Post by ForeverBlue on Aug 7, 2020 9:18:47 GMT 1
The deadline for the final round of consultations is Wedneday 12 August.
The Thames Action Group has already pointed out the impact on leisure activities of the proposed scheme as follows:
"Are you aware of some of the LTC impacts to sports clubs, and leisure facilities, such as the Orsett Show Ground?
The impacts will be either because Highways England/LTC propose purchasing all or part of those sites (or rights over those sites) or taking temporary possession of them to build the LTC.
M2/A2 junction
Southern Valley Golf Club – a private members golf club which HE/LTC propose to permanently acquire for the LTC route and for landscaping. HE/LTC are not proposing to replace the golf club. They propose to create a new parkland area on part of the site, which would be accessible to the public after construction is complete.
Gravesend Golf Centre – a 9 hole pitch and put golf centre with a driving range. HE/LTC propose to permanently acquire the pitch and put part, for the landscaped parkland around the southern tunnel entrance. HE/LTC would provide an alternative site to the south-east of Cascades Leisure Centre, currently part of the Southern Valley Golf Club site, enabling Gravesend Golf Centre to remain in business.
A13/A1089 junction
Orsett Showground – Part of the site would be required permanently for the construction of link roads to the Orsett Cock roundabout and the A13. HE/LTC also propose to move a gas pipeline and permanent rights would be required over a limited corridor of land within the site, to operate and maintain the gas pipeline. A replacement site for part of the Orsett Showground has been proposed within the development boundary which can be seen in the image below. (Map taken from page 35/58 in Map Book 1).
Map showing replacement land for Orsett Showground in which the replacement land appears to be within a section of land that is currently used for the car park on show day
Yes, we noticed that HE/LTC can’t spell Stanford-le-hope too, not sure where they got the extra ‘d’ from!
Anyway back to the showground, is it just us or is the replacement land actually land that is usually used for car parking on Orsett Show day anyway?!
We understand that what we know as the Orsett Showground is actually owned by two different landowners. One section is the main showground, and the other part is where the car park usually is. We assume this means that what HE/LTC are proposing is to buy the replacement section (within the usual car parking area) for the land owners of the main showground. However, at the end of the day it still means that the actual space for the show to be held, including car parking will be reduced because of the LTC impact.
We are unsure at this stage how or if this will impact the future of the Orsett Show, we have emailed the Orsett Show committee.
Orsett Royals Football Club – a site that is home to a number of football pitches. HE/LTC propose to move a gas pipeline and permanent rights would be required over a limited corridor of land within the site to operate and maintain the gas pipeline.
Orsett Golf Club – part of the site would be used for construction and for diversion of a gas pipeline, but Orsett Golf Club would remain open during construction, with HE/LTC saying that the impact would be kept to a minimum. What they consider to be a minimum compared to what most of us consider a minimum may vary, we do not know for sure as no further detail has been provided.
It appears that the land within the golf club site needed for construction would include an access road to maintain property access to a private dwelling in the vicinity, and also for an emergency vehicle access route to the LTC southbound. (as shown on page 29/58 in Map Book 1).
Thurrock Rugby Football Club – part of the site would be used for the diversion of overhead electricity transmission cables, but HE/LTC say they do not expect these works to impact the use of the rugby club. Permanent rights would be required over this site for the operation and maintenance of those utilities.
Top Meadow Golf Club – part of the site would be used for restringing of the existing overhead electricity transmission cables for a limited period. Permanent rights would be required over this site for the operation and maintenance of those cables. HE/LTC do not expect these works to significantly impact the use of the golf club. Again what they consider significant and what most of us would consider significant may vary, we do not know for sure as no further detail has been provided.
Additional LTC impacts on leisure
Above are details of what HE/LTC have listed on page 91 of the consultation guide. Of course we also recognise the fact the impact LTC would have on leisure in a more general way.
Equestrian
The LTC would have a huge impact on the equestrian community, with stables, yards, and grazing being wiped out. It’s all very well HE/LTC saying they are doing this, that, and the other for bridleways in the area, where will people be able to keep and graze their horse and ponies?
Plus stables and yards that are very close to the development boundary, such as Foxhound Riding School in Orsett would also be greatly impacted, especially during construction. They will have busy noisey construction taking place right opposite where they are trying to ride and teach. Anyone who knows horses will realise the impact loud noises, sudden movement, and things going on around a horse can have.
Football
Grays Athletic Football Club were planning a new community football facility in conjunction with the Academy and Treetops, to provide day time use for the schools and evening and weekend use for many other youth and adult football teams – boys, girls and disabled – from aged 4 to 75. However, the proposed LTC means those plans have been delayed because of potential land take in the area that was being considered."
This last comment was provided by us and we were very pleased that the Action Group have recognised the impact on our plans.
You still have time to have your say, which should be provided in your own words as previous "copy and paste" comments were treated as just one view!
Fill in the online survey at: www.lowerthamescrossing.co.uk/design-consultation
Go to the online survey and answer Question 1e. I strongly opposed this part of the plan because of its impact on our plans with Treetops School and the new Orsett Heath Academy to provide a centre of educational and sporting excellence in North Grays.
