Great to be part of Goole's ‘U Project’ for young people

It was a pleasure to be part of Goole’s ‘U Project’ put on during the summer holidays by the East Riding of Yorkshire Council Youth Service. Yesterday I was asked to contribute as part of the ‘Professionals Day’ element of the project . The project is aimed at those young people who have yet to make any positive choices regarding their education, employment or training options.

Many thanks to Lesley Kinnes of the ERYC Youth Service for all the organisation.

I was in very good company, with six people from different professions speaking to the young people

Sgt Paul Fearnley (Army) was very inspirational in what he said, including describing what he was like as a 16 year old, and how the army got him on the straight and narrow. He spoke about the army, career opportunities and the job of a soldier.

Helen Kerr (ERYC Countryside Warden) gave a great insight into her role and countryside issues. Great that she lives and does a lot of her work in Howdenshire.

Hannah Marshall (Midwife) kept the young people enthralled in her description of her job, including working 13-hour shifts - sometimes without a break, and the joy of just doing her job.

Nadine Webster (Teaching Assistant) told us about her role at Goole’s Riverside Primary School, and how one-on-one teaching really helped the autistic children she worked with.

Martin Conley (Fireman) gave a fantastic insight into the different roles within the fire service, as well as his story since leaving school, from a motor mechanic, army cadet instructor, youth worker, helicopter crewmember and finally a fire officer.

Neil Asquith (ER Training Services) provided a number of stories about his life since leaving school, and his time in the Police.

I was the last speaker as Local Action Team Chair and a local Councillor. I thought I’d pick up on the music that was used to accompany the slide show presentation of the summer’s activities shown at the beginning of the morning – Don't Stop Believing by Journey.

For 15 minutes we talked about a “small town girl (or boy in my case), Livin' in a lonely world, taking a midnight train goin' anywhere” – I related this to the journey of life after leaving school…. But also a journey I took many years from Goole Railway Station overland by rail to China and Hong Kong…. I did seem to hold their interest – especially when they realised it was my phone’s ringtone!

I think I enjoyed it as much as the kids - please see clip below for a combination of 80's Journey with Steve Perry and 2008 Journey with Arnel Pineda.

Long Awaited Flood Prevention Works on Gilberdyke’s Sandholme Road Junction

It is great to see the East Riding of Yorkshire Council have commenced the work on the road drains at the junction of Gilberdyke’s Sandholme Road and the Main Road. This is to address the frequent pooling of water on the road during times of rainfall and the flood risk to the corner cottage. Both the Parish Council and myself have raised this frequently, and despite some work being done previously the problem was never really solved.

To offer a permanent solution a new channel drain is to be fitted along both sides of the road.

The west side channelling (to be installed in trench shown) is to be connected to what is the original Gilbert’s dyke which, is now culverted and running under the footpath .

The channel drain on the east is to discharge into the drain running under the main road, running into open dyke outside the Wards Hotel, which then continues as a piped section to join with the main village drainage near the Memorial Hall carpark. This section will hopefully receive some maintenance in the future.

Consultation event on future housing in Holme on Spalding Moor

Holme on Spalding Moor Parish Council is to hold a consultation event at the Village Hall on 14th September 2010 between 3pm and 7.30pm. The event is to allow residents to opportunity to have input into potential sites for future housing developments in the village as part of the East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC) Local Development Framework (LDF) Preferred Approach Core Strategy.

HOSM has been suggested for limited further development in the years leading up to 2026. At the beginning of 2010 the village had 25 dwellings that had received planning consent - but had yet to be built. The proposal is for 145 further dwellings being required in the years to 2026, and for these houses to be constructed between 2.9 and 4.8 hectares of land will be required.

11 possible sites have been identified in and around the village - totalling some 33.66 hectares; consequently there are choices as to which of the sites will be allocated for this future housing, and priorities as to the order in which the land is released (see map below).

HOSM Parish Council have been asked for their comments and priorities, and have decided to involve the village in the decision making process by holding a consultation with residents.

