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Post by murrayc on Apr 21, 2022 21:40:53 GMT
I'm putting all the information on the subject of reinforcing the banks of the stream together here to give all plotholders, and representatives of HH Town Council, the opportunity to make comments and requests, to review available information, and to follow the progress of this project. Earlier correspondence on the forum will be linked to this thread.
Today, 21st April, Town Clerk Steve Trice visited the site and spoke to a number of plotholders at 3 pm, and also returned at 6 pm. In the 3 pm meeting Steve told us that the plan for reinforcing the banks had nothing to do with the proposals for development on the current waste ground behind the allotments, but was entirely in response to problems reported and observed over recent years with erosion of banks, new meanders in the stream caused by flooding and by land reclamation and tree growth on The Hollow side. Responding to questions about that development he was positive that the Town Council would wish to preseve the "green corridor" cited in the Neighbourhood Plan. He assured us that he would keep us informed of any development proposal to be placed before the Planning Committee.
Regarding the current plan he said that the proposal was to make a 1 in 2 cut of the bank on the allotment side during the winter of 2023/4, after the growing season. The bank
would then be reinforced by planting willow and hazel. Contractors would soon be called in to enter a bidding process. In discussion with the plotholders Steve referred to the plans that had been drawn up by officers of West Sussex CC (who are responsible for ditches and water flows in the county) and with the oversight of Mid Sussex District Council. Steve promised to make available electronic versions of these plans, including the various cross-sections considered for the cutting available to us - which will be displayed here and accessible to all users.
Questions were asked about why the plans seemed to concentrate on the allotments side rather than the issue of both banks of the stream. Steve said that he would be talking to all the householders in The Hollow in the next few days. The legal position was that they enjoyed riparian rights beyond the extent of their gardens to the middle of the stream. Steve felt that the work proposed should be regarded as essential maintenance and therefore reasonable to request that these householders cooperate in the cutting back of trees, but there was no scoping of how the banks on their side of the stream should be managed.
Further questions were raised about access for machinery to excavate the bank. Steve said that he was open to proposals but initially there were likely to be vacant plots on that side that would not be re-let until work was finalised. He wasn't able to confirm which plots and there was uncertainty about how access would be managed.
Steve was asked if the Town Council had considered installing a concrete pipe for the length of the waterway through to the conduit under the road. It was argued that this could be much cheaper, much less disruptive to the plotholders and also to the householders in The Hollow. He said he was open to looking at any proposal made and the feeling of the plotholders at the 3 pm meeting was clearly that that this option should be looked at as a priority and should be pursued unless there were very strong engineering or legal reasons why it should not succeed. Steve was asked to check who was responsible for the watercourse itself (DEFRA was suggested) and to follow up this option in developing a tendering option for contractors.
Other concerns raised at the meeting included :
Could this project also cover increased security against incursion for the site?
If there was to be significant heavy plant activity on the already crumbling tarmac roadway could this be replaced? What could be done for plotholders who lost significant amounts of land and installations, other than reduced rents?
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helen
Clearing the weeds
Posts: 49 
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Post by helen on May 11, 2022 14:09:20 GMT
It has been requested that the Town Council post the cross section drawings and location plan of the proposed work to the bank of the stream. Unfortunately, the files size exceeds the capacity that the forum will accept. Copies of the drawings can be emailed if requested, or viewed at the Town Hall.
Helen Hewett
Haywards Heath Town Council
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Post by Admin on May 12, 2022 9:52:36 GMT
Happy to say this problem has been solved. Below is the overall location plan and the attached pdf shows the cross-section drawings used in the initial survey by WSCC officers.
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David
Clearing the weeds
Posts: 49
Allotment site: America Lane
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Post by David on May 16, 2022 7:33:12 GMT
Considering what is in the stream (I don't mean just the water)
Can we look at the possibility about acting greener and removing some of the contaminates by creating reed beds
A local experienced green Sussex Company could help us with not only clearing up the contaminates in the water but add bio-diversity and reduce flooding issues a WIN-WIN solution.
httpshttps://www.moodysewage.com/our-services/sewage-system-installations/reed-bed-treatment-system/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8dSslL_j9wIVOYBQBh0fiQM5EAAYASAAEgIF3PD_BwE:
Regards
David
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Post by murrayc on Jun 8, 2022 12:18:47 GMT
Agenda item on Environment and General Purposes Committee Meeting of HHTC at Town Hall on Monday 13th June: To discuss matters relating to America Lane Allotments and an update on the works proposed to stream alongside The Hollow.
I will be attending to raise the issue of the suggestion made by numerous tenants that a concrete pipe to carry the stream through the allotment side should be considered as an option, and also for tenants to be regarded as stakeholders in the project. It is a public meeting and other allotment holders are free to attend, or if anyone has a particular questioin to ask I'll be happy to raise it on their behalf.
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Post by murrayc on Jun 21, 2022 14:12:26 GMT
The following is the Minute issued by the Town Clerk recording the meeting on 13th June.
It was noted that, as per the resolution of the Environment and General Purposes Committee under minute 35 of the meeting dated February 21st 2022, that plans were in progress to undertake works to the bank of the stream adjacent to The Hollow. These plans were based on surveys undertaken by WSCC and MSDC officers. It had also been agreed to start a regular communication with those potentially affected by the works proposed for the winter of 2023.
It was noted that these decisions could be reversed at the current time so the Town Clerk updated on the matter. The Town Clerk updated that letters had been written to all affected plot holders and resulting from that, he had held two site meetings to explain the project scope and assure plot holders that the works were not being undertaken to assist with a development outside of the site. These meetings were welcomed and during the meeting the suggestion of putting a pipe into the stream was raised as an alternative option.
The Town Clerk stated that he would look into such an option but felt that the pipe would only slow the erosion down and not address the condition of the bank as it stands and the issue of plot holders being right up to the water’s edge. Furthermore, it was felt that Southern Water should be engaged with as there was concern about the capacity of the sewer to take any increase water flow resulting from the redesigned bank and/or the pipe as the sewer seems to be broken
There was also need to get buy in, and inform residents along The Hollow as they owned the bank opposite to the Allotment site, as a number issues needed to be addressed on their side, so to make the project tangible as the riparian rights went down the middle of the stream.
Mr Crump who was present felt that there needs to be further communications to ensure that plot holders were happy, as he felt that there could be unhappiness and a loss of confidence in the Town Council if plot holders were not communicated with regularly. He also felt that some certainty of the works required and confirmation of timings would be appreciated as where it was over a year away, time was pressing in terms of plot holders making arrangement to accommodate the works.
As a result of the update and feedback from plots holders via Mr Crump the following was agreed as a way forward.
• This communication would be posted on the Allotment Forum and in the notice board at the site.
• Residents in The Hollow would be communicated with.
• Early July an update would be given.
• Town Clerk would join Allotment inspection team in August to look at structures along the bank.
• Looking to table final options in August to the Committee.
• Reserve date being October, or at an Extraordinary meeting.
All programmed and ad hoc updates and messages would be placed on the site notice board, the Allotment Forum and where appropriate by email.
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