It gives me great pleasure to present my seventh annual report as Chair of Thornton Action Group. TAG was founded in December 2001 with the objective of making Thornton a better place and we continue to work for that end.
It has been a privilege to have been Chair of TAG since its inception in 2001. I am grateful for the work and support of our Vice-Chair Mona Whelan, our Treasurer Henry Bee and those who regularly attend our meetings. I must give a special thank you to Irene Horner, who is Secretary of both TAG and the TCO. She with many others embodies the determination of Thornton residents to make their community a better place. Why don't you join us at our next meeting on Monday May 12th 7.15 pm at the Community Office? Get involved. Do your bit for Thornton.
- Canatxx
As usual 2007-8 has proved to be an eventful year. In particular in October last year the announcement by the Secretary of State, Hazel Blears, that Canatxx was to be refused planning permission to store gas under the Wyre, approximately 1-2 miles from residential areas of Thornton. There has been no appeal against the decision. Reading the Inspectors Report about the work that would have to be carried out to show that it was safe to store gas in the salt bed lying at a depth of 300-500 metres, it is difficult to imagine that Canatxx would be prepared to invest the time and the money to put in another application. This especially when it has permission for an LNG plant in Anglesey and is proposing a pipeline across the Irish Sea to the Fylde and the NTS at Nateby. Proposals have recently come forward from other companies for gas storage in salt beds and in depleted gas fields under the Irish Sea which do not raise the safety issues which were so evident from the Canatxx Inquiry.
- Area Action Plan
The gas storage issue may have gone away for the time being at least, but at the moment TAG is involved in another major concern of the residents, that is the proposals in the Area Action Plan. The redevelopment of the Fleetwood-Thornton North Area was presented in the autumn of 2006 with 3 options being put forward. After consultation a preferred option was agreed in the summer of 2007. This would involve among other developments, a total of 1300 houses, 500 in Fleetwood and 800 in Thornton on former ICI land north of Bourne Road. In order for this to happen significant improvements would have to be made to junctions on the A 585 and these would be paid for largely from ABP at Fleetwood and NPL at Thornton.The AAP will not receive final approval until next year, but already permission has been given for 380 houses on the Fleetwood Docks site, 558 houses at Thornton, together with the Waste Processing Plant and the Business Park. Funding has been obtained from the developers towards (sustainable) transport but nothing provided for the A 585 improvements. We are faced in Thornton with the prospect of more houses and more commuting and more congestion on the A 585.At present the Submission Document, the final stage in the consultation process, has been published. Comments on this document which can be viewed at libraries or downloaded will be presented to an independent planning inspector. This is your chance to make a contribution. TAGs response can be found on our web site www.thorntonactiongroup.co.uk.At the same time the Planning Department (WBC) have produced an Issues and Options Document relating to the Core Strategy of the Local Development Framework (the new Local Plan). Again please take time to respond. Play your part in shaping the future of our community.
- Growth Point Bid
The AAP Document mentions in passing the Growth Point Bid by WBC, which if it goes forward will see a further 500 houses per year (it is not clear over how many years) being built in the urban areas of Wyre, namely Thornton North and Fleetwood Docks, on land which has been identified in the Action Plan Area for employment. If businesses do not move into the Area, extra housing can only result in increased commuting and increased congestion.
- Grab a Garden
At a more local level, TAG has worked with residents in opposing the building of houses on gardens in Hastings Road. The proposal (the second one to have been made) was turned down by the Inspector who carried out the Inquiry. Again we opposed a recent application to demolish 246 Fleetwood Road North and replace the one house with a block of 12 flats. This application has for the moment been withdrawn. We were delighted when the Planning Committee (WBC) upheld the views of Cleveleys residents by refusing 16 flats on 2 gardens on Victoria Road East, despite it being recommended by the Planning Officers.
- Biodiversity
We still have concerns about the pond at Mill View (what was 108 Victoria Road East) next to the Library. Many of you will remember the original circular pond with the black swans and the ducks in the garden of the large house Villa Mar. The pond was spring fed (it is on the map of 1845) although the edge had been concreted in the 1960s. Before the developers filled in the pond the black swans were rescued but not the other wild life. A condition of the development was that a pond of half the size of the original should be retained. However, the pond actually created is just half the size of this, ie a quarter of the size of the original. An application has now been put in for retrospective planning permission. If you feel strongly about this, write to your Ward Councillors, Ann Turner and Ron Greenhough, and make an objection to the Planning Department.
- Christmas Lights
This is the second year that TAG has been responsible for the Christmas Lights in Thornton - at the Shopping Centre and in front of the Little Theatre. The switch on in November was a great success and well supported by our local schools. I would like to thank Wyre BC, Regenda Housing, NPL and all the businesses in Thornton who gave generous donations, and a special mention to the residents who gave over 500 Pounds. We are hoping that Christmas 2008 will shine even brighter in Thornton. The full list of donors and costs are on our web site. My thanks to the sub-committee who collected the money, to Andrew Hurley of Baines School who coordinated the schools contribution and to JM Services who put up the lights. Well done everyone! It shows we do have a spirit of community in Thornton.
- Hawthorn Park
Finally in considering community involvement, I would like to pay tribute to the work of two offshoots from TAG. The first is the Hawthorne Park Trust. TAG has raised repeatedly the issue of the lack of good playing spaces for children, especially given the rapid rise in the population.
The Trust - a group of 9 Thornton residents - took up the challenge in respect of Hawthorne Road open space - a neglected and poorly drained field with a small play area for children. They have raised considerable sums of money and with the support of Wyre Borough have started the transformation of the field into a quality Park which can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Phase I is almost complete - the land is drained, the trees and shrubs planted, a new childrens playground installed and seats provided. Phase II will see the provision of more play equipment and that will be starting immediately, thanks to the Big Lottery. Money is still needed for the final Phase III. Thanks to Councillors and Officers of Wyre, Conservation Volunteers, Friends and residents in getting the project up and running but especially to the Trustees who have turned a vision into a reality.
- Thornton Community Office (TCO)
The second offshoot is the Community Office which started at Wignall Church and moved in November 2006 to the Shopping Centre at 37 Victoria Road East. We have always thought that the closing down of the Thornton Police Station on Fleetwood Road was a short sighted move and that has proved to be true given a rapidly increasing population. Thanks to the Police and Wyre Borough we now have 2 Community Beat Managers and 7 Community Support Officers for Thornton - but no premises for them. Hopefully they will be moving into the rear of the Community Office shortly, but I was saying that last year. The TCO is manned by volunteers who deal with residents concerns and can get in touch not only with the Police, but also Council Officers, Age Concern. CAB etc. The TCO has a room which can be hired for evening meetings (up to 25 people). Again I must thank the officers, committee and volunteers for their work in the TCO.