Newsletter

September 2021 Issue No 22
Email: chair@cwra.co.uk

If you are not already a member of the Residents’ Association, please go to cwra.co.uk and click on Join Us. It is free and guarantees you get our Newsletters. We are delighted to say that we currently have 141 active members. Your contributions and feedback are invaluable in helping us identify which issues are of most concern to residents.

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1. David Wilson Sales Office / Co-op

David Wilson Homes will vacate the Sales Office on 31 October 2021. The Co-op will immediately commence work on a refit with the goal of being open for Christmas. The parking spaces outside will become the responsibility of the Co-op.

The Co-op’s appeal against the opening hours was unsuccessful, so it will not open before 7am and will close at 10pm.

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2. Wasps

There have been two issues relating to wasp nests on the development over recent weeks, and it is apparent that there are large numbers at this time of year. You can contact Watson if you have an issue and they will send their approved pest control firm out, and bill the householder. However, York Council use Vermex, a local firm, at a much better price.

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3. Roofs

David Wilson Homes (DWH) has confirmed all roof GRP channels including houses, garages, balconies and apartments have an insurance backed 10 year warranty by the Poly Group. A certificate for each household to be circulated in due course. In the meantime, DWH will continue to address issue which are brought to their attention.

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4. Bishopthorpe Road Residents’ Parking Scheme

A Residents’ Parking Scheme will soon be in place on Bishopthorpe Road, from the junction of Campleshon Road up to The Residence. This was approved by City of York Council on 11th August 2021, and will apply once signs have been put in place and parking bays have been marked out (no confirmed dates are yet available). We asked if residents at The Chocolate Works could apply for permits, but they have been expressly excluded from the scheme, partly because our roads are not currently managed by the Council and partly because the Council believe we may want to apply for our own Residents’ Parking Scheme at some point in the future.

This scheme will affect all residents who currently park cars in this area, and will put further pressure on parking within the development and on Campleshon Road. Applications for Residents’ Parking Schemes within the nearby side streets are also believed to be in progress.

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5. BaySentry Parking Management

Following a small number of concerns voiced by residents about the nuances of our own parking management, we have asked Watson to liaise with BaySentry and to review and clarify the current scheme in relation to (among other things) information given when purchasing properties, and the TP1 document which residents should have received from their solicitors when purchasing.

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6. Landscaping (Watson)

The new gardening firm has settled in and appear to be doing a more thorough job than the previous incumbents. They will start to weed and feed lawns in the autumn, as well as re-seeding affected grass verges.

They have also been consulting about completing the planting and design in the grass area adjacent to the Chocolate Orange in Bayldon Square. More information on this should be available in due course.

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7. Landscaping (David Wilson Homes)

DWH are completing a planting plan and are also in receipt of one from the CWRA which identifies all planting gaps and damaged trees. They will, among other things –

• Replace four trees in Bayldon Square
• Fix a plaque on the base of the Chocolate Orange now that the wording has been agreed
• Grass the verge adjacent to the Care Home prior to completion of the development
• Complete the missing areas of planting between Cocoa House and the Race Course field
• Make good the embankment adjacent to Bishopthorpe Road, South of Thistle House
• Spend £15,000 on the boundaries of the development including work on damage and dangerous trees
• Review the situation with the laurel hedging from the steps into Bishopthorpe Road towards the Care Home
• Create gravel paths to certain gas meters which are affected by planting (Cocoa House being one example).

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8. David Wilson Homes Completion of Works

DWH still aim for completion by Christmas, although they acknowledge that this is looking increasingly optimistic. Nonetheless, they –

• Have only 10 more units to sell (8 apartments and 2 houses)
• Are now doing an audit of outstanding works in preparation for adoption by the council eg they are now checking the sewers.
• Have started to fit the two missing street lights from the top of Robert Street.
• Are currently doing a landscaping audit (mentioned above)
• Hope to complete the pedestrian access through to the Residence (at the top of both Robert Street and Clock Tower Way) by Christmas. Although some liaison is necessary with P.J. Livesey to co-ordinate the groundworks.
• Will conduct a road safety audit which may include speed limit signs and explicit messaging that Robert Street is a designated “Home Zone”
• Will NOT be putting up a Christmas tree, or lights, this year.

