THE OLD WAREHOUSE

LONGFORDS MILL

A beautiful conversion consisting of 16 one, two and 3 bedroom apartments set over 4 floors.

Useful Information

  • Dedicated Parking – each flat has either one or two numbered parking spaces and there are 3 visitors spaces
  • Communal Gardens
  • Rubbish Hut – both for black bags and extensive recycling: collection Friday mornings (Stroud District Council)
  • Bike store
  • Satellite TV located in meter cupboard off the courtyard– provides 5 terrestial channels

Welcome from TheLongfords Mill Residents Association!

Longfords Mill Residents Association (LMRA) was set up to help communicate with the site developers and engender a cohesive social community. LMRA will take on the responsibility from the site developers when they have completed the development.

The Flat Managers Ltd (FM) are the first point of contact if you require information or have problems about communal spaces etc. If you are an owner you will receive estate charges and possible service charges if you have an apartment. FM contact details aretel. 01242 210 908

For Emergencies out of hours repairs ring ARMA Maintenance line Tel 0845 604 9732

email..

The following information has been provided by Flat Managers andThis welcome pack is meant to provide easy summary to The Flat Managers document and does not replace or change information in that document.

Brief history of Longfords Mill

The Playne family established Longfords Mill in the 18th century where blending, carding, spinning, weaving and finally finishing were all undertaken in these large mainly Victorian buildings. The manufacture of woollen cloth and latterly tennis ball fabric continued until 1980 approx, production then being moved to alternative sites within the Stroud valleys.
The mill buildings are Listed Grade II. The development has been carried out by Builders Ede Ltd, an Oxfordshire based company, and consists of a mixture of conversions of the old mill buildings, and newly built properties.

The Estate
The area of the estate including all the buildings, woodland, and the nature conservation and landscaped area is 14.6 acres (5.9 hectares). Following completion of the development, all purchasers will become members of Longfords Mill Management Company Ltd (referred to as the Management Company). This will own the freehold of the estate. The Management Company runs the estate areas, all freehold and leasehold owners contributing to the running costs by paying an annual Estate Charge.

The Leasehold Apartments
The leasehold apartments are managed through three separate Management Companies. Maintenance of the landscaped areas and the car parks owned by these management companies will be carried out by the same grounds maintenance contractors as for the estate, the costs being split between the Longfords Mill Management Company, and the apartment Management Companies.
Nature Conservation
The Longfords Mill valley has a high nature conservation interest, and is managed in accordance with a conservation management plan. This plan is reviewed every 5 years. The plan and work programme are monitored by an independent conservationist. Work is carried out either by the grounds maintenance contractors, or other more specialist contractors. The site has four distinct flora types: broad-leaved woodland, mixed woodland, marsh and rough grassland.

Longfords Mill is an important wetlands, river and streams site. There are a number of bat species at Longfords Mill, and these are protected. Roosting species include Greater Horseshoe, Lesser Horseshoe and Pipistrelle.

Bats are affected by external lighting. It can cause them to delay emerging from their roost, change their feeding habits and ultimately meant they desert their roost entirely. The need to install lighting close to bat flight areas and roosts should be questioned but if required, the main guidelines with regards to bats and lighting are: the lights should be hooded and point downwards, the use of low pressure sodium lamps, the beam of light should not extend over bat flight paths. Apartment owners should note that they are not allowed by the terms of their lease to install external lighting. Should you be planning to fit external lighting, please contact us for a copy of the recommendation, prior to having the lights installed. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is illegal to kill, capture, injure or disturb bats, obstruct access to bat roosts or damage/destroy bat roosts.
Other species frequenting and feeding across the site include Daubenton’s and Serotine. White-Clawed Crayfish are an important species on the site. With regard to birds unusual species such as Dippers, Kingfishers, and Grey Wagtails can be found. Also, otters and water voles have been present on the site.

The main protected species at Longfords Mill are the White-Clawed Crayfish, the bats, otters and water voles. For more information, visit It is an offence to harm or remove protected species.

The Administration of the Management Companies
The Directors are members of Builders Ede’s permanent staff. The Company Secretary is The Flat Managers Ltd.
The Flat Managers Ltd is the managing agent acting for the estate and apartment building management companies. Their contact details are:
The Flat Managers Ltd, Maple House, Bayshill Road, Cheltenham, Glos. GL50 3AW Tel: 01242 210908 / 07738 788860 Fax: 01242 210905 Email: ""

Repairs
Please report any maintenance or management issues relating to the apartments and/or the estate to The Flat Managers Ltd as soon as you become aware of them; they can then advise and arrange to deal with them on behalf of the relevant management company as appropriate.

