PNV May 2014 Issue
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PONTELAND • MILBOURNE • MEDBURN • PRESTWICK • KIRKLEY ISSUE 104 | MAY 14 FREE monthly community magazine for Ponteland and district Developer confirms Birney Hill planning appeal Bonny bairn Darras Hall Estates Committee chairman steps down Amelia wins Easter Diamond couple renew vows 60 years on bonnet parade You have only one chance to get the right pension in retirement... Less than 30% of people at FACT retirement use their open market option.* BUT of those, over 80% switch for a higher annuity after impartial FACT professional advice.* “We’ll set the scene to help you secure a bigger retirement income” Give us a call on (01661) 821110 or visit www.cfs-ifa.co.uk CFS Independent Financial Advisers NatWest Bank Chambers, 2 Darras Road, Ponteland, NE20 9HA *Statistics provided by the Association of British Insurers – May 2013 Pont News & Views is published by Ponteland Town Council in conjunction with Ponteland Community Partnership. Inclusion of articles and advertising in Pont News & Views does not imply Ponteland Town Council’s or Ponteland Community Partnership’s endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided. If you would like to submit an article, feature or advertise contact: T. (0191) 3408422 E. [email protected] W. 3 Elmsleigh Gardens, Cleadon Village, SR6 7PR. 2Produced bypont Ciannews creative&views pr email: [email protected] Diamond couple renew vows to mark 60th wedding anniversary A Ponteland couple In 1949, aged 18, he was called up for family holidays, both caravanning and National Service and was stationed with going abroad. Jim later worked at HR have renewed their the RAF in Chippenham, Wiltshire. Atkinsons in the village before setting up family business Scott Bros with his brother wedding vows to mark Norma was brought up in Choppington, in 1971. As the boys grew up Norma took near Stakeford, and was good friends with their diamond anniversary. a job at Ponteland sorting office, where she one of Jim’s cousins. The couple met in worked for ten years. James Cuthbert Scott, 82, and his wife 1950 at another cousin’s 21st birthday Norma, 79, arranged the ceremony, party and wrote to each other as Jim Norma, who thanked Rev Peter Barham for attended by friends and family, which was continued his RAF service and Norma the service, said: “We can’t believe we are held at St Mary’s Church and was followed worked at Woolworths in Morpeth. having our diamond wedding anniversary. by a reception at Close House near Sixty years is a short time when you have After he was demobbed in 1951 the couple Heddon. each other.” continued courting and the following year James, better known as Jim, was born in Jim popped the question. They married Jim and Norma renewing their vows at St Mary’s Stakeford in Northumberland and moved Church and cutting the cake at their wedding day in at St Paul’s Church, Choppington, on 1954. Photos by Keith Robertson. to Ponteland when he was 18 months March 20th 1954 and honeymooned in old. He started an apprenticeship as Edinburgh. a carpenter and joiner aged 14 at the builders Hendersons by the Blackbird Inn Sons Ian and Keith followed in 1957 and and also played for Ponteland United. 1961 and Norma remembers fondly happy www.pontelandtowncouncil.co.uk pontnews&views 3 Developer confirms appeal to be lodged after 280-home Green Belt scheme rejected A developer refused • inappropriate and inefficient Objectors also included Ponteland development in the Green Belt Town Council, the Environment Agency, permission to build 280 Newcastle Airport and Ponteland’s MP Guy • demonstrable harm to the landscape Opperman. new homes on Ponteland’s character of the open countryside Green Belt has confirmed Last October Lugano described the • insufficient information provided on the planning decision as “flawed in many it is to submit an appeal to archaeological potential of the site respects” but the county council said it the Planning Inspectorate. • potential for surface water creating flood was based on both technical issues and risk elsewhere fundamental planning principles which Newcastle-based Lugano Developments “provided a sound basis on which to refuse said the £96m scheme for the 82 hectare • impact of aircraft noise on future the application”. site at Birney Hill would have created 900 residents and potential impact of Lugano had until May 1 to lodge an jobs and included 70 “affordable” homes, development on Newcastle Airport’s appeal and Development Director Richard a farm shop and café, 650m2 of office Instrument Landing System Robson told Pont News: “I can confirm floorspace and 18 hectares of publicly that our appeal is in preparation and will accessible open space, with 39 hectares • impact on the setting of nearby listed be submitted before the end of this month. retained in agricultural use and managed buildings. We will be addressing all of the refusal as part of a Community Trust by a farm The controversial plans generated a reasons; however some may be agreed as manager. vociferous