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August 2021 Issue No 21
Email: chair@cwra.co.uk

If you are not already a member of the Residents’ Association, please go to cwra.co.uk and click on Join Us. It is free and guarantees you get our Newsletters. We are delighted to say that we currently have 139 active members. Your contributions and feedback are invaluable in helping us identify which issues are of most concern to residents.

In this issue:

1. Small bird/fledgling hazard (Update)
2. Apartments:
   Fire Strategy
   Electricity Utility Cupboards
   Bin Stores
3. Change of Chair
4. Planning Applications
5. Campleshon Road Electricity Sub-Station (Update).

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1. Small bird/fledgling hazard (update)

Many thanks to Lucy Ryan for raising this topic which was described in the June 2021 Newsletter. She has since lobbied David Wilson Homes who have supplied 80 downpipe filter guards which can be fitted to the ground floor hoppers to reduce the risk of birds falling inside and getting trapped.

Lucy can be contacted on 07909 757170 if you would like to fit one to your property. She has also kindly offered to fit them if you would prefer. David Wilson Homes will also fit them to all remaining houses.

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2. Apartments

A lot of work has been undertaken to try to standardise issues around fire alarms, access to electricity utility cupboards, and bin stores. We appreciate that this has been a source of ongoing concern but believe that the following changes may begin to make a difference.

• Fire Strategy

The following guidelines and procedures have been agreed with Watsons regarding what to do in the event of a fire or alarm sounding in all apartment blocks on the development.

• ‘In case of fire action’ posters have now been displayed on all floors in all apartment blocks
• Fire strategy documents have been displayed in all communal entrances for all blocks
• Alarm silence codes have been removed from all blocks.

Please read all the information provided and be aware of your individual and collective responsibilities in relation to fire alarms. Particular notice should be taken regarding the event of a fire alarm sounding:

1. Ring 999 for the Fire Brigade
2. Ring Watson (0113 273 8788) to report the occurrence
3. Watson’s Out Of Hours service will contact the nominated Fire Alarm contractor to attend, check the fire alarm panel and silence the alarm – these calls will be given priority by the Out of Hours service provider and the contractor will attend as soon as possible.

Please do not silence the alarm under any circumstances unless training has been given by Watson’s approved contractors. Silencing the alarm sounder merely stops the noise from the alarm systems, and if silenced incorrectly the system won’t be reset and will not sound again in the case of a subsequent fire.

• Electricity Utility Cupboards

All electricity utility cupboards, in all apartment blocks, should be locked in line with Health & Safety procedures. The cupboard doors have recently been left unlocked after DWH staff have been bombarded with requests from residents to unlock the cupboards to facilitate meter reading.
Please note that access for those with combination locks will remain the same.

Going forward all cupboard doors will be locked. Access for owners only will now be available by purchasing an FB2 key from either ‘ironmongerydirect.co.uk‘ @ £1.26 each or Amazon @ £1.75 each. It is important that these cupboards remain locked after readings have been taken to prevent unauthorised entry.

• Bin Stores

Notices have been displayed in each bin store regarding the disposal of larger items and the flattening of cardboard boxes. Watson’s contracted cleaners have now been instructed to regularly sweep out and do a general litter pick in the bin stores replacing stray items in their relevant bins. Talks are ongoing with the cleaning contractors to extend this service to include bin cleaning as well.

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3. Change of Chair

Terry Wilson, a member of the Committee since it was set up in autumn 2018 and Chair since June 2019, is stepping down from the role of Chair. This role will now be filled by Steve Davenport and we wish him the very best going forward. It is hoped that we will have an AGM in the autumn of this year (jointly with Watson) at which this decision can be formally ratified.