In the event of an emergency relating to the apartments and/or the estate outside the hours of 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday, and on bank holidays, please contact The Flat Managers Ltd emergency service on the number below:

ARMA MaintenanceLine - 0845 604 9732

Useful Contacts
Cotswold District Council: Main number01285 623001

Council Tax01285 623033
Stroud District Council:Main number01453 754217
Council Tax01453 776321
For disposal of bulky items etc that the refuse lorry cannot take, request a special collection by contacting the Environmental Health Dept of your District Council (a charge may be made), or take to the nearest public refuse site: located at Pyke Quarry, near Horsley and Hempstead, near Gloucester (Waste Management Helpline - 01242 680010).

Walking on the Estate
With regard to access to the grounds the aim is that residents can safely enjoy them. When playing in the grounds, young children should be supervised by a parent or responsible person. The person supervising the children should have made themselves aware of any safety considerations and of the seasonal nature conservation constraints, particularly not to remove or harm White-Clawed Crayfish, and not to disturb bats. Access to the grounds is given to residents, their families and guests on the defined paths on the understanding that all persons exercise a duty of care towards themselves, family members and guests. If anything is found that requires repair or making safe, this should be communicated to the Managing Agents as soon as possible.
The Management Company can make its own regulations in respect of access over the Estate, and the Transfer Deeds to owners do not include a right to roam. Meanwhile, access is of course permitted. However, we ask that residents do not light bonfires or barbecue on the estate areas.
There is no access to the fenced off section of the dam embankment; this is restricted to the adjoining owners. We are sure that owners understand that they should for their own safety keep away from areas, which are currently occupied by Builders Ede as part of the building work.
Dogs
Dogs should be kept under control, and messes on mown areas, near paths and on the Reservoir Dam embankment should be poop-a-scooped. Please ensure Dogs are not allowed to roam unaccompanied.
Fishing
The bed of the stream running through the estate is owned as part of Longfords Mill. There is a general rule of “No Fishing” for the time being, to be reviewed as the development progresses. There is a mixture of brown and rainbow trout, and some hybrids.

The Reservoir

The reservoir was constructed in 1806. The Management Company own and maintain the dam and spillway (but not the lake). The dam is 150 metres long and 5 metres high. The capacity of the reservoir is 60,000 cubic metres. Builders Ede, to comply with the Reservoirs Act, provided the stones along the bank, widened and heightened the dam, and provided the ditch and piped French drain that runs along the base of the dam to the stream below the spillway, and repaired the spillway. There is a large pipe that goes from the winch and small sluice on the dam edge under the main building where there are valves that allow the water to flow. There is a slight flow all the time. The only time that the sluice and valves should be fully opened is when repairs are carried out to the spillway (once every 20 years or so), so that there is no water on the spillway. Every time that the sluice opening is adjusted, the lake owner, fishing club and adjoining owners have to be consulted beforehand. Their use of the reservoir may be affected by changing the water level. The work to the dam, spillway, sluice and outlet pipe was approved, supervised and signed off by the Consulting Civil Engineer, Nick Reilly. For continued Reservoirs Act compliance, Mr Reilly makes an annual visit and prepares a report every 10 years (next due May 2015), the cost being met by the Management Company. On the top of the dam the 300mm lower section of dam by the turbine sluice is to allow overflow along part of the dam face. Water will run to a French drain and ditch along the bottom of the dam face, which connects to the main overflow outlet at the bottom. Whilst the dam embankment is designed to cope with an overflow of water down it, the vegetation and topsoil would get partially washed out. Therefore, it is suggested that if the water level reaches 6 inches (150mm) of the top, the parties mentioned above should be contacted, and the sluice opened, (the amount by which it is opened to be agreed with the parties involved). Three Longfords ownershold a key for the pump room where the valves are situated:Don Clark, Roy Brayne and Chris Montacute. The mesh at the top of the main sluice, in the water was put there by fishermen, and is maintained by them. It stops fish getting through. The Consulting Engineer expects the dam face to be kept mown, and all trees/shrubs should be cut back particularly on the reservoir side of the dam. Residents are given permission by the Management Company to walk along the dam, excluding the part of the dam adjoining The Dye House and Mill House where there is no access beyond the wicket gate.
The Satellite Systems

The system was installed and is currently maintained by:

George Henry Relay Ltd

8 Hanborough Business Park, Long Hanborough, Witney, OX29 8SA

01993 880302

System 1 serves Blocks B, C and D, Weavers, The Old Warehouse including Loom Cottage, and Brook Cottage. The dish is located on the Old Warehouse and the head end equipment is found in the external store accessed from the courtyard. Spinners Cottages are not on the satellite system.
System 2 serves Blocks J, K, L, M, N and O, Gig Mill, Teazle Cottage, Yarn Store, The Wool Loft, The Mill House and The Dye House. Their dish is located on the garden of No 2 Mill House and the head end equipment is found within the basement store of the Wool Loft.
The Estate Charge

The Estate Charge is calculated by the preparation of an annual budget, and allocated between the individual properties on a floor area basis. The Estate Charge is payable by the freehold houses on 1st January each year, and the Annual Accounts are made up to 31st December in each year. The leasehold apartments have a separate service charge which is invoiced twice yearly on the dates stated in the leases and this service charge includes their share of the estate charge.

