I am very pleased to present to you my seventh annual report of TAG for the past year. At the outset I must thank everyone who has supported the work of TAG. In particular I am grateful to Irene Horner our Secretary who has worked tirelessly both for TAG and the Thornton Community Office and to Jim Stansfield our former Secretary and Vice Chair who has been and continues to be a constant support to me since TAG was formed in 2001. I would like to introduce to you our new Vice Chair - Mona Whelan. I look forward to many years of working together with her. Also I must thank our Treasurer Henry Bee and all members who faithfully come to our meetings which are held every 5 or 6 weeks. I must also thank the editor of the Thornton Community News which goes to over 8000 addresses informing the residents of what is going on in their community, including the news of TAG.
- The Canatxx Inquiry
The Inquiry into the Canatxx proposal to store 2 million tonnes of natural gas under the Wyre Estuary finally ended in May 2006, a year after the first Preliminary Inquiry Meeting was held. TAG joined with other residents’ groups to form the Protect Wyre Group to form a united front to object to the proposal. We were congratulated by the Inspector on the quality of our evidence and our presentation. We now await a decision from the Secretary of State (Ruth Kelly) which could be made at any time before October this year.
- The Area Action Plan and the A 585
There is no doubt that one of the greatest concerns of Thornton residents (after Canatxx) is the increasing encroachment of housing and other development, particularly on green spaces, and the inability of the infrastructure, particularly the road system, to cope with the extra burden imposed. We know that a further 1664 dwellings have to be built in Wyre by 2021and that 80% of these must be on brownfield sites (land previously developed). The only major brownfield site is the area from the old ICI works stretching north to Fleetwood Docks. Thus it is proposed under Option 3 of the Area Action Plan prepared by Atkins Consultants and Wyre BC, that 80% of the dwellings should be built in Thornton (920 houses) and Fleetwood (380). We must support this proposal, otherwise it will be greenspaces and gardens which will be swallowed up. But the Area Action Plan also highlights the road improvements that will be necessary to the A 585 because of these proposals. Therefore, TAG, with I hope the support of the residents, opposes any development until these road improvements are in place. We have already had the approval by the Planning Committee of the 380 houses on Fleetwood Docks, without any improvements being deemed necessary by the Highways Agency. This is because the Highways Agency were only able to consider the impact of this development on its own and not the cumulative impact of everything proposed in the Area Action Plan. It is the responsibility of Wyre BC to produce this cumulative traffic impact assessment. More recently NPL staged an exhibition of their plans for housing development on the old power station site and adjoining areas at Burn Hall (up to 920 houses). So we say to Wyre Borough, you must ensure that when the application from NPL for the first stage of this development arrives, you have in place a traffic impact assessment which takes into account everything proposed in the Area Action Plan - housing, industry, business, commerce, recreation. Then the HA can properly assess what road improvements must be carried out before development can go ahead. We also have the increase of traffic on the roads of Thornton and the A 585, as a result of the Waste Treatment Plant to be constructed at Burn Hall, just north of the proposed housing area. This will take waste from the whole of the Fylde and now from Lancaster Borough, compost the green waste and sort and send out the recyclables. The impact of this development on traffic must also be taken into account in the cumulative assessment. It is part of the Area Action Plan. You can appreciate why it is important to concentrate minds on the A 585 and not get distracted by the vague possibility that a new road to the M 55 might get built in 10 to 15 years’ time. The HA have identified the improvements needed in the A 585 Route Management Plan, setting out costings and a timetable. This timetable depends on funding and the A 585 must compete with other trunk roads in the North West to get this. We ask our elected representatives to press urgently for this money.
- Loss of Open Spaces and gardens to development
I referred earlier to gardens being built over. We have seen what has happened to 108 Victoria Road East next to the Library, where Baxter Homes are constructing 14 dwellings. TAG objected strongly to the development on the grounds that as well as the old house Villa Mar being demolished, many trees would be felled and the pond filled in. Planners granted permission provided healthy trees were not removed and the pond, albeit half the original size, retained. However, because of lack of clarity, Baxter Homes were able to fill in the pond which dated back to at least 1845 by claiming that they would recreate the pond. We must stay alert to make sure that healthy trees have not been removed or damaged and that the pond is re-excavated. We need someone to help monitor this.
