DUNKESWELL PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes for a Meeting of Dunkeswell Parish Council held in the Community Hall at 7.30pm on Monday 18th September 2006.

Present: Mr G Sworder (Chairman), Mrs B Russell, Messrs J Barrow, B Procter, A Luscombe, R Jones
County Councillor Mr Roger Boote, District Councillor Mrs M Boote and 12 members of the public.
Apologies: Cllrs Mr C Sumpter and M Stevens, PC Vickery 4783 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 Village Hall on Monday 21st August, 2006 were signed as a correct
record of that meeting. Amendment to August minutes: Clerk omitted to minute Mr Sumpters interest and abstention from the vote regarding planning application 06/2270/FUL. Mr Sumpter had drawn the plans for this development as previously recorded.

1.2 Following Mr Guests resignation from the Parish Council, the position has been advertised and the parish council will be asked to co-opt an eighth member at the next meeting. The post of Vice Chairman has also now become available. Confirmation of no election required received from EDDC. Three Candidates were originally proposed, however Netta Keitch feels she cannot stand at present due to other commitments but hopes to stand in May, two candidates remain – Richard Jones and Peter John. Secret ballot resulted 3/2 in favour of co-opting Richard Jones. Agreed that a Vice Chair will be nominated at the next meeting when there is a full complement of councillors.

2 PLANNING
2.1 Decisions (for information)
06/1900/FUL Tower Poultry unit Long Lane – permission granted for re-siting of poultry house
06/1964/FUL 2 Liberator Way – permission granted for porch on rear elevation
06/1806/COU Garages at Culme Way – permission granted for new dwelling
06/2139/FUL Beech Park – Permission granted for single storey side extension
06/2047/FUL 2 The Laurels, Flightway – permission granted for summerhouse
06/2051/FUL 48 Catalina Close – permission granted for infill extension between garage and house

2.2 Applications (for recommendation)
06/2384/TRE 3 Potters Stile – height reduction to row of beech trees. Recommendation: Strongly recommend APPROVAL as this is a group of neighbours who have grouped to make a neater job of a whole hedgerow.

06/2398/VAR Fishponds House – Marquee change of condition 2 from permission 04/P1214. Recommendation: Strongly recommend APPROVAL as it felt important to support this valuable local facility and it is felt that the local business advantages overcome any possible Highways objections which have always in the past been felt invalid as this brings no increase in traffic.

Mrs Boote and Mr Jones left the room for the discussion of both the following two applications, Mrs Boote as of a long standing declaration of interest through having worked for Mr Mansell several years previously and Mr Jones as he paid expenses by the Kart Club in noise monitoring.

06/0241/FUL Dunkeswell Kart Circuit – proposed race control tower – amended plan (tower reduced from 9.35m to 7.35m by removal of second story). Recommendation: APPROVAL

06/0319/MFUL Dunkeswell Kart Racing Circuit – copy minutes of meeting between applicant and EDDC 10th June 2006 received for information. Traffic Appraisal and Redevelopment Brief. Amended description of application to read ‘erection of a two storey building (38.7x45.5x8.4m) containing facilities for motor sports and corporate training (and associated events) including dummy grid, kart storage and workshop, facilities for officials, a restaurant and bar area, terrace and two residential flats’. Construction of spectator parking and pits areas. Variation of application no. 05/0540/FUL (extension to kart track) to increase width of track extension from 7-9 m to 9-12m. Amendment to proposals: edge of roof of building stepped down by 1m (drawing 1192/06/sk32c), widening of track extension approved on 11th January 2006 from 7-9m to 9-12m has been applied for retrospectively. Minor variation to the site application area (a strip of land owned by the MOD has been excluded from the application area). Following information has been submitted: up dated traffic assessment (now showing 29% traffic increase), survey drawing indicating that a large car park recently constructed