New consultations

We are currently studying two new consultation documents.

There is a new consultation on restoring the Gunthorpe Lakes area following minerals extraction that ceased several decades ago.  There have been a number of previous consultation documents and this one says little new.  Julie has a copy of this consultation if you would like to see it.  Comments must be submitted by 23 July.

There is also a consultation from Gedling Borough Council “Greater Nottingham Core Strategies: Issues and Options”  This deals with planning issues for the Greater Nottingham area over the next 20+ years including issues such as housing, economic growth, employment, transport, green infrastructure and the Green Belt and climate change.  There is a separate section for Gedling issues.  There is a copy of this consultation in the village library and on the Gedling Borough Council website.  Comments must be submitted by 31 July.

We shall be responding to these consultations as usual in respect of issues that relate to the role of our Association.  Anyone can respond individually to these consultations but members can also send their comments for inclusion in the BJRA representation.  Please send any comments to our contact address at least a week before the final submission date stated above.

Seventh Annual General Meeting

The A.G.M. took place on 12 May with reports and accounts presented for the past year and officers and the committee was duly elected for the forthcoming year.  Julie O’Neill was elected as Chairman, John Byron as Vice-Chairman, David Prime as Secretary and Tony Simpson as Treasurer.

The Chairman reported on events of the past year and future developments to be carefully monitored.  Vigilance is the key, for although Tarmac has withdrawn its application for minerals extraction at Bulocte Farm, Nottinghamshire County Council has carried over the Gunthorpe allocation in the Minerals Plan for the future after its expiry date in December 2008.

As things stand, the whole consultation and site consideration process begins again in August for Waste Issues and in October for Minerals Issues.  We shall be studying any proposals in both these areas, especially to see if any attempt is made to re-allocate the Gunthorpe site for minerals extraction.  In March 2010, more specific studies for Waste Issues will begin and in May 2010 a similar process for Minerals extraction will begin. The Association will need to be fully prepared and informed to examine any proposals at this time and to raise objections to any aspects considered unacceptable.

We feel that Burton Joyce residents may have been lulled into a false sense of security over the Gunthorpe allocation in the Minerals Plan.  The threat has not gone away.  Many factors may change during the present period of allocation which does not end until September 2012.  The Association will remain vigilant and alert as proposals and information unfold and will keep residents informed of all future developments. Residents would be wise to remain informed and involved with the process; it’s the best defence against threats that the village still faces.

We had more positive outcomes to our work on flooding issues in co-operation with other groups concerned about flooding in the Trent Valley.  The Environment Agency has committed to providing a new flood embankment for Burton Joyce that will run from the level crossing on Station Road to the new pumping station. This will offer flood protection to part of the village. As is often the case, there have been unforeseen technical problems and increased costs but we have received assurances from the Environment Agency that the work will definitely go ahead.

Our Chairman attended the Annual Parish Meeting on May 19^th and reported on the current situation and our activities over the past year.

 

David Prime, Secretary.

Flood embankment update

A team from the Environment Agency came to the village and discussed the proposed flood embankment earlier this year with Julie O’Neill, as representative of the Parish Council and Chair of BJRA.

There is a delay in progressing with the flood embankment because of unexpected problems which will increase considerably the cost of the project.  There are issues around the presence of a rising main which will have to be moved, the impossibility of having a steep embankment on the road leading to the level crossing and the consequent need to consider raising the height of a considerable section of Station Road, and the presence of poplar trees – some of which would have to be removed to enable the embankment to be installed.

The team were shown round the flooding sites in the village related to possible flooding from the river and a number of possible flood control solutions were considered.

The flooding manager said that although initially the project seemed straight forward it has now become one of the most complex problems he has seen.  He did, however, give an assurance that there is no question that the project would be abandoned because of its complexity.