WGRA Achievements 2022-2025

2022-2024

Community Garden

We eventually secured land at the edge of the development, suitable for a Community Garden and a small number of volunteers worked tirelessly to turn a piece of wasteland (kindly donated to us by the landowner Luke Devine) into an amazing growing area. This was previously opened on 1st June 2024. John mentioned he would also like to make special mention to Tracey Gilbody, who has done an excellent job of project managing this and bringing us in on budget.

Adoption of the roads and drains

A large amount of work has been going on in the background for almost two years to get all relevant parties around the table to move this forward. At times this has felt like wading through treacle. I am pleased to say through dogged determination a meeting was held on 8th December 2023 with WGRA, our local MP Simon Lightwood, and senior representatives from Bovis/Vistry, Yorkshire Water and WMDC Highways. The major sticking point for almost 17 years has been that the surface water runs off into third party land and until Bovis purchased this land other issues could not be resolved. WGRA have managed to identify the landowners who are now in the final stages of selling the land to Bovis/Vistry. The process of adoption will be relatively speedy once the land is purchased.

Improving the appearance of areas not covered by the management Company and holding RMG to account for the areas they maintain.

Flower Beds have been created and planted along with several new trees along The Grange.

I would like to thank the small number of volunteers, who turned out on several occasions last year to clear all the weeds from the side of the road, on the mile long hill down The Grange. It was really back-breaking, however I am sure you will all agree it has significantly improved the appearance of the area. We have also contacted WMDC to ensure that this adopted area forms part of their yearly weeding maintenance plan to keep the footpaths and verges looking tidy.

Herb boxes have been removed and renovated to create newly planted shrubs, which have now been re-positioned along The Grange. A huge thank you to Wayne for creating the lovely flower beds and refurbishing the planters.

Contact was made with the management company responsible for the land adjacent to Mission Court apartments regarding the overgrown area of shrubbery at the front of the apartments which has now been cut back.

We contacted Wakefield council and the Dog Warden in relation to dog fouling around the estate. Several visits have been carried out and signage placed in key areas, to raise awareness and address the issues.

Once again we secured the donation of a substantial Christmas tree in 2023 and I wish to thank the team for helping erect and illuminate it.

RMG/Northfield

The constant chasing of RMG and Northfield to complete the necessary repairs and rectify unsatisfactory work has led to the following:

• Wooden knee-high fencing replaced/repaired throughout the estate
• Substation embankment upgraded: cladded with feather-edge boarding
• New steps put in on the embankment at Gresford Close
• New steps created and repairs carried out to sections of the steps and fencing surrounding the vehicle turning point on Silverwood Road
• Fencing re-stained and new wooden handrail installed along the walkway at the top of Stockwell court
• Trees along The Grange have been pruned/cut back at no additional cost to residents
• Shrubs cut back in front of Dearne Court
• Shrubs/trees cut/pruned in front of Stockwell Court

Resident Directorship

There were many frustrations felt through the inadequate and shoddy work provided by RMG and Northfield. However, as an Association we were powerless to make the real difference needed; something that could only be done by residents taking on the role of Resident Directors and removing this function from Bovis/Vistry who were not acting in the interests of our residents.

WGRA felt this was a key area we should concentrate on and that the aim would be to remove RMG as the Residential Management Company.

Three residents volunteered to take on the role of future Resident Directors, to hold the Estate Management Company to account on behalf of all residents and ensure value for money for the Management fees we pay. Several meetings have now taken place with the current Director within Bovis/Vistry, to secure the transfer of directorship to the volunteer Resident Directors. One of the volunteer Directors, Steve Beverley, will provide the most up to date position later in the meeting.

Summer Camp 2023

We successfully secured a grant from the lottery fund for a summer camp to run through the summer break in 2023, this was a great success on the dates it was held, however due to the appalling summer we had, almost 50% of the dates allocated were cancelled.

2025

The year 2025 marked a period of significant achievement and progress for the Woolley Grange Residents Association (WGRA), encompassing major land acquisition, vital infrastructure and governance improvements, and robust community engagement.

Land Acquisition and Environmental Management

WGRA took proactive steps to secure local green space and enhance the natural environment, demonstrating a deep commitment to the future of the estate.