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4. Planning Applications

Numbers (e.g. 20/02501/FUL) refer to planning application details. Go to https://planningaccess.york.gov.uk/online-applications/search.do?action=simple&searchType=Application to read the applications or choose to make comments.

• The Co-op (in the Marketing Suite)

20/02501/FUL | Installation of louvres, doors and external Amazon lockers alongside provision of plant and changes to previously approved store opening and delivery hours.
David Wilson Homes Limited Marketing Suite Hallmark House Joseph Terry Grove York YO23 1PX.
This application has been granted but the Co-op is now asking for closing hours of 11pm rather than 10pm. The Residents’ Association, and some individual residents have objected to the attempt to change the hours. If you are likely to be affected, take the opportunity to make your voice heard.

• Supported Living Acommodation (Kraft Car Park Bishopthorpe Road)

20/02517/FULM | Erection of extra care accommodation including 73 apartments and decked car park with associated private amenity space, landscaping, substation and vehicular access alterations. Chocolate Works Residents Parking Bishopthorpe Road York.

• Land South of the Residence

21/01758/FULM | Erection of single and two storey residential healthcare building (use class C2), to include 40 bed spaces, associated treatment rooms, car parking, servicing areas and landscaping. Land South Of The Residence Bishopthorpe Road York.

The latter two applications appear to have less immediate impact upon residents here. However, they will each contribute significantly to the traffic using Bishopthorpe Road. They will also put additional pressure onto an already struggling Jorvik Gillygate Doctors’ Practice with no additional resources being provided.

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5. Campleshon Road Electricity Sub-Station (Update)

You may recall that Northern Powergrid have agreed a scheme of works to reduce the noise from the sub-station. The latest information we have from the Environment Officer at York Council (after much nagging) is –

“Campleshon Road has thrown up some unforeseen issues with how the bunds are constructed under the transformers and this has unfortunately affected the designs.  These have now been redrawn but because dB Attenuation are working on a number of projects for other authorities as well as for Northern Powergrid so works on site will be a little later than planned.  Whilst the site installation works have been delayed, the enclosures for Campleshon Road are being constructed by dBA at their factory and as soon as I have dates from them and from the NpG staff looking after the installation works, I will be in touch.”

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June 2021 Issue No 20
Email: chair@cwra.co.uk

If you are not already a member of the Residents’ Association, please go to cwra.co.uk and click on Join Us. It is free and guarantees you get our Newsletters. We are delighted to say that we have 125 active members currently. Your contributions and feedback are invaluable in helping us identify what issues are of most concern to residents.

In this edition –

1. Small Bird/Fledgling Hazard at The Chocolate Works
2. The Great British Spring Clean
3. Update from David Wilson Homes

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1. Small Bird/Fledgling Hazard at The Chocolate Works

Until last Thursday afternoon, I thought these down pipes and upper box (hopper) were an interesting addition to the back of our homes and garage buildings. However, the hopper is completely open to the elements with nothing to stop a fledgling or small bird from falling into the downpipe from the hopper and being trapped within the pipe at ground level. I have a very different view of them now…

Over the last few months, we have very much enjoyed watching a pair of nesting blackbirds in our garden but were horrified when a fledgling fell into the pipe and could be heard calling from inside it. The parent birds were frantically trying to get to the bird with food but clearly that wasn’t possible. Three site workers were incredibly helpful and after a couple of hours and after a number of different options were pursued, they did manage to release the young bird. We placed it back in the nest but very sadly it died during the night.

I thought this might have been a freak occurrence but was once again horrified to see another fledgling wobbling on top of one of these low hoppers in a garden on Joseph Terry Grove the same night – another tragic accident waiting to happen. There is the same pipe and hopper configuration higher up on our houses and apartments but the lower ones are clearly the most dangerous, particularly to a newly fledged bird still honing its flying skills.

