20/09/2011 Look North (North East and Cumbria)

Hello and welcome to Tuesday's Look North. Tonight: The grandmother who

has been told she is an illegal immigrant after 46 years in the UK

the controversial plan to build 36,000 new homes over the next 20

years. Why these baby squirrels, saved from the recent storms, are

now facing a new threat. And baby bump painting for mums-to-be - the

latest craze from America hits the north.

In football, Newcastle and Middlesbrough carry the region's

hopes in the Carling Cup. And, despite the disappointment of being

snubbed by the Super League, the women's game in the area is still

First tonight, she has lived in the UK for the last 46 years, but now

Teesside grandmother Norma Chisholm has been told she is an illegal

immigrant. Norma moved to Britain from South Africa when she was just

10 years old. She went to school here, got married here, and even

ran her own business here. But now she fears she will be forced to

leave the country. Norma says she is shocked and disgusted, as Stuart

Whincup now reports. Norma moved with her father to South Africa --

from South Africa to Britain when she was 10 and has lived here for

nearly 50 years. She was recently preparing to take a first family

holiday abroad and applied for a passport. It was then she says she

was told she was an illegal immigrant. I was so offended

because I have worked in this country, got married in this

country, been educated here, had my own business and mortgages. I

brought my children up in this country. To be told that I cannot

have a passport, you know, it is absolutely ludicrous. Norma

believes an error by her father decades ago means she was never

properly registered as a UK citizen. Now she says she has to provide a

mountain of paperwork and documentation to prove her right to

stay in the country. You need utility bills ranging back from

when I started to work. I do not keep mind longer than two years.

Proof that I have worked in this country, prove that I have been

with the doctor all my life. I should not have to prove that. I

have got my school reports - that is about it. I've got a driving

licence. What do they want? Norma believes she could be forced to

leave the country. But this evening the Home Office told BBC Look North

that would not happen. It said the grandmother would automatically be

granted leave to stay she could prove she's been in the country

Tyneside needs 36,000 new homes. That's the conclusion of a massive

blueprint published today. It says the homes should be built across

Gateshead and Newcastle over the next 20 years. But the plans will

be controversial. Around a third of the new houses will have to be

built on undeveloped green belt land. And thousands will have to

going to existing villages. Our political editor, Richard Moss, is

at the sight of one of the likely development sites now.

We are just a few miles west of Newcastle. What you can see behind

me is the city's green belt. At it was put there to avoid are urban

sprawl. There could be houses here in their thousands, and also

schools, shops and roads. It is not the only community to be affected.

The extension of that they What will cause contention is the

green belt development. Added element of 4,000 homes will be

built here. The villages would have to expand by 4,500 homes on the

edges of Newcastle and Gateshead. Contentious, perhaps, but the

council says it is absolutely essential to meet growing demand.

Existing sites are not enough, brownfield land are not in -- is

not enough. We also want to provide quality and choice. Green belts or

four different opportunities. -- offer.

There are already some people saying the council needs to look at

alternatives to digging up green field sites like this one.

alternatives have got to be found inside the city, bringing empty

homes back into use, building houses, not more retail

developments or commercial developments, perhaps reclaiming

some of the terraces that a been lost to student accommodation,

moving students into halls of residence, back came the strategy

rather than gobbling up green belt. It is a process that feeds itself.

In a year or two, we will be back wanting more bites of the green

belt. You continue to have more urban sprawl, and the loss of

farmland. Harvey's plans set in stone or do

the communities get a say? People will get a chance to have a

say. There will be a six-week public consultation. The council

says the population will expand to 500,000 by 2030 and they need these

new ones. They say it will be local people who will benefit. A lot of

these homes will be affordable, will be providing the future for

families who cannot get decent housing at the moment. These are

real people and real lives that are at stake. We're going to take the

right decisions and we are also going to listen to people to make

sure we are taking these decisions with people, not against them.

