03 October 2009:

The following email was recieved today from the General Manager at Sunlight Laundry, Paul Pearson:~

I trust you are well.

At the latest meeting with the Laundry Management they commented that the Phase 1 choice of colour had been well received and that it may be that the residents may wish to consider completing Phase 2 in the same colour,as opposed to their original choice of ‘Topiary Green’.With this in mind I have done my best to contact all residents who are either registered with me on E-mail or attended the Public Meeting and signed in, as these are obviously the only ones that I have contact details for.

The closing date for voting was 10^th August 2009 midnight.

No house numbers are shown for privacy reasons, but are on record in my file and open to audit.

The voting was as below; abstentions are not recorded/counted.

A meeting of Management (Martin Roberts/Director, and Paul Pearson/Laundry General Manager), Cllr Hook, and Les Edgecumbe, was held at the laundry 27^th July 2009. This was at the invitation of the management to discuss various items. The meeting was a frank exchange of views, but cordial and productive.

PHASE 2 PAINTING:

The first item on the agenda was the Phase 2 painting (roof and chimney). Mr. Roberts explained that as with all other companies, UK and abroad, the main concern was to adapt to the international recession and its constraints. This had therefore taken priority. However, he did give an unequivocal assurance that the painting would commence this autumn (subject to weather conditions) – as they had already given their word on the matter. It was also said that had the residents requested the painting this year when the recession commenced, and not the date that they had, then the reply would have been a definite ‘no’. The current financial climate (for all commerce) would have inhibited even considering the matter.

The Management also offered a suggestion. In view of the vast majority of very favourable comments on the Phase 1 painting, they wondered if the Residents might like to consider whether to have Phase 2 completed in the same colour as the elevations. It may be felt that a single colour may be more effective and blending, whereas 2 colours (Topiary Green for the roof) may prove to be a very stark contrast and ‘set a horizon’. While being prepared to paint it any (within reason) colour it should be considered even at this late stage. It was agreed that I would canvass Residents who attended the Public Meeting on 13th August 2008 and signed in. Their views would be requested in writing and recorded. In the event of no decision being made thereby, the Phase 2 colour would remain by default ‘Topiary Green’ – the chosen colour. There is absolutely no case for repainting after Phase 2 is completed. Closing Date for comments is 10^th August 2009 and should be sent to me by mail or email please.

COMMUNICATIONS:

For various reasons, i.e. staff changes, and misunderstandings, of late their seemed to be a breakdown of previous good communications, which has led to frustration on both sides. These were all ironed out and we now have agreement to approach Mr Paul Pearson directly in the first instance for any queries. As he is the man on the spot, and he has proved to be approachable, this is the ideal contact.

STEAM EMISSIONS/NOISE:

This is probably the most contentious issue. The Management are aware of all the residents complaints re the emissions on 14^th July, and these were discussed at the meeting. Events were explained to us: “Early that morning a control cable failed to operate on the main boiler, leaving us with no steam. A switchover to the small auxiliary boiler was then made, and due to problems with this boiler it’s Safety Valve automatically lifted. Engineers were called in and tests made to identify the fault and spare parts immediately ordered. Teignbridge Council were advised of the ongoing situation. In the meantime we had to work with what we had i.e. the small boiler which was blowing the Safety Valve and causing the visual and noise issues to the residents for some time. Unfortunately we have no record of steam emissions occurring around midnight, although through tests we have ascertained that the steam emissions are not necessarily audible on site. Even in the Managers office which is adjacent to the boiler house it is inaudible. I (Manager) then went over to Aller Park and phoned the engineer to lift the safety valve – and of course I then heard what the Residents hear. We sincerely regret any nuisance to Residents and will maintain communication through Cllr. Hook and Mr. Edgecumbe. We do aim to be good neighbours, and one instance of this is to transfer our scrap metal and surplus polythene items to the far side of our building (away from sight of Aller Park)”   These were seen on our departure and indeed are not a sight to envy, so best stored where they are.

NOCTURNAL NOISES:

Some residents have complained of noises suspected to originate from mobile bins being moved around during the night. We were told that some noise was to be expected from a working commercial premises, but if more specific details could be supplied the matter would be looked into further.

ROAD TRAFFIC:

Laundry drivers, lorries and cars, have been finding it difficult and dangerous to exit from the laundry due to the speed of the road traffic on the Kingskerswell Road. Cllr. Hook has arranged with Devon County Council to extend the 30 MPH limit to cover the exit area. This should improve matters, although the Police are claiming that they “cannot police it”.

NEWT WELFARE:

The newt meadow has been allowed to grow in height and not mowed regularly.

SITE LIGHTING:

Contrary to our previous belief, the low level lights in the car park have not yet been introduced. These will not have any impact on residents being low level and not too bright, but they are essential for Health and Safety cover of workers using the car park at night. One accident has already occurred and the Laundry has no choice but to install these. They are NOT floodlight – bollards with lamps included at approximately knee height.

