Issue 21 - Dronfield Civic Society

Dronfield Civic Society
Caring for our local environment since 1989
Web: www.dronfieldcivicsociety.org.uk
Photograph Paul Millington
Issue 21
December 2015
Email: [email protected]
Welcome to the December newsletter
Dronfield Civic Society has been active on a number of fronts over the past three
months.
We are delighted to be playing a major part in the Safer Dronfield Campaign. This is
gaining momentum as many residents are raising traffic issues related to speeding,
rat runs, HGVs, parking and the safety of pedestrians.
More bulbs have been planted this autumn around the town and we continue to
monitor and report mindless acts of vandalism and fly-tipping.
A message from
Chairman
John Harvey
Now is the time to consider who, within our community has made a significant
contribution to improving the local natural and built environment through the annual
JRC award scheme. See inside for details of how you can make a nomination.
We are hopeful that many of you will have entered the new photographic competition
and we look forward to viewing the entries. Happy New Year.
Making Dronfield Safer
Dronfield Civic Society is working for a SAFER
DRONFIELD. We plan to forge a united front
of residents, schools, churches, police, the
local council and businesses to battle for
better, safer roads across Dronfield.
We are co-ordinating with residents on
Snape Hill Lane, Lea Road and Stubley Lane.
We are examining issues like:
SPEEDING TRAFFIC
RAT-RUNS on residential streets
20 MPH extensions
PEDESTRIAN SAFETY
WEIGHT LIMITED ROUTES FOR HGVs
PARKING NEEDS
WE SEE THE END RESULT BEING THE
DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A
DRONFIELD-WIDE TRAFFIC PLAN
See inside for the full story
If you have a couple of hours a month to spare to take the minutes at committee meetings
please contact our Secretary
If you are a member and would like to receive this newsletter by email, please contact [email protected]
Campaigning for a SAFER DRONFIELD—It’s Gaining Momentum
Residents from across Dronfield are joining forces to fight
for greater safety for pedestrians and users of the town’s
roads.
The campaign group ‘A Safer Dronfield’ held a public
meeting on Tuesday November 3rd at 7 pm in the Civic
Hall, Dronfield Civic Centre, to gather ideas and support
for a comprehensive traffic plan with the aim of solving
the issues of speeding traffic, HGVs on residential roads
and rat-runs created by the piecemeal traffic management
of the past. More than 70 people attended the meeting,
which is surely indicative that traffic is a major issue within
our town.
The campaign aims to forge a united front of residents,
schools, churches, police, the local council and businesses
to battle for better, safer roads across Dronfield.
Measures for consideration included:The development of a Dronfield wide traffic plan
Measures to enforce speed limits, including
community speed watch
The expansion of the current 20 mph zone
especially around schools
The creation of safe pedestrian crossing areas
Weight limited routes to control HGV traffic
Parking needs
John Harvey, Chairman of Dronfield Civic Society and a
campaign spokesman, explained; ‘’We are lucky enough in
Dronfield to have a picturesque town centre with often
narrow winding streets and narrow pavements, but with
today’s traffic volumes that creates its own problems.
We also have had two new supermarkets, Sainsbury’s and
Aldi, in recent years which are undoubtedly an asset to the
town but which have increased traffic flows.
As drivers leave the centre they put their foot down along
the often residential roads to avoid speed bumps which
were installed on the main Chesterfield Road and Holmley
Lane in the past. We need a ‘big picture’ traffic plan with
practical solutions to avoid this happening.”
The catalyst for the campaign was provided by
Dronfield Civic Society which brought together three
groups of residents from:
Snape Hill Lane where residents have been battling
rat-running speeding ‘through’ traffic
Stubley Lane where residents face speeding traffic and
continuous HGV traffic going to and from Gunstones
Lea Road where speeding traffic on a narrow
residential road has the added danger of parked cars
hampering visibility
Speeding and Corner Cutting on the Snape Hill Lane Rat Run
With thanks to Jill Tingle for these images and for her previous work for the
Snape Hill Lane residents and recent involvement in this campaign
Residents who have already contacted the campaign
group with their concerns also include those from High
Street, Carr Lane, Green Lane, Longcroft Road,
Chesterfield Road and Hallowes Lane.
