Have your say on village plans
RESIDENTS ASKED TO BACK PROPOSALS TO MAKE MORE OF GREEN AREAS
Residents in East Boldon are being urged to get behind plans to give the village a facelift.
The ward Labour Group has been working on plans to improve the village’s public space and make its green areas more highly visible.
Now it has written to residents, outlining the plans , and inviting them to examine the proposals for themselves.
The group aims to tackle the village’s lack of an identifiable green centre by improving the areas around the war memorial and in front of St George’s church, opening them up by removing the undergrowth which has sprung up and removing the clutter of hedges and bushes.
“As people travel through our village, they see very little beyond busy road junctions, the occasional pub and housing,” said Coun Margaret Meling.
“The idea of ‘greening’ the centre of the village came from one of our members, Joe Thompson, a long standing resident – a retired architect and very keen on environmental issues.
“Across the road he proposes to remove or reduce the brick wall which hides Grange Park, giving a clear view of the park from the road.”
Public input would help to create detailed plans that could then be used to attract funding.
“There are other sources of funding which may be tapped into, Lottery funding for example. External funders always need detailed, worked-up proposals with costs to support any bid, added Coun Meling.
Two public consultation sessions have already taken place and the last will be held between 10am and noon today at East Boldon library in North Road.