September 2020, Issue No. 13 Email: chair@cwra.co.uk

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Residents’ Association AGM

Our joint AGM, with Watson, was due to take place in October. Current restrictions on meetings mean that this is currently not possible. We have considered, and ruled out, an AGM via Zoom (or similar) because we felt, on balance, that this format limits the opportunity for healthy discussion and debate. Therefore, the decision has been taken to defer the AGM until Spring 2021. Obviously, we will make a further decision if group meetings are still prohibited at that time.

Watson

Lisa Harvey, Maintenance Surveyor, has left Watson. Her supervisor will be taking responsibility for the Chocolate Works development until a suitable replacement is found. This has led to a slight backlog in work.
Please continue to use the https://watsonpm.fixflo.com/Auth/HomeIssueCreate Fixflo system for any concerns which you feel Watson should be addressing.
Watson have been asked to complete the planting on Bayldon Square which commenced in the spring.

Breaches of Covenants

We have received an increasing number of complaints from residents about the following issues which constitute breaches of covenants:

Residents hanging washing on balconies
Residents storing bins and recycling boxes in public areas
Residents storing bikes at the front of their properties
For sale signs in house windows
Dogs in apartments

Residents who are concerned about these, or similar issues, are reminded that they should use Watson’s Fixflo to register any concerns
https://watsonpm.fixflo.com/Auth/HomeIssueCreate

David Wilson Homes

The drilling for Thistle House is complete, and it is our understanding that no further drilling is required on the development.
DWH have planted the laurel hedge along the perimeter of the development and a combination of hand watering and unseasonably wet weather looks to have enabled it to flourish.
They have been asked to replace a number of dead trees on the perimeter of the development and to replace the dead trees on Bayldon Square.

Temporary Parking Spaces

David Wilson Homes made an undertaking on 3^rd July to provide additional temporary parking outside Cocoa House for visitors. Despite continuous and ongoing requests for signs to be put in place they have failed to do so, and have yet to come up with a start date. We will continue to pursue this.

Carousel House – Medallion House

We are informed that permanent barriers will be put in place (where the temporary barriers were previously) to stop vehicles using the pedestrian area. This is subject to Council approval.

Wet Rooms

Cura Home Care are currently stripping out and replacing wet rooms which had failed, as agreed with DWH last autumn. They will finish the wet rooms they started in July, but their contract has been terminated and another firm will proceed with the outstanding wet rooms.

Wider Issues

Electricity Substation

Letters of complaint were sent to York Council on 23^rd June about the noise from the electricity substation on Campleshon Road. In the absence of an acknowledgement from the Council an email was sent on 1^st September. Following the Council’s failure to acknowledge the email, a further email has been sent on 7^th September and now our Ward Councillors are helping progress the matter.

Land South of the Residence

Planning Reference -18/02582/FULM – Erection of 85 apartments and seven town houses. Consideration of this application was deferred at the August Planning Committee, pending a bat survey.

South Bank Resident Parking Scheme

On 11^th August the Council agreed an extension to the existing South Bank Residents Parking scheme. This includes restrictions on the west side of Bishopthorpe Road from Campleshon Road to the Residence.
There is a 40 metre bay for 2 hour parking, close to The Residence. The remainder, to Campleshon Road will be subject to Resident Parking permits 24/7 or 1 hour visit only (non-permit). This will severely impact contractor parking and commuter parking, but will also have an impact upon residents in our development seeking additional on-street parking.
Implementation date is currently unknown. We have asked if we will be eligible for resident parking tickets, but have not yet received a reply.
The following link goes to the Council Meeting and papers related to this decision https://democracy.york.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=738&MId=12341&Ver=4

Clementhorpe Flood Protection Scheme

This has been agreed by the Council, with a need to revise cycle path provision before commencement. Work is expected to last twelve months and have some effect on all those people who use Millennium Bridge or the riverside footpaths and cycle paths into town.