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APPRA exists to help retain the unique character of the Avenues and Pearson Park conservation area and to support the neighbourhood’s strong community spirit

April 2020 Issue 67

APPRA CHAIR’S REPORT, SPRING 2020When I joined the committee as a suspiciously young person (the then Treasurer treated me to a lecture about the Association not existing for ‘fun’), one of the concerns that had led to the founding of APPRA was the proliferation of institutions in the area. The houses were comparatively cheap and big enough to be used as homes for children or older citizens: the university had set a trend with its local student houses: a half-way house for discharged prisoners was established on Princes Road, followed by Dick Pooley’s three houses then doing the same work. Then, as now, residents did not want to appear unwelcoming to the less fortunate; then, as now, families want to live near other families; and then, as now, it didn’t seem unreasonable to try to limit the number of institutions in order to retain the essential neighbourhood ‘village’ atmosphere which attracted the institutional use in the first place.This is the background behind our final decision to oppose the possible use of a Salisbury Street house as a children’s home. Representatives of the organisation came to an APPRA committee meeting and of course we liked hearing about their work and wished them well, while being unsure about how to react to the eventual application. A favourable argument advanced was that a children’s home is preferable to a house in multiple occupation, but that doesn’t make it acceptable in itself. We decided finally, reluctantly (but, as we say constantly, we are one voice among many and have to adhere to our principles and guidelines) to oppose the application, on the grounds that the house is mid-terrace, too small and with too small a garden for the proposed use; ideally, it should remain as a family home which we do not want to lose from the local provision, especially as a house nearby has recently been leased by Target Housing. We feel one such institution is enough in a short street if it is to retain its friendly and personal atmosphere. A new stretch of tenfoot has been gated fairly recently, with no consultation (known to us, anyway) and with the help of public money: the section between Westbourne Avenue and Park Avenue. We are accustomed now to the gated tenfoots, but it did seem extraordinary that there was no consultation through the Area Office; many of the gates are visible from the highway and therefore count as ‘street furniture.’ We would like them to be a positive and matching contribution to the aesthetics of the area, just as we argued for more distinctive bollards than the modest wooden type originally selected by Highways.Doubtless it was inevitable that an empty plot in Pearson Park should attract notice sooner or later. There was a recent application to fell the trees growing on the land there (excluding the horse chestnut and maple trees growing on the periphery, which are to be crown-lifted and pruned). We assumed that this is to prepare the land for ‘development.’ The tree report accompanying the application also takes this for granted and offers a novel idea for replacement planting: “The proposed scheme offers opportunity for a small tree planting scheme to enhance the development and provide

future replacements. As space is tight on site this could, subject to agreement, be formed by new planting across the road in the Park.” Is that a warning that the private land available will be so fully occupied by the proposed development that the landscaping must spill over onto public land? We await the plans with interest.It is always difficult to oppose residents’ plans for their houses (unless they feature UPVC…), since we know what hopes, time and money are invested in each application; consequently, we have evolved various guidelines to help us towards responses which will perhaps be a disappointment to the applicants (but perhaps not an ultimate impediment, since the planning officers and the Planning Committee make the decisions). One

APPRA AGMDue to Covid-19 this year’s

AGM is postponed until further notice.

Please stay safe!

The AOG committee has consulted Openers and have decided to cancel AOG this coming July with the possibility of holding the event in September 2020. If we do go ahead in September we’ll be contacting our Openers in July.We realise that Openers are probably able to spend more time in their gardens than ever before and it is rather a shame that, in the present circumstances, we are unable to share them via our usual annual event.It has been suggested that Openers could offer photographs (or short videos) of their gardens over the summer months. These could then be shared on our Social Media platforms. This would also give us an excellent resource that could be loaded onto the AOG website to attract visitors in future years. Obviously no addresses would be attached to images. We will be in touch with all Openers with more details about this proposal in the near future.This year, in response to the climate emergency, the committee had decided to share the takings between Dove House Hospice and One Hull Of A Forest. Hull and the East Riding have only 2.6% woodland cover compared with the national average of 8.4%. The charity One Hull Of A Forest aims to correct this and has identified 641 sites in Hull to plant trees. They are asking for organisations aiming to support an environmental project to consider them and are delighted that we have nominated them as one of our charities.As we write this article we are pleased to hear that the Government has announced that they may financially compensate local hospices for the loss of income they have experienced due to the cancellation of fundraising events. We hope that your garden is providing some comfort and pleasure in these unusual times.