I subsequently went to Pextons on the Bishy Road and explained our issue with the hoppers and downpipes and they recommended these filter guards. I had the one and only packet but they’re also available on Amazon. They fit perfectly into the pipe aperture in the hopper – it’s literally a 2 minute job and, as it states on the box, no tools required! As well as saving the lives of fledglings, they also serve a practical purpose and prevent the pipe being cluttered with leaves and other debris.

Having contacted residents on the Chocolate Works Facebook group and in person, I’ve been really heartened by their responses (think Amazon and Pextons are doing rather well from this!) and hope that we can resolve this issue with the involvement of residents and David Wilson Homes.

If anyone needs help with popping the guards into the hoppers, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me.

Lucy Ryan
15 Bayldon Square
07909 757170

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2. The Great British Spring Clean.

On Saturday 5th June, eleven Chocolate Works residents volunteered their time for the Great British Spring Clean. They collected several bags of litter with a couple of volunteers tackling the weeds around the laurel on Bishopthorpe Road. 

The Great British Spring Clean is an annual, nationwide event promoted by Keep Britain Tidy. It is supported by City of York Council’s Environment and Community Team. This is a popular event with York residents coming together to help clean up their local area. 

If you are interested in volunteering please contact environmentandcommunity@york.gov.uk

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3. Update from David Wilson Homes

Following a meeting with the Managing Director of David Wilson Homes we now know –

• David Wilson Homes are back on target for a November 2021 completion.
• They have only 23 properties left for sale.
• Their contractor will replace dead or dying laurel hedging at the appropriate time.
• The grass verge on Joseph Terry Grove, adjacent to the Care Home will be finished off properly prior to completion.
• York City Council will not accept Resident parking signs or Visitor signs on the kerb stones. These will all have to be replaced prior to completion. They agree that we currently have too many different styles of signs and that the new Visitor signs on Banks Drive are barely visible. Work is ongoing to standardise signs and ensure that Visitor signs are much more visible to drivers, and in a different colour from resident spaces.
• DWH will continue to explore the problems we have identified with gutters. So far they have not been able to isolate a common denominator to the problems, but remain sympathetic to our concerns about the issue.

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June 2021 Issue No 19
Email: chair@cwra.co.uk

If you are not already a member of the Residents’ Association, please go to cwra.co.uk and click on Join Us. It is free and guarantees you get our Newsletters. We are delighted to say that we have 124 active members currently. Your contributions and feedback are invaluable in helping us identify what issues are of most concern to residents.

Ensuring that the newsletters are timely, and have relevant accurate content, is something of a challenge. Often the content is driven by whether or not David Wilson Homes (DWH) and Watson have actually responded to the many issues repeatedly raised with them. On this occasion we have received some concrete responses to our persistent requests.

Their responses are presented below, without comment from us.

1. Landscaping Issues (David Wilson Homes)
2. Landscaping Issues (Watson)
3. Surfacing of Joseph Terry Grove
4. Stonework Carousel House
5. Access to Gas Meters – Apartments
6. External Lighting – Carousel House
7. Modification to Devon House Bin Store
8. Roof Survey (DWH)
9. Roof Maintenance ( Watson)
10. Land South of The Residence
11. Licensing for the Co-op (additional Information)
12. Electric Charging Points (Orange House)
13. Residents’ Parking Scheme – Bishopthorpe Road Area
14. The Great British Spring Clean
15. Changes to the Committee

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1. Landscaping Issues (David Wilson Homes)

• Pergola (between Carousel and Medallion House)

DWH have responded to concerns about the persistent leaching and staining from this. They state that the leaching is a natural process which is slowing. They will make good any staining over the next 12 months. Watson have agreed to monitor this over the next few months, in case further remedial action is required.

• Tree Survey

We have repeatedly asked for a copy of the Tree Survey which has been completed, as there are concerns about the condition of trees in various parts of the development. DWH state that they will hand this over to Watson when they hand over the tree belt. This will, inevitably, be one of the last things handed over.

