The first phase of the painting has been completed. This covers the 2 elevations viewable from Aller Park and the A380 road. Phase 2 will commence next year commesurate with good weather.

The Management are to be congratulated on their efforts, and a number of grateful comments have been received here. The residents should also be congratulated, along with Ward Councillors, for their steadfastness in obtaining the final result. The efforts of the Aller Park Residents Action Group are also appreciated.

It beggars belief why residents have had to walk the walk, tread the treadmill and suffer other inconveniences and indignities from Teignbridge District Council who have a well paid, but incompetent Planning Department. This could and should have been insisted upon at the initial planning application – what else is this Department in existence for? May they and  Councillors involved in the initial decision making hang their heads in shame!                     Some chance.

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD AT ST. LUKE’S CHURCH HALL

ON WEDNESDAY 13^TH AUGUST 2008

REGARDING THE SUNLIGHT LAUNDRY

Present:     Alastair Johns – Chairman:

                  Leslie Edgecumbe – Organiser

                  Cllr. Gordon Hook

                  Cllr. David Corney-Walker

The meeting was notified, with approximately 10 days notice, to over 200 residents of Aller Park by use of letter box drops, e-mail, web site, and signs posted on telephone kiosks/telegraph poles, and lamp standards. The whole of Aller Park Road, parts of St. Lukes Road and Addison Road, Aller Brake Road, along with a near full coverage of Ridgeway Road were made.

The meeting started at 19.20

53 Members of the public attended the meeting, the majority from the Aller Park area of Newton Abbot. There were actual sign-ins of 43, plus 10 people who appeared in the head count but had not signed the book.

Chairman A. Johns commenced with a brief history of the laundry campaign, commencing with the first meeting in 2004 when it was owned by CLS.  In 2006 Sunlight purchased the laundry from CLS.

It was made very clear during the meeting by the Chairman, Cllr Hook and, L. Edgecumbe that this was a one off choice for the residents. On making the choice and thence advising the Sunlight Directors, should the painting be completed as promised, then there would be no place for complaint to the management.

The purpose of the meeting was to choose a paint colour for the exterior of the Sunlight Laundry building.  Various paint sample books and sheets were available and passed around.  Photographs of the Buckland Water Treatment Works and graphics of the Sunlight laundry coloured in various shades were exhibited.

L. Edgecumbe thanked everyone for attending and supporting the campaign over the years, particularly the councillors who had been very helpful at all times.

He cited the Water Treatment Works at Buckland as a good example of a reasonable camouflage colour scheme with different shades of green on various elevations.

The Chairman advised attendees that colours can and may look different, when used in an application, from the specific samples in the catalogue, and would be affected by ageing.

G. Hook advised that there was now a good dialogue between the residents and the laundry – thanks to Mr. Edgecumbes’ work.  Sunlight had pointed out they did not want to paint the building but would do it as a negotiated favour and to be “good neighbours”. Cllr. Hook has obtained a cheque for £10,000 from Devon County Council towards the painting costs. If a colour is agreed promptly Sunlight may be able to carry out half of the work before Christmas and the other half in April/May 2009.  It was understood by G. Hook and L. Edgecumbe from a prior meeting with Sunlight that 2 elevations (those facing Aller Park and Sainsburys’, roof, doors, and the chimney would be painted, with the exception of the elevation facing the Kingskerswell Road and the external brickwork of the Admin. area.

As part of the negotiations the Sunlight directors wanted:-

·         To install some low level/low intensity bollard lighting (approximately 2ft. 6ins. high) facing the laundry to aid pedestrian visibility in their car parks.  This probably would not require planning permission, and is a result of a Health and Safety incident.

·         A reduction in the speed limit on the country road on which the laundry entrance is sited.  Devon County Council had suggested this could be possible.

They also advised the colour of their vehicles would be gradually changing to white with a yellow logo over a period of 3 to 4 years. Only new vehicles would be in the new livery – current vehicles would not be repainted. It is to be hoped that the ‘Screening Trees’ would have, by then, established and capable of obscuring the majority of vehicles.

One person on the floor stated that a paint specialist should have been available at the meeting. Due to an ongoing debate with the Chairman and another members’ question simultaneously, it was not possible to reply to this questioner.

(Editor: However, it should be pointed out here that this would have required a fee, to which residents would have had to contribute, and we were there only to discuss choice of colours – not the technicalities of paintworking).

Mr. J. Steer of Addison Road queried whether the large blue doors were to be included in the painting scheme. L. Edgecumbe replied that he thought it was the case, but would confirm with the management as soon as possible. This was done the next day and Mr. Steer advised by telephone that the doors were included in the scheme.

