March Pump track Update

Trustees have been meeting every three weeks to drive the project forward, with a number of issues facing us.

After our pre-application with Monmouthshire County Council Planning department we commissioned the recommended surveys.

The tree survey highlighted work was required due to a number of defective trees and public safety. To ensure that everything was satisfactory we asked the Monmouthshire County Council Tree Officer to review the report and recommendations for us. The Tree Officer was in agreement with the findings and proposed work.

The report recommended more suitable tree species to plant to make up for those trees felled. These more suitable native tree species were recommended due to the land being made ground, which contributed to some of the defects. Tree planting will be implemented in the pump track landscape plan.

This was a much larger amount of tree work than previously anticipated, so this led to some delays. Unfortunately the organisation that previously volunteered to do our tree work no longer had staff with the required skill set. This caused challenges as the majority of our funding releases at a later stage in the project. Due to the cost, and need for this work to occur before the start of the bird-nesting season in February, trustees had to re-prioritize other expenditure. This was to ensure we were not delayed until the end of the bird-nesting season in September, whilst still being able to complete everything required for planning.

We also asked track builders to submit updated designs to take into account trees removed and the replacement of trees. Although this has caused delays, the upside is that track builders are able to provide improved designs.

A qualified ecologist has been appointed to undertake a Preliminary Ecological Assessment. Initial observations have not identified any ecological constraints, and the assessment will be completed following finalisation of the track design.

Another major issue was due to the existing overhead line and pole-mounted transformer. National Grid previously informed us the track could be designed around it. But late last year they informed us that because the pump track would be viewed as a play park, with chance of children being barefoot, we would have to pay to move the pole and associated equipment. They said this was due to the risk in case of a fault scenario with the transformer. The original cost of this made the project unfeasible, so we have been working with National Grid to resolve this.

As can be seen from the above there have been various challenging issues, but we aim to be in a position to submit the full planning application as soon as possible.

If you have any queries, please contact us.