opposition campaign, with over ‘common ground’ in advance of the inquiry But last October Northumberland County 4,300 letters of objection to the county itself. For example the authority has already Council’s west area planning committee council and dozens of ‘Ponteland Says confirmed that we have suitably addressed unanimously rejected the planning No To Green Belt Development’ signs their concerns on drainage and hence that application, citing six reasons: adorning the main road into the village. is no longer in contention.” ADVERTISING FEATURE All invited to Greenbelt Group AGM In summer 2012 Ponteland residents were hit by proposals from two developers to build substantial numbers of houses on the Green Belt. Lugano wanted to build 280 houses on the southern boundary of Darras Hall and Banks proposed up to 500 houses behind Ridgely Drive and Cheviot View. These unwanted proposals stimulated activists and concerned residents to organise opposition and the Ponteland Greenbelt Group was formed. Ponteland is a unique, well-defined settlement and an aspirational place to live for many who work on Tyneside, and we have a stake in looking after this special environment. The Green Belt was formed to prevent creeping urbanisation and we do not want it trashed by developers who want to make a big profit. Members of the group prepared detailed and comprehensive objections and both the planners and the councillors at County Hall voted to refuse Lugano’s plans in October 2013. They have Three members of the existing group are standing down, until the end of April to appeal. Banks have not yet submitted creating three vacancies. Anyone wishing to be nominated for one plans. of these vacancies should contact us via the website: Committee members give their time and talents freely but there are www.pontelandgreenbelt.co.uk costs for printing, advertising, legal advice etc, and we depend on supporters for financial help and their commitment to the cause. Ponteland residents have been very supportive and we need all the help you can give in many different ways. The Greenbelt Group looks forward to our first AGM, where residents will be given an update on events and the opportunity to All supporters and interested persons are invited to the AGM put your questions to group members. at 7.30pm on Friday 16 May at Ponteland Memorial Hall. 4 pontnews&views email: [email protected] Dobsons A4 PN April14:Layout 1 17/4/14 07:34 Page 1 Residential Sales and Lettings “YOUR LOCAL AWARD WINNING FAMILY RUN ESTATE AGENT” • No Upfront Marketing Costs • Experienced And Qualified Staff • No Withdrawal Fees • National Access To Out Of Town Buyers • No Tie In Period • Only Local Member Of The Relocation • Free Internet Advertising Agent Network • Free Accompanied Viewings • Only Local Member Of The Guild Of • Free Appraisals Professional Estate Agents • Regular Vendor Updates And Reports • Member Of The Ombudsman WE ARE AVAILABLE 24/7 TO TALK PROPERTY! Rosley, Ogle Dene Terrace, Ovington Western Way, Darras Hall • Four Bedrooms • Three Reception Rooms • Three Bedrooms • Five Bedrooms • Kitchen/Dining/Sitting Room • Two Reception Rooms • Three Bathrooms • Circa 1.5 acres • Breakfasting Kitchen • Four Reception Rooms • Garage & Garden • Two Garages & Mature Gardens Guide Price: £650,000 Guide Price: £208,000 Guide Price: £599,500 www.dobsonsestateagents.co.uk t: 01661 872 111 [email protected] Number One Broadway, Darras Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE20 9PW www.pontelandtowncouncil.co.uk pontnews&views 5 extending opening hours and removing services including international parcels, Transcash bill payments, sale of premium bonds and on demand travel insurance. These services will still be available at the Ponteland branch. The Broadway branch will also be closed for three days in May whilst the works are being carried out. WISH LIST 2014-15 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING OF The Council considered various wish list LOCAL ELECTORS items for inclusion within the 2014-15 budget and agreed the following projects The Council meeting was preceded by the would be carried out: Annual Town Meeting of Local Electors, where the Mayor Peter Cowey presented • Paint Darras Road bridge (contribution his annual report for 2013-14. He also took towards the cost) great pleasure in presenting the Meritorious Service Award to David Cobb, treasurer • Replace some cracked paving at of Ponteland Memorial Hall. David has Broadway been treasurer for 14 years and he has • Provide an extra speed display unit at made a real difference to the upkeep and Cheviot View running of the hall. Presenting David with • Replace some missing/damaged road an engraved silver photograph frame, the MILEAGE SIGN Mayor said: “It is people like David who signs contribute the time and effort for no reward • Provide a further notice board at Merton REFURBISHED that makes Ponteland the desirable place it Hall The old mileage sign by The Waggon is to live in.” • Carry out some extra grass cuts Inn on the A696 has been refurbished by the Town Council.