Stockton Liberal Democrats

Eaglescliffe Ward

The Liberal Democrats are proud to work all year round for Eaglescliffe. On this site you will find details of our Councillors, the latest news from and about Eaglescliffe and can download copies of our most recent FOCUS newsletters.

• Download recent Eaglescliffe Focus leaflets
• Contact your Eaglescliffe Councillors

• Oct 8, 2010:
  • Abandon Idea of Building on Park - Education Chiefs
    In a report to be presented to Stockton Council's Cabinet next Thursday, Officers of the Council recommend that no further work be done on the suggestion that Preston Park would be the right place to rebuild Egglescliffe School. Finding money for the suggested foot bridge over the Tees (which would also have "significant engineering issues"), upgrading needed on the road network and the re-location of Quarry Road Allotments would "pose significant legal, logistical and financial challenges ... taken together with the envisaged technical difficulties". Protestors in January this year Maureen Rigg, Liberal Democrat councillor for Eaglescliffe Ward, said, "I've every hope that the Council's Cabinet will accept this recommendation. Thousands of people expressed their horror at the idea, showing how much Preston Park is appreciated. To us it was quite clear that the idea was impractical without the need for an investigation, but I hope that these findings will put off anyone else with ideas of building on the Park. My fellow ward councillors (Alan Lewis and John Fletcher) and I pledge to work both for a solution to Egglescliffe School's need for new buildings and for the continued improvement of Preston Park as the jewel in this borough's crown Published and promoted by DR Rigg on behalf of Stockton Liberal Democrats, 4 Monmouth Drive, Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees, TS16 9HU. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Jul 23, 2007:
  • Planning Consultations
    Liberal Democrat councillors have welcomed the publication of the next stage of Stockton's Local Development Framework. We encourage everyone to look at it and have their say. Stockton Council will soon publish its Core Strategy Preferred Options, laying out broadly where it thinks future development should take place. Key development projects such as the Riverside, Stockton High Street, Billingham, Thornaby, Yarm and Ingleby Barwick, as well as the Borough's villages and more rural areas, will be discussed. The Regeneration Development Plan Document looks at particular sites and residents can also have their say on sites which may be suitable to provide new housing, employment, community facilities, leisure and recreational facilities over the next 15 years. Consultation will take in issues such as flood risks and sustainability of developments. The plans will be available at the Borough's libraries and key Council buildings such as Municipal Buildings and Planning Offices on Church Road. Response forms will be available for people to write down their views. The documents will also be available on the council's website (www.stockton.gov.uk <<a href="http://www.stockton.gov.uk">http://www.stockton.gov.uk>). Residents can also complete an on-line response form or email their comments to: rosemary.young@stockton.gov.uk rosemary.young@stockton.gov.uk>. From Monday, July 30, a separate consultation will enable people in Yarm and Eaglescliffe to help shape what should happen in the future in this area, as the consultation looks at a range of issues including areas for change and preservation. At the same time, the Council will consult on planning obligations. These set out what developers may expect to contribute if they succeed in obtaining planning permission for development - for example, providing open space or affordable housing. Published and promoted by DR Rigg on behalf of Stockton Liberal Democrats, 4 Monmouth Drive, Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees, TS16 9HU. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Jun 16, 2007:
  • Eaglescliffe Ward News