All the best from your AOG committee -Suzanne, Helen, Len, GInny,

Elly and KenYou can contact us on:Phone 01482 346225 Facebook /avenuesopengardens

Twitter @AvenuesOpenGdnsEmail avenuesopengardens@gmail.comwebsite www.avenuesopengardens.org

2020

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For new residentsThe Avenues and Pearson Park is a designated Conservation Area and as such is governed by many specif ic planning controls (for details see item in this newsletter “Planning Controls”). Hull City Council Enforcement Officers make site visits where there is cause to think that work has been carried out to houses without planning permission.We deliver a ‘welcome pack’ to each new house owner. This pack contains information on our Residents’ Association and on the planning regulations in force in the conservation area, as well as a colour booklet on the architecture of our houses and how to renovate them in keeping with their traditional character.Sometimes it is tricky to tell when a house has been sold or not. Thus if you have not received a ‘welcome pack’, please contact:

Sally Walker (contact details on the back page).

2 April 2020 Issue 67

Adrian Crummay Secretary, APPRA

To help maintain our conservation area, planning permission is required for alterations to and construction or removal of the features listed below, as they are all protected by Article 4 Directions.

GET ADVICE BEFORE YOU START!Contact the Planning Department. They will advise whether your proposal requires planning permission or not. They are there to assist and are very helpful. You will then have peace of mind in the knowledge that your work is appropriate and approved.Protected features1 Windows2 Front doors3 Roofs—both for roofing materials and for installation of solar

panels (for solar panels, see Footnote 2)4 Chimneys, including stacks and pots5 Eaves gutters, gutter blocks/brackets, fascia boards and

bargeboards6 Porches7 Verges: construction of a vehicular driveway across a verge and/

or pavement requires planning permission (see Footnote 3)

THERE IS NOW A FEE CHARGED FOR PLANNING APPLICATIONS ARISING FROM ANARTICLE 4 DIRECTION: SEE INFORMATION ON FEES BELOW.

PLANNING CONTROLS Contact the Planning Department Tel: 612345 Email: dev.control@hullcc.gov.uk

8 Front gardens: houses next to a tenfoot or with an existing driveway require planning permission for the installation of hard standing in front gardens for vehicle parking.

Notes • For roofs and chimneys the Article 4 Directions apply to all roof

slopes (ie front, back and rear extensions). The Direction on solar panels is slightly different—see Footnote 2 . For the other features the Directions apply only to the elevation of a house which faces a highway (including the footpaths serving Victoria Gardens, Regina Crescent, Madison Gardens— see Footnote 1).

• Also subject to planning permission is the installation of satellite dishes visible from the highway (national guidelines for Conservation Areas) and the felling/pruning of trees (where the trunk circumference is more than 24 cm).

FeesA fee for a planning application arising from an Article 4 Direction has been charged since January 2018. This is due to a national change (Town and Country Planning Regulations 2017). The fee is £206 - the same as for other planning applications, e.g. extensions.

Please see box below, as it contains additional information which may benefit you.Verbal advice is free.Written confirmation following an enquiry of whether something needs permission because of an Article 4 Direction is free.Footnote 1: highways do not need to be roads—these footpaths are considered by Planning Department to be highways.Footnote 2: the Planning Department states: “The Article 4 Direction on Solar PV and solar thermal equipment relates to (a) a dwelling house roof slope facing a highway and (b) a roof slope facing a highway on a building situated within the curtilage of a dwelling house.”Footnote 3: all Article 4 Directions apply to all properties in The Avenues and Pearson Park Conservation Area, except for the one on vehicular driveways which does not apply to the properties in Pearson Park.

