DUNKESWELL PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes for a Meeting of Dunkeswell Parish Council held in the Community Hall at 7.30pm on Monday 16th October 2006.

Present: Mr G Sworder (Chairman), Cllr J Barrow (Vice Chairman), Cllr Mrs B Russell, Messrs C Sumpter,
B Procter, A Luscombe, County Councillor Mr Roger Boote, District Councillor Mrs M Boote,
PC Vickery 4783 and six members of the public.
Apologies: Cllr M Stevens and PCSO Anning 30012.

All councillors are politely reminded of their obligation to declare interests under the Code of Conduct.
In making decisions the Parish Council recognise their statutory duties provided for in Section 11A(2) of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 (National Parks) and Section 85 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (AONBs) that in exercising or performing any functions in relation to, or so as to affect, land, they shall have regard to their purposes (ie conserve and enhance their natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage and to promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of their special qualities by the public).

1.1 Minutes of the previous meeting held in the Community Hall on Monday 18th September, 2006 were signed as a correct record of that meeting.
1.2 Following Mr Guests resignation from the Parish Council, the post of Vice Chairman has also now become available. Mr Luscombe nominated Mr Barrow, who accepted seconded by Mr Procter and unanimously agreed.

2 PLANNING
2.1 Decisions (for information)
06/2273/TRE 1 Bluebell Road – permission granted to reduce beech trees by 10 feet in height
06/2052/FUL Higher Park Farm – permission granted for agricultural livestock building.
05/2475/FUL The Old Forge – permission granted for new dwelling.
06/0430/FUL units 4a and 3b Marcus Road – permission granted for renewal of permission of 01/P0351
06/0490/FUL Beechwood Farm, Long Lane – permission granted for extension to house pigs.
06/0499/FUL unit 18G Flightway – permission granted for retention of work live unit.
06/0893/FUL 22 Simcoe Way – permission granted for conservatory.
06/2103/COU Old Highwood Farm – permission granted for convert barns to five holiday lets

2.2 Applications (for recommendation)
06/2607/FUL land off Culme Close – amendments to approved scheme 4no dwellings including conservatory to each and extension to plot 1. It is felt that this would bring the development too close to the hedge and tree line. RECOMMENDATION: REFUSAL

06/2570/TRE 1 Bluebell Road – fell one ash tree, reduce overhanging oak and ash. RECOMMENDATION: APPROVAL

06/0043 Lammasland – business plan for comment. Christmas tree business seems sensible, however the hay side of the business and building are still deemed unreasonable. There are concerns over the ‘imported organic compost’ what this is, what traffic it will generate and environmental concerns. RECOMMENDATION: REFUSAL

06/2794/VAR Unit 18F Flightway – variation of condition 2 of approved plan 05/3220/FUL to allow B8 Use RECOMMENDATION: APROVAL

06/2672/FUL Unit 3 Westerhope Farm – Erection of industrial building. It is believed that there are enough buildings on this site, and development should now cease. There are grave concerns over a second large industrial development being established in the AONB. The small scale light industrial development should be limited to its initial permission and expansion stopped now. RECOMMENDATION: REFUSAL

Copy of objection letter to amendments 06/0319/MFUL (this application is not on the agenda for the October Development Control meeting).

Copy of Awliscombe Parish Plan for information

Outstanding planning matters/applications as at the 16th October 2006: (for information)
January 2004 04/P0078 British Light Aircraft Co. (awaiting highways new proposal)
April 2005 05/0993/FUL Land at Highfield – 26 open market units, Land off Powells Way - 19 affordable dwellings, community facilities recreational land off Liberator Way
October 2005 05/2721/FUL Brookside Farm – change of use to residential, educational centre, activity equipment.
February 2006 06/0043/FUL Lammasland – chemical store/workshop and hay barn
06/0241/FUL Dunkeswell Kart Circuit – race control tower
06/0319/MFUL Dunkeswell Kart Racing Circuit – pits/workshops/visitors facilities.
May 2006 06/0969/FUL Highfield Community Hall
August 2006 06/2038/COU Sheldon Grange –cross country course
06/2270/FUL Royal Oak Inn – New dwelling and access
September 2006 06/2384/TRE 3 Potters Stile – height reduction to row of beech trees
06/2398/VAR Fishponds House – Marquee change of condition

4 HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC
4.1 Royal Oak pavement – decision awaited on application for new dwelling.
4.2 Abbey Road – flooding persists and no action has yet been taken. Mrs Boote to speak to Mr Grigg EDDC. Mr Boote to speak to Meg Booth DCC and find a resolution to the situation.
4.3 Manleys Lane – Letter from DCC Highways Chris Pithers confirming that the new sign is ordered (from EDDC), the camera survey of the drainage in Manleys Lane revealed a number of problems which require further investigation to resolve, this will result in a further delay in the adoption of the site (no exact time scale supplied).
4.4 Speed signs/30mph sign – these were stolen and have been reordered
4.5 Surface water sandbags – no sand is being offered this year, just bags. Sand from old bags can be transferred into the new bags. Order by 31st October 2006. none needed.

5 FOOTPATHS AND BRIDLEWAYS
5.1 Report from Mr Barrow. New bridge has been delivered and will be installed on footpath 8, gate is still awaited.

6 ENVIRONMENT
6.1 EDDC – priorities of the District Council for the forthcoming year (for information).
6.2 Blackdown Hills AONB – invitation to nominate members to the partnership management group.

7 COMMUNITY FACILITIES
7.1 Community policing report – PC Vickery – non crime domestic, ford cargo stolen from driveway, assault on child, theft of fuel from motor vehicle. Chief Constable to be asked for copy of evaluation of speed watch pilot scheme (clerk to write).
7.2 Playground safety inspections – fence about to be repaired in New Century Park, Churchill Playground Awards For All grant improvements are now complete.
7.3 Sports field – conveyancing is nearly complete. It has been requested that allotments be part of the plan for the new sports field (two parishioners have come forward with requests so far and any other interested parties are asked to write to the parish council if they are interested). EDDC are requesting further details as part of their £200k bid for play monies.
7.4 Halls – nothing to report.
7.5 Dog bins – It has finally been agreed that the parish council may purchase dog bins (at £54 each plus VAT) and have them emptied once a week on contract at a cost of £50 each per year (three are ordered). The contract will begin in January. Where would the parish council like these positioned? By next meeting please.
7.6 Housing needs survey –

8 FINANCE
8.1 Receipts – none
8.2 Cheque payments - Clerk expenses (July, August, September 2006) £156.97
Dunkeswell Community Hall (hire of hall) £18.75
Dunkeswell Community Hall (hire of hall BHPN) £22.50
Swintex ltd. (dog bins) £193.17
A P Maynard (work to Churchill play equipment) £375.00
Cut and Trim invoice 8 £40.00
Matta Products (Churchill Playground Awards For All) £4651.87
Payment by direct debit - Virgin Broadband (Public Access Computer) monthly £24.99
BT Quarterly payment (Public Access Computer) September,
December, March and June £32.99
(Cheques and direct debits for agreement).
Account balances - at 1/10/06 Paths Account £629.70
Parish Account £13590.98
8.3 Blackdown Hills Group of Parish Councils: Monday 25th September, 2006 – agreed group to run for years trial

QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC (The meeting was closed at 8.45pm before questions from the public).
Dates for next meetings –
Planning Applications: Monday 13th November, 2006 7pm-8pm Dunkeswell Village Hall
Parish Council: Monday 20th November, 2006 7.30pm Dunkeswell Village Hall