    News from Eaglescliffe Ward 1. 19 Dunottar Avenue Stockton Council has received an application to crown & top 2 grey poplar trees covered by a Tree Preservation Order. 2. Yarm Road a. Stockton Council has received a planning application for residential development at No. 690 comprising 12 new-build apartments & conversion of existing dwelling into 4 apartments together with associated access, parking & landscaping. Comments by 28-6-07. b. Stockton Council has received an application for Conservation Area Consent to demolish single-storey retail units at Num 704 & 706 to allow for erection of 2 3-storey dwellinghouses. Comments by 21-6-07. 3. Lune Road Stockton Council has received an application to purchase a small area of Housing open space at the rear of 7 Swale Close for additional garden land. 4. 12 Teesbank Avenue Stockton Council has received a revised planning application for the erection of 1 detached dwellinghouse & garage at Rivertrees. 5. The Avenue Stockton Council has received an application to fell 1 holly, 1 yew tree & 1 English yew tree at Copsewood covered by a Tree Preservation Order. Comments by 22-6-07. 6. 515 Yarm Road Stockton Council has received an application to remove 2 branches, prune & removal of deadwood from 1 horse chestnut tree & pruning & removal of deadwood from 1 beech tree, 1 horse chestnut tree & 1 purple beech tree, all growing from the grounds of Southlands, The Avenue & covered by a Tree Preservation Order. Comments by 22-6-07. 7. Thornfield Close Stockton Council has a planning application for the erection of a 2.4m high green painted palisade fence to Egglescliffe School Playing Fields. Comments by 2-7-07. 8. Durham Lane Stockton Council has made a Tree Preservation Order on 62 individual trees & 4 groups of trees at Allen's West. 9. Urlay Nook Road Urlay Nook Level Crossing will be closed in order that essential track renewal works can be carried out safely between 2100 on 25-6-07 & 0700 the next morning. 10. Preston Park a. Preston Hall Museum's collection of armoury has re-opened to the public after a major refurbishment. The display, which has been funded through Museums, Libraries and Archives and Renaissance in the Regions, includes weapons collected by local man Lieutenant Colonel Gilbert Ormerod Spence. The new gallery space also features a sculpture called 'Beyond the Sword'. The sculpture has been made by young Stockton residents, working with artist/blacksmith Adrian Wood and creative writer Maureen Almond Wood, as part of a Heritage Lottery Fun project. b. Tees Valley Music Service holds an outdoor afternoon of music on July 1 from 1.30pm to 4.30pm. There will be 16 schools, from around the Tees Valley, performing in the arena in front of the Museum, half having been involved in a Samba project and the others having taken part in a Japanese Tanabata Festival project involving Taiko drumming and artwork. There will be performances by Tees Valley Music Service groups in the bandstand in the walled garden, the period street in the Museum and the jetty by the river. 11. Durham Lane An application has been received for the variation of licensable activities at The Eagle under the Licensing Act 2003. The variation the applicant has applied for is: - To construct all weather garden area to the side of the property - Such area to have a paving stone base and seating - To extend licensable activities of retail sale of alcohol and late night refreshment to external area - For such activities to operate to the existing hours of the premises To also include within the licensed area the pre existing patio to the side of the property, currently used for the provision of food and alcohol (with the benefit of waitress service), for the licensable activities of retail sale of alcohol and late night refreshment Any representations must be received by 21-6-07 by Stockton Council's Trading Standards and Licensing, PO Box 232, Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 1XD, Fax: (01642) 526584, at 16 Church Road, Stockton, on form LA10 obtainable from them (tel:526558, E-mail: licensing.administration@stockton.gov.uk) or from their website http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/stockton/Lic%20Act%20Forms/LA10%20Representations%20on%20a%20Current%20Application.doc. 12. Egglescliffe School The school has been awarded the gold Artsmark status from the Arts Council England. The Artsmark scheme recognises all forms of art including drama, music, design, painting, literature, dance and sculpture. Schools are encouraged to work in partnership with local artists and arts organisations to engage young people in art. Displaying student art in the School's dedicated gallery, dance performances at Bradford's Bollywood Festival, and with international choreographer Sakoba, regular theatre performances including the National Schools Shakespeare Festival at Arc and the school soul band's appearance at the national finals of Music for Youth at the Birmingham NEC. 13. 19 South View A Planning Inspector has allowed with conditions an appeal against Stockton planners' refusal of planning permission for the erection of a summer house at Sunnymount. 14. Teesdale Way It is proposed to divert Public Footpath 2 Stockton between the N boundary of Preston Park & Queen Elizabeth Way, so that it would no longer cross Preston Lane. 15. 