Bricknell Avenue betting shop approved

John Fareham and John Abbott report that the application to open a betting shop on Bricknell Avenue was approved by the Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee.

The legal framework under which licensing applications are considered is still that which was passed by the previous Labour Government in 2003 and was still in place when the Coalition Government took office in 2010.  This creates a more prescriptive framework in favour of the passing of such applications than applies to applications for pub or off-licence premises. Various parties including a local head-teacher wrote in to object but under the rules – and over John’s strenuous objections as a member of the sub-committee – they were ruled not to be applicable under the legal framework. The application was passed with a rider that the shop be allowed to open at once and not have to wait for the usual time to allow for the appeals.

YPI planning appeal - contact details

John Fareham and John Abbott report that an appeal has been submitted against the Council’s decision last year to refuse planning permission for 61 student flats on the former YPI car park.

Those who have already submitted comments on this matter need not do so again – the Council will already have forwarded these to the Planning Inspectorate.  However, as the applicant has opted for a written appeal process, if you haven’t said anything so far, or if you feel the need to expand on what you have already said, you can have your say in the appeal process by writing to The Planning Inspectorate, Room 3/13, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6PN, E-mailing teamp3@pins.gsi.gov.uk or calling the Planning Inspectorate’s case officer on 0303-444 5632.  The case reference number is APP/V2004/A/13/2191393 which should be quoted whichever of these means of communication you choose. Any new comments should be submitted in time to reach the Planning Inspectorate by 17 April 2013. Local residents may also wish to consider whether the new National Planning Policy Framework is applicable given that the original decision was taken before it came in.

Chanterlands Avenue pigeon problem resolved

John Fareham and John Abbott report that anti-pigeon measures at the Chanterlands Avenue railway bridge have been agreed between the Council and Network Rail and will be installed in May 2013.

The squabbling between the officers and Network Rail over whose job it was to keep noisy feral birds off this bridge has been resolved and the Council will be carrying out the necessary pigeon proofing in May this year. This follows prolonged pressure on the part of John and myself and repeated requests from local residents for action on the noise and mess caused by feral pigeons. The problem is of course not unique to this bridge but we will be glad to support others who follow our lead in sparing other local residents the same irritation should the pigeons in question decide to go and haunt another neighbourhood with a bridge in it.

Travellers and Bricknell Estate again

John Fareham and John Abbott are working to ensure a proper police response to any future traveller incursions on Bricknell Estate.

At a recent meeting of the Council’s Community Safety Overview and Scrutiny Commission, police officers were questioned on their attitude to traveller incursions.  They seemed to view the matter more as one of traffic control than as one of unlawful nuisance  to local residents and one even had the temerity to suggest that the comings and goings of travellers would in time come to be as familiar and accepted as the arrival of fairground equipment for Hull Fair.  We have therefore raised our concerns about this with Matthew Grove, the Humberside Police Commissioner, in the hope that he may be able to ensure that officers keep officers and members in the loop and take seriously the concerns of councillors of all parties, from all the wards across the city affected by traveller incursions, who have addressed local concerns about this source of noise and other forms of nuisance.

East Riding electricity maintenance work

John Fareham and John Abbott have details of an East Riding Council diversion being made to allow for electrical works which is likely to affect residents of Bricknell Avenue and Cottingham Road.

In order for important electricity maintenance work to be carried out, a temporary traffic-regulation order is diverting traffic from New Village Road in Cottingham via Endyke Lane, Hall Road, Cottingham Road and Hull Road, Cottingham.  The diversion began on March 25th and will last as long as the works are going on.  Local residents who want more information than this should ring East Riding Council on 0845 6001666.

Bricknell Avenue Tesco delivery problems

John Fareham and John Abbott are working to resolve problems with noise resulting from early deliveries to Tesco Express on Bricknell Avenue at hours not permitted by their planning conditions.

We have been receiving a number of detailed accounts from local residents citing exact times when stock has been delivered to this particular store contrary to the conditions imposed when planning permission to build the store was granted in 2006.  John and I have therefore raised this matter with the officers who have since contacted the manager of the store to ask that they abide by the rules.  Needless to say we will pass on any further reports of problems to the relevant officers; residents of Fairfax Avenue who recall our campaign to get a takeaway there to abide by its correct opening hours will be aware that we are not afraid to seek enforcement action against business premises that break the conditions under which they are allowed to operate.