L. Edgecumbe advised the floor that the exterior of the building was laminated steel which required a special type of paint and method of application. Several manufacturers colour charts were on hand for comparison etc. These were for reference only as the actual paint to be used would have to be especially sourced.

It was proposed and seconded that the colours should be shades of green and the paint in a matt finish.  The roof and chimney should be in a darker shade than the side elevations.  A vote was taken and the show of hands indicated the vast majority agreed with these suggestions.

A colour called Topiary Green from the ‘HomeBase Classic’ colour chart was suggested for the roof and chimney.  A vote was taken and the show of hands indicated the majority agreed with this suggestion. (7 votes = Too dark. 4 votes = Too light, Majority agreed as satisfactory).

A vote was taken on a choice of 5 shades of green suggested by the floor of the meeting from the colour charts available, and also the unnamed “Hybrid” colour in a picture of the laundry supplied by Sunlight and exhibited in the room.  A further vote was taken on the 2 shades that had received the most votes (Proposal 1/’Sisal’ in ‘HomeBase Classic’ colour chart = 14 votes. Proposal 6/”Hybrid” as per the management supplied photograph = 21 votes), A. Johns having verified all persons had seen the colour on the laundry picture.  The majority voted by a show of hands for the “Hybrid” colour in the picture.

In summary the colours agreed were:-

·         A colour called Topiary Green from the ‘HomeBase Classic’ colour chart for the roof and chimney.

·         The “Hybrid” colour in a picture of the laundry supplied by Sunlight and exhibited in the room for the side elevations and doors.

G. Hook and L. Edgecumbe would advise the laundry of the colours selected by the residents who attended the meeting. They would be having discussions at a date to be fixed, but as soon as possible in order to progress the work.

The Chairman thanked all attendees for their contribution to the meeting.

The meeting ended at 20.35.

Signed:…………………….. A. Johns (Chairman).    ……………………L. Edgecumbe (Organiser).

Date:………………………..

F:/cls/minutes13Aug08

06Jan07:- We are awaiting information on the exact conditions to be attached to the agreement of The Blots’ planning application. Several good ideas were put forward by Councillors when the application was discussed, i.e. fast growing (Leylandii types) screening trees to be used – it is obvious that the current poorly designed ’screening’ is not up to expectation, nor imminently useful.

When this type has been suggested before the environment lobby- aka Newt supporters -managed to quosh the idea on welfare grounds to this specy. Rather begs the question “why save the planet if it makes a hell for the residents?” Another suggestion was adjusting the colour of The Blot to blend in with the surrounding locale. Why, oh why wasn’t this deemed important/relevant by those in power at the time of the original application!!

Do we hear complaints of the Water Treatment Works on the river Teign?? – a similar building, which, by and large goes un-noticed because of its’ olive green exterior.(somebody had an attack of COMMON SENSE here). Let us hope residents views, objections, and patience are taken into serious account this time around. It is an ideal time and opportunity to make The Blot history.

Letter received from TDC Planning Dept 01Dec06: The more relevant paragraphs are replicated here, full letter is available from the Planning Officer detailed below. It is full of ‘good intentions’, but it is up to us to contact Councillors and Officers to ensure that adequate steps are taken in our interest.
Teignbridge Planning Dept Ref. No. 06/06365/FULOfficer: Jill Day Tel: 01626 215791

3. Notwithstanding condition 2, this permission specifically excludes the approval of the proposed external materials and colours thereof shown within the application submission. No development shall commence on the site until the details of the materials and colours to be used on the external surfaces of the extension hereby approved have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The work shall proceed utilising the approved materials.

REASON:- To ensure the extension has a satisfactory external appearance.

4. No development shall take place until full details of both hard and soft landscape works have bee submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Soft landscape works shall include existing trees and hedges to be retained; planting plans; written specifications (including cultivation and other operations associated with tree, plant and grass establishment); schedules of trees and plants, noting species, sizes and proposed numbers/densities where appropriate; tree planting and establishment details (including detail of tree pits and imported soil); implementation programme and maintenance programme. All hard and soft landscape works shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details. The works shall be carried out prior to the occupation of the extension hereby permitted or in accordance with a programme agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority and thereafter for a period of 5 years.

REASON:- To protect the visual amenities of the area.

7. No external lighting shall be erected in connection with the extension hereby permitted.

REASON:- To protect the visual amenities of the area.

8. All existing storage containers shall be removed from the laundry premises as shown on the submitted site plan edged red and blue before the extension herby approved is occupied.