1/3 Langdale Close "Unauthorised development is on the agenda of Stockton Council's Planning Committee on 27-6-07, starting at 1330 in Stockton Central Library. We do not yet know whether the press and public will be able to be present for this item. 16. Meadowfield Drive Stockton Council has received a request to purchase a small triangle of public open space behind No.28, part of the former pylon site, to straighten the boundary & to be used as additional garden land. Comments by 27-6-07. Published and promoted by DR Rigg on behalf of Stockton Liberal Democrats, 4 Monmouth Drive, Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees, TS16 9HU. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Apr 16, 2007:
  • Motorcross Plans Rejected
    Stockton Council has refused permission for the Quad Bike and Motorcycle facility at Riverside Lodge, A67, Eaglescliffe. Three reasons for refusal were given: 1. Highway safety, due to long vehicles and vehicles towing trailers accessing the site. 2. The level, duration and nature of noise would have a detrimental impact on the amenity of residents 3. Insufficient information submitted on the impact on wildlife and the environment. The applicant has the right to appeal to the Secretary of State within 6 months. Published and promoted by DR Rigg on behalf of Stockton Liberal Democrats, 4 Monmouth Drive, Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees, TS16 9HU. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Mar 26, 2007:
  • Allens West Development Plans
    The new owners of the site north of Allens West Station are making plans for its future. There will be a trailer with an exhibition in the car park at Orchard Shops on Friday 30th March from noon to 6pm and on Saturday 31st March from 10am to 2pm. JG Land are hoping to have a mix of use, including some residential development as well as commercial and industrial. New planning guidance means they need to consult local people before they put in an application, so this is your chance to go and have your say. Published and promoted by DR Rigg on behalf of Stockton Liberal Democrats, 4 Monmouth Drive, Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees, TS16 9HU. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Mar 25, 2007:
  • Eaglescliffe Ward News
    Recent items of news relating to Eaglescliffe Ward. 1. Yarm Road a. Stockton Council have received a revised planning application for erection of 3 bay detached garage, loft conversion and installation of dormer windows and pitched roof over existing flat roof at No.652A. b. Stockton Council have received a planning application for the erection of an external bottle serving bar at No. 663, The Blue Bell. 2. Newsham Stockton Council planners have received & approved with conditions a revised planning application for conversion of barns to form living accommodation and single storey extension to side at Newsham House Farm.. 3. Urlay Nook Road There has been an appeal against Stockton Council Planning Committee's refusal of the revised application for erection of 16 apartments and associated parking and amenity space (demolition of existing dwelling and outbuildings) at The Grange. A Planning Inspector will determine the appeal. At this stage it will be dealt with by way of written representation procedure (i.e. an exchange of written statements with the Local Planning Authority together with a visit to the site by the Inspector). Any representations need to arrive at the Planning Inspectorate by 18-4-07 via the Appeals area of the Planning Portal - see www.planningportal.gov.uk/pcs - or to Tim Mather, The Planning Inspectorate, Room 3/19A, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, BRISTOL, BS1 6PN, quoting reference no. APP/H0738/A/07/2039545/NWF. Published and promoted by DR Rigg on behalf of Stockton Liberal Democrats, 4 Monmouth Drive, Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees, TS16 9HU. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Feb 18, 2007:
  • Eaglescliffe Ward News Feb 18th.
