Roger Symonds and Cherry Beath

At a hastily arranged meeting at the Orchard on 15th July, Paul Britton from English Partnerships (owner of the Yard and funder for the Stone Mines Stabilisation Programme) and Edward Nash, from nash partnership, the firm responsible for submitting the Planning Application, gave details of their plans for Ralph Allen’s Yard.

In his opening comments Paul Britton said that there will be no planning application submitted this year and any start on works will not happen for at least 18 months/2 years. Both Paul and Edward emphasised that this consultation is at a very early stage in the process, but it is envisaged that the development will comprise an Interpretation Centre/Community Space, access to the mines for part of the year, and housing.

They asked for our input before any decision was taken on how big or small the Interpretation Centre would be. Many of the buildings on the site would be kept, in particular the stone frontage to Rockhall Lane, and the number of housing units had to be sufficient to attract investment from the private sector. There would be money available to build the Interpretation Centre.

Some of the points raised by local residents present were:

Traffic problems. Response - the centre would not be open every day and the main use would be educational, with groups visiting by appointment.

Would the present ‘credit crunch’ affect building? Response - the development would attract small builders, who would be better able to ride out the problems than big housebuilders.

Have Housing Associations been contacted, because they can get funding from Government and could build ‘affordable’ homes? Response - yes, housing Associations know about the site.

There would be problems of access from Rockhall Lane and the proposed two courtyards would be too small. Response - these were issues that would be addressed at the detailed design stage.

The development should be an exemplar sustainable development, possibly carbon neutral. Response - this would depend on planning regulations. My comment - this is not strictly true - the Local Plan sets minimum standards. There is no reason why these cannot be exceeded.

There are too many homes and they could be ’sheltered’ accommodation. The development could be highly detrimental to Rockhall Lane residents. Response - the consultation is at an early stage and nothing has yet been decided.

Less houses, better community facility. Financial issue over the land bought at Industrial rates and would now be sold at higher housing rates - should mean a good profit for owners.

Sheltered Housing and starter homes would be a good use of the site. Response - good idea, will be considered.

Interpretation Centre too small - squashed into corner of site.

Why not have parking space where housing is proposed?

Edward Nash said that the developer was looking to the community to tell them what kind of community facility was needed. The response from the audience was “you can tell from the size of this meeting.” He was directed to the ‘vision statement’ compiled by the Heritage Society in 2004. Many people stayed to give their comments to the developer at the end of the meeting and filled in forms for comments. I have also passed on the comments that were given to me before the meeting.

My comments:
This meeting was very well attended, especially given the short notice. The main views were that there was too much housing proposed and that the Interpretation Centre was too small. It is clear that there must be housing if we are to finance the building of the Interpretation Centre, but as yet the balance is not right.

I was reassured that we are at a very early stage and that the developer does want to hear the views of the Community. There will be further consultation and we hope that as a result changes will be made in line with Community wishes.

Cherry and I feel that this is a great opportunity for Combe Down and together with the art project will leave a lasting memorial to the mines, the people who worked in them and to all the effort in recent years to stabilise the mines. We believe that the development must be to the highest standards, as it is not simply the Interpretation Centre that should be a reminder to future generations, but the whole of the development.

Any further comments can be made direct to nash partnership, 23a Sydney buildings Bath BA2 6BZ E mail@nashpartnership.com or through Cherry and myself, by phone, letter. email or on our web site.
Roger

For the past three years or so Roger, and latterly myself, have badgered the Council, chased up, flagged up, walked round with Highways Officers, drawn up lists and so on, in the cause of the removal of the “Temporary” yellow lines installed because of the stabilisation work needed around particular areas of the village. The yellow lines were signed off to be removed a long time ago, and finally, after repeatedly raising the issue (plus a string of other highways jobs in Combe Down)  and our questions to Charles Gerrish, the Cabinet Member responsible at last weeks Cabinet Meeting, and  further contact with The Parking Manager, we have  now been told the work will be scheduled for August.

Seeing is believing of course… but one of the big hold ups was that a Traffic Regulation Order had to be advertised, which included other parking changes in other areas, and objections to those meant a further delay. The removal of these lines will allow a few more parking places along from the School towards the Summer Lane junction, and one or two elsewhere.