• Trees

We have repeatedly requested replacement trees for the many which we believe are either dead, or dying, in various parts of the development (including, among others, Bayldon Square and Medallion House areas). DWH state that they have seen the trees, and have been informed that they are not dead. They agree to continue monitoring the trees during this growing season, before determining whether any need replacing in November.

• Bayldon Square Grass

We asked DWH to dig up Bayldon Square and replace the grass due to its awful state. This was met with a firm refusal and reminder that Watson have been looking after it for over two years now.

• Other damaged grass areas

We asked that areas of damaged grass should be repaired/replaced. There are many which have suffered due to heavy vehicles driving over them, or due to failure to repair grassed areas after essential works have been carried out. DWH have agreed to this. We will provide them with specific locations.

• Soil Certificate

We asked for a Soil certificate because of problems with Vine Weevil. DWH state that “The ground investigation report only deals with analysis of the chemical content of soils and their structural capabilities. The insects could have come from anywhere but can be treated with insecticide.”

• Chocolate Orange Plaque

Residents of Bayldon Square felt that a plaque identifying the person who created the Chocolate Orange would be a good idea. DWH have agreed and will look into it and cover the cost.

• Bayldon Square – risk of injury to children

Residents have raised concerns about the risk of injury to children on Bayldon Square due to the combination of chasing a ball and speeding traffic. DWH state that children should be supervised.

• Banking at the back of Devon House and Carousel House

We have asked what is going to be done about this area which looks messy since the lights were put in. DWH state “the area in question requires seeding with wild flower mix and these works have been instructed.”

• Boundary – weeds and laurel hedge

We have asked about this, as there are concerns that the laurel is suffering (particularly between the steps to Bishopthorpe Road up towards The Residence. DWH state –“The first weed treatment has been applied and the second took place on the 24^th May. As part of these works the contractor will also be clearing anything on the footpaths.  I also noted the remains of some of the metal posts on Campleshon Road which I have instructed the team to sort.”

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2. Landscaping issues – (Watson)

There is widespread dissatisfaction with the quality of the landscaping currently. Watson are aware of the strength of feeling and the Residents’ Association has had frank dialogue with both Watson and MLS Landscaping.

The job specification for the contractors has been improved upon and made more specific. Also, areas of planting which need to be replaced have been identified and money has been set aside to make the necessary improvements. Also, areas of planting which need to be replaced have been identified and money has been set aside to make the necessary improvements.

Stop Press – Watson have cancelled the contract with MLS, ending 30^th June 2021, and appointed a new firm. There is the possibility of a slight hiatus in work during the handover period of June, but we hope to see the beginnings of a much better service.

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3. Surfacing of Joseph Terry Grove

This work is scheduled for 4^th June 2021.

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4. Stonework Carousel House

Repairs to the stone work are scheduled for 17^th & 18^th June.

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5. Access to Gas Meters – Apartments

These are often in heavily planted areas and, consequently, inaccessible. DWH are looking to address the situation by adjusting the landscaping and installing a gravel pathway.

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6. External Lighting – Carousel House

Carousel House is the only apartment block without external lighting. DWH state that this is as per the original plan.

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7. Modification to Devon House Bin Store

The proposed conversion of this into two separate bin stores is currently on hold pending a review by Yorkshire Housing.

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8. Roof Survey (DWH)

The Managing Director of DWH is currently still gathering information prior to determining whether there is a case to answer.

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9. Roof Maintenance (Watson)

Watson are planning to incorporate a roof drone survey and gutter maintenance on a bi-annual basis starting in the next financial year.

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10. Land South of the Residence

Proposals to build on land south of The Residence have previously been rejected by York Council Planning Department, following a large volume of complaints, including concerns about height and massing.

A new proposal is now being prepared for an Acquired Brain Injuries Unit, currently housed within The Retreat Hospital on Heslington Lane. We expect a Planning Application by the end of June and will continue to monitor the situation. We do know that it is a lower building (one and two storeys) and that there are still concerns relating to the volume of traffic.