VERGE REPORTReporting damage to vergesa) For major mess ( ie grass damaged, covered with cement and sand) caused by large renovation works: please email or phone me, as I will then inform an officer from the Area Team who will take a photo and send the evidence to the appropriate dept at HCC. Please act on this promptly as it is very useful to get photos of the works vehicles.b) For vehicles driven onto verges and causing damage, please continue to send me photos of vans with logos, stating time, date and location. I send these onto HCC via Cllr Abi Bell. Without such evidence, nothing can be done: the culprit needs to be identified. Sadly, nothing can be done by HCC in the case of private vehicles as HCC is not allowed to identify number plates via the police computer.c) When Highways Dept dealt with damage to verges by negligent drivers, there was a good response but the response today by HCC, warning such drivers, is much slower. Thus the most effective way to protect our verges is to speak the offenders yourselves at the time. Many are just thoughtless - having no respect for verges anywhere; and do respond positively.4) The flyer, ‘Please do not park on the verge’ is useful for all but the most recalcitrant; and it can go on an empty car. It is also useful to have with you if speaking to a driver, as it shows it is a community rather than personal request.5) This flyer is available electronically from me - see contact details on rear page.

Sally Walker (contact details on back page).

Avenues residents would be grateful if you could avoid parking any wheels on the verge. As well as being an offence under the Kingston Upon Hull Act 1984, Section 25, and liable to attract a fine, it seriously damages the grass and adversely affects the appearance of the Conservation Area. Your cooperation would be much appreciated. If you have any suggestions about parking, please write to: Wyke Neighbourhood Team. The Avenues Centre Park Avenue HU5 4DA or contact your local ward councillors.

If the work you propose is not to make changes, but to keep as like for like with regard to materials, style and dimensions, the need for a planning application is likely to be waived. It is alterations to the original character and appearance of the conservation area which need to be fully considered by the Planning Department through a planning application. You will need to contact the Planning Dept and get written confirmation of any waiver. They will consider what is appropriate or not in terms of protecting the conservation area, and thus there must be discussion between the resident and the Planning Department as to what is being proposed.

APPRA

THE FELLING AND PRUNING OF TREESThe felling and pruning of trees where the diameter is more than 7.5 cm (or the circumference is more than 24 cm - this is the easier measurement for you to take) is subject to planning permission. An application form needs to be completed, showing the position of the tree(s) in the garden, and giving reasons.

The regulations for work to fruit trees are more complicated. You will need to contact Urban Forestry at Hull City Council.

Please be aware that the men who cold call with offers to do work on your trees are either unaware that planning permission is required of else are deliberately giving out false information.

We are told that we use too much of it, that we shouldn’t use plastic straws, cups, bags and packaging. Tesco is the latest large company removing plastic wrapping from items across the store.All this is good and we should recycle as much as possible but where does it go? Can plastic straws be recycled into plastic straws? The answer - you may be surprised to hear - is no!Any product using recycled plastic can use only a max of 18%, as the recycled material has different chemical properties from what is needed to maintain the quality of the initial product and is ‘dirty’. It is too expensive to put it through a cleaning process. We are manufacturing 82% new plastic for every ‘recycled’ item.If we agree that we should (a) reduce plastic use, and (b) recycle, how does that square up to the fact that we are seeing more and more uPVC - ie plastic - window and doors being installed into our homes?It is worrying that common uPVC additives are lead (the discovery of lead paint in the Houses of Parliament has increased the cost of repair by £10 million), cadmium, and organotins – all highly toxic. Greenpeace research (APPRA is not endorsing any political or environmental group) into uPVC found the recycling of uPVC to be a false hope. uPVC is highly toxic and thus recycling is highly dangerous and expensive, releasing chemicals such as chlorine and dioxin into the air and water supplies. Another matter of concern: Martin Troughton, Managing Director of Everest, a major installer of plastic windows, has this to say, “ We guarantee that we are not using recycled uPVC in your new windows.” Are they not concerned about climate change?If manufacturing with recycled plastic is not financially viable where does all this recycled uPVC go? It goes into poorer quality high maintenance products – fascias, trims, plates etc; or put into landfill. What they cannot use is simply dumped.If manufacturing plastic is not sustainable for the reasons given above, where does that leave us when considering new windows/doors/gutters etc? There are now acres and acres of sustainable forests all over Europe and the world. We can grow timber cheaply. It is versatile and can be used in many products. Repairing damage to a timber window cill can be as simple as filling and repainting, or at worst a new section cut in. The plastic repair is more expensive as it entails removing the whole window, replacing the cill and refitting. Are the internal decorations affected? Of course. An added cost. Over time plastic becomes brittle and sunlight degrades the colour from white to a yellow. Even locks and handles may need a complete refit of the unit.You may have noted lately cases of breaking into properties through UPVC doors by simply using a blow torch to melt the locks out: some 200+ cases this year alone. Also think about the