Residents are wanting to know more about this proposal to have some form of artworks to commemorate the Historic Combe Down Stone Mines and the lengthy and unique process of stabilisation. We have asked The Stone Mines Team to send out a newsletter with a full update on this, and this is to go out shortly.

In short, as most of you know, English Partnerships are putting forward funding for this to happen, which is specifically earmarked for the art project and not transferable. It is also proposed to have a commemorative book, which will document some of the history, and reflect the personal stories and perspectives of residents and others who have been involved.  It is also planned to locate an interpretation Centre in Ralph Allens Yard (just down from The King William Public House) which will include something of an underground experience.      

Art Project Managers have now been appointed, Frances Lord and Steve Geliot, who work together as a team. They are based in East Sussex, and between them have a broad range of experience in devising and delivering public art projects. They will be responsible for selecting the Artists and particular works for this project, and are keen to get to know the people and the area, to help them understand the context of this project, and sensitively develop proposals that are appropriate to Combe Down and it’s residents. This is a crucial aspect of this project, and one which I have flagged up many times.

I have been very impressed with Frances and Steve, who appear to be very committed, and excited about Combe Down, and sensitive to the issues of how the Mines have impacted residents. They have already been up to start to explore Combe Down and have been down the mines, prior to their interview. They will be out and about the village from time to time, and want to meet and consult with the people of Combe Down.

From what I have seen of their work it is excellent, environmentally sensitive, and they both are very enthusiastic and engaging. Steve Geliot is an artist as well as a Public Arts Manager. To find out more about them do have a look at their websites:

http://www.franceslord.com/

http://www.stevegeliot.com

Let us know what you think.

We received the useful information below about Summer Holiday Activity Courses from one of our local residents who is Active Lifestyles Manager in the Sport & Active Leisure Team in the Council:

Summer Activity Camps

July 28th - Aug 1st Chew Valley School 

Aug 4th - 8th - Wellsway School

Aug 11th - 15th – Wellsway School

Aug 18th - 22nd - Culverhay School

9:00 am – 3:30 pm, £15 per day or £60 for all 5 days.

Open to 8 – 16 year olds (Support available for children with additional needs)

Activities: Basketball, Badminton, Football, Swimming,Lacrosse, Tennis, Hockey, Cricket, Dodge Ball, Rounders,Softball, Tag Rugby, Multi skills, Fun games, Water Fights,Archery, Martial Arts, Street dance

N.B. Specific activities will depend on availability and location.

Plus sporting demonstrations and great prizes.

To book a place use the

Also for young Rugby enthusiasts, have a look at:

http://www.bathcombinationrugby.co.uk/images/Summer%20camps%20flyer%20-%20final.pdf

These seem good value, we are all being encouraged to get more active whatever our age and abilities. Find out more from the Sports & Active Leisure Team link: www.bathnes.gov.uk/getactive

Combe Down school now has one of Bath’s famous pigs. It’s called ‘Twinkle’. The school’s new logo of stars prompted the name. First choice was ‘Dazzle’, but another pig had already been allocated that name. The photo shows Roger with the artist and some of the children. the children are already playing the ’spot the pig’ game and are looking forward to Combe Down’s other two pigs. One sponsored by Hydrock in the work site and another sponsored by Davis Langdon and installed near the Co-Op.

Isn’t it just typical that Wednesday this week was so wet, and many of us were on our bikes steaming down at 8am -ish to the Abbey Square, to be rewarded with a cup of tea and croissants, taking advantage of the “Bike Doctor”, from Avon Valley Bikes in Bath, giving our bikes a health check, and to be able to chat to other intrepid bike riders.

This is old hat to Roger who habitually bikes all over Bath and elsewhere, including the continent, I  bought my bike a year ago and am absolutely fine getting into Town, (well it is all down hill from Foxhill…) and  around Combe Down, after first getting up that bit of a hill into Foxhill road!! but I have been known to quite often get the bus back up. My bike folds so this is helpful. I have been getting to all my meetings this week on the bike. 

Tell us what you think about bikes and how the Council could improve bike usage in Bath.