Questions are invited from members of the public present at the meeting about the work or performance of the Council or the Council’s services relevant to the Whitefield and Unsworth area.
Minutes:
The Chair invited questions from the members of the public present about the work or performance of the Council or Council’s services relevant to the Whitefield and Unsworth area.
Planning application for a proposal to erect a wind turbine at Whitefield Golf Club
It was reported that a local meeting had taken place last week. Local residents had been notified and had 2 weeks to lodge comments on the proposal.
The Chair suggested that local residents should approach their local Councillor to raise their concerns.
Councillor Wiseman recommended that residents write individual letters to the Planning Department rather than sending a petition which would only count as one objection.
Councillor Mallon encouraged residents to raise their objections/comments through the proper process. It was also important that objectors meet in advance to select a spokesperson that could raise resident’s concerns at the Planning Control Committee meeting.
Radcliffe New Road – Tree branches
Mrs Garratt reported that a branch had fallen from an ash tree into a garden and as a result it was not possible to park in the garden due to the size of the branch. The Council had been contacted but nothing had been heard since. Councillor Mallon had been contacted on the matter.
Councillor Mallon reported that he had visited that site and after consulting with the Council’s arboriculturalist he was advised to obtain the DNA sample of the tree in order to test the roots. There were a number of issues connected with this matter. Motorists were parking on Thorpe Street because residents parked there and instead were parking on Nipper Lane. Removing the tree would reduce the problems.
M66/Croft Lane
Pam Taylor reported that the road markings on the junction of the M66 and Croft Lane had been worn away through traffic using the road. It was difficult for motorists to know the correct lane to enter especially if the driver didn’t know the area. The area needed to be remarked and a replacement road sign for the one that been lost. The matter had been reported to the Council twice but no action had been taken.
Seat on Hamilton Road
Marlene Dawson reported that trees had overgrown to the point that the seat on Hamilton Road could no longer be used.
Banners on Railings – Bury New Road
Marlene Dawson requested that the banner on the railings sited on the boundary between Victoria Playing Fields and Bury New Road be removed for the reason that the banner had become shredded and was in pieces.
Whitefield Town Hall
Mr Norman requested action to be taken to improve the old Whitefield Town Hall facade behind Slattery’s on Bury New Road.
The Chair reported that this matter had been running for a number of years due to a dispute between the Council and the owner of the site which is also located within a conservation area.
Councillor Wiseman reported that the recently appointed Chief Executive had identified this as an issue he would look at.
Mr Marshall requested that a report be submitted to a future meeting providing an update on the issues that had been reported to the Township Forum on a regular basis over a period of time. The report could include the issue of unused buildings, overgrown trees and car parking complaints.
St Georges Church – Parr Lane
It was reported that a large branch fallen from a tree in St Georges Church grounds on Parr Lane and narrowly missed a pedestrian.
The Chair stated that he had reported the matter last year and would follow this up further.
NatWest Bank – Bury New Road
Councillor Mallon reported that the car park at the ex NatWest Bank building on Bury New Road had been blocked in order to prevent fly tipping. A request had been made to the owner’s representatives to open the car park for people to use but no response had yet been given. The point was made that parking in Whitefield was very limited and officer input on how this could be improved was welcome.
Councillor Wiseman reported that complaints had been made about cars parking on the footway near to the tram station.