PLASTICtoxic fumes being released. Such damage cannot be repaired and so, as you would expect from an insurance point of view, a new door will be needed. What about the old one? It will be dumped in landfill. APPRA committee have been consistent in opposing uPVC replacement windows and doors for conservation and aesthetic reasons. Now the world is catching on to the fact plastic is causing a major environmental problem, stealthily becoming a product choking our seas, our wildlife and our planet.If you disagree with APPRA on the conservation and aesthetic reasons for using timber and not uPVC for your windows and doors, surely you will agree on saving our planet for the future of all our people?Thinking of plastic windows? Think again. Please!

Blowtourch burglary on uPVC door Photo: locksmiths.co.uk

JAPANESE KNOTWEED

3

Ella Suto

The

Victoria Fountain News

John Robinson

AVENUE COVID19 VOLUNTEERS

The scheme was started in March, inspired by people volunteering in Ella Street.It covers the Avenues and Pearson Park conservation area plus the rest of Avenue Ward.It’s a point of contact for those who want to volunteer to help in the community, or need help now or maybe at some point in the future.So far, over 70 requests for help have been dealt with. In fact Hull City Council have asked if volunteers could help with requests they’ve had.If you want to volunteer or need help please call:Shaun, Sarita and John on 447549 or email:avenue.covid19@gmail.comPlease do get in touch if you have any questions or ideas. The scheme is also helping to coordinate specific requests such as one for spare toiletries for hospital staff.

Join our campaign for a working fountainon Victoria Avenue.

Visit our website: www.victoriafountain.org

TWO STEPS FORWARD, ONE STEP BACKThe good news is that Hull City Council, without a single objection, granted planning permission for the fountain to be erected. Several councillors spoke up in favour of the plans, pointing out the stunning visual impact the fountain will have, enhancing the beauty of the Avenues Conservation Area. Letters of support were considered, including an emphatic one from APPRA. The permission is valid for 3 years, and some details, such as the colour scheme and surrounding planting, are still to be decided.Another positive development is that Lost Art Ltd. Of Wigan, the company assigned the task of constructing the replacement fountain, started work on it earlier this year. The company is skilled in reproducing original Victorian features. Dominic Liptrot, our contact, is sending us regular updates on the progress. A photo is included here. The company has agreed to store the completed fountain until it can be erected on the roundabout. The £51,000 raised so far will pay for the fountain itself, but much more still needs to be raised to meet the costs of installation, such as transport, fitting, insurance, and connection of electricity and water. The sad news is, of course, the Covid 19 emergency. With worries about health, finances and isolation, people are preoccupied with real difficulties. The decision has been taken to postpone the launch of the planned crowdfunding venture until happier times arrive. We thank all the supporters who are so positive

about the fountain. We will contact everyone when the time is right to re-launch the crowd-funding project.The March Quiz Night at Larkin’s was as successful as ever, with all tables booked well in advance of the event, and the venue packed on the night. The star prize was a loo roll, awarded to the bottom-scoring team! The evening raised almost £400 towards the fund, the best achievement to date.A big thank you to all residents whom we see at events, meetings and buying our merchandise.Visit our website www.victoriafountain.org or find us on Facebook.

Top section of the fountain being checked Photo: Dominic Liptrot

This text is taken from the leaflet delivered to all homes several years ago to alert residents to this menace of a plant. Since then, the leaflet has been put into the Welcome Packs for new residents but none is now left. As it is expensive to reprint, we are putting it in the newsletter. Please save this, as it was carefully researched by two residents and is a clear and simple guide to how to recognise Japanese Knotweed and how to deal with it.Why is Japanese Knotweed a Problem?

• It causes damage to roads, buildings, concrete, drains etc• It damages the environment by destroying bio-diversity• It can be very expensive to eradicate• It spreads easily and rapidly• Most Mortgage lenders will refuse to grant a mortgae on

property where there is Japanese Kotweed present• You can be held liable if it encroaches into someone

else’s property.