    1. Urlay Nook Road a. Work by Northumbrian Water will begin on Urlay Nook Road outside Oakmount on the 19th February for two days. Work will involve the use of temporary traffic signals (off-peak). b. Footpath reconstruction works have begun on Urlay Nook Road between Marion Avenue and South View. Works will involve the use of stop-go boards (off-peak). 2. Butts Lane Officers' Traffic Group will make a site visit on 22-2-07 to investigate problems with parking on grass verges opposite Egglescliffe CE Primary School and discuss them at their meeting on 1-3-07. 3. Swale Close Officers' Traffic Group will make a site visit on 22-2-07 & at their meeting on 1-3-07 will consider applications from residents for an advisory disabled bay near No. 6. 4. Yarm Road a. Stockton Council engineers are considering experimental (for 12 months) 24-hour waiting restrictions on the W side outside the site of Parklands Garage and thence to the corner of South View. Comments by 26-2-07. b. Stockton Council have received a planning application for the erection (for 2 years) of a free-standing non-illuminated "V" board advertising sign with flag poles in the grounds of The Bungalow, The Avenue. Comments by 6-3-07. 5. Eaglescliffe Station An article in this month's Modern Railways on the proposals for a Tees Valley metro states that there would be a grade-separated railway junction at Eaglescliffe. Metro trains (every 15 minutes) between Darlington & Saltburn would replace the present Northern Rail service, sharing the present tracks from south of Darlington to Eaglescliffe with other train operators and thence running on their own tracks to Middlesbrough and beyond. They would serve the existing Allen's W Station and a new Eaglescliffe Station. If these proposals happen, the earliest completion date for the metro system would be 2011. 6. Cleasby Way Stockton Council planners have approved a single-storey extension to the Oakwood Centre to create a function area & coffee bar. Published and promoted by DR Rigg on behalf of Stockton Liberal Democrats, 4 Monmouth Drive, Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees, TS16 9HU. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Feb 15, 2007:
  • Eaglescliffe Ward News
    1. 29 Carnoustie Drive The planning application for change of use from open space to residential garden & erection of 2m high timber fence has been withdrawn. 2. Egglescliffe Cemetery Stockton Council's Bereavement Section have advised that it is now unlikely that an area can be found for the interment of cremated remains. 3. Aislaby Stockton Council planners have refused an outline application for the erection of 8 dwelling houses at Meadowcroft. 4. Egglescliffe Branch Library Will be hosting a free children's craft session based around the film and original book Charlotte's Web. Activities on offer include making a spider web hat, pig mask and pig pencil holder. Children aged eight and under must be accompanied by an adult. Parents are advised to contact the Library to find out more and to book a place. Monday 19 February 3:00pm - 4:00pm 5. Preston Park a. An exhibition of recently rediscovered photographs, The Lost Communities of Industrial Teesside from photographer and film-maker Derek Smith, will take place at Preston Hall Museum from February 3 to March 3 showing the industrial landscape and people of the region. He started the project in 1971 when he was 16-years old and continued in to the mid 1970s. He created a wide body of work recording the communities which had grown around the huge iron and steelworks of the region. There will also be a photographic exhibition from the archives of the Remembering Thornaby group showing images from Thornaby's past. People are welcome to bring their own interesting photographs of the town which can be copied electronically at the Museum for use in future exhibitions. The exhibitions are free, however normal charges of £1.30 for adults, 60p for children and senior citizens apply for the rest of the Museum with special family tickets available. The Museum is open Monday - Saturday from 10am - 4.30pm and Sunday from 2 - 4.30pm. For more information about this or other Preston Hall Museum exhibitions telephone (01642) 527375 or log on to www.stockton.gov.uk/museums . b. Admission to both the Vehicle Rally in June and the Stockton Summer Show in August is normally £3 for adults and £1.50 for concessions, with under fives and wheelchair users free. Before June 15 a family of four (two adults and two children or one adult and three children) can buy a one day ticket for the Vehicle Rally for £6, or a two-day pass for £10. For the Summer Show one day passes for a family will cost £6 and a full weekend pass for all four days will cost £15, if bought before August 17. For both events a six-day pass will cost just £24 before June 15. These special offer tickets are only available in advance of the events. Send a cheque, made payable to Stockton Borough Council, to cover the cost of the tickets you need to the Events Section, c/o The Environment Centre, 21 West Row, Stockton, TS18 1BT. Tickets are also available over the counter at The Environment Centre up to and including the cut off dates. Special rates can be negotiated for organisations who want to bring a party to either event; contact the Events Team on (01642) 527344/45/46 or email events@stockton.gov.uk . 