managed preserved and protected.

·        The management plan to take residents’ interests into consideration.

·        The site used for a range of community events.

·        To be involved in all aspects of the management, including practical conservation work, survey work, interpretation, and fundraising.

·        To explore the possibility of working in partnership with a range of organisations to manage the site.

 

7.11  The site has no legal status as a Nature Reserve and it is a priority to restore the site as soon as possible so that it can be recognised and registered as a (S.I.N.C.) Site of Importance for Nature Conservation.

The aim of the Chase Residents’ Association is to ensure that the conservation interest of the site is maintained, enhanced and restored.

 

 

7.12    Examples of work that needs doing on:

·        Maintain the fish population.

·        Manage the open water habitat by clearing, dredging and re-profiling the pond.

·        Improve the oxygen levels in the pond by selective clearance of some trees.

·        Establish diverse marginal and open water vegetation.

·        Improve the fishing facilities.

·        Provide a pond dipping platform.

·        Establish wood piles as habitat.

·        Maintain trees in a safe condition.

·        Establish a pollarding and coppicing regime.

·        Clear scrub in a rotational programme.

·        Improve woodland under story and ground flora through scrub and tree management.

·        Removal of non-native species, potential translocation or new planting.

·        Install new bat and bird boxes.

·        Maintain and enhance the diversity of the meadow area.

·        Cut the meadow once a year and remove the arising's.

·        Re-seed areas to reintroduce species recently lost such as Yellow Rattle.

 

7.13    Proposed next steps:

·        Establish a management group.

·        Fundraise.

·        Establish a working / maintenance group.

·        Establish a separate fishing management group.

·        Seek trust or charitable status.

·        Establish a programme of community activities and events on the site.

·        Investigate working in partnership to offer training in conservation.

 

7.14    The Chase Residents’ Association have a full draft plan in preparation and further information is available at stand. It is essential that whoever is selected fulfills all the relevant criteria to ensure effective management in the future.

Expected criteria for a suitable management person or organisation are:

·        Be capable of developing a 5 year management plan and revising it as the needs of the site and the community evolve.

·        Be able to demonstrate long term viability for their organisation.

·        Be able to demonstrate a successful history of a similar scheme.

·        Be financially secure.

·        Be capable of fulfilling their management plan with the required knowledge, personnel, tools and machinery.

·        Be able and willing to fund raise and apply for grants.

·        Be able and willing to consult and involve all the local community.

·        Be able and willing to encourage and supply educational opportunities for the local community.

·        Be able and willing to work in partnership with other local organizations to foster a spirit of community.

 

7.15    The Chase Residents’ Association vision of the site:

·        A safe, attractive, bio-diverse place for local residents to enjoy.

·        Managed to maintain and enhance its wildlife value - a SINC site.

·        A balance between the ecological value of the site and its use as public open space.

·        A site that can be used and appreciated by all members of the community.

 

Residents were given opportunity to raise questions.

 

Q       Pictures on your presentation were taken either in spring, or in  autumn. It is slightly misleading, as the site does not looks like that currently.

A       Presented photographs were taken in August and September last year.

 

Q       If you clear all the site of the shrub and shrubbery its inhabitants will be affected.

A       We intend to recreate the pond. Please take part in the consultations, as your comments and knowledge are vital.

 

At this point Barry Potter, Chair of York Natural Environment Trust congratulated Anna Leggett and other members of the Chase Residents’ Association for the work they have done so far. He confirmed that YNET had managed the Mayfield Pond site over a15 year period.*

 

Q       Question directed to elected members.

Do you support the view that this site should primarily serve local community?

A       You all should be involved in the consultation. This site should benefit to everyone who wants to use it e.g. walk, cycle, fish etc. Residents who life nearby should be involved in the management of the site.

 

*[As amended at the Annual Ward Committee meeting on 11 June 2012]

 

 

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