Inevitably, there will be people who see development like this as

sacrilege, ripping out belongs from Tyneside. -- the lungs. Meanwhile,

there's controversy in a North Yorkshire village over plans which

could double its size. The Sowerby Gateway scheme near Thirsk involves

nearly 1,000 new homes, a business park, shops, playing fields and a

school. Developers say it will help the homeless and provide jobs.

Objectors say it is just too big and the village will be swamped.

More of the day's news now. Police hunting two men who attacked a 27-

year-old man at a Carlisle taxi rank have released CCTV footage.

The pictures show the taxi rank on Portland Place in Carlisle just

before midnight on Saturday 6th August. The victim was thrown to

the floor and stamped on. The police are appealing for witnesses,

including the drivers of three Skoda taxis which were parked in

the area. A mother and daughter survived when

their car was crushed under a lorry full of chickens. The lorry toppled

over on a roundabout on the A64 near York. A Peugeot 107 on the

inside lane was flattened to dashboard level but it's two

passengers managed to escape with only cuts and bruises. Police and

emergency services say they've been incredibly lucky. It was fairly

miraculous, I think. I have seen some serious collisions in the past

but this was absolutely miraculous. They managed to escape relatively

uninjured. Plans to cut down a tree in a North

Yorkshire village have been delayed because a protester is refusing to

climb down from it. The 100-year- old beech in Irton, near

Scarborough, was due to be felled today, following a five-year legal

fight which has cost the taxpayer more than �250,000. One resident in

the village had claimed the tree's roots could damage his property.

But other residents have been fighting to save it.

A complete failure, and a very expensive one. That is the damning

verdict by MPs on plans to centralise our region's fire

control centres, plans that cost tens of millions of pounds but came

to nothing. All of our region's control rooms would have been

merged into just three. But not even our local fire brigade bosses

were properly consulted, as Gerry Jackson reports.

A state-of-the-art nerve-centre sending life saving fire crews

around the North East. 12 years after it was first report last --

first proposed, it is empty. Nine of these were built around the

country, this one near Durham would have replaced four smaller ones. It

was always intensely controversial. Local knowledge is key. If you have

someone in an emergency situation and panicking, often that local

knowledge can be a difference between seconds and minutes. We

know that seconds mean the difference between life and death.

This would not be the first time that a publicly funded project has

been over budget, extremely late or, as in this case, never happened at

all. But seldom has a report been so damning. In fact, the Public

Accounts Committee said it was one of the worst cases of project

failure it had seen for many years, with hugely unrealistic cost

forecasts and naive over-optimism about the planned new computer

system that would have accompanied it. The Tyne and Wear brigade told

us that the Government determined the cost and the way forward. The

Fire and Rescue Service was not fully consulted. We are now looking

at alternatives for our control room locally. We have seen a

tremendous waste of public money, taxpayers' money at a time when

public sector organisations are having to face huge cuts. That is a

criminal waste, as far as we're concerned. We want to see these

buildings put to use so that some of the money can be recouped.

building that will not be idle is the new centre in Cheshire.

Cumbria's fire control centre is still planned to move here. Others,

like the one in County Durham, are costing taxpayers thousands every

month they stand empty. Campaigners say it could save lives,

but tonight the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg refused to

commit to an alcohol pricing zone for the north-east. Newcastle Lib

Dems say a minimum price for alcohol would help tackle binge

Speaking to BBC Look North at his party conference, Mr Clegg says the

Government is tackling excess drinking. Our political

correspondent, Mark Denten, joins us now from Birmingham. Mark, a

minimum price for alcohol - how would that work?

There are plenty of bars in the conference centre here, but for

some North East delegates, the ex - - the issue of excess Salcott

consumption is no light matter. -- alcohol consumption. One in three

of us is thought to binge drink and some North East delegates here say

that there should be a minimum price for alcohol, possibly 50p per

unit. One councillor told me why she thought it was so important to

be introduced. There are young people going into a hospital who

have already seriously damaged their liver, put themselves at

increased risk of serious illness and it is just getting completely

out of control. We must tackle this urgent life. What does Nick Clegg

have to say about that? He says that alcohol problems are a

major issue for the Government across the country. When I caught

up with him earlier, I asked if he would commit to a specific zone

where there would be a minimum price? We will look at it and many

other ideas to deal with something that is a real scourge in many

communities. Alcohol abuse is bad for communities, but for law-and-

order, it fosters crime and it is bad for people's health. We will

continue to look at possible solutions but I cannot tell you now

have weather having a region specific solution is practical.