John Harvey urged people to attend the meeting to have a voice in making Dronfield a safer place. ‘‘ The Civic Society has long
campaigned for a safer town and our members tell us that this is an issue of great concern to many residents. We are
looking forward to the community raising its collective voice to achieve a safer Dronfield.”
Tribute to our Former Treasurer
It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of Ian Collins in
October. Ian was instrumental in the formation of the society 26 years ago,
and became its first and only treasurer. His commitment to the society was
mirrored by his active support of many Dronfield organisations including the
Scouts and the Parish Church. Ian’s enthusiasm for his town was limitless and
we join with many others in our town in passing on our condolences to his
wife Gill and the rest of Ian’s family.
Ian Collins enjoying the fun
at the Dronfield Gala
pictured in front of the
DCS stand
(aka Ian’s Arabian tent)
Discussions are being held about how best to remember Ian. This may be
through the creation of a new special award in the same way that we
remember John Robert Clough, a former chairman of the society. See below
as it is now time to begin the nomination process for 2016.
It’s That Time of Year
Nominations for our annual awards begin in
January and recognise those who have made a
significant contribution to improving the local
built and natural environment in Dronfield and
District. The 2015 overall winner was the Cruck
Barn on Church Street, one of Dronfield’s oldest
buildings which retains its character and charm
now as residential accommodation.
If you would like to make a nomination for 2016,
you can do so using the nomination form which
appears on our website or by writing to DCS
Secretary 7 Forth Avenue Dronfield Woodhouse
S18 8ZG.
Autumn Planting for Spring Colour
A big thank you to committee member Robert Hardcastle who has
undertaken the planting of hundreds of daffodil bulbs in Dronfield and
Coal Aston this autumn. We shall be keeping a close eye on the grass
cutting team in the spring next year, as it was disappointing to note that
they cut the flower bulbs too early which is detrimental to the flowering of
the bulbs the following year. The area manager will be contacted to avoid
a repetition in 2016.
Follow-Up
Station Signage
In our last issue, we commented on the inappropriate new signage
near Dronfield Station. Committee member David Hallam pursued
the matter with the NEDDC Enforcement Investigation Officer
Sandra Tagg, and this was her response. “We have now carried out
a site visit with regard to the signs at Dronfield Station. We believe
that the signs benefit from deemed consent as they are within the
perimeters of the car park. We have however written to Network
Rail and advised them that concerns have been expressed that they
are prominent within the Conservation Area and requested that
consideration be given to replacing the signs with smaller less
obtrusive signs.”
MAV Spotting
Dronfield Civic Society committee members are always on the look out for
the Mindless Acts of Vandalism which regularly occur across our town.
Damage to the bus shelter on Dyche Lane occurred on the evening of
Saturday 3rd October. A committee member reported it to Stagecoach the
following morning.
At the end of August, all three bins between Apperknowle and Hundall
were uprooted and thrown onto nearby farmland in a mindless act of
vandalism. Members of DCS worked to reinstate the bins and clear litter
which had accumulated in the lay-bys.
Perhaps those responsible could answer the question on everyone’s lips:
WHY?
Washing Away The Evidence
More than 15 chemical containers were spotted in the River Drone along Mill
Lane, some of which had already made their way further downstream. A
committee member reported it to NEDDC and on this occasion someone else
had already reported it. If you see any fly-tipping in our area, help us by
reporting it to the authorities.
Report Enviro Crime on 01246 217610 or online www.ne-derbyshire.gov.uk
What’s Behind the Green Door?
There has been a 20% national increase in incidents of
fly-tipping over the last year, and our local area is not
immune from this type of anti-social behaviour. We
know it is on the increase because most of our
newsletters feature a photograph of it.
Committee member David Hallam who continues to
press for more action on the part of the Council, has
recently brought to the attention of Steve Brunt, the
Joint Assistant Director of Streetscene for Bolsover and
NED, a pile of rubbish on Callywhite Lane. The small
pile to begin with, has been added to over the course of
a year. The difficulty with respect to its removal is due
we are told to the fact that the rubbish lies on a private
road up to an industrial estate, and so is a management
responsibility on the part of the businesses rather than
a Council responsibility. While the two factions sort out
whose problem it is, the rubbish continues to
accumulate.