6. Witham House The result of the ballot of Sheltered Housing tenants on the transfer to Erimus is : YES - in favour of transfer 97 (87%) NO - against the transfer 14 (13%) Turnout = 91% (111 ballot papers returned out of 122) Posters have been displayed at the scheme detailing the result and individual letters will be sent out to each tenant. A newsletter will be issued as soon as possible also giving the result and details of what will happen next and dates for the next series of meetings at the scheme. Erimus will be commencing full consultation on designs with tenants at the scheme (to be demolished and rebuilt) as (now it is known that the result of the vote is to proceed) they can now begin the process of creating plans for discussion. Date for this sessions Tues 27th February 2pm 7. 1 Langdale Close Stockton Council has received an application to lift the crown of a chestnut tree, which is covered by a Tree Preservation Order. Comments by 26-2-07. Published and promoted by DR Rigg on behalf of Stockton Liberal Democrats, 4 Monmouth Drive, Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees, TS16 9HU. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Feb 5, 2007:
  • Eaglescliffe Ward News February 5th
    1. Preston Hall Until February 25 Preston Hall Museum will show work created by Billingham artist Ron Swires who recently lost his life to bowel cancer. This will run alongside the Loud Tie Campaign raising funds and awareness of bowel cancer. His paintings will be on sale from as little as £15 with all funds going towards the Beating Bowel Cancer fund. The exhibition is free however normal charges of £1.30 for adults, 60p for children and senior citizens apply for the rest of the Museum with special family tickets available. The Museum is open Monday - Saturday from 10am - 4.30pm and Sunday from 2 - 4.30pm. For more information about this or other Preston Hall Museum exhibitions telephone (01642) 527375 or log on to www.stockton.gov.uk/museums 2. Allen's West Crossing Stockton Council's engineers received notification last week of closures being cancelled on 1-2 February and 6-7 March. Nothing was mentioned regarding last weekend's work. They have just contacted Centurion Traffic Management who confirmed the planned closure last weekend was postponed at the last minute (they didn't know why). They have also supplied a contact number should anyone require information regarding the closures: 01924 372957. 3. Stockton Council e-Mails & Website These were out of action for much of 22 & 23 January, owing to a problem with the primary firewall. Any inbound external e-mails would bounce back to the sender. Depending upon the sender's e-mail service, their system may have attempted a number of retries before abandoning attempts. If you are not confident that your e-mail got through to an address ending in "stockton.gov.uk", please re-send it. 4. Aislaby Stockton Council have received an outline planning application (07/0477/OUT) for residential development comprising of 5 dwellings and associated means of access at Hill House, Aislaby Road. 5. Station Road The waiting restrictions have been renewed by Stockton Council highway maintenance including the section outside no. 21 Station Road that had previously been removed. SBC was to arrange for this to be removed again. It was not necessary to revoke the Traffic Regulation Order for this change. 6. Trafford Hill, Newsham A Planning Inspector has dismissed an appeal against Stockton planners' refusal of permission for a 3-bedroomed bungalow on land inside the entrance to Trafford Hill. 7. Urlay Nook Road By 7-3-07 Stockton Council will start reconstructing/improving the footway along the NE side between the corners of Marion Avenue & South View. 8. Carradale Close Stockton Council are reconstructing/improving the existing verge and installing a new tarmac parking area at the dead end of the street. 9. Mayfield Crescent / Durham Lane Reconstruction / improvement of the footways: o Along the S side of Mayfield Crescent from 3 Durham Lane to Mayfield Close corner o Along the N side of Mayfield Crescent from 5 Durham Lane to 48 Mayfield Crescent o Immediately in front of 5 to 15 (odd) Durham Lane has been rescheduled by Stockton Council to start by 21-2-07. Published and promoted by DR Rigg on behalf of Stockton Liberal Democrats, 4 Monmouth Drive, Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees, TS16 9HU. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Nov 15, 2006:
  • Enforcement "Not Expedient"
