Minutes of a Meeting of the Planning Committee of Wrington Parish Council held in the John Locke room on Tuesday, 13th May, 2008
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1 Apologies:
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Mr D. W. Glynn, Chairman
Mrs G. J. Bigg
Ms E. P. Irving
Mrs P. Ledbury
Mrs S.L. Dunn Morua
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Mr G. A. Matthews
Mrs G. Moss
Mrs C. A. Phillips
Mr R. L. Thorn
Mrs D. J. Yamanaka
Ms G. Wilson, Clerk |
Mr M. Berkley
Mr P. Ellis
Mrs J. Gallop
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| In attendance: Mr Richard Mead of Summerfield Homes; Mr Stephen Carey of First Home UK; and six members of the public. |
2. Declarations of Interest
None on known agenda items.
3. Public Participation
a. Mr Richard Mead of Summerfield Homes addressed the meeting in connection with plan for the Richards Garage site. Having reviewed the Inspector’s report following refusal of the previous application, his company is now submitting revised plans taking into account the main issues in the report.
These include: the open market nature of the housing, the density of the development and the two-storey nature of the dwellings. The new proposal is for nine two-bedroom retirement bungalows, restricted to people aged 60 years and over.
The homes would be Code 3 in terms of sustainability. It is expected that, given the age of the residents, car use will be reduced. His company consider that the removal of the garage would be a planning gain, as the site is being under-utilised at present, and the Inspector was concerned that any increase in activity could be in conflict with the residential nature of the area if it became a more active site.
Cllr Bigg commented that the removal of the garage would result in the loss of a source of employment. Mr Mead said that efforts have been made to market the site as a business, as required by NSC.
Cllr Irving asked about provision for parking - Mr Mead said the plan is for nine spaces plus two for visitors. The narrow access to the site was raised, in relation to large vehicles such as refuse lorries, but Mr Mead said that NSC Highways Department do not envisage a problem. Councillors also expressed concerns about dealing with surface water run-off from the site. Mr Mead said that an underground storage facility is to be designed, and this is considered adequate.
Cllr Glynn asked about the timescale for submitting an application. Mr Mead said that his company is now ready to put in their application in the near future, and he invited the Parish Council to send him any comments that may arise following the meeting.
The Chairman thanked Mr Mead for his presentation and he then left the meeting.
b. Mr Stephen Carey of First Home UK then addressed the meeting in relation to his company’s plans to develop a site in Rickyard Road. Copies of the proposals had been distributed to members of the Council prior to the meeting.
The plans involve the provision of eight semi-detached bungalows, four to be three-bedroom and four to be two-bedroom. They will be for outright purchase, but the aim is to make them ‘affordable’ by selling them at approximately half the open market price. Stringent criteria would be applied to any potential purchasers, so that ownership would be restricted to those who have long-term residential and family ties with the parish, or who have permanent employment here.
His organisation believes this is a viable alternative to other forms of affordable housing. The buildings will be of timer-framed construction, of a high quality finish, and will be Code 4.
Councillors raised a number of questions in relation to the legal aspects of ownership, in terms of retaining the properties as ‘affordable’ in perpetuity. Mr Carey explained the complex legal restrictions that will be applied to ensure that the benefit is passed on to future purchasers.
Cllr Dunn Morua asked what measures would be put in place to overcome the risk of flooding, in light of the history of flooding at this site. Mr Carey stated that his company will be employing consultants to ensure that the problem is adequately dealt with. In terms of timescale, Mr Carey explained that there is still a considerable amount of work to be done before they are ready to submit a planning application. This will include a ‘needs’ survey to be carried out locally, which will encourage potential purchasers to register an interest.
Mr Carey was thanked by the Chairman for his presentation, and he left the meeting at this point, as did members of the public.
4. Minutes of previous meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on 22nd April were reviewed. Cllr Dunn Morua said that she understood that the comments on Oakdene Farm would include a suggestion that a permeable surface for the hard-standing should be used. It was agreed that the Clerk would submit this additional comment to NSC. The minutes were then signed as a correct record.
5. NSC South Area Planning Committee
It was noted that Cllr Glynn and Cllr Bigg will be attending Parish Voice on 14th May with regard to whether an Environmental Impact Assessment was required for the BIA walkway application. Cllr Bigg said that if it was decided that an EIA was required, then the walkway would require a full planning application. The Parish Councils’ Airport Association has contacted the GOSW, who have agreed to review the decision on the EIA – it is not known what NSC will do in the light of this.
Other points noted: Greenholm Garden Centre – recommended for refusal; Silveridge (The Forge) – appeal dismissed on 18th April.
6. Decisions Notices issued by NSC
These were reviewed as follows:
* 08/P0471/F – Farley House, High Street: repositioning of front door and window – approved.
* 08/P/0482/F – 2 Redcroft, Redhill: erection of single storey front extension and a single storey side extension – approved.
* 05/P/0529/F – 1 Hailstone Cottage: erection of conservatory – approved.
* 08/P/0677/F – 31 Garstons Close: tree work – approved.
* 06/2104/CA – Richards Garage: demolition of garage workshop and outbuildings – refused.
7. Planning Applications
08/P/0880/F – Sutton Farm, Sutton Lane, Butcombe – erection of replacement cattle building and replacement of roof of lean-to barn and tool shed. It was agreed to make no comment on this application.
08/P/0946/F – 4 Tincknells Row, Station Road – erection of wooden garden shed. It was agreed to query why a garden shed of the proposed dimensions should require planning permission, but to make no other comment.
08/0948/F – Benvenuto, Downside Road – Loft conversion with dormer window and balcony to the rear. It was agreed to make no comment on this application.
08/P/1043/F – Cole Motors Ltd, Redhill – alterations to existing workshop building to enlarge existing office space. It was agreed to make no comment on this application.
8. Other Planning Issues
a. Stone Farm – Grade II listed building on the site of BIA. Cllr Glynn explained that he had obtained information from English Heritage that the building had been de-listed some weeks before, and questioned how this could have been done without the Parish Council being informed or consulted. He will follow this up.
b. Windows – Cllr Glynn said he now believes that Article 4 does not apply to all properties in the Conservation Area. The Parish Council appears not to have all the information about this, and he has now requested a copy of the relevant regulations from NSC. The issue will require further investigation.
c. Enforcement: Woodlands – no information available about this. Queries in relation to the work at Piercehay have been registered with the Enforcement Team, as has the problem of containers on land at Mill Lane - the outcome of investigations is awaited.
There being no other business the meeting closed at 7.35 pm. |
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Mr. D W Glynn
Chairman |
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