What does it look like?It is a perennial weed, with tall, bamboo-like canes. The canes have purple flecks. The plant can grow up to 2.1m in height in the Summer. The leaves are shovel-shaped. In the winter it dies back, leaving dark brown canes.

How do we get rid of it?There are several methods, but whichever you choose it can take up to 5 years to get rid of:DIGGING OUT • PROFESSIONAL ERADICATORS • WEEDKILLER + BURNING (recommended)BECAUSE...You must not put it in any of your bins • You can not take it off your property without a licenceFor more detailed information visit these websites: www.environmentagency.gov.uk www.devon.gov.uk www.avenuesonline.org.ukor Google Japanese Knotweed - there are any number of useful sites

Hull Women’s Literary Club is a friendly, welcoming club for all women who enjoy reading and talking about literature. As a testament to our success, we have just celebrated our 60th anniversary!We have a programme of meetings that involves members giving papers (talks) on a book or author of their choice, followed by questions from members. (Please note, it is not compulsory to give a paper!) We also have evenings where members give book reviews or a mix of shorter papers on a range of topics. Popular too are the New Year’s Party and the Christmas Miscellany where members are entertained by readings, play extracts and even songs!We meet fortnightly at the Avenues Centre on Tuesday evenings from 7:30 – 9:30pm, from mid-September to the beginning of April.Next season’s programme will be published in late July/August. For more information from this date, please telephone the club’s secretary, Frances Ramsden, on 01482 880517, or the club’s President, Liz Holt, on 01482 851108.

We look forward to welcoming members old and new to The Avenues Centre in September unless Covid restrictions prevent us.

APPRA Contacts Tel Fax Email Post

Chair Stephanie Wilson 493037 chair@avenuesonline.org.uk 48 Marlborough Avenue HU5 3JS

Secretary Adrian Crummay 445272 445272 secretary@avenuesonline.org.uk 66 Westbourne Avenue HU5 3HS

Verges Sally Walker 447558 sally@lobster.karoo.co.uk 214 Westbourne Avenue HU5 3JB

Website www.avenuesonline.org.uk laurence.crummay@gmail.com

Newsletter Andrew Hibbert newsletter@avenuesonline.org.uk 186 Park Avenue HU5 3EY

Printed by: KallKwik business design+print Tel (01482) 586487 sales@kk1292.karoo.co.uk

HULL WOMEN’S LITERARY CLUB

4...continued from page 1

Stephanie Wilson MBE - Chair

Avenues Centre Support Group

Liz Holt

NEWS FROM THE AVENUES CENTRE Open Day Update

proposal we always oppose is for an extension that fills the space between the houses, building up to the boundary wall and thereby trespassing on the distance between the ‘offshoots.’ This seems to us a vital space, ensuring some privacy within the wider proximity; so we have decided that our support goes to extensions which extend the house at the back, making it longer, not wider; we think this is more respectful of the ‘amenity’ (useful word) between neighbours. I know now from our own extension how delightful it is to have a view of our garden and across the tenfoot to the trees, houses and windows (some of them oriels) beyond; and it continues to puzzle me that our houses were built without a ground floor view of the gardens. I find it hard to reconstruct the received notion of servants working in our kitchens with no real outlook onto the outside world: just the side view of next door’s side elevation. Early this year, we decided to compile a list of ‘bad decisions’ to take to a meeting with the new Head of Planning, John Craig (who is not yet due to take up the post). Our interpretation of ‘bad’ applied just as much to our own opinions as to the actual decisions. My outstanding example is 222 Park Avenue, the quondam Bishop’s House; we supported the application to rebuild it, as we were misled by the plans (and perhaps by the then committee’s naïveté): they looked just right – an exterior which faithfully replicated the original charming house, with a purpose built interior of flats neatly constructed within. The result was a learning experience for me; the new building looked raw, sharp and ugly and quite unlike its mellow pleasing predecessor. I have opposed the dishonesty of pastiche since then, and surprised myself with the conclusion that we need good modern design in the Avenues, to complement our Victorian and Edwardian terraces and bear witness to the present. The newer houses of Parkside Close, Muirfield Park and, more recently, Sanderson’s Close seem to me successful representatives of twentieth century domestic architecture: and I think I actually like the new block at 47 Pearson Park.The Victoria Avenue fountain group have, wonderfully, reached the point of successfully applying for planning permission to install the fountain they have been working towards so staunchly. The new fountain will complete the vista along Salisbury Street and give pleasure to countless Avenues residents: a gift to the present and the future. What an achievement, not only of raising the daunting sum of money, but of sustained belief, determination and effort – I hope we will all be able to gather at a ‘new fountain’ party and praise them in person, when we are free to meet again and celebrate as a community.

