Plympton Pathfields, The Latest News

14. June 2001 - Persimmons to re-establish dialogue with Pathfields

Since the national take over of Beazer Homes by York based builders Persimmons plc in March this year, the Pathfields Group have sought to re-establish the good working links with the new company.  Settling in of the new company and movement of staff and offices made it difficult to re-start our talks with the developers.  The Pathfields Group went right to the top by contacting the company's Chief Executive at their headquarters in York in the hope that he would initiate a response to our call for further consultation.   Persimmon prides itself by claiming to work with local communities and respecting the environment.  We wanted to know if their claims were justified.

We have now been able to re-establish our links with the developers after they contacted the Pathfields Group in response to our letter to their Chief Executive.  The Managing Director of Persimmon Homes (South West) Ltd has given written assurances that, "It is certainly our intention to honour any agreements you had in place with Beazer".  Their Technical Director has gone further by stating, "I can confirm that following our initial meeting regarding the ongoing development and the new found relations we have established, it is Persimmons Homes intention to continue this dialogue with a common aim of producing a development to be proud of."

The Pathfields Group are delighted by the very positive commitment by Persimmon Homes to further discussion and dialogue.   A number of important issues have already been raised related to the Long Brook culvert, flood prevention, landscaping and planting and we hope to progress these issues to the satisfaction of the local community, the future residents of 'De Redvers Grove' and the reputation of the company for building excellence.

Further issues have also been raised with Plymouth City Council's Highways Department concerning the hazardous bend on Dark Street Lane and the threat to demolish the historic stone bridge, described as worthy of protection by the Environment Agency and City Archaeologist.  "Plymouth City Council has been slow to respond to our concerns over public safety and protecting our local environment and heritage. Our letters and phone calls are ignored.  Perhaps our elected councillors and public servants can take a lead from Persimmons and begin a meaningful dialogue with local people on these issues".

Outstanding Issues

These are the issues we believe require addressing and resolving.  The concerns come from the community and residents of Plympton.   They have been raised on numerous occasions with councillors and with the City Council but to little effect - council officers do not even reply to our letters.   Planning conditions set by the council appear not monitored or checked.  We want the future residents of De Redvers Grove to enjoy where they live in safety in an area of exceptional environmental beauty and character.  We do not want the same mistakes repeated as experienced by residents only 500 metres down stream when new houses were built on the Plympton flood plain.  Having lost confidence in the local council to represent and acknowledge our concerns,  we now believe that working closely with developers Persimmons will give the community a real opportunity to enhance the quality of our local environment far into the future.  We believe we can set the standard at De Redvers Grove for any developments that threaten our green spaces in the future.

Flood Prevention - The creation of two water catchment areas, one on the southern site boundary close to plots 16 and 17 and the other before the stone bridge on Dark Street Lane, plus the massive subterranean culvert are designed to contain flood waters which would have normally spilled onto the watermeadow.  There remains concern that this 'bottleneck' will cause displaced flooding upstream in the village of Plympton St. Maurice as it did during a heavy rainstorm in November 2000.  There are also fears that the capacity of the flood catchment areas could be exceeded causing flooding and subsidence on the site.  The November flood saw water levels exceed the engineered culvert works on the site.  The flood 'lakes' created by the water catchment areas could become death traps for children and animals unless adequately fenced (but not enclosed).

Unsightly Concrete - The concrete retaining wall of the water catchment area before the stone bridge on Dark Street Lane, culvert outfalls and the remains of old redundant concrete sections remain a visual eyesore on the sight and detract from the high visual quality of natural materials used in construction such as Delabole slate and stone Devon hedge banks.  The concrete retaining wall ought to be faced in natural material to help it blend with the surrounding stonework and the redundant concrete sections along the Long Brook should be removed and the banks sympathetically re-landscaped as specified by the Environment Agency.

Stone Bridge - Plymouth City Council's Archaeology Officer and the Environment Agency's Conservation Officer have said the bridge should be preserved and protected as an historic local feature.  Plans to demolish the west parapet by the Highways Department to allow flood waters to escape off the road are ill conceived and unnecessary (even the developers agree with us!).  The bridge should be restored and revealed by removing adjacent concrete outfalls no longer in use.  The enhancement of the bridge would give the perfect 'character' to the site entrance, complimenting the style of the development which has used natural materials in construction.

Reinstatement of Long Brook - The Environment Agency has recommended the creation of the former course of the Long Brook at the east of the site as a natural open water feature incorporating indigenous wetland planting on the banks.  The stream would pick up water flowing off the Pathfields and from the springs to the east, while also maintaining drainage on the site.  It could be modelled in appearance on the Long Brook as it flows at the rear of Fore Street in Plympton St. Maurice and would be a fitting visual and historic continuation of the ancient stream.

Devon Hedge Bank - The housing development plans clearly indicate the retention of the existing Devon wall shown at the north west of the site between building plots 25 and 26.   Construction and drainage work has completely destroyed the wall which should be re-built in keeping with the other high quality traditional walls built on the site boundary.

Street Lighting - As the development borders onto the open and unlit fields, street lighting must be as unintrusive as possible to maintain the 'countryside' character of the surrounding area.

Tree Damage and Landscaping - A number of trees throughout the site, shown on the developers plans to be kept, have been destroyed and recorded by the Pathfields Group.   These need to be replaced by the same species.  Landscaping also shown on the plans, including new planting of trees and hedges, should be followed as indicated.   The area of 0.4 acres of wooded land retained by Plymouth City Council in the centre of the site should be protected - particularly where tree roots may be damaged by excavation, road laying, drainage, etc.  Access to this 'City' land must be allowed for the public and its upkeep properly maintained.  This area of trees is very important and gives real meaning to the name De Redvers 'Grove'.

Traffic Calming - The deliberate narrowing of Dark Street Lane on a blind corner to facilitate 'traffic calming' has created a serious potential hazard.   Traffic from both directions has to cross into the on-coming lane to negotiate the bend.  The lane is also a bus route and 'bus borders' have been planned to be built before any occupation of the houses takes place (planning condition).   This will create a further hazard and congestion for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.   While traffic calming intentions are supported, adequate warning signs should be provided to indicate the need to reduce speed and the narrowing of the lane at this point.

next news item