Consett Directory has merged with Consett Online to become the Consett Online Directory listing both businesses and websites. So, if you have either, want to find one, or are just a nosey bugger, get on over and take a peek. Some submissions are currently FREE - although they are moderated prior to going live.
Factory and showroom plan recommended for Leadgate woodland
Written by Bad Macs
Sunday, 04 January 2009 12:57
A PLANNING application to a replace a community woodland with a factory and showroom is being recommended for approval - despite objections from environmentalist David Bellamy.
The eminent conservationist backed the campaign to save three acres of Watling Wood in Leadgate, near Consett, which he planted with school children in the early 90s.
Gary Hall Double Glazing and Conservatories, of Blackhill, has submitted an application to remove the trees so the business can expand into new premises.
The firm has spent £25,000 drawing up plans, which have been recommended for approval by Derwentside District Council.
Area planning officer Graham Blakey is advising members of the development control committee to approve the scheme when it meets at Consett Civic Centre on Thursday.
He said: "The designation of the site encourages the presence of this type of development and there are no concerns over the design and appearance of the proposed scheme."
The plan involves the creation of the 930 square metre single storey factory unit surrounded by a 2.4m security fence as well as access roads and lighting columns.
The council has received a 500-name petition and 20 letters of objection from residents of Leadgate outlining their concerns.
They claim the community has a strong bond with the woodland and that it should be maintained as an asset.
It is said the area is a natural habitat for wildlife in the area including kestrels, red kites, deer, foxes, squirrels and great crested newts.
Dr Bellamy has written to the authority supporting residents and urging members to protect what he described as "a very important community resource in Leadgate".
The Forestry Commission has raised concerns about the loss of woodland while the Environment Agency believes there is potential for the development to cause flooding at nearby Pont Burn.
The application is being supported by Councillors Michael Malone and David Llewellyn, who argue that residents in Blackhill will experience less disturbance as a result of the proposals.
Mr Blakey added: "On balance it is considered that the positive benefits that the development would bring outweigh the loss of the woodland on the site and the potential removal of job opportunities from the area.
"It should still be noted that there are still questions over the issues of protected species and flood risk from the site and members will be updated at the meeting."
Council Pledges Unitary Support for Citizens Advice Bureaux
Written by Bad Macs
Saturday, 20 December 2008 10:23
The importance of Citizens Advice Bureaux to the life of County Durham was recognised at a seminar held at County Hall.
Speaking at the seminar Cllr Brian Stephens, Durham County Council's Cabinet Member for Partnerships, said : “The County Council knows how critical the CAB service is to thousands of families throughout the county, particularly those experiencing difficulties with debt, legal problems, and health issues, and we look forward to working with local bureaux through the new Area Action Partnerships.”
Addressing over 80 delegates Cllr Lucy Hovvells, Cabinet Member for Communities said : “ In setting its budget for 2009/10 the County Council will be looking to maintain, in real terms, the funding at present received from the district councils.”
Patrick Conway, Chair of the County Durham Citizens Advice Partnership, welcomed the assurances, and added : “The seven County Durham bureaux are dealing with over 80,000 new client issues each year and sadly numbers are rising week on week, with more and more hard pressed families and individuals seeking advice.
" Given the County Council’s support, we can look forward to developing local services, taking into account local need.”
Durham County Council Leader Simon Henig said : “With over 200 volunteers giving freely of their time and expertise in County Durham, the CAB is uniquely placed to represent concerns and problems experienced by citizens.
" Clearly this is an organisation that is respected in local communities and we will be doing all we can to ensure its excellent work continues.”
Last Updated ( Saturday, 20 December 2008 10:24 )
Benefits Advice Warning
Written by Bad Macs
Saturday, 20 December 2008 10:21
People needing benefits help or advice are being warned not to fall foul of unethical operators.
Durham County Council’s Welfare Rights team is urging people in need to seek reputable advice from those with a proven track record.
This follows a recent court case in which a director of a private advice company was found guilty of carrying out acts designed to pervert justice after he mistakenly sent a letter intended for a client to an appeal tribunal.