The keynote speech it is tomorrow? Yes. They are down in the opinion

polls and the lost seats in the North East and Cumbria. Somehow he

has to inspire these delegates and send them home sort of happy.

Still to come this Tuesday evening: All the sport, plus why expectant

mums are having their baby bumps painted.

I will have a full regional forecast later.

When Hurricane Katia swept through the region recently, it caused

widespread disruption, and not just for those of us trying to get home

in the rush-hour. Four baby red squirrels were left homeless by the

stormy weather and were taken to an animal rescue centre near Morpeth

in Northumberland. But, as Katie Gornall reports, their new home is

now also under threat. They are just five weeks old and

lucky to be alive. Blown from a tree in the aftermath of Hurricane

Katia, these red squirrel kittens were found and brought here to the

Sanctuary Wildlife Centre in Northumberland where Eileen, one of

the volunteers, is giving them round the clock care. I began

feeding them every two a three assures. My life at the moment his

government around being here at certain times to feed him. It takes

a lot of time. As well as the red squirrels there

are also other animals cared for here at the Sanctuary.

Unfortunately, their home is now under serious threat. The centre

has been running for 19 years. She relies on donations and grants to

stay open. But the money has dried up. We have never been in such

financial difficulties as we are at the moment. If it was a novice on a

business you would close the doors and walk away. It is not. If we

close, there will probably be animals that will have to be put to

sleep. We have old courts, disabled roles - who will take them? -- old

goats, disabled owls.The squirrel kittens will be cared for and then

released into the wild next spring. The future of their current home,

however, remains uncertain. Katie Gornall, BBC Look North, in Morpeth,

Northumberland. It's big in the United States and

even A-list celebrities like Mariah Carey are doing it. So-called "baby

bump painting" - the art of painting pictures onto the tummies

of expectant mums. Now one woman from South Shields is offering the

service. Nicola Walton says it's becoming more and more popular here

in the North. Adele Robinson reports. It's the latest craze and,

on surprisingly, it has travelled over from the United States. It is

something that is different and a bit quirky. It is a lovely

experience for everybody involved. You will probably find that, when

you stand up, it will change shape. Nicola has been running a face-

painting side business for years but she just took it to another

level with a bump painting. It is becoming more and more popular.

lot of painters offered that in America and it is becoming

increasingly popular here. There has been a lot of interest here.

Most of it has come from my Facebook page. Karen and Jenny only

have a few weeks left until they give birth. This is their last

minute treat. It is something nice to take a photograph of and keep

forever. As she was doing at the baby kept Robert -- wriggling about.

-- as she was doing a. -- it. have done butterflies, sunflowers,

a sweet pea baby. Somebody said it would be good to copy a scan

picture. And with unexpected baby boom this

year, Nikolai is hoping for a lot of new customers. It is nice to

show-off and celebrate your pregnancy.

Would you get your stun? I knew you would ask that! -- yours

done. It's Carling Cup night this evening,

with Newcastle and Middlesbrough flying the flag for the region.

More on the Boro in a moment, but first, the Magpies, who take on a

Nottingham Forest side managed by the Teessiders' old boss, Steve

McClaren. Forest are struggling in the Championship, though, and

Newcastle are unbeaten so far this season. No wonder Alan Pardew is

confident of a decent cup run, even without a few regulars, at the City

Ground tonight. Our squad is definitely stronger, there is no

doubt about that. We have a lot of quality and, as I said, there will

be changes. These guys are desperate to play. In that way,

they are probably more motivated than my first team.