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11. Licensing for the Co-op

York Council Licensing Sub-Committee met on 24^th May. They agreed to the Co-op opening hours and licensing hours from 07.00 – 22.00 every day. This is in keeping with opening and licensing hours for Co-ops nationwide. A number of standard conditions were attached to this agreement, including provision of CCTV, keeping an incident log, ensuring staff training, and complying with any crime reduction initiatives relating to race days.

They rejected requests for reduced licensing hours on race days, as this no longer happens anywhere in York.

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12. Electric charging points

DWH have modified their original planning application and now have spaces for 10 electric charging points outside Orange House. This is a complicated change. New electric charging spaces are welcome. However, these will be in Visitor parking spaces. Consequently there are very real concerns that we will end up with a 25% reduction in viable and available Visitor Parking Spaces.

We do not know what solution, if any, is possible but are pushing DWH and the Council to ensure that the original number of Visitor Parking spaces is not reduced.

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13. Residents’ Parking Scheme – Bishopthorpe Road area

On 22^nd June the Council will be asked to confirm the decision to introduce a ResPark scheme in the following streets;

• Bishopthorpe Road between Southlands Road and Terry’s Mews
• Rectory Gardens (off Bishopthorpe Road)
• Balmoral Terrace
• Albemarle Road (on sections) between Telford Terrace and Brunswick Street.

The section on Bishopthorpe Road, in particular, is likely to affect residents who park vehicles there.

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14. The Great British Spring Clean

This is a nationwide initiative designed to encourage people to look after their own neighbourhood. This will take place on Saturday, 5^th June 2021 between 10am – noon. Volunteers should meet outside the Sales office at 10am.

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15. Changes to the Committee

We are delighted to welcome two new members to the Committee –
* Gary Cole – Harlequin House
* Beki Hagger – Devon House

Gary has been the involved in the Co-op Licensing objection, while Beki is leading on the Great British Spring Clean.
At the same time Mafalda Queiroz, an inaugural member and the current treasurer, has chosen to leave the Committee due to other commitments. She was instrumental in getting the shower room snagging completed, which has led to DWH replacing a large number of faulty shower rooms. And she also was the driving force behind getting the defibrillator installed.

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May 2021 Issue No 18
Email: chair@cwra.co.uk

If you are not already a member of the Residents’ Association, please go to cwra.co.uk and click on Join Us. It is free and guarantees you get our Newsletters. We are delighted to say that we have 124 active members currently. Your contributions and feedback are invaluable in helping us identify what issues are of most concern to residents.

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Great British Spring Clean – Litter Pick

Would you like to help to keep our development looking good? Please come and help with a litter-pick and a little weeding. We can pick litter on the development, weed the boundary laurel hedge, or go further afield to show pride in our community.

When – Saturday 5 June 2021
Time – 10am-12noon
Where – Meet outside the Sales Office

It would be helpful if you could pre-register your intention to volunteer, by emailing                 chocworksra@gmail.com
This will help in identifying how many tabards and other items of equipment will need to be provided on the day.

If you have a notice-board in your Apartment Block, please feel free to print and post the poster below.

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April 2021 Issue No 17
Email: chair@cwra.co.uk

If you are not already a member of the Residents’ Association, please go to cwra.co.uk and click on Join Us. It is free and guarantees you get our Newsletters. We are delighted to say that we have 119 active members currently. Your contributions and feedback are invaluable in helping us identify what issues are of most concern to residents.

In this edition

1. Licensing for the Co-op
2. Interested in joining the Committee?

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Licensing for the Co-op

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Interested in joining the Committee?

In the 2½ years since the CWRA was set up we have had nineteen different members of the Committee. The work is voluntary and people have opted in and out for varying reasons, often as personal priorities change. We currently have a Committee of nine members which feels about the right size. However, one or two serving members are looking to leave the Committee this year due to house moves and commitment to other projects.

If you feel you have something to offer and would like to become involved please get in touch at admin@cwra.co.uk. We can then arrange a suitably socially distanced informal chat about potential roles.

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