Windmill Lane between Apperknowle and Hundall, Morton Lane and nearby Ash Lane are all problem hotspots.
Recent items include: a bathroom suite, more than 60 tyres, mattresses, a chest freezer, a green door, a tree
trunk and sizeable piece of wooden board. A committee member reported the fly-tipping on Windmill Lane to
NEDDC and it was cleared within two days. But is that the point?
The State of the Stoops
You may remember our on-going involvement and
correspondence with Enterprise Inns over the deteriorating
state of the Blue Stoops. Its increasingly dilapidated
appearance is a blight in the centre of the Conservation
Area.
The Stoops has recently been sold to The True North Brew Co.
which already owns a number of pubs, some of which have
undergone major refurbishment.
DCS has made contact with the new owner, who is currently
working on plans for the building in conjunction with NEDDC.
The new owner has indicated that he will "seek our group's
input before submitting relevant applications". This is
encouraging and we look forward to seeing this important
historic building once again gracing the High Street.
DCS also raised with Enterprise Inns the long delay in
repairing the collapsed wall at the White Swan. The repair of
the wall and the creation of a small outside seating area with
flower tubs and baskets has enhanced the exterior generally.
Unfortunately Enterprise Inns have not taken note of two
reminders sent from DCS about repair work needed to the
coach house doors and the removal of a tree growing in the
gutter at the far end of the building. This lack of
maintenance which is not the responsibility of the tenant, is
once again detrimental to one of Dronfield’s oldest inns.
Increasing Noise from Local Hostelries
Without a tenant the Stoops has become increasingly
dilapidated. Now, with new owners, we are hopeful that
this historic building will be brought back to the
standard it deserves.
Residents have contacted Dronfield Civic Society because they are being increasingly affected by noise levels
emanating from local hostelries particularly when music extensions into the early hours are permitted.
Our advice, if you are affected by this problem, is to complain to the Environmental Health Department of
NEDDC. In cases like these, numerous individual complaints will be more effective than one collective voice.
SO MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD. Report noise nuisance as an Enviro Crime online at www.ne-derbyshire.gov.uk or
by telephoning 01246 217610
Three Valleys Beer Festival
Dronfield Civic Society received a number
of complaints from members and local
residents about the impact of the Three
Valleys Beer Festival held in the town
earlier in the year.
There were a number of reported crimes
and the event caused significant
disruption in the town including noise,
public disorder, litter and traffic. DCS
would support the police if it used its
powers to oppose this event in its
present format.
A request for better litter management for the Beer Festival
Chairman John Harvey received a telephone call from PC Daryl
Rowbotham after raising these concerns. PC Rowbotham stated
that this year’s numbers had overwhelmed the organisers and the
police with as many as 12,000 people taking part.
If the event goes ahead next year, it will see an increase in the number of stewards, better transport
arrangements, litter management and more police deployed, all of which will have to be funded by the
organisers.
Follow-Up
Dronfield’s Timber Ramp Footbridge
Senior Project Engineer Tim Jeffery has provided DCS with an update
following inspection work on the timber ramp footbridge on 28 th and
29th September. The inspection revealed that the main timbers are
suffering from decay due to wet rot to varying degrees. This has
reinforced the view that the structure is coming to the end of its
serviceable life. Historic England has been contacted with a request
to re-assess the listed status of the ramp. To aid this process, HE has
been provided with the results of the investigation, the history of the
ramp and the survey information on the existing timbers.
There are two scenarios at the conclusion of this process:
The ramp will be listed
The ramp will not be listed and a Certificate of Immunity from listing will be issued by Historic England so that it
will not be possible for the ramp to be listed for a period of five years thereafter.
This will provide certainty in the development of a scheme to replace or refurbish the ramp. DCC would prefer
replacement with a modern structure that maintains the overall design of the ramp but the outcome will be
guided by Historic England’s re-assessment process which could take several months to complete.
Branching Out
Birds...Hedgehogs...Bats...
Committee member David Hallam continues to work with youngsters from local
schools on various environmental projects. Last year David produced flat pack
bird box kits and designed a box to encourage hedgehogs into school grounds.
This year David has branched out into flat pack bat boxes.
