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Cllr Houlbrook's Borough Report - March 2023

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Monday, 13 March, 2023
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Borough Councillor’s Report – Cllr Houlbrook 13.03.23 

Members, this is my last report before the coming May elections as our April meeting will be within  the purdah period. I remain of course happy to answer questions from members and our  community. 

Planning Applications

Some time ago following many complaints and concerns about safety on the pavements and  incidents of ASB, Sanctuary Housing applied to remove and replace eight crab apple trees at Arderne  House. This application has been refused by planning. The reference is 22/038350/TPO. I realise residents will be disappointed. I hope the local authority will be vigilant in keeping the  pavements swept and clear during fruiting season. 

Recently I was contacted by members of our community concerned about the ASB taking place on  and the condition of the old Gamekeeper site on Newhall Road. 

Now that planning permission has been granted, I hoped, foolishly it appears, that work would begin  imminently.  

Like everyone who has contacted me and those who have not, I have come to the end of my  patience. I am frankly sick of chasing the planning officers to take enforcement action. I sent this email to the case officer and the head of planning, but I have not yet received a reply. 

Gamekeeper Site 

This site continues to be an eyesore and to attract ASB including drug taking and remains a dumping  ground for fly tipping and general rubbish. I receive frequent complaints and I feel that our  community has put up with this for far too long. 

I am therefore asking you to take action against the landowners using the Town and Country  Planning act 1990 section 215: 

Section (1) 

If it appears to the local planning authority that the amenity of part of their area, or of an adjoining  area, is adversely affected by the condition of land in their area, they may serve on the owner and  occupier of the land a notice under this section.’ 

And 

Section (2) 

the notice shall require such steps for remedying the condition of the land as may be specified in the  notice to be taken within such period as may be so specified. 

The amenity of the whole community and specifically the neighbouring properties and households  are most definitely adversely affected by the condition of the land. 

A reminder that community groups can apply for money from my £500 ward coronation pot. To date  I have received one expression of interest. 

Deadline is 22nd March. 

Local groups wanting information or to discuss a potential application should  email chesterlocality@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk 

Rubbish left near on Countess Way

Thank you to the resident who alerted me to the rubbish in the dip on Countess Way. On  investigation I discovered there was a tent so I contacted the rough sleeper hotline to ask them to  attend. There was no one living in the area. I also requested a thorough clear up on Countess Way which is strewn with rubbish of all kinds.

It appears grass cutting has already begun in Upton which has exposed the litter in many areas. Such  a shame that there is no coordination of the two services. 

Cycle Safety

I would like to remind cyclists/ parents/careers about keeping safe and being visible on a bike. As the  weather improves more of our young people are out and about on bikes in Upton. Being seen keeps  us all safe. 

Unadopted Roads - Parking in Upton Dene

At the request of many residents who live on Upton Dene I have contacted both the management  company and Morris Homes about the parking. As the roads are unadopted they are not the responsibility of the local authority. 

The management company is not responsible and Morris Homes feel that there is no solution they  can or will offer to residents. Some of the problems are caused by overflow hospital parking and I hope this will be addressed as part of the ongoing community discussions with CoCH. Some of the issues are due to dog walkers who chose not to use the car park for the country park. This is just plain selfish and anti-social.

Congratulations Barbara Owen

I am pleased to share the news that on Friday 3rd March our Upton resident Mrs Barbara Owen  became an Honorary Freeman of the Borough of Cheshire West and Chester. Barbara is a long-time  resident and community champion supporting tenants of Sanctuary Housing. I was delighted to propose her. 

Community Pride Projects

Recently each councillor was given £6400 to spend on community pride projects in their ward or wider. This is how I have allocated mine to support Upton. 

• £1,382 towards planting in Lodge Garden 

• £250 towards a litter bin in Lodge Garden 

• £250 towards one bench hardstanding from slabs in Lodge Garden 

• £276 towards Upton Lane bus stop tidy-up 

• £380 towards wildflower planting on Cotebrook Drive and 

• Alpraham Crescent and Gatesheath Drive 

• £434 towards wildflower planting on the corner of Newhall Road and Handford Road 

• £416 towards wildflower planting on Acres Lane 

• £385 towards wildflower planting on Wealstone Lane verges - 2 locations • £280 towards wildflower planting on the central reservation and wide verges on Liverpool  Road (A5116) at 2 locations 

• £618 towards wildflower planting opposite the Countess of Chester hospital (A5116) 

• £559 towards wildflower planting on St Columba's grassed areas 

• £352 towards wildflower planting on Shocklach Road grassed areas 

• £635 towards wildflower planting on Halton Road and 

• Newhall Road grassed areas 

• £183 towards additional planting in Lodge Gardens 

Weston Grove Speeding

Many residents on Weston Grove have contacted me as they are hugely concerned by the speed  which many drivers chose to use on Weston Grove. It is absolutely unacceptable. This is a 20 mph  zone. 

I have contacted Cheshire Police and Crime Commission and also CWaC highways, again, to ask for  enforcement and speed controls. 

Given the speed which I witnessed it is only a matter of time before there is a serious accident. A  thank you to our local Officers who have arranged for the Police SID to be utilised in Upton. 

I have also been in touch with the Clerk at Great Boughton Parish Council to make enquiries about the SID they have purchased and which is currently in use on Green Lane. This may be something the Parish Council would like to consider later in the year.

Jill Houlbrook

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