A larger scale map showing the suggested sites for HOSM can be seen by clicking here

Further details of each individual parcel of land can be seen by clicking here

Waste Recycling Group (WRG) have also been invited to the consultation event to talk to residents about the proposed windfarm at Gallymoor. More information on this proposal can be found by clicking here

It is hoped there will also be opportunity for residents to talk to other representatives about the ‘green community’.

A midnight walk from Yorkshire to Lincolnshire - and back again for Marie Curie

Last night it was a great pleasure to be part of a 130 + group taking part in the Marie Curie Humber Bridge Midnight Walk. Walking over the bridge to North Lincolnshire and then turning back to return to Yorkshire 1 hour and 8 minutes later, a distance of approx 4 miles.

It was fantastic that we raised over £6,000 for Marie Curie, which will enable Marie Curie Nurses in our area to provide one-to-one nursing care to terminally ill cancer patients at home. The nurses also give emotional support and advice to family members and friends at this very difficult time. Although the service is provided free of charge to the patient and family, it costs £20 for one hour of Marie Curie nursing care, or £180 for a full shift.

Many thanks to all those who sponsored not just me, but all the walkers prior to the event – If you were not able to sponsor - there is good news. The opportunity to give money is not lost until the end of the month, therefore anyone who wishes to contribute please get in touch.

I must mention one very special lady – Pauline Hornsey (pictured) not just for inviting me to join - but more importantly all the work she does for Marie Curie.

Thanks also to North Cave Parish Council Chairman Steve Skipsea for ensuring that I turned up by driving me to the event, and welcoming me back to Yorkshire with a cold beer!

Gilberdyke Consultation On Future Housing Requirements

Many thanks to all those Gilberdyke residents who attended the Parish Council’s recent consultation event on future housing provision, and the two proposed speed limit reductions in the village. Over 100 people called in during the day to look at the proposals and give their thoughts.

The East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC) Local Development Framework (LDF) Preferred Approach Core Strategy suggests Gilberdyke be allocated limited further housing development in the years leading up to 2026.

At the beginning of 2010 Gilberdyke had 45 dwellings that had received planning consent - but had yet to be built. The LDF proposal is for a further 125 dwellings being constructed in the years to 2026, and between 2.5 and 4.2 hectares of land will be required for these houses to be constructed.18 possible sites have been identified in and around the village - totalling some 58.15 hectares; consequently there are choices as to which of the sites will be allocated for this future housing, and priorities as to the order in which the land is released. It is this that the ERYC is consulting with residents.

For a larger scale map click here
For details and sizes of individual parcels of land click here

It seemed that the need for some additional housing in the next 15 years was accepted in principle by most, with the old Railway Hotel site (GIL12 on the map) being the most favoured, with various other sites receiving different levels of support.

It was acknowledged by most that the only way that the old Railway Hotel site, which forms the eyesore at the entrance to the village when coming in by rail could be improved from its overgrown brick rubble strewn state, is for it to be developed. Although concerns were raised regarding the flood risk associated with the site.

The issue of general flooding was raised by a number of residents, with most of the questions surrounding the planned flood relief works to be carried out by ERYC working together with the Lower Ouse Internal Drainage Board and the Parish Council – all of which were answered.

There were a number of people commenting about the capacity of Gilberdyke Health Centre to accommodate more Gilberdyke residents, and also residents from neighbouring villages. This includes Newport where an additional 71 houses are also proposed over the next 15 years - in addition to the 14 that already have planning consent.

There were also comments regarding the parking outside the Gilberdyke Health Centre, and questions as to whether car-parking provision could be linked to the suggested new housing.

Questions were also raised regarding where the occupiers of new housing would work, and proposed industrial developments around junction 38.

The speed limits proposals received differing responses. The 20mph zone in the centre of the village was certainly popular and received a great deal of support, with the general feeling that speeding must be policed better than it is now, and numerous people requested that no speed humps are installed. The proposed reduction from 40mph to 30mph on the Main Road (B1230) received mixed views - just over half did not want to see any reductions, and of those that did, some wanted to see the speed limit extended westwards to the entrance to the Ings View Sports Field.