Derbyshire Wildlife Trust are currently running a campaign to raise awareness of
the plight of the decreasing numbers of hedgehogs. According to research by
People’s Trust for Endangered Species, hedgehogs have declined by 30% in the
last 10 years alone and there are thought to be fewer than one million left in the
UK.
DWT has put out a national call to action to help our remaining hedgehogs.
There is a competition to design the best hedgehog home (no doubt David will be
taking up that challenge) and a ‘knit a hedgehog’ campaign aimed at raising
awareness through social media.
A hedgehog knitting pattern is available from:
http:www.derbyshirewildlifetrust.org.uk
Knit a hedgehog, attach a label and give your creation a
name. Then take a photograph of it and put it on social
media. Leave your hedgehog in a place for others to find.
In true Blue Peter fashion…. here’s one we made earlier.
DCS Photographic Competition
Just a reminder that it is not too late to
enter the DCS Photographic Competition.
Judging of entries will commence at the
end of March.
Full details and entry forms can be found
on our website.
Working with students from Dronfield Junior
School and Stonelow Junior School
This competition is held in conjunction
with Dronfield Camera Club and is
sponsored by Stauff UK.
Did You Have Your Say?
Dronfield residents have been encouraged to
have their say on how they want their town to
be developed. Design consultancy OPUN has
been working with NEDDC to ensure that
consultations capture the different needs of
the local community. The process is aimed at
steering the development of the regeneration
frameworks and will underpin the focus on
growth, helping to protect, shape and drive
change. The frameworks will then be adopted
into the Local Plan.
Comments have been passed to DCS about the
lack of publicity for these events which were
inevitably poorly attended.
Chair of Dronfield Civic Society John Harvey submitted a response on behalf of the
society and we are hopeful that these views will be represented at the follow-up
event on Wednesday 25th November 6-8 pm in Dronfield Civic Hall.
Consultation on Regeneration Framework for Dronfield
Economy
We support the desire to
improve the vibrancy of the
town and support local
businesses whose growth is currently
restricted by the lack of adequate
parking.
Dronfield town centre
including Dronfield Bottom is suffering
as can be demonstrated by the number
of charity shops (three in the Civic
Centre). New ventures have difficulty
becoming established both in the
Forge and on Dronfield Bottom. There
are a growing number of charity
shops , betting shops, fast food outlets,
beauty salons and estate agents whilst
more traditional retail shops have lost
out to the supermarkets. We are
particularly concerned about the
number of fast food outlets especially
those
close
to
schools.
Callywhite Lane continues to be the
location of larger scale business
activity in the town. However this area
continues to suffer from neglect and
environmental degradation.
Housing
DCS notes the shortage of
smaller affordable housing
and supports the need for
such housing using brownfield sites
within settlement boundaries. There
are potential sites for housing without
the need to extend beyond the
existing settlement boundary.
Potential sites for such housing:
Areas known as Alma and Holmley,
formerly housing demolished in the
sixties and now underused open
space. In the 19th Century this area
contained more than 100 dwellings.
The former stables & NEDDC offices to
rear of the Library owned by NEDDC
would be suitable for affordable
housing units with a convenient
location for all services.
The old Padley & Venables site has
the potential for improvement both
for employment and residential use if
solutions regarding access without
passing through existing residential
areas can be addressed.
Environment and Heritage
Dronfield has limited open space within the town. We encourage
measures which support the sensitive management of such open
spaces as Lea Brook Valley and Frith Wood. The Civic Society is also
giving priority to the restoration and management of the Mill Lane nature area
and seeks NEDDC support for this. Dronfield Civic Society supports the
protection of green spaces and especially the narrow areas of green belt
between Dronfield and Unstone and Dronfield and the Sheffield boundary. We
regard such areas as sacrosanct and they should be permanently protected from
development. We support the aims which recognise the importance of heritage
assets including conservation areas. The conservation areas within Dronfield
have been subject to neglect and oversight and there is an urgent need to review
the Character Statements which are now over 15 years old.
The Need for a Neighbourhood Plan
A town the size and importance of Dronfield should develop a neighbourhood
plan within the framework of the District Plan. This would enable Dronfield to
have a stronger voice to influence development in the town.
