Interim Parish Council Meeting - Planning

INTERIM PARISH COUNCIL MEETING - PLANNING

Minutes of the Meeting held

on Thursday 28^th June 2001

In the Village Hall, Warmington

 

 

 

1.      ATTENDANCE

Mr D Rowell (Chairman)                            Mr A Hinton

Mr R Bosworth (Vice Chairman)                Mr D Short

Mr M Dixon                                               Mr R Enfield

Mrs M Hodges

 

11 Parishioners were also in attendance      

 

2.      APOLOGIES  : Apologies were received and accepted from Mr P Banbridge and Mr V Cooper

 

3.      PARISHIONERS COMMENTS

a)      Mr Stewart asked that he be allowed to draw attention to the problems that he has with the planning application for 13 Big Green. The land is low lying with a dyke running through it. The Environment Agency has designated it a flood area. A culvert will only alleviate the problems when it is able to carry the water away. This will not occur if it becomes blocked, as they have a tendency to do, or when it is physically unable to cope with the volume of water. On the occasions that the dyke has become restricted in its path the area that has tended to flood is Ashdown Farm, owned by Mrs Jones, and the Stewarts’ garden. Mr Stewart’s argument is that building on this land would compromise the situation. He has no objection to the building but considers that flooding would take place at the front of the culvert causing flooding to Mrs Jones’s property and the Stewart’s garden. Mr Stewart showed the meeting pictures to illustrate his points.

b)      Mr Atkinson commented on the state of various footpaths. He feels that the path that joins the Peterborough Road has been sprayed, but the nettles still need clearing. Long Lane still seems to be in dispute as to whether it is the responsibility of ROW or Highways. Mr Atkinson agreed to clear this in his own time. He has already cleared the area around Taylors Green.

c)   Mrs Bosworth commented that the area from the ford to the main road is overgrown.

 

 

4.      PLANNING APPLICATIONS

a)      Springville House, 14, Little Green – Single storey dwelling – Planning Permission received

b)      Variation of condition No 5 to allow the vehicular parking area to be gravelled at Warmington Mill Eaglethorpe. Letters have been received from both Mrs Stroud and Mr Constant arguing that this is a special landscape area and should be treated as such. They do not consider that gravel is a suitable option. They would like Fired Earth to state their environmental policy.

Mr Bosworth was concerned with the likely movement of gravel and the fact that it would need regular topping up. He considered the grass-crete suggested in the original application to be a much better option. Mr Enfield agreed that it would seem sensible to continue with the grass-crete. Mr Rowell was concerned that the parking arrangements continue to the sluice, but it seemed unlikely that this would be changed. Mr Dixon proposed and Mrs Hodges seconded that the original proposal of grass-crete was acceptable whilst gravel was not. AIF

c)      11, School Lane – Two dwellinghouses with garages. Although this application was acceptable Mr Dixon considered the design of the houses to be bland and unimaginative. He would like to see the façade of the buildings to be more in keeping with their village setting and suggested the possibility of bay windows. Mr Dixon proposed and Mr Enfield seconded that the application be approved, but with the above comments made. AIF. Mr Rowell suggested putting these comments in writing to the agent.

d)      13, Big Green – Dwellinghouse with garages and vehicular access. This is for outline planning permission at the moment and the details are very brief. Following on from Mr Stewart’s comments, Mr Rowell felt that drainage would have to be a major consideration. The culvert would need to be a lot larger and a flood engineer would be needed to assess the situation. Mr Short pointed out that the intention was for the dyke to be moved to the side by the Environment Agency. He felt that in certain times the area would always flood as large quantities of water are unable to turn the corner in the dyke. Mr Bosworth pointed out that the problem with culverts is their tendency to block. Although the general feeling was that the building was acceptable, it was felt that the current state of its location was not. The Parish Council would like further assurances as to the measures that would be taken to alleviate the problem of flooding. Mr Rowell agreed to investigate further and talk to the Planning Officer.

e)      Boat Club Building with ancillary parking area at land adjacent Warmington Mill Eaglethorpe. Mr Rowell commented that the idea was for Elton Estates to provide the base and the services and for the Boat club to provide the building. The building is to be for leisure activities and in wood. This has enabled the rent to be reduced considerably from the earlier proposal. Mr Bosworth considered it to be a building in open country and therefore contrary to ENC planning guidelines. Mr Enfield pointed out that the Boat Club is an asset to the village and it was agreed that the village would not want to loose this asset. Despite reservations about the building, therefore, Mr Dixon proposed and Mr Enfield seconded that there be no objections subject to the above comments. 4 voted in favour, 1 abstention and 2 against. Mr Bosworth asked that an archaeological dig be requested before the base is put down.

 

 

5.      ANY OTHER BUSINESS

a)      Village Design Statement – The Clerk has contacted Kings Cliffe PC regarding their open meeting. This was very successful and they had speakers from Rockingham Forest Trust and ACRE. Mr Dixon suggested that Warmington arrange an open meeting for the beginning of September.

b)      The publication “Probity in Planning” has now been obtained and will be circulated. Comments from councillors would be appreciated. Mr Rowell has investigated the situation whereby the Council has lost the views of one of its members on planning matters further. He has spoken to the publishers of the book, ACRE and ENC and all seem surprised at the situation. Further enquiries will be made.

c)      Play area – The Clerk has discussed the problems with Record Play Equipment and Health and Safety. With regard to the swings, both must be of the same type within one frame. The height of the slide steps should conform to British standards. The use of bark is not ideal, but where it is thick enough and not under moving equipment it is acceptable. Ideas on annual inspection costs have been obtained – The National Playing Fields Association £424 + Expenses + VAT, ROSPA £350 + VAT, Wicksteed Leisure £25 + VAT. Agreements with Elton Estates have not yet been completed, but after this a volunteer will be needed to inspect the play area on a regular basis.

d)      Mr Cooper has made a very good job of the bench in Little Green.

e)      The Interpretation Panel has now been installed. A letter of thanks to be sent to Chris Ellard.

f)        Mr Bream to be sent a letter of thanks for his work with the street light plans.

g)      A letter to be sent to BT telling them that where the Parish Council are no longer sharing their poles they will become their responsibility.

h)      Leisure Field – the agreements with Elton Estates have now been signed and the Field belongs to the Parish Council. Mr Short is in the process of cutting it ready for the summer. Decisions now need to be made as to how to run it.

i)        Mr Dixon asked that the Clerk write to ENC informing them that the post and chain fence at the bungalows opposite the Red Lion is rotting in places and needs to be repaired. The path on the left hand side of the bungalows also needs attention, as it is full of weeds.

Mr Dixon pointed out that some trees have been damaged by contractors with their strimmers. The trees in the area opposite the Red Lion and going towards the Little Chef need to be cleared around. Mr Rowell agreed to do this.

Mr Enfield stated that he will be painting the other side of the barriers in Church Lane in the next few weeks.

j)        Mr Stewart expressed his surprise that someone on the Parish Council should be able to comment on his own planning application. He felt that this constituted a conflict of interest. Mr Rowell pointed out that the stance adopted by a Parish Councillor in such a situation was up to his own discretion.

 

The meeting closed at 8.55pm.