The Thames Action Group has already pointed out the impact on leisure activities of the proposed scheme as follows:
"Are you aware of some of the LTC impacts to sports clubs, and leisure facilities, such as the Orsett Show Ground?
The impacts will be either because Highways England/LTC propose purchasing all or part of those sites (or rights over those sites) or taking temporary possession of them to build the LTC.
M2/A2 junction
Southern Valley Golf Club – a private members golf club which HE/LTC propose to permanently acquire for the LTC route and for landscaping. HE/LTC are not proposing to replace the golf club. They propose to create a new parkland area on part of the site, which would be accessible to the public after construction is complete.
Gravesend Golf Centre – a 9 hole pitch and put golf centre with a driving range. HE/LTC propose to permanently acquire the pitch and put part, for the landscaped parkland around the southern tunnel entrance. HE/LTC would provide an alternative site to the south-east of Cascades Leisure Centre, currently part of the Southern Valley Golf Club site, enabling Gravesend Golf Centre to remain in business.
A13/A1089 junction
Orsett Showground – Part of the site would be required permanently for the construction of link roads to the Orsett Cock roundabout and the A13. HE/LTC also propose to move a gas pipeline and permanent rights would be required over a limited corridor of land within the site, to operate and maintain the gas pipeline. A replacement site for part of the Orsett Showground has been proposed within the development boundary which can be seen in the image below. (Map taken from page 35/58 in Map Book 1).
Map showing replacement land for Orsett Showground in which the replacement land appears to be within a section of land that is currently used for the car park on show day
Yes, we noticed that HE/LTC can’t spell Stanford-le-hope too, not sure where they got the extra ‘d’ from!
Anyway back to the showground, is it just us or is the replacement land actually land that is usually used for car parking on Orsett Show day anyway?!
We understand that what we know as the Orsett Showground is actually owned by two different landowners. One section is the main showground, and the other part is where the car park usually is. We assume this means that what HE/LTC are proposing is to buy the replacement section (within the usual car parking area) for the land owners of the main showground. However, at the end of the day it still means that the actual space for the show to be held, including car parking will be reduced because of the LTC impact.
We are unsure at this stage how or if this will impact the future of the Orsett Show, we have emailed the Orsett Show committee.
Orsett Royals Football Club – a site that is home to a number of football pitches. HE/LTC propose to move a gas pipeline and permanent rights would be required over a limited corridor of land within the site to operate and maintain the gas pipeline.
Orsett Golf Club – part of the site would be used for construction and for diversion of a gas pipeline, but Orsett Golf Club would remain open during construction, with HE/LTC saying that the impact would be kept to a minimum. What they consider to be a minimum compared to what most of us consider a minimum may vary, we do not know for sure as no further detail has been provided.
It appears that the land within the golf club site needed for construction would include an access road to maintain property access to a private dwelling in the vicinity, and also for an emergency vehicle access route to the LTC southbound. (as shown on page 29/58 in Map Book 1).
Thurrock Rugby Football Club – part of the site would be used for the diversion of overhead electricity transmission cables, but HE/LTC say they do not expect these works to impact the use of the rugby club. Permanent rights would be required over this site for the operation and maintenance of those utilities.
Top Meadow Golf Club – part of the site would be used for restringing of the existing overhead electricity transmission cables for a limited period. Permanent rights would be required over this site for the operation and maintenance of those cables. HE/LTC do not expect these works to significantly impact the use of the golf club. Again what they consider significant and what most of us would consider significant may vary, we do not know for sure as no further detail has been provided.
Additional LTC impacts on leisure
Above are details of what HE/LTC have listed on page 91 of the consultation guide. Of course we also recognise the fact the impact LTC would have on leisure in a more general way.
Equestrian
The LTC would have a huge impact on the equestrian community, with stables, yards, and grazing being wiped out. It’s all very well HE/LTC saying they are doing this, that, and the other for bridleways in the area, where will people be able to keep and graze their horse and ponies?
Plus stables and yards that are very close to the development boundary, such as Foxhound Riding School in Orsett would also be greatly impacted, especially during construction. They will have busy noisey construction taking place right opposite where they are trying to ride and teach. Anyone who knows horses will realise the impact loud noises, sudden movement, and things going on around a horse can have.
Football
Grays Athletic Football Club were planning a new community football facility in conjunction with the Academy and Treetops, to provide day time use for the schools and evening and weekend use for many other youth and adult football teams – boys, girls and disabled – from aged 4 to 75. However, the proposed LTC means those plans have been delayed because of potential land take in the area that was being considered."
This last comment was provided by us and we were very pleased that the Action Group have recognised the impact on our plans.
You still have time to have your say, which should be provided in your own words as previous "copy and paste" comments were treated as just one view!
Fill in the online survey at: www.lowerthamescrossing.co.uk/design-consultation
Go to the online survey and answer Question 1e. I strongly opposed this part of the plan because of its impact on our plans with Treetops School and the new Orsett Heath Academy to provide a centre of educational and sporting excellence in North Grays.
