DUNKESWELL PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes for a Meeting of Dunkeswell Parish Council held in the Village Hall at 7.30pm on Monday 15th January 2007.
Present: Mr G Sworder (Chairman), Mr J Barrow (Vice Chairman),
Cllrs Mssrs Mr C Sumpter,
M Stevens, B Procter, A Luscombe, R Jones, County Councillor Mr Roger Boote,
PC Vickery 4783 and
three members of the public.
Apologies: Cllr Mrs B Russell, District Councillor Mrs M Boote, PCSO Anning
30012
All councillors were 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 Village Hall on Monday 11th
December, 2006 were signed as a correct record of that meeting.
2 PLANNING
2.1 Decisions (for information)
06/2672/FUL Unit 3 Westerhope Farm – Permission granted for erection of
industrial building.
06/3090/TRE 3 Louis Way – Permission granted to reduce crown two ash trees
and lowest branch
06/3229/TRE 21 Walcott Way – permission granted to fell three ash trees
2.2 Applications (for recommendation)
06/3482/FUL 26 Simcoe Way – conservatory. Recommendation: APPROVAL
06/3353/FUL Dunkeswell Kart Circuit – retention of widening of kart track
extension. If track is 6m wide there is a limit to the number of karts allowed
on the track. As the track has been widened beyond this, there are possible
noise implications for the grant of this permission. This is a retrospective
application. There is no question that the track was only 6m wide previously,
as the original MSA licence stated this. This application only asks for a widening
of the track extension granted in January 2005, not a widening of the original
track.
Various options were discussed and it was decided to recommend refusal of this
application, unless a condition is placed to limit the number of karts allowed
on the track to 28 gear box or 26 non gear box, which is what would be presently
allowed under the licence for a 6m wide track.
Recommendation: REFUSAL
06/3351/FUL Dunkeswell Kart Circuit – retention of car parking and pits
area on land to north east of circuit. There is no doubt that the car park is
higher than before, however there are several arguments over the original level,
the applicant was told by EDDC that these ground works were at his own risk
when he was proceeding without permission. It was agreed there is now a visual
intrusion when vehicles are using the park and on these grounds the recommendation
should be to refuse. Recommendation: REFUSAL
Copy letter received from Blackdown Hills AONB objecting to the determination
of the applications until noise and visual impact issues have been addressed.
06/3515/COU The Old Mill - change of use and conversion of ancillary barn to
holiday let unit. Recommendation: APPROVAL
06/3525/FUL The Old Mill – erection of double garage and replacement of
two existing implement sheds with single tractor shed. Recommendation: APPROVAL
06/3526/FUL The Old Mill – extension and improvements. Recommendation:
APPROVAL
2.3 Parish Plan (review) –issues identified have progressed as follows
since the plan was published: speed restrictions have been put in place, affordable
housing is being addressed through the transfer of land to Magna Homes following
a survey of need and the village should benefit from 10 houses in the first
instance, with the possibility of a further 10 in the future. Parishioners wanted
to see the old area of the industrial estate tidied, Mr Sworder is to speak
to Britton House Properties on this matter. No more housing (other than affordable
houses) was to be encouraged -very little has been granted. A primary school
was requested, however at the time it was not feasible due a dropping birth
rate and places being available at other local schools (to be readdressed a
letter will be written to the Education Authority). Rights of way – although
the footpath link remains in the DCC Highways programme, it has not yet reached
priority. It was hoped a connection could be made to the footpath system from
Highfield estate (land owners to hold a discussion). Land for a sports field
is now being transferred to the parish (which will include allotments which
were not previously mentioned – there are 18 applicants at present). Youth
work continues and the youth of the village are running the youth club themselves
with excellent help from Ann Barratt. The bus service still has no Sunday service
– clerk to write to the County Council who part subsidise the service.
2.4 Emergency Plan – it was decided that in todays climate of legal action
it would not be fair to ask people to assist in an emergency without insurance,
therefore villagers should rely on the emergency services.
Outstanding planning matters/applications as at the 15th January 2007: (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
May 2006 06/0969/FUL Highfield Community Hall
August 2006 06/2038/COU Sheldon Grange –cross country course
October 2006 06/2607/FUL land off Culme Close – amendments to approved
conservatory
November 2006 06/3019/FUL 15 Azalea Close –erection of 2m high close board
fence.
06/2607/FUL land rear of Culme Close – amendments to approved scheme 4no.
dwellings including conservatory to each unit and extension to plot 1
06/2760/FUL Lodge farm – retention of windows
December 2006 06/3398/FUL Rosemary Cottage – two storey extension.
06/3342/TRE 19 Potters Stile – trees
4 HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC
Devon and Cornwall Police – reply received from Chief Inspector Nye regarding
Speedwatch as follows: The statistics from the DCC speed bins for 2004 and 2006
show that speeds have dropped in the village (the 20mph zone saw a reduction
of 6.9% north bound and 1.2% southbound, the 40mph zone was 3.6% northbound
and 3.6% southbound). The Pilot ran from July 2005 – January 2006. These
reductions cannot be directly attributed to the pilot, but no doubt they had
significant a contribution. The Constabulary now does not support such schemes
following guidance from the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO). Feedback
from other schemes around the country have shown examples of driver victimisation,
poor management of schemes by volunteers, poor use of equipment and incidents
which have left forces potentially open to litigation. It is for these reasons
Devon and Cornwall Constabulary has withdrawn its support.
Clerk to request clearing of moss on the pavement on Highfield road between
Jenwood Road and Walden Road. Potholes: outside Blackdown Garth, on Chapel Hill
and Percy Hill.
5 FOOTPATHS AND BRIDLEWAYS
Nothing to report
6 ENVIRONMENT
7 COMMUNITY FACILITIES
7.1 Community policing report – PC Vickery/PCSO Anning – there have
been two crimes since last meeting, one assault and one non domestic dwelling
burglary where a child’s scramble bike was taken.
7.2 Playground safety inspections – nothing to report
7.3 Sports field - it has been requested that allotments be part of the plan
for the new sports field (one letter received and several calls)
7.4 Halls – nothing to report
7.5 Dog bins – Council to instructed clerk where these are to be positioned
and clerk to inform EDDC (fixing to take place shortly before contract emptying
begins) – decided these should be placed on the entrance to Green Lane,
Culme Way and opposite Junction of Louis Way and Powells Way.
7.6 Housing needs survey – awaiting a transfer of land to Magna Homes.
8 FINANCE
8.1 Receipts – none
8.2 Cheque payments - Dunkeswell Parish News (2006 minutes) £495.00
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 agreed).
Account balances - at 1/1/07 Paths Account £501.70
Parish Account £6699.61
8.3 WARD MEETING – Dunkeswell Village Hall, 7.30pm on Monday 5th March
2007 – all parish councillors are
asked to attend if possible.
8.4 Precept 2007/8 – Agreed to request a £12,000 precept, with donations
to remain as last
year. AGREED.
QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC (The meeting to be closed before questions from the
public).
Dates for next meetings –
Planning Applications: Monday 12th February, 2007 7pm – 8pm Dunkeswell
Village Hall
Parish Council: Monday 19th February, 2007 7.30pm Dunkeswell Village Hall
