Update 12 September
The leader of Ysgol Feithrin reports that she has had her knuckles wrapped by Jack Tenisson for objecting to the plans and has reworded her objections to say that she wants HER garden outside the nursery hall to remain, but supports the new application in terms of improvements to the hall and garden.
She has told us she has been threatened with eviction over her support of keeping her garden.
St James Field Lobby - your councillor TODAY
This goes before next planning cttee meeting in October.......There is still time to do the right thing.
1. All residents object on the reasonalble grounds of loss of visual and residential amenity...you wouldn't want to overlook a concrete carpark instead of mature trees and gardens would you?
2. Ysgol Feithrin are STONGLY opposed to the removal of the trees and loss of their garden, they LOVE the oasis that their parents and children have toiled over.
3. The lovely faimily in the vicarage are devestated at the prospect of losing their garden, htey home school their children and see their garden as vital to this.
4. Strong public opinion shown that Torfaen residents do not want this.
5. It is not too late to send in your written or emailed objection to TCBC and COPY it to your local councillor.
6. PLEASE WRITE A LETTER TO THE LOCAL PAPER TO OBJECT.
7.PLEASE ATTEND A MEETING ON MONDAY 14 SEPT AT 6.15 IN THE CIVIC CENTRE TO SUPPORT US
Backround Information
Essentially, Park Est have applied to put an 8 place car park in the rear of St James vicarage in 2008 and were refused below taken form council's minutes:
IT IS RECOMMENDED: Refuse
The proposal involves the substantial hard surfacing of a visually important wedge of
green space.
The scheme would significantly harm the setting of the Grade II listed
St James’ Hall, St James’ Vicarage and the adjacent Pontypool Registry office and
adversely impact upon the visual amenities of the local townscape and Pontypool
conservation area.
The removal of the mature ash tree would also have a negative
impact upon the character of the conservation area.
The proposal is therefore
considered to be contrary to Policies H1, H3, G1 A & Biv of the Torfaen Local Plan
and conflicts with the advice of Planning Policy Wales (Paragraphs 6.5.7 & 6.5.15)
and Welsh Circular 61/96 (Paragraphs 11 & 70) in relation to the setting of listed
buildings and conservation areas.
The council asked Park Est to reduce to 3 spaces and they agreed, hence the new application. At no time did the council consult with residents before they entered into this mitigation. Under delegated powers the council approved the demolition of the rear brick addition and the refurbishment works inside. The new application is to remove the existing garden to the rear of the nursery and put in a car park, remove the rear garden of the vicarage and build a play yard for the nursery.
In order to achieve all this 3 mature healthy trees, numerous shrubs and hedgerows and grassed gardens will be removed. The residents all objected on grounds of loss of visual and residential amenity. The family who live in the vicarage have objected and are fearful of being evicted by Park Est. Mrs Helen Greenwood has emailed and said she has made her objections to Park Est and is VERY fearful of being evicted. At no time did the council consult with the family or the nursery on these new plans and they are angry and on our side. None of the residents received a letter regarding this application and have agreed to state this under oath. I have sought representation from Fred Wildgust, who refuses to assist. I have sought representation from Paul Murphy who is proactive in reducing CO2 emissions and will assist as best he can. Pontypool Community Council have strenuously objected. I will attach their objections.
Click Here to see the letter I sent to all TCBC planning committee members.
Click Here to see Pontypool Community Council Response
The Inspectorate report for Ysgo Feithrin states "In December 2007 ESTYN inspector awarded Ysgol Feithrin Pontypwl the highest grade possible (1 = good with outstanding features) in the area of Knowledge and understanding of the world, stating
" The children's awareness of the importance of the enivornment around them is an outstanding feature of their learning. Their visits and the observational work they conduct outside the setting and beyond it's bounderies have greatly developed their understanding of the seasonal cycle. They take considerable interest in the setting garden, what is grown in it and what the plants require to flourish"
Without our outside community garden at the back of the Hall this achievement would not have been possible.
CSSIW (Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales) also stated in an inspection in June 2007:
"There is an attractive outdoor play area for the children to use and this has been developed in line with Foundation Phase curriculum"
It would appear that planning have not been forthcoming in their consultations and that vital objections were omitted form the report presented to committee. I believe a serious case of mal administration has taken place and we need all the help we can get in highlighting this.
Report By
Janice Cook
The Mount St James Field 010495769249
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