In the letter, he told the client, who was not involved, to tell a mixture of ‘white lies’ and ‘outright lies’ to the tribunal.
Chris Graham, Welfare Rights team manager, said: “The social security and tax credits systems are very complex.
“If you need advice or help, it’s crucial to go to an organisation with a proven track record and reputation for a professional and ethical approach in dealing with these issues.
“The County Council’s Welfare Rights team has operated for over 20 years providing free and confidential advice about benefits and, more recently, tax credits.
“Over the years, we’ve developed a high degree of expertise and experience in this complex area of law and have excellent relationships with the tribunal service, the Department for Work and Pensions, and other organisations in the advice sector.
“The company at the centre of the court case charged its clients a percentage of any benefit awarded. We never charge clients for our services.
“Simple benefit checks and telephone advice all the way up to professional appeal preparation and tribunal representation is provided free to people living in County Durham.
“The last thing we want to do is take money from people. Our job is to help maximise our clients’ income not reduce it.
Anyone in the county needing advice should contact us, the Citizens Advice Bureau or Age Concern,” he said.
A free Welfare Rights advice line for people living in the county can be contacted on 0191 370 8787 or email
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 20 December 2008 10:22 )
Tackling County's Winter Roads
Written by Bad Macs
Saturday, 20 December 2008 10:12
Highway chiefs in County Durham have pledged to do all they could to try and ensure winter weather disruption on the county’s roads is kept to a minimum. And they urged road users to play their part in the process by driving safely and sensibly whenever winter weather struck.
Dave Wafer, Durham County Council’s Acting Head of Highway Management Services said : “ As the highways authority, we have a key part to play in the winter roads programme.
“ But we would also remind road users that they too have a role to play in making sure the roads are safe and keeping accidents to a minimum.
“We shall continue to do our best to keep the roads safe and passable, but every driver needs to remember that they too have a winter roads responsibility and should adapt their driving to suit the prevailing conditions.”
• In light of tonight’s forecast of up to eight inches of snow and possible drifting throughout the county, the council’s fleet of 64 gritters was put on full stand-by keep the priority routes in the county open to traffic and its four snow blowers were also ready to deal with any heavy drifting.
“ Although the snow is not forecast to fall until the early hours, we shall be deploying all of our fleet on a pre-salting run from 6pm tonight,” said Mr Wafer.
“ We shall then be deploying the full fleet again from 2am onwards. If the snow has fallen by then, they will be carrying out what is called 'snow-salting' . . . . that is, applying twice the normal amount of salt/grit.
“ Men and machines will be working through the night from 2am until such time the following morning as they are no longer required.”
• The County Council has set aside £2.35m to keep key routes open this winter, and has begun the winter with a stockpile of 27,000 tonnes of salt.
The authority currently pre-salts 42 per cent of the county’s 3,700km of roads, at a cost of £21,000 each turn-out.
During and after major snowstorms, the top priority is to maintain and restore road communications for industrial traffic and journeys to work by public transport.
As well as gritting and snow clearing the council provides more than 1,700 self-help salt bins at strategic points, so people living in areas not usually included in pre-salting runs are not left isolated or without the means to keep roads ice free.
Consett Forums
Written by Bad Macs
Monday, 15 December 2008 17:47
Have you visited the Consett Forums yet? If not, why not get over there for the latest news, gossip and views from around our lovely little town. Before you visit though, you may want to watch the following 'How to behave on an Internet Forum' video:
I don't know about documentaries on the TV, but these forums are a living documentary of a diverse bunch of characters who have one thing in common - the forums! Who needs Reality TV, Documentaries or Living Soaps, when it is ALL here? We have the shy, the outrageous, the thoughtful, the outspoken and the obnoxious, to name but a few. People who wouldn't talk to each other on a bus will pass the time of day with each other on here, sometimes in a civil, whilst more oft not, way. We even have our own share of drunk posters, of which I have also been guilty. So, if you hadn't already realised it, welcome to the Living Documentary
