| LANDSCAPING |
|
Apparently Planning is trying to encourage more landscaping within
new housing estates.
On 25th February 2003 a representative for the Divisional Planning Manager
wrote to the developer's architect as follows: - |
25/02/03
"
The developer
shall nominate and appoint a landscape management company to implement
and maintain the landscaping
plan for a minimum of the first 3 years. Any change thereafter
shall be agreed with the Department in writing. It is also essential
that the landscape
management plan is implemented at the same time as the occupation of the first
dwelling". |
|
| |
| Praise. The proposed Landscape Designers'
Plan (received at the Planning Service 13 Feb.2003) looks
very impressive with many trees and shrubs to be planted, an open grass
space
(in the bottom
flood
plain)
with
a pathway
around it and seats in little shrubbery nooks. Trees/shrubs include :-
Elderberry, Rose Hip, Roses, Hawthorn, Fuchsia, Escallonia, Potentilla,
Azalea, Cotoneaster and a whole host of others. There are even a couple
of wooden obelisks suggested for the centre of the open space, (They'll
be using fibre glass seagulls next!!) But will this grandiose landscaping
plan be put into practice? We hope so, but so often we see these schemes
being trumpeted in the original planning applications but once underway
that 'wonderful bank of trees' somehow never got planted. Lets hope the
developer sees the value of such a pleasant imaginative scheme. |
| |
| The Landscape Plan also includes this note:- |
"Existing
stream/water channel represents a clear danger to small children
especially in times of high rainfall.
Install a stout post and closed wire fence around complete boundary
access as shown. Ensure fence is unclimbable by children; Recommend
a height of 1.5 metres, Planting belt will screen the fence aesthetically.
Also recommend strategic placing of danger signs on the fence". |
|
| Now my understanding of this landscape plan (Which incidentally
we have here for you to see at number 32) is that the proposed fence
runs along side the Rill. The fact that this note says the planting
belt will screen it confirms this interpretation. So - assuming
the flooding continues as it has done during the past years - then
several times a year
this fence
itself
will
be standing in water. |
| UPDATE PHOTO Taken 12th March
2006 shows fence erected beside the Rill and standing in flood water. See
above paragraph! |
 |
However This fence will now be dropped.
The Environment & Heritage Service, Natural Heritage, people asked
that there should be no fence along the Rill. CLICK
to see their letter. and the developer has agreed. Here is
an exact copy of the Agent's letter to the Divisional
Planning Office dated 25/5/04 |
25th May 2004
"Further
to our telephone conversation on the 21st May 2004, To Environment
& Heritage Service concern
regarding
1.5m. high fence along river. I now confirm that my Clients are
agreeable to not erecting the fence along river indicated on landscape
proposals
providing a condition is included in respective Planning Decision
Notices referring specifically to the above" |
|
| So it appears the developer's agent has been on the phone
with Natural Heritage discussing their concerns. yet there is no mention
of
the other
EHS required amendments. i.e. No infill, development, ground disturbance
or re-seeding in the 10m zone. |
| UPDATE MAY 2006 But see above
photo which shows, in spite of assurances, the Developer has in fact gone
ahead and erected a fence beside the Rill |
| I note too that the landscape plan has a row of trees running
along the "wayleave" of the sewer and storm water pipes at the
Straid Road end of the site. (The "Wayleave" is the 6m strip
of land to be left along the route of these pipes
for future
maintenance
purposes) But this row of trees does not appear on the subsequent "Roads"
plan., The Decision
Notice says this Landscape Plan should be implemented
i.e. the developer should go ahead and plant trees on the supposedly free
wayleave over the sewer pipes! These trees are to be Alnus Glutinosa which
can grow up to 4.25m tall. |
| |
| Mowed grass is also shown to come within two metres of the
stream thus totally negating the request by the Natural Heritage Agency
for a 10m wide wildlife corridor. |
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