Geoff Lawes

Lal Waterson, folksinger / songwriter 1943-1998

From 1968 to 1976, folksinger and songwriter, Lal Waterson, lived at 160 Park Avenue. Lal’s given name at birth was Elaine but she was always known as Lal.She came to prominence during the 1960s as a member of the Waterson Family, singing traditional English folksong along with her brother Mike Waterson, sister Norma Waterson and cousin John Harrison. The Watersons began singing publicly at the Jacaranda Coffee Bar in Hull City centre and then, in the early 1960s, they started a folk club at the Old Blue Bell.The Watersons soon became nationally known and made a living travelling around the UK singing in folk clubs. An interesting film documentary called “Travelling For A Living” is currently available to watch free on the British Film Institute website:https://player.bfi.org.uk/free/film/watch-travelling-for-a-living-1966-online

In the late 1960s, Lal began writing songs which were recorded by her and other prominent performers. Her most famous collection of songs known as Bright Phoebus was written while she lived in Park Avenue. She moved to North Yorkshire in 1976 and died in 1998 at Robin Hood’s Bay.Google Lal Waterson or the Watersons and you will find a lot more information. Or try:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lal_Waterson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhFlNWAxPIE&t=108s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR0hGLcXUFsFootnote: APPRA will be installing a plaque in her memory at 160 Park Avenue. Date of unveiling hopefully later this year but COVID19 restrictions will have to be taken into consideration.

WHO LIVED HERE?160 Park Avenue...

Unfortunately, due to the Corona virus emergency the Open Day at the Avenues Centre which had been planned for Saturday 18 April has had to be postponed.We don’t know when we will emerge from the other side of this crisis but, when we do, the family friendly Open Day will be a local event to look forward to, with a pop-up café and hands-on events and games for children, as well as the usual interesting content for adults about the past, present and future of the building, featuring artists in their studios, their work on the walls, activities by other occupants of the Centre, and the very popular historical tours given by Hilary Byers. The Goodwin Development Trust continue their applications for fundraising towards the eventual full development of the building. They are submitting a bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the newly restructured Arts Council, also to the Heritage Enterprise Fund. These bids involve phased and staged proposals, and take up to about two years to complete. In the meantime, the Meanwhile Use of the Avenues Centre continues to ensure that it thrives, housing the lively community whose representatives will be there to greet members of the public when the Open Day finally happens. We look forward to seeing you then in better times.

APPRA

Due to Covid-19 it is highly unlikely that APPRA will be collecting subscriptions this year since we do it door-to door.

APPRA SUBSCRIPTION

Craftsmen list On our website is a list of craftsmen who are skilled in traditional renovation or replacement using traditional materials. This list, updated from time to time, was first produced in 2007 as an inclusion to the colour booklet of The Avenues - with the aim of helping residents find quality workmen who could do appropriate work on the exterior of houses. It also contains information on suppliers of traditional materials. It is not intended to be exhaustive.

HIRING THE MAIN HALL AT AVENUES CENTREIf you are interested in hiring the hall at the Avenues Centre, Park Avenue, email Alison Marchant at Goodwin Trust - AMarchant@goodwintrust.org - or phone the Goodwin switchboard on 01482 587550 and ask for her. She has the dates and times of availability.If the hall is available, there is a booking form which needs to be completed.The price to rent the hall is £20 per hour.Please note that there is no Wi-Fi available in the hall.Additional note:Following government guidance, currently no bookings are being taken at present due to Covid-19. Please check for updates.

Lal Waterson Photo: bbc.co.uk