Fire Alarms

The alarms in the three apartment buildings are maintained on a regular basis by an independent contractor. In the event of a fire:

1. Operate the nearest fire alarm;

2. Leave the building by the nearest exit;

3. Report to the appropriate Assembly Point;

4. Dial 999 for the fire brigade;

5. DO NOT stop to collect personal belongings;

6. DO NOT re-enter the building until told it is safe to do so.

Residents are recommended to have a small fire extinguisher and fire blanket inside their apartment.
Services

The gas meters are in brown boxes adjoining ground level on the exterior of the building. Water and electric meters are usually in the cupboards in the communal areas. The meter cupboards must NOT be used by residents for storage of personal belongings.

In addition to the above, in buying a property at Longfords Mill you agree to comply with the requirements of your Transfer (freehold properties) or your Lease (apartments). The obligations are in place to ensure the estate remains a pleasant, peaceful and attractive place to live for all residents. The principal requirements relevant to the day-to-day use of your property are briefly summarized below and are intended as guidelines only - you should ensure that you are familiar with the detailed obligations contained in your Transfer or Lease. If you let your property, please ensure that your tenant is aware that they must also comply with those obligations, which affect their use of your property.

House Owner Obligations

  1. Your share of the cost of managing the estate is due on 1st January in each year and you will be sent an invoice around this time.
  1. You must maintain your property including those walls or fences, which are your responsibility.
  1. You must comply with any regulations imposed by the Management Company in relation to the wildlife area.
  1. Anyone wishing to sell their home is requested not to display a For Sale sign. This requirement stands until the last plot on the estate is sold. If in doubt please contact The Flat Managers Ltd before allowing your agent to put up a sign.
  1. Hoardings or advertisements must not be displayed on your property.
  1. No caravans, boats or similar should be kept on your property.
  1. No lorries or other commercial vehicles are to be parked on your property or on your estate, except for those making deliveries or repairs to buildings.
  2. Please contact The Flat Managers Ltd before cutting down or topping any trees or hedges as prior written permission may be required from the management company.
  1. You must not obscure any sight lines imposed by ay local authority or obstruct any accessways.
  1. There are restrictions on building on properties at Longfords Mill. Again, if in doubt please contact The Flat Managers Ltd.
  1. Residents are also asked not to do anything on their property which may cause nuisance or annoyance to their neighbours or the general public, neither should their property be used for business purposes.
  2. No structure, except boundary fences should be erected within 1.5 meters of any sewers, drains or pipes.

Apartment Owner Obligations

  1. You must pay your service charge (which includes your share of the estate charge) when invoiced. The payments dates vary between the apartment blocks and you will receive an invoice at the appropriate time.
  1. You must maintain those parts of your property, which are your responsibility and notify The Flat Managers Ltd of any repairs, which are the responsibility of the management company.
  1. Apartments should be used a private dwellings only.
  1. There are restrictions on alterations or building works to apartments. If in doubt please contact The Flat Managers Ltd.
  1. You cannot sublet part only of your apartment.
  1. Owners are required not to do anything which causes nuisance, damage or inconvenience to other residents. With this in mind, televisions and musical equipment should be kept to a reasonable noise level and all reasonable precautions taken to deaden the sound of dishwashers and washing machines.
  1. You must not do anything, which will render the Longfords Mill insurance policies void or voidable.
  1. Parking spaces are for private motor vehicles only with current tax and MOT certificates. Vehicle repairs must no be carried out. You may use visitors’ parking spaces provided for the use of your apartment block on a first com first served basis.
  1. You may place a dustbin in the bin store allocated for the use of your apartment block, for the disposal of normal domestic rubbish suitably and hygienically wrapped. You may also store a bicycle in your bin store.
  1. Ballgames are prohibited.
  1. No signs or notices must be displayed, including For Sale signs, except those approved by the Management Company.
  1. No external radio or television aerials or satellite dishes should be installed.
  1. You cannot hold any meetings to which the public is invited.
  1. No clothes, linen or furnishing should be hung outside the apartment block and all windows must have curtains, except bathroom or kitchen windows. All interior lights should be suitably shaded.
  1. Flooring inside apartments, apart from kitchens, bathrooms and WCs, should be covered with good quality carpet and underlay or wood flooring laid over suitable underlay.The use of nails to fix flooring is prohibited.
  1. Dogs or other domestic pets must be kept under control and not allowed to become a nuisance to other apartment owners. Any damage caused by them must be made good and any fouling around the estate disposed of hygienically.
  1. Rubbish should be disposed of properly both within the apartments and in the bins provided around the estate and communal areas. No obstructions such as furniture, bicycles or packages should be left in communal areas.
  2. In using the Longfords Mill estate owners and their visitors should not to cause an obstruction to other users and should not pick, cut or maim any flowers, shrubs or trees. Owners and their visitors should not make unnecessary noise having regard to the wildlife at Longfords Mill.

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