DUNKESWELL PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes for the meeting of Dunkeswell Parish Council held in Village Hall on Monday 19th January, 2004.

Present: Mr G Sworder (Chairman), Mr A Guest (Vice Chairman), Mrs B Russell, Messrs J Barrow, M Stevens, C Sumpter, B Procter, A Luscombe, PC Anning and four members of the public.
Apologies: County Councillor Mr B Nicholson, District Councillor Mrs M Boote and PC Lea

Minutes of the previous meeting held in the Village Hall on Monday 15th December, 2003 were signed as a correct record of that meeting (proposed by Mr Sumpter and seconded by Mr Luscombe).

PLANNING
Decisions -
03/P2657 Park Farm - permission granted for change of use of outbuildings and renovation of farmhouse.
03/T0107 2 Bluebell Road - permission granted for pruning ash and beech trees.
03/P2652 Unit C4 Flightway - permission granted for memorial museum
03/P2595 Unit H Flightway - permission granted for construction of industrial unit B1/B2/B8 use.
03/P2594 Unit J Flightway - permission granted for construction of industrial unit B1/B2/B8 use.
03/P2636 1 Rhododendron Avenue - permission granted for conservatory.
03/P2421 Fishponds House - all conditions stand on previous application except clause 3.
Applications -
03/P3075 J Stagg, Stentwood Farm - new deck and storage room replacing existing and alteration to plan for north wing. 03/P3134 Mr Ormsby De Encourt, Dwelling adjacent to Ball Knapp - conversion of garage to study with link to dwelling and resiting of vehicular access.
03/P3135 Mr Ormsby De Encourt, Dwelling adjacent to Ball Knapp - alterations to fenestration, erection of porch, external decking and tile hanging.
03/P3172 Mr and Mrs Drummond, 11 Simcoe Way - conservatory.(objection letter received after returned -passed to EDDC)
03/P3171 Mr and Mrs Tarrant, 7 Tower Way - conservatory. (Recommended obscure glass to side - currently shown clear)
03/P3181 R Shimell, 10 Whitebeam Grove - enlarge bay window.
Above six applications already returned (with no objection) due to time restrictions. Proposed for approval by Mr Luscombe, seconded by Mr Sumpter and unanimously agreed.

03/P3136 Mr Ormsby De Encourt, Dwelling adjacent to Ball Knapp - erection of 1.65m boundary fence with planting.
Application returned with objection on grounds of inappropriate height of fence along a highway due to time restrictions. Proposed for refusal by Mrs Russell, seconded by Mr Sumpter and unanimously agreed.

03/P3087 Mr C Rawding, 1 Powell’s Way - kitchen workshop extension. Proposed for approval by Mrs Russell, seconded by Mr Procter and unanimously agreed.

04/P0016 Mr K Purkess - storage and sales of caravans. This use is outside the boundary of the industrial estate on land which is designated as agricultural and would mean the industrial development would connect with the housing, which is unacceptable. Many objections have been received to the current unauthorised use of this site and the last application made for change of use. Proposed for refusal in line with objections to previous application by Mr Guest, seconded by Mrs Russell and unanimously agreed.

04/P0041 Mr and M rs Ingledew, 46 Louis Way - ground floor extension.
04/T0003 Mr and Mrs Ingledew, 46 Louis Way - reduce one ash tree.
04/P0078 British Light Aircraft Co. Ltd. - change of use - hangar from storage to assembly of aircraft/ extensions/alterations. (Mr Procter declared an interest).
The above three applications are to be visited and a decision returned when further information has been gathered.

Copy letter to EDDC from Mr Athey - objecting to all three applications at Ball Knapp. Mr Athey suggests that the Parish Council and EDDC pay more attention to their responsibilities and these discrepancies would not have been allowed to happen. Objection on the grounds that the house is oversized, with a gym, excessive ceiling height, oversized wall cavities, extraordinary insulation properties and concrete upper floors and a passage to the garage. Reply sent confirming that the recent applications are as a result of the Parish Councils reports to EDDC and their demand for an application to retain changes to the original plans.

It was agreed that the clerk should book a daytime meeting with Kate Little, all councillors agreed to attend. Clerk to request that a copy of any reply to WIMS regarding their proposals for Blossom Hill be sent in advance.

Enforcement -
Windwhistle Farm - letter confirming that the notice served on the residents was returned to EDDC by Post Office as undelivered. New notice issued 28th November 2003 (which will expire 2nd January 2004, as will the opportunity to appeal against it). The occupants will have until 2nd March 2004 to cease residential use.
Woodstock Timber - An agent has been instructed and a planning application is awaited to include use of office for occasional residential, wood hopper and car parking.
A letter has been sent requesting a site visit to crack down on illegal residential use of units on the industrial estate.
Village Plan - A reply from Claire Rodway has now been received and a copy will be circulated for discussion at the next meeting.

Local Plan - EDDC letter received acknowledging ours of 12th December 2003 regarding believed error in industrial boundary, this is to be inspected in the new year and comments returned.

EDDC - trees within conservation areas Section 211 - reminder that for applications relating to works on a tree within a conservation area, EDDC have 42 days in which to make a decision whether a tree is worthy of protection, therefore comments are requested by return for these applications.

