Springfield Mill & GlenEsk House
COST OF DEALING WITH SAFETY & CONTAMINATION
A new, detailed, report shows that £140k is enough to address all health & safety concerns. Housing development is not needed to pay for it.
FUNDING ARRANGEMENTS
A long list has been researched. Landfill tax,Lottery [New Opportunities] & EU funding are possibilities. Source of topsoil located. SMAG as a charity could save VAT.
FLASH FLOODING
The undeveloped site acts as flood plain [& sticks to a new national policy]. More housing could give problems for existing village. Hewan Bank - an SSSI - WILL slip again.
MANAGEMENT / OWNERSHIP
* Council gives SMAG ownership of site only during rehabilitation
* Long term Management plan with SWT [verbal agreement given]
* Assistance offered from EGBT
* Option for jobs to maintain a broader network of paths / sites
No use has been made of the land not owned by council [in a decade]. It’s of little value by itself [but some liability - included in the £140k]
SUPPORT FOR THE PROPOSAL
* 8 organisations, including SWT, SNH, EGBT, RSPB
* 72 adult & 19 junior members of SMAG.
* Numerous Press reports
The proposal is aligned with the April 1999 EGBT report "The River North Esk Way", which has designation of the whole valley as an AGLV as its top priority. This is what the local community want.
ROAD SAFETY
Housing on both sides of Polton Road not only increases road traffic, many more children would be crossing the road.