Community Planning Meeting (23 September 2026)
Categories:
Context
- Venue: Darwin Green Community Rooms
- Date: Wednesday 11 September 2026, 11:30 am
- Present:
- Barratt Redrow: Andrew M. (AM), Tom W. (TW)
- Darwin Green Residents Association (DGRA): Alice L., Quentin M.
- Darwin Green Residents: Alina I.
- Windsor Road Residents Association (WIRE): Mary W.
- Woodlark Road neighbours: Eve W.
- Martingale Close neighbours: Marcia E., Robert H.
- Chair: Simon S.
Introductions
New chair: The DGRA had invited Simon to chair the meetings as John Shuttlewood is also working on other sites.
Action point updates
Highway and street lighting
Darwin Green lamp posts and lighting: AM confirmed the contractor instructed to undertake rolling audits and repair/replace outages. Alice pointed out a reported outage had not been addressed since last December. 🟢 ACTIONS: AM to send Alice map of lamp posts; Alice to provide AM with details of current outages and lights shining directly into bedrooms.
Greenway temporary pedestrian/cycle route (cut-through to Windsor Road): AM confirmed an order had been placed to remove the white line cycle symbols and to add pedestrian/cycle signage. Works imminent.
Franklin Gardens: parking enforcement: AM confirmed the parking enforcement process - notification of residents, installation of signage and one week grace period – will be progressed shortly.
Franklin Garden street name signage: Tom confirmed discussions underway with City Council’s street signage officer. 🟢 ACTIONS Tom to update and send Quentin the approved plan. Quentin to ask residents for any remaining issues via WhatsApp chat.
Franklin Gardens pedestrian and cycle links: 1) Brownlow Road, yellow lines to protect route from parked vehicles, 2) Blackhall Road, kerb to be removed for smooth transition.
BDW2 unmade up roads (exposed iron works and steep kerbs): AM confirmed that DWH South Midlands are programming the top surfacing works, with an ambition these works will be completed before the New Year. Residents will be notified of the dates with a request to remove vehicles from the highway. Parking restrictions will be suspended to allow residents to park outside BDW2.
BDW2 highway hazards: 🟢 ACTION Alice and other residents to inform AM of any broken kerbs or other hazards.
BDW2 Jenyns Drive (Alice to confirm other relevant street): Highway ponding due to blocked gutter drains. Blocked gutter drains leading to ponding. 🟢 ACTION To identify the precise locations, Alice to send AM photos of the subject drains.
BDW2 pedestrian/cycle access to Huntingdon Road: Request for Darwin Green sign on an existing post. AM explained further works was required on the new route, including DDA compliance with the incline and other matters. 🟢 ACTION AM to report to next meeting.
BDW2 light controlled crossing at Huntingdon Road: Post-meeting confirmation, there is no planning requirement for such a crossing.
BDW2 Sedgwick Crescent parking enforcement: AM confirmed enforcement process to be progressed: notification of residents, installation of signage and one week grace period.
Lawrence Weaver Road pedestrian path: 🟢 ACTION John to request landowner to remove overhanging brambles.
Community facilities
Franklin Gardens play area: Tom reported seating to be installed and top surface to be laid by end of October. 🟢 ACTION Tom to review location of bins and no dogs signage.
Franklin Gardens allotments: Tom reported Non-Material Amendment re: site boundaries to be determined, site works to be completed by New Year, transfer to City Council 🟢 ACTION: AM to report on timetable for transfer to the City Council.
Environmental health
Franklin Gardens (BDW6) piling: Residents to be notified, noise and vibration monitoring will be condition compliant.
BDW3 spoil heap: 🟢 ACTIONS AM to notify residents of removal works, dust control, monitoring and reporting arrangements and remind contractor to water the heap.
Sub contractor radios and language: AM confirmed all sub-contractors are instructed not to use radios and use bad language. 🟢 ACTION Resident requested to report incidents to Andrew.Maclaren@bdwhomes.co.uk.
Woodlark Road ditch
AM reported COND9 (Perimeter Boundary Fencing) has been approved, works to be undertaken in strict accordance with the approved drawings. Here is the link to the detailed drawings and proposals: 21/04431/NMA1.
BDW2 landscaping
Discharge of condition application 07/0003/COND14A has been submitted. Here is the link to the detailed drawings and proposals: 07/0003/COND14A.
Jenyns Drive
Front gardens: 🟢 ACTION AM to liaise with Alina regarding the installation of metal fencing and making good of neighbour’s planting.
Central Plaza review
AM announced a review to make the Plaza a more attractive and workable space. It will address highway safety, traffic management including buses and facilities such as parking (for medical centre, retailers), bus shelter, and bike repair station. Sale of the six shops to be hopefully completed by the New Year. 🟢 ACTIONS: AM to check requirement for post box, replace bin outside library, specify lighting for notice board.
Any other business
Reporting website: AM confirmed a new website is under construction for
Darwin Green, when live the domain name will be www.ourdarwingreen.co.uk
Planning meetings: Meetings remain on Wednesdays. Frequency becomes once every 6 weeks.
Date of next meeting
- Wednesday 4 November, 11:00 am to 12:30 pm, Darwin Green Community Rooms (📆 add to calendar)
- Key agenda items: AM reports on Community facilities (medical centre, schools, shops, library, Voi parking docks, and notice boards) and Central Plaza review.