If you have any further comments or thoughts on the LDF Housing proposals please email: forward.planning@eastriding.gov.uk

New Beverley Hospital receives final approval from ERYC Planning Committee

I was pleased to be one of the 10 Councillors on the East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s Planning Committee who this week voted through the final details for the go ahead of the new Beverley hospital. I was happy to speak in favour, and move approval for the appearance, landscaping, layout and scale.

I had reservations about the site when the original outline application came before us some months ago, I was very much aware (and still am) that this was not the best site for a new hospital, and did initially raise concerns particularly on the traffic movements along Swinemoor Road and flood risk. But having looked at the information available to members of the Committee it was clear that traffic to and from the site could be accommodated and the risk of flooding managed. I was also led to believe the Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals Trust had looked at other sites and options but for one reason or another these had to be discounted.

This meant that the Swinemoor Road Site was the application in front of the Committee and what we had to make a decision on - it was never about selection of sites – there was no choice of sites. I also knew that the funding window was narrow and a decision had to be made.

I indicated that the design may not be one of the best on paper – but design can be subjective and functionality and the impact of the visual environment have to be considered. I drew parallels with the Castle Hill Oncology unit - with which I had serious concerns about the design at the planning stage. But now constructed I feel is a fantastic design concept that incorporates functionality and stunning views ensuring a therapeutic environment for the patients being treated.

Ultimately we will see a new community hospital to the North of Beverley, with relatively easy access not just for Beverley residents but also from as far a field as Hornsea and Driffield.

There are totally different issues surrounding the downsizing of provision at Goole Hospital with which I have serious concerns. Rightly or wrongly this is in a different administrative area under the management of the North Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Gilberdyke residents to have their say on future housing developments & proposed new speed limits

The East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC) is consulting with residents about future housing development. This includes proposals for the number of new dwellings required in East Yorkshire villages and towns in the years up to 2026, and also identifies a number of possible sites for development in some Howdenshire villages including: Gilberdyke, Newport, North Cave, Bubwith, Eastrington and Holme on Spalding Moor

This is part of the ‘aptly named’ ERYC Local Development Framework (LDF) Preferred Approach Core Strategy.

The ERYC are consulting on which of the suggested sites are most suitable for development in the selected villages.

Gilberdyke has been suggested for limited further development in the years leading up to 2026. At the beginning of 2010 Gilberdyke had 45 dwellings that had received planning consent - but had yet to be built. The proposal is for 125 further dwellings being required in the years to 2026, and for these houses to be constructed between 2.5 and 4.2 hectares of land will be required.

18 possible sites have been identified in and around the village - totalling some 58.15 hectares; consequently there are choices as to which of the sites will be allocated for this future housing, and priorities as to the order in which the land is released.

Gilberdyke Parish Council have been asked for their comments and priorities, and have decided to involve the village in the decision making process by holding a consultation with residents. This is to be held at the Youth Club building (adjacent to the Memorial Hall) between 12noon and 7pm on Thursday 5th August 2010.

A map showing the suggested sites for Gilberdyke can be seen at:

http://easysite.eastriding.gov.uk/EasySiteWeb/getresource.axd?AssetID=69077&type=full&servicetype=Attachment

My previous comments on future housing plans for Gilberdyke - as part of the Council's LDF consultation back in 2006 can be found at:

http://paul-robinson-howdenshire.blogspot.com/2006/11/does-gilberdyke-need-more-housing.html

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Proposed changes to Gilberdyke's speed limits

A proposal for reducing the speed limit on the B1230 (the Main Road) from 40mph down to 30mph is also being considered.

There is also a proposal to reduce the speed limit within the central part of the village down from 30mph to 20mph.

Each of the speed reduction proposals is out for consultation and the Parish Council is seeking the views of residents at the same event.

Please go along and have your say on these important issues.

Please Note

For housing numbers and maps showing potential sites in other East Riding towns and villages please go to:

http://www.eastriding.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/planning/forward-planning/local-development-framework/allocations-dpd/