Driver Training application - informal hearing date for appeal Tuesday 24th February 2004 10am at The Knowle (Mr Procter and Mr Guest to attend and represent the Parish Council).

Outstanding planning matters/applications as at the 19th January 2004:
August 2003 03/P1983 WIMS (UK) Ltd., Flightway - two industrial units
September 2003 03/P2203 Windrush - replacement porch
October 2003 03/P1983 WIMS Flightway - two industrial units
03/P2291 WIMS units 13 & 15 Flightway 03/P2407 WIMSUnits 11, 11a & 12 Flightway
November 2003 03/P2593 Stentwood Farm
December 2003 03/P2938 Manley’s Lane - fence 03/P2895 Linden Park

HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC
DCC - Reply from Gary Powell to our letter of 26th November 2003. Mr Powell states that neither the straightening of the road at Crook Hill, nor a bypass to the Industrial Estate are likely to become a priority for implementation in the immediate future. However the Parsons Brinckerhoff report will be used to consider such schemes in the future should funding become available. The improvements recently carried out at Wolford are the types of schemes that the Parish may wish to identify for consideration in the Community Travel Plan for prioritisation. The signing improvements at Coombe Hill bends, Crook Hill and Langford Bridge have been assessed and its is considered that this level of signing would be out of context with the location in an AONB, but some level of improvement will be considered for next years signing programme. Clerk to chase response to draft CTP submission.

Email received from Mr Athey - reminding the Parish Council about the long overdue solution to the problem of Chapel Hill and giving his view that a 40mph speed limit from Limers cross to the village is a ludicrous proposal.

Mr Barrow is to prepare a plan of the work needed to alleviate the problem of excess water breaking up the road on Percy Hill for submission to Highways.

FOOTPATHS AND BRIDLEWAYS
Mr Barrow reported that the owners of the footpath had asked Mr Barrow to complete the ditch clearance at Knapp Cottage at their expense and the work was now done.

Clerk to report ditch clearance required at Wolford Corner, chase work on Chapel Hill again and request road sweeping (and confirmation of programming) for the whole of the Highfield Estate.

Mr Stagg has kindly offered the use of the car park at Stentwood Farm to anyone walking the footpaths there.

ENVIRONMENT
Clerk to contact the Environment Agency and clarify the content of the notice which appeared in the Midweek Herald regarding a notice of application for the variation of a consent to discharge at teh Dunkeswell Sewage Works.

COMMUNITY FACILITIES
Clerk requested feedback on the Website - (www.dunkeswell.net) for next meeting.

PCSO Anning reported six crimes since the December meeting, three being thefts from motor vehicles on the airfield (Mr Procter reported that the Air centre now has CCTV in the car park as well as inside the building), two were common assault (complaint against one another in a domestic situation) and one dog bite. PCSO Anning has now started his patrol of the area in the new community vehicle and will be in the village daily.

Mrs Russell reported that the Community Hall was receiving a good level of bookings and all was in hand with required certificates, she is also to attend a course shortly on complying with the Disability Act as required from October 2004. Clerk to contact WIMS to ask on when the building of the new hall will commence.

FINANCE
Precept, donations and cash flow - After studying the projected figures for the coming financial year it was decided that a precept of £10,250 should be requested (last years precept rising in line with inflation). Proposed for approval by Mr Gueat, seconded by Mrs Russell and unanimously agreed.

EDDC - Allowances for Members of Parish Councils - from 1st January 2004 section 173-5 of the 1972 Act will no longer apply, should the council wish to pay allowances after that time they will only be able to do so under the 2003 regulations. Recommendations of the Parish Independent Remuneration Panel (extracts from the 2003 regulations enclosed). It was decided that no action was necessary at this point.

EDDC - Rural Aid 2004/5 is to be suspended in order to find funds for the governments latest requirement that new and improved services be offered by District Councils. A final decision as to whether Rural Aid is granted this year will be arrived at on the 11th February 2004 after the scrutiny of three separate committees.

A letter of thanks was received from the Youth Club for the donation of £500 and asking for continued support in the coming year. They were asked to submit a formal request at the next meeting.

The clerk requested confirmation that hours spent in completing the SLCC course and AQA examination could be in working time, as it is taking up a good deal of time, this was agreed.

Mr Sumpter and Mrs Russell are currently obtaining quotes for the grass cutting (to include New Century Park, Churchill playground and churchyard).

Account balances - at 1/1/04 Paths Account £673.30 Parish Account £1726.84 (£1670.59 after cheques paid)

QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
Two residents from the old part of the Village raised the question of road safety on the main road through the village and asked that PC Lea make speed checks in the old part of the village as well as on the road near Highfield. It was also requested that the clerk find out the cost of a flashing speed sign for the Parish to purchase and own and ask if pedestrian signs may be placed through the village. Mr Sworder suggested that as many residents as possible write to Ian Harrison at Devon County Council, County Hall, Exeter EX4 4QD to request a bypass, footpath and speed cameras for Dunkeswell. Clerk also to write.

Dates for next meetings – Planning Applications: Monday 9th February, 2004 7pm - 8pm - Village Hall
Parish Council: Monday 16th February, 2004, 7.30pm - Village Hall
Ward Meeting; Monday 1st March 2004, 7.00pm at Dunkeswell
to include a presentation by Enforcement