05/07/2011 Update
July 4th, an important day across the pond, and worthy of a film or two. But that’s not the principality (as I like to call Pelsall).
This 4th July, largely unnoticed, marked a significant day in the lives of Pelsall people. It will in-fact go a long way towards improving independence, not from an occupying force (!) but from the obstacles and grip ill-health can have on so many people’s lives, especially the most vulnerable.
Contractors (ISG) finally moved on site erecting ‘Heras’ fencing with plans to soon erect hoardings around the whole site perimetre. I joined my colleague Cllr Bennett to meet site management for the second time in a week to discuss plans. So far ISG have made a good start and they seem keen to maintain a good relationship with ourselves, neighbours and all Pelsall people. So far so good.
Fencing and signage being erected
We have had initial reports of cars parking on the Common/verges. While we cannot be sure whether this is contractor traffic, what is sure is that it will upset a number of people if this continues. If it is contractor traffic, then the recent suggestion by the Chairman of the Friends of Pelsall Commons:
…Could the site manager identify legal parking spaces or apply for planning permission to fence an area of common for workers’ use only, subject to agreement with Walsall Council and DEFRA. and providing for a sum of money being agreed for restoration work? If we allow unrestricted parking for the workmen we are faced with the problem of other users breaking the law and since the project could take twelve months the issue needs to be tackled in its infancy…
ISG MD. Cllr Bennett, ISG Project Manager, Cllr Longhi
ISG have promised to produce a monthly newsletter. Rather than extract and interpret information I thought it might be better to reproduce these in their entirety as I receive them so, here it is: ISG Pelsall newsletter – June 2011
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At last. It seems we are only a short period away from making meaningful progress on site. Today I received this message from Sue Grainger, head of Library Services:
Dear Councillor,
I should like to let you know that ISG have been confirmed as the contractors for the project to build the health centre, library andchildren’s centre in Pelsall.
They will start on site on Monday, 4th July and willbe arranging a coffee morning on Tuesday, 28th June to introduce themselves to residents and to give out their contact details. The venue for the eventwill probably be at Pelsall Community Association in Station Road. You should be receiving aninvitation shortly.
Prior to their formal possession of the site on 4th July. ISG propose to start dropping fencing materials at the existing car parknext Wednesday, 29th June 11.
The following signs will be put up around the car park atthe end of this week:
Car Park Closure
“This car park will close at 5pm on Tuesday 28th June2011 to allow construction of the new Pelsall development to commence. We apologise for anyinconvenience that this may cause.”
It has been a long time in the planning process, but at last the project is about to break ground and building can start.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contactme.
Sue
A huge amount of counsultation has underpinned this project from the outset, and it is paramount that the Local Authority ensures that the feedback we have received from residents is indeed catered for. it is a priority for my colleagues, Oliver and Garry, and myself that we manage the development phase well; a very important part of this means making sure that immediate neighbours’ needs/concerns are met and that service users receive continuity of service where possible.
The LA has done really well in relocating the Library to the former Neighbourhood offices on Norton Road and all credit to the staff who made that happen.
However, we still need to ensure that the agreed neighbours car parking arrangements and noise abatement measures are in place for immediate neighbours to the development.
Fingers crossed, let’s try to make sure that we don’t provide ammunition to those very few whose only ‘raison d’etre’ seems to be to complain.
Marco Longhi was elected in May 1999 and represents Pelsall ward in Walsall.
[...] the poor approach to planning strategically for car parking arrangements in the vicinity of the new combined facility development when this was always going to be an issue and highlighted by Cllrs and residents [...]