Public Transport & Traffic
Transport
connectivity
in
Dronfield is inadequate. Steps
should be taken to develop a
transport hub at the railway station by
ensuring that bus routes serve the station.
Provision of additional car parking is
needed to serve the needs of rail
passengers. The previous district plan
indicated an extension to parking at the
station "when the need arises". Surveys
indicate that additional long term parking
is needed NOW. Dronfield businesses,
particularly on Dronfield Bottom suffer
from the lack of adequate parking as
confirmed by our survey in 2014.
On November 3rd 2015 75 residents
attended a public meeting arranged by
DCS and residents’ groups to launch a
campaign for a safer Dronfield. This was
supported by Dronfield Town Council and
the Police. A key message from that
meeting is that pedestrians do not feel
safe in the town and there is an urgent
need to provide safer crossing points and
to focus on the needs of pedestrians.
Older people and those with disabilities
are particularly disadvantaged. Priority
should be given to the development of a
coherent traffic management plan for the
town with the aim of reducing car use,
increasing the use of public transport and
making our streets safer for pedestrians.
Piecemeal calming and 20 mph zones
have
resulted
in
unintended
consequences. Drivers tend to use the
non-traffic-calmed roads. The District
Council should give priority to working
with the Town and County Council to
address these issues in Dronfield.
The complete document written by
John Harvey on behalf of DCS can be
found on our website.
2016…..Upcoming Events for the New Year…..2016
Please note our talks at St Andrew’s now commence at 7:45 p.m.
Wednesday 20th January
‘At Risk? Dronfield’s Hidden History’
From phone boxes to pit houses, Council Schools to coke ovens
Chairman John Harvey
explores a few of Dronfield’s under-valued historic assets and
reveals why such features may be worthy of local listing.
Wednesday 17th February
The Railway Between Dore and Chinley,
the Hope Valley Line by Ted Hancock
The 21-mile line took six years to build. The terrain through Hope Valley and
Edale was easy enough by Midland standards, but at each end there were
formidable obstacles, negotiated by means of the
Totley and Cowburn Tunnels.
DORE & TOTLEY.TOTLEY TUNNEL.GRINDLEFORD.HATHERSAGE.RIVER DERWENT.BAMFORD. HOPE. EARLES SIDINGS.EDALE.COWBURN TUNNEL.CHINLEY
Wednesday 16th March Tools for Self Reliance
An interesting presentation by Peter Dumenil of Bakewell about the work
of this national charity. Tools for Self Reliance collect and refurbish old and
unwanted tools which are then made up into kits and sent to
developing countries. A truly beneficial scheme which enables the
recipients to set up and develop their own small businesses.
ALLEN KEY ANVIL AWL BICYCLE PUMP BOLSTER BRACE BRADAWL CHISEL CLAMP DIVIDERS DRILL BIT FILE GIMLET GOUGE HACKSAW HAMMER HATCHET
JIGSAW MALLET MATTOCK OILSTONE PICKAXE PIPE BENDER PLANE PLIERS PUNCH RASP RULE SANDER SAW SCISSORS SCREWDRIVER SCRIBER
SEWING MACHINE SHEARS SPADE SPANNER SPITRIT LEVEL TINSNIPS TROWEL TWEEZERS VICE WIRE BRUSH WRENCH
Readers’ Feedback
BACK ISSUES OF OUR NEWSLETTERS ARE AVAILABLE TO READ IN PDF FORMAT ON OUR WEBSITE
Dear John,
“I only joined the society in April and cannot attend all meetings due to other commitments, but I really enjoy the
newsletter. It is so informative about what's going on in Dronfield and it also shows what good work the society contributes
to our community. Thank you.” Maureen Taylor
Dronfield Civic Society is sponsored by Stauff
UK Ltd. Experts in the UK hydraulic industry
since 1977 www.stauff.co.uk
If you would like to become a sponsor of Dronfield Civic Society
please contact us at [email protected] for
further details.
An Invitation to Renew Your Membership
From April 1st 2016 Dronfield Civic Society invites you to renew your membership. Annual subscription charges are £8.00 singles,
£12.00 couples/families and £25.00 for small businesses/schools and associations.
Please renew my membership of Dronfield Civic Society from 1st April 2016 to 31st March 2017
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