REASON:- In accordance with the submitted Planning and Design Statement and to ensure an acceptable site appearance.

9. No storage containers shall be placed on the laundry premises as shown on the submitted site plan edged red and blue without the previous written consent of Local Planning Authority.

REASON:- In accordance with the submitted Planning and Design Statement and to ensure and acceptable site appearance.

28Nov06: The precise details of conditions, which are to be imposed on the approval of TheBlots extension application, have been requested and will be posted here as soon as possible. Several good ideas (Leyllandi, paint etc) were made by Councillors at the meeting. It is to be seen whether or not this prevails on those making the decision – it is not expected that taxpayers will have an input into this necessarily.

13Nov06: The Blot achieves planning approval by 2 votes. “Appalling obscenity”, “Eyesore in the countryside”, “Not something the Council can be proud of”, a few of the phrases used during the Planning Committees Meeting. Our 3 Ward Councillors, followed by other Councillors, made a very specific case out to the Committee and were only beaten by legal requirements of Planning. Although the application was approved – on planning grounds – to a person, those Councillors who spoke requested that something be done to minimise the impact of The Blot by use of quick growing screening trees (Leylandii ?? which could be removed once the present much slower species had matured sufficiently to do the job properly “IN LESS THAN 20 YEARS”, also that steps should be taken/encouraged to change the colour of the elevation causing aggravation to Aller Park residents and amazement to tourists. Many thanks to resident Mr Roy Pearson for speaking on behalf of residents, and describing so well just how this Blot affects people. The Blot is still a far away from being an historic monument – let us hope that efforts to minimise its impact are followed up. Otherwise this saga is ready to roll and rumble on.
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PLANNING APPLICATION FOR AN EXTENSION BY THE BLOT (CLS) WILL BE “CONSIDERED” BY THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE ON MONDAY 13 NOVEMBER 2006 AT THE COUNCIL CHAMBER IN FORDE HOUSE. THE MEETING MAY BE OBSERVED BY THE PUBLIC FROM THE CHAMBERS GALLERY. ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK IS PERMITTED 3 MINUTES.
Teignbridge Council have made all the problems incurred with this project – by them permitting such a BLOT to be located where it is. It is no good them hiding behind Whitehall dictates, or any other thin excuses, they allowed it there – and it is up to the Council to minimise the effect of their mistakes, and start earning their salaries by acting in the local taxpayers interests, which does not include hideous projects in green fields. Should we really need to tell them that?????????If this application is passed it is a definite signal that the Council is not interested in Public Opinion,(which they have shown previously – in preference to “Government Guidelines” , and that money talks). It will also ease future expansion not only for THE BLOT, but any other enterprise wishing to utilise the valley. This is the thicker end of the thin wedge commencing with THE BLOT s original inception.

From Head of Planning Office 01Nov06: “We would also confirm that all objections do not require re-submission in view of the changed proposal. These will still be taken into consideration and any further objections/comments also.”

26th Oct 2006: letter from Teignbridge Planning: (extract):
“I would now inform you that revised plans have been recieved for the proposal as described in the heading of this letter, and are available for inspection from the main reception during office hours. Please be advised that the revised plans show the proposed extension rotated by 90 degrees.” Ed: that’s halfway to a 180 degree turn and green paint??????You can check if your Objection has been recieved by looking at the list on the Planning Dept. website page: just click: http://212.104.136.173:8080/PlanApp/jsp/RDgetAllAppDocs.jsp?PlanningApplicationNumber=06/06365/FUL

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Interesting reading on the BBC TV Website
http://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/content/articles/2006/06/20/architectural_disasters_feature.shtml

PLANNING APPLICATION SUBMITTED

TEIGNBRIDGE DISTRICT COUNCIL
APPLICATIONS RECEIVED WEEK ENDING 16 AUGUST 2006

PLANNING APPLICATION SUBMITTED

TEIGNBRIDGE DISTRICT COUNCIL

APPLICATIONS RECEIVED WEEK ENDING 16 AUGUST 2006

If you wish to make comments about the proposal please submit them in writing to the Head of Planning Services, Forde House, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 4XX or to E-mail address developmentcontrol@teignbridge.gov.uk within 21 days of the date shown on this notice, quoting the application reference and including a contact name, address and number.

10AUG06: THE BLOT TO BE EXPANDED IN SIZE, ‘SCREENING’ TREES TO BE DUG UP.
THIS NEWS HAS ONLY JUST BEEN RECEIVED.
FULL DETAILS WILL BE POSTED WHEN AVAILABLE.