- Improvements to our Open Spaces
The work on trying to get improvements to our open spaces in Thornton continues. On Hargreaves Street we had two litter picks in February and April which succeeded in filling an eight tonne skip on both occasions. Our thanks to Thornton Skip Hire and Lancashire’s Green Partnership Awards for providing the skips. The Countryside Rangers pruned and tidied up the boundary hedges and TAG membes helped to plant hawthorn and blackthorn in the gaps. In August the Rangers organised a Fun Day for the children in the area with TAG members helping and providing prizes. This was a real community event. The Hawthorne Park Trust which grew from TAG’s concern to improve recreational space in Thornton, has succeeded in obtaining sufficient money in the form of grants so that work can be started this summer on improving the drainage and constructing a better layout of the Open Space. The Trust needs more funds to provide better play areas and is urging local businesses to get involved in helping their community. Residents are invited to become a “Friend of Hawthorne Park” and a coffee morning to raise funds is being held on Saturday morning 12th May - tickets and information from Rev Paul Clemence or Jenie Phillips. A booklet has been produced which sets out the ambitions of the Trust. If you want to get involved Jenie has some booklets here tonight. Finally in this section, I have to thank Mellonie Thomas one of our TAG members, for all her work in organising Thornton in Bloom. A large number of volunteers cleared the litter from Marsh Mill and the surrounding area and the display of flowers and tubs around Thornton impressed the judges. My thanks to those individuals and businesses who devoted time and money. But the judges were also interested in the green spaces we have here - in Hargreaves Street and Hawthorne Park and the Country Park. So we were delighted that Thornton was runner up to Nantwich in the North West in Bloom town category, and won the Lynne Jones Trophy for the most improved entry in the North West. Mellonie needs everyone to help again this year because litter has a habit of reappearing. Please contact her at melloniethomas@hotmail.co.uk
- Christmas Lights
For several years now we have not had a Christmas tree or any lights and decorations in Thornton Centre. In 2005 lights were put in the trees outside the Little Theatre and a great many people commented on how attractive they were. In 2006 Wyre adopted a new policy. Money was to be given to local traders’ associations or residents’ groups who would then be responsible for the lights in their area. TAG agreed to do this for Thornton and we were able to get the lights shining both at the Little Theatre and the Shopping Centre.There was a grand switch on in the presence of the Mayor and Mayoress and Thornton councillors. The Mayor presented the Lynne Jones Trophy to Mellonie and then her two sons pressed the button to illuminate the centre. Afterwards we were entertained with carols by the choir from Baines School. My thanks to everyone who helped make the lights a great success. We hope to light up Thornton again this Christmas and are grateful for the contributions from Wyre BC, from NPL and Wyre Housing Association and from the Thornton businesses - Village Estates, Thornton East Post Office, Almond & Jenkinson, D Hollowell & Sons, Karen Taylor, Thornton Fisheries and Cleveleys Electrical. We shall need more money to repeat last year’s brillance and will be asking for contributions in the autumn.
- Farmers’ Market
Don’t let it ever be said that TAG is an organisation which just objects and complains. We are full of ideas. We just need support to get the ideas put into practice. One idea which has come to fruition is the Farmers’ Market at Marsh Mill which takes place on the second Saturday of the month 9 am to 1 pm. The March and April Markets proved to be a great success. There were crowds of people there and the market traders and traders in the shops in the Mill complex were delighted with the turnout and the turnover. So let’s keep the success going. Support your local Farmers’ Market. If you don’t it will disappear. For this success I must thank Ken Hayes in particular, for all his efforts in sorting out the legalities with Wyre BC, for liaising with the market traders and with Melrose Homes and the traders on Marsh Mill Village, and for publicising the event. The next Market is Saturday May 12th so you can get there early and then go on to the coffee morning.
- Thornton Area Forum
This year has seen the launch of the Local Area Forums under the aegis of the Wyre Strategic Partnership. At the inaugural meeting of the Thornton Forum in September, I was honoured to be elected Chair by the residents attending. I have been asked as to how I see the differences between TAG and the Forum, two organisations working to make Thornton a better place. Because of its official status, the Forum has the gravitas to ask officials of Wyre BC, of Lancashire and of Statutory bodies to be present at the Forum to answer questions on specific issues which are of concern to residents. Thus we have had reports from Atkins Consultants and Wyre Planning Department on the Area Action Plan, from Millfield and Baines Schools on education in Thornton, from the Highways Agency and Lancashire Highways on the A 585, from Wyre BC Engineers on flooding and drainage. We were disappointed that the Environment Agency was unable to be present but we are hopeful we can arrange that for next year. At the next meeting on Thursday the 24th May 6.30 for 7 pm at the Little Theatre we will have presentations and questions about affordable housing followed by the new Streetscene initiative. These are important issues for Thornton and I would encourage you to be there.
- Thornton Action Group
Thornton Action Group is simply a group of residents, anyone can come along, who are acting together to make Thornton a better place. Litter picking, tree planting, Christmas lights etc are not within the remit of the Forum. And most importantly, TAG can respond quickly when issues arise and make contact with councillors, officials, police etc. TAG will respond to residents’ concerns about planning applications and will continue to send in objections when believed to be in the interests of Thornton. But we need your support. Support from residents who want to be involved in deciding what TAG should be doing and involved in doing things to make Thornton a better place. We can call on outside help such as the Countryside Rangers, but residents must take the lead and act as a community. In the past year a number of our stalwart members have been forced to do less because of personal circumstances. We must have new blood if we are to survive. TAG has done much for Thornton, so please come and join us so we can continue the good work. Our next meeting is at 7.15 pm on Wednesday 6th June at the Thornton Community Office. I hope to welcome you there. Your input is appreciated.