• Windhill Woods Acquisition
  Successfully negotiated and completed the purchase of Windhill Woods, securing 18 acres of vital local woodland.
• Infrastructure and Access
  Successfully sourced a specialized company to recap the disused mine shaft within Windhill Woods.
• Nothern Powergrid payment structure
  Negotiated a new annual payment structure with Northern Powergrid for equipment placed in Windhill Woods.
• Woodlands access
  Acquired keys from Northern Powergrid for the metal post barriers at the back of Woodlands Court, granting necessary access to the woods for machinery and maintenance.
• Woodland Management plan/funding
  Ongoing.
• Estate Greenery and Conservation
  Secured 250 tree and hedgerow saplings through a successful application to the Woodlands Trust, all of which were planted by volunteers and the Darton 15th Scout Group. Upgrades were carried out on existing flower beds, and several new flower beds were created across the estate/weekly weeding/pruning around the Grange.
• External Challenges (Ongoing)
  Challenged the Mining Authorities regarding the installation of a water pipe on the estate's Public Open Space (POS). Discussed with Mining Authorities the potential for an electric spur running from the pumping station to the POS land to enable WGRA to have power for future events (unsuccessful). Discussions are ongoing with district councillors concerning the unsightly compound located at the bottom entrance to the estate.

Property Management and Governance

A significant governance shift occurred in 2025, focused on improving the quality of service for residents and establishing new formal structures.

• Management Transition
  The previous property management company, RMG, was successfully removed, and A Dandy Wren was newly appointed to manage the estate.
• Governance Setup
  Major involvement in the strategic process of setting up and formally agreeing to the New Estate Directorship.
• Fee Rebates
  Negotiated a successful management fee rebate between RMG and Dearne Court apartments residents.
• Operational Liaison
  Maintained daily and weekly liaison with the property management company to address and coordinate repairs and issues arising around the estate.

Mission Court Apartments Advocacy

WGRA launched a major initiative to address long-standing maintenance and safety issues at Mission Court Apartments, successfully challenging Anthem Property Management on numerous failures:

• Fire Doors
  Addressed concerns that fire doors were unfit for purpose.
• Emergency Lighting
  Challenged the inadequacy of the emergency lighting systems.
• Stairwell Heating
  Successfully pushed for the repair of the stairwell heating.
• Stairwell Carpets
  Addressed uneven stairwell carpets and ensured a deep clean was carried out.
• Entrance/Exit Doors
  Challenged the suitability of the front and rear entrance/emergency exit doors.
• Management Fees & Tariffs
  Successfully challenged yearly management fees and the existing electricity supplier pricing, resulting in new tariffs now being in place.
• Grounds Maintenance
  Conducted an investigation proving payments were made for grounds maintenance that was not carried out. This resulted in a full grounds clean-up.
• Boundary Fencing
  Repairs were made to the wooden boundary fencing.
• Rear Waste Compound
  Repairs were made to the wooden fencing around the rear waste bin compound.
• Front Steps & Railings
  Repaired loose front entrance steps and metal railings painted.
• Juliet Balconies
  WGRA has initiated action regarding the major refurbishment needed for the Juliet balconies; A Dandy Wren has been tasked with investigating the current situation and reporting back findings.

Community Engagement and Events

The WGRA hosted an extensive calendar of events and supported local initiatives, bringing the community together throughout the year.

• Events Calendar
  A total of 20 community events were managed, including: 17 Summer evening events held on the Village Green, the annual Summer Gala Day event, the community Halloween event, the community Easter event.
• Local Support and Donations
  Made donations to various Eco Kids projects, including hedgehog houses and bird boxes. Christmas gift donation to Eco Kids. Secured a donation free of charge for the estate Christmas tree from Northfields.

Official Liaison and Estate Safety

WGRA maintained close working relationships with local authorities to improve safety and secure project funding.

• Parish Council
  Attended monthly Woolley Parish Council meetings and submitted successful applications for funding projects around the estate, Woolley Parish Neighbourhood Plan( WGRA actively on the committee).
• PACT Meetings
  Attended Police and Communities Together (PACT) meetings.
• West Yorkshire Police liaison
  Maintained liaison with West Yorkshire Police on critical estate issues, including: anti-social behaviour, off-road bikers/quad bikes, reporting and investigation of a cannabis farm located in an estate property, drug activity taking place in and around the estate, the estate being used as a race track.