    By the narrowest possible margin - the chairman's casting vote - SBC planning committee decided that 13/15 Station Road was an acceptable development. Despite the fact that the roof height is 1.2metres above that which was granted planning permission the decision was taken to follow the officer's recommendation and not pursue enforcement. The development is now illegal, because planning permission does not exist for it, but nothing more will be done by the local planning authority. Problems relating to parking and other highways matters will be followed up by the relevant sections but are not planning matters. Maureen said in committee that she could not in conscience agree with the officer. She was supported by Mike Cherrett and 5 other councillors but 7, including the chairman, voted for the officer's recommendation. Published and promoted by DR Rigg on behalf of Stockton Liberal Democrats, 4 Monmouth Drive, Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees, TS16 9HU. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Nov 11, 2006:
  • Logistics Centre Renamed
    The new owners of the Eaglescliffe Logistics Centre (formerly the MOD site) have renamed their site "Allens West" after the nearby railway station. They say that they are looking at possibilities for development of the site, including residential development. We say that we have serious concerns about the ability of the infrastructure to cope with more residential development on Durham Lane. We have pointed out to the new owners and their agents the possibility of serious contamination of the land on the site as a result of activity there in the years that it was owned by the MOD. We are also concerned that a residential development there would be contrary to the core strategy being developed for the borough which aims to focus development mainly in the urban core of Stockton. And of course there are the Great Crested Newts to be considered! The new owners say they will consult with the local community on the next steps. Your councillors will be watching that consultation process and trying to represent the residents of Eaglescliffe at every stage. Published and promoted by DR Rigg on behalf of Stockton Liberal Democrats, 4 Monmouth Drive, Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees, TS16 9HU. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Oct 17, 2006:
  • McCarthy and Stone Appeal Allowed
    View of The Bungalow site, soon to be replaced by 3 storey flats. On October 9th Eaglescliffe councillors and residents received the decision of the planning inspector on the McCarthy & Stone applications to build on the site of Glenrea and the Bungalow in The Avenue. The inspector has allowed both appeals, dismissing all the arguments about probable traffic problems, road safety, the character of the area and the excessive size of the building which were put so eloquently by local residents as well as your councillors. Yet again an inspector from outside the area applies the policies and guidance in the way that he sees fit and leaves local people to suffer the consequences. Yet again, we have the application of this Government's policies on previously-developed land on a one-size-fits-all basis - policies which apply to the whole of England, which have forced so many blocks of flats on the area, and which Ministers will not alter. Published and promoted by DR Rigg on behalf of Stockton Liberal Democrats, 4 Monmouth Drive, Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees, TS16 9HU. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY

Eaglescliffe Councillors

Councillor Maureen Rigg

Maureen and her husband, Denis, have lived in Eaglescliffe since 1978 and have two grown-up daughters who both went to Egglescliffe Comprehensive School. She is Chair of the Western Area Partnership Board of Stockton Renaissance, which helps formulate strategic priorities for the area covered by Preston, Egglescliffe, Long Newton, Elton, Aislaby, Newsham, Yarm and Kirklevington.

Maureen speaks for the Liberal Democrat group on Environment matters and sits on the Environment and Regeneration & Transport select committees. Maureen is also a member of Egglescliffe Parish Council which is the first tier of local government in that part of Eaglescliffe Ward. She is the Liberal Democrat Group Leader on Stockton Council

Councillor Alan Lewis

Alan was elected in May 2007 following Mike Cherrett's retirement. Alan is very keen to see more opportunities for young people in the ward and to ensure that the environment in the ward is enhanced rather than spoilt by future developments. He speaks for theLiberal Democrats on sport and leisure. Alan sits on the Adults, Leisure & Culture Select committee. He is also a member of the Licensing and Planning Committee.

Alan has been a member of Egglescliffe Parish Council since 2006.