SITE SIGN:

The current CLS blue and white sign at the main gate is to be replaced in line with the Company’s re-naming and new logo.

Once the colour choice is settled it is hoped to have some demonstration panels supplied to us in order that residents can view the colour before it is mixed and applied to the building.

Please remember the easiest way for me to keep the majority of residents in touch with events is via E-mail. So if you have any friends/neighbours on the Internet please ask them to contact me with their address – they will be kept right up to date then.

Regards,

Les Edgecumbe.

Residents were roused from their sleep several times during the night by extreme noises caused by the laundries unannounced steam emissions. Some residents report this commencing from midnight – others from 03:15 hours. But the most noise seems to have had a concerted effect from 05:00 hours. Two seperate residents were forced to re locate from their bedrooms to the other side of their houses to retrieve some sleep during the night.

The emissions were video recorded by Mr Garner and have been made into a DVD and presented to David Eaton head of the Environment Dept at Forde House. This will show them in great detail the actual events suffered.

Communications from the laundry were nil, breaking the agreement we have whereby they agreed to pre-warn residents via myself or Cllr Hook of any intended emissions. Also they agreed to advise afterwards if there were any ‘emergency’ emissions. None of this occured and it took some severe chasing by Cllr Hook and myself to gain ANY communication.

Re Phase 2 of the agreed painting shceme: I have no good or positive news to report at this time. The man dealing with the matter has gone on holiday and supposedly handed over details of supplying confirmatory specimen colour panels to me. None of this has so far happened, despite repeated requests for details.

In all not very good news, in fact a stink of the old days, which considering the time and energy put in to improve matters  especially communications to avoid confrontational attitudes – VERY dissapointing all round.

If there are any more developements they will be posted here asap and emailed to those people who have requested notification by that means.

If your neighbours have email and would like to be kept up to date instantly please ask them to contact me at les.edgecumbe@btinternet.com

A meeting was held at the laundry today. Present were Mr. Jonathan Cooper (Engineering Director), Mr. Paul Pearson (Laundry General Manager), Councillor Gordon Hook and, Les Edgecumbe (Resident). Items discussed were: 1) Schedule for Phase 2 painting of roof and chimney,

2) Request for samples of the Topiary Green chosen by residents to ensure accuracy,

3) Explanation of why only recently steam has been emitted from the chimney stack,

4) Re request notice of impending steam tests, and explanation of any inadvertent steam emissions,

5) To re-establish agreed line of communication which have ceased since departure of the previous Manager Mr. Chris Foulkes.

All points were discussed and full details will be posted here when there is fuller information available (Mr Cooper is going to contact us later with dates). Briefly line of communication have been re-made and our contact is now Mr. J Cooper. He has agreed to supply panels which demonstrate the colour of choice prior to giving the green light to the painting operation. They are already in contact with their contractors.

Fuller details will be posted just as soon as they arrive.

Cllr Hook and Les Edgecumbe are due to meet with the laundry management next week to re establish the previous lines of communication, which had evaporated on the departure of the Manager Chris Foulkes. We shall be meeting with Mr Jonathan Cooper and Mr Paul Pearson. The main subject will be the Phase 2 painting project. This covers the roof and chimney stack of the building. The residents choice of colour was ‘Topiary Green’, which I have a sample of and will present to the Management with a hope of seeing some samples before they arrange the actual painting.
More details will be posted after the meeting. If you have any questions/comments you would like brought to their attention both myself and Cllr Hook will glady do this.

Gordon Hook retained his Devon County Council seat at yesterdays election. Congratulations.

Communications concerning recent steam emissions, (including new one’s from the big chimney stack), and request for a schedule of commencement of Phase 2 painting (chimney and roof), have been made between myself, Cllr. G Hook and the Management of Sunlight.

The recent large steam emissions were due to a “Safety Survey which required a test”. No notification of this was made to us prior to the test as was agreed to happen at our meeting with the Management. It transpires that Chris Foulkes is now in the IOW and a new manager is in charge over at the Blot. Hopefully new lines of communications will be made to avoid this happening in the future.

As soon as we are notified of a date for commencing painting it will be posted here and directly to those people that have submitted their email address for direct contact.

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from Cllr Hook 01May09:-

Les,

I have followed up your concerns re stack and hope attached is self explanatory.

Regards.

G

From: Steven Hobbs [mailto:Steven.Hobbs@Teignbridge.gov.uk]
Sent: 01 May 2009 16:02
To: Gordon Hook
Cc: David Eaton
Subject: CLS

F.a.o. Councillor Hook

I refer to your recent enquiry to David Eaton about the use of the stack at CLS.

I have checked the planning permission (reference 1998/2513/01/3) for the building and there is no conditions relating to the use of the stack. Should you wish to discuss this then please do not hesitate to contact me next week.

Regards

Steven Hobbs

Senior Planning Enforcement Officer

08Jan09:

Les