Middlesbrough will not have much time to get used to things at their

training ground. They are returning to the League Cup action. We are

smarting from the defeat at the weekend. You do have half an eye on

the league programme. It is our bread and butter. We want to try

and progress. It is important that the fans to come out see us going

and competing. Tony Mowbray could include a new

man up front tonight. It is fantastic for a young guy like him

to be upfront like that. We are here to try and facilitate a bit of

that for him. It will help our strike force that has been doing so

well this season. Hopefully, he will add some competition. Let us

hope he adds some goals as well. Commentary on both those games on

your BBC local radio stations, where you'll also find coverage of

the Blue Square Premier matches involving the leaders, Gateshead,

and the derby between York City and Darlington.

Women's football in the region suffered a huge setback with

Sunderland and Newcastle failing to make the Super League. Both

subsequently lost their status as centres of excellence. But they

haven't given up and they're investing in the future, as Dawn

Thewlis reports. The North East has provided some of

the top players in the women's game at club and international level.

Losing out in the Superleague has seen much of that talent forced to

go elsewhere. Having centre of excellence statists removed as well

added insult to injury. To have known of these teams in the

Superleague is a real shame but both teams have plodded on, picked

themselves up and they are getting on with it. Hopefully in the years

to come we can maybe reapply and become part of that big league.

Without investing in the future... , women's football may never

recover. This club is just one of many run by the Newcastle United

Foundation to make sure that does not happen. They work with schools

across Tyneside and Northumberland to encourage girls to get involved

in the game and move on to clubs. Many of these girls have never kept

a ball before. If we do not recruit at grassroots

we are going to struggle. We do not know at this moment in time but

three or four years down the line we could have a star in the making.

Women's football has seen a huge increase in populate that --

popularity but girls are still less likely to pick up the sport than

boys. I think it is interesting because normally I don't play

football but my dad has been trying to encourage me. I know people

usually enjoy scoring goals but I enjoy tackling and trying to get

the ball off of people. I did not realise how good I was.

On to basketball, and Teesside's Terry Bywater has led the British

wheelchair team to a European title win - the first time they've lifted

the trophy since 1995. Bywater joint top-scored with 30 points out

in Israel, as the Brits beat Germany in the final by 76 points

to 65. They were bronze medallists at the last two Paralympic Games,

and European runners-up in 2005 and 2007. So this is a massive boost

ahead of London, 2012. I said before the tournament that if we

could get to this final it would be great. To walk away with a gold

medal, we have to be full of confidence now.

Cricket finally, and there was disappointment for Chester-le-

Street last night in the final of the national Club 20-20 competition.

Defending a total of 120 for 4 against Ealing, they dropped a

catch off dangerman Chris Peploe to the first ball of the Londoners'

reply. Peploe went on to finish the game with a six, as Ealing cruised

home by 10 wickets. Sport can be cruel.

It can. She said, knowledgeably. This young bird is a bit bedraggled

looking. It will be travelling south. This one is a bit more

tropical. I think tomorrow the weather is set to ruffle a few

feathers. The winds will be stronger than today. It will be

cloudy with some showers. It will feel more autumnal. There is an

area of rain to the south of us. We are in the driest slot. Heading

into this evening the cloud will tend to break up. Most of us will

have a dry night with clear spells. It could be quite chilly. The winds

may pick up through the night. It will be mostly dry at the start of

the day tomorrow. A weather front makes its way down from the north.

That means increasing cloud and some rain. The rain should reach

most places by the afternoon. It will start to dry up by the end of

the afternoon. Temperatures will be similar to today. It will feel

cooler tomorrow. Things remained changeable. -- remain changeable.

Friday looks drier. More rain is due to end them from the west at

the weekend. Most places east of the Pennines will be dry with

bright spells on Thursday. The farther north and west you are the

more likely you are to have thicker cloud. Carlisle is likely to seek

rain and drizzle. -- to see rain and drizzle. A fair amount of cloud

around on Friday but not a bad end to the working week. Keep your

pictures of the weather coming in. It is the usual address.

Time now for a look at today's headlines. The International

Monetary Fund has warned there's a risk of a double dip recession

hitting the global economy. And Teesside grandmother Norma