Interim Parish Council Meeting - Planning

INTERIM PARISH COUNCIL MEETING - PLANNING

Minutes of the Meeting held

on Friday 24^th August 2001

In the Village Hall, Warmington

 

1.      ATTENDANCE

Mr D Rowell (Chairman)                            Mr A Hinton    

Mr M Dixon                                                Mr R Enfield

      Mrs M Hodges                                            Mr V Cooper

      Mr P Banbridge

 

2 Parishioners were also in attendance        

 

2.      APOLOGIES  : Apologies were received and accepted from Mr R Bosworth and Mr D Short

 

3.      PLANNING APPLICATIONS

a)      Dwellinghouse at 16 Chapel Street, Warmington – Mrs Hodges left the meeting whilst this application was being discussed. There were no objections to this. It was considered to be very straightforward.

b)      Two detached dwellinghouses at 23 Church Street, Warmington. There were no objections to these buildings as such, but concern was over the fact that they are large houses. It was felt that Warmington really needs more affordable housing. With reference to the footpath that runs alongside this is currently being investigated by Rights of Way and two parishioners have written to ENC to express their views. Mr Banbridge felt that there was no need to retain this footpath, there being a perfectly adequate footpath nearby. At a vote however, the majority of Councillors were in favour of retaining the path.

Mr Dixon felt that it would be better if the houses were positioned some 20 feet back. It was agreed to note this in the reply to ENC.

c)      A letter has been received from Bob Seery acting on behalf of Mrs Simpson at Thistleholme House. He is of the opinion that the Parish Council were not in possession of all of the facts when they made their objection to this application. In discussion Mr Banbridge pointed out that Thistleholme House is outside the confines of the village and that the only building that could be built in this area in the future would be agricultural buildings and then only with justification. He pointed out that the Simpsons have tried to sell Thistleholme House as a going concern for nearly 18 months with no success. It was felt, however, that although more facts were revealed in Mr Seery’s correspondence, the majority of Councillors wished to abide by their original decision. The Clerk to write to Mr Seery and Mrs Simpson.

 

4.      ANY OTHER BUSINESS

a)      The Register of English Football Facilities has been completed. The Clerk to copy and return this.

b)      Mrs Val Brookes has expressed her concern at the nature of the monument erected on the grave of Mrs Stubley. It was explained that it does conform with other monuments in the Cemetery.

c)      The Cemetery ditch has been dug out, but it is unsatisfactory, as the sides are straight. Mr Rowell to investigate.

d)      Building material has been dumped in the ditch opposite the Lawsons house in Broadgate Way. Mr Rowell to investigate.

e)      Mrs Chloe Furze has very kindly offered the Parish Council some trees. She would like some of them to be planted at Eaglethorpe.

f)        Mr Rowell and Mr Dixon attended the Awards For All ceremony at Northampton. The resultant certificate will be hung in the Village Hall.

g)      Warmington Mill Project – The service connection from the end of the Pocket Park to the Mill is a mess. Mr Rowell to have a word with Elton Estates. Mr Rowell has contacted the Council about the parking spaces. The space at the end is such that in order to negotiate a car parked there, people on foot would have to go far to close to the edge of the water. The space needs to be deleted.

The handrail is still under discussion. The Environment Agency will not accept responsibility for it and Elton Estates are reluctant to step in.

h)      Mrs Brudenell’s daughter has contacted Mr Rowell concerning the seat in Church Lane. The family are happy to install it where the Parish Council would like it. They will liaise with Mr Rowell.

i)        The Clerk has met with Daniel Berry, Solicitor, re the transfer of the Pocket Park from ENC. No Councillors are aware of any easements, rights of way etc that may affect this transfer. At the next Parish Council meeting it will be minuted that Mr Rowell, as Chairman, has the right to sign the transfer on behalf of the Parish Council. Mr Berry is to provide the Parish Council with the appropriate wording.

j)        Warmington Parish Council have been selected to take part in the evaluation of the planned new approach to the audit of Parish Councils. The Council have been provided with the necessary paperwork and the Clerk has been asked to attend a meeting on Friday 7^th September at 10.30 at the Moat House.

k)    Telephone conversation with Barbara Ding, Assistant Chief Exec ENC -
The letter to Mr Wise re Probity in Planning has been passed on to Mr Read as Mr Wise is on holiday. Mrs Ding, however, discussed the situation with the Clerk. Where “twin tracking” occurs, i.e. serving on two bodies at the same time, there is a problem with voting. Mr Banbridge cannot vote at Parish Council level, as he cannot publicly declare in advance his views before the matter has been discussed at District level. There is nothing to stop him, however, commenting on planning applications as to whether they would or would not conform with planning law. As to chairing the planning committee at District level when the application relates to Warmington, Mrs Ding suggested that it is up to Mr Banbridge as to whether he steps down for these. Where they are particularly contentious it may be advisable. With reference to the voting, Mrs Ding suggested that there is not a lot that can be done. The problem is countrywide and is unlikely to be resolved without primary legislation

l)        NALC have sent details of various courses. Wednesday 7^th November “ The Planning System” – the Clerk to attend. Thursday 8^th November and Thursday 14^th November “Code of Conduct”

m)    East Northamptonshire Housing invitation to AGM on Wednesday 12^th September. No one is able to attend. Mrs Hodges pointed out that there are meetings being set up for tenants.

n)      Mr Dixon asked the Clerk to follow up on the repair to `the post and chain fence opposite the Red Lion.

o)      Mrs Hodges stated that the kerbstones require attention outside no 12 Chapel Street.

p)      Mr Enfield highlighted the dangers of youngsters coming out of the Club car park. He has spoken to some of those involved and three mothers have agreed to deal with the situation. Since then things have improved slightly.

Mr Enfield congratulated the Clerk on the success of the recent “Channel Swim”

q)      Mr Cooper reported that Rob English from the Electricity Board has agreed to connect up to 6 streetlights free of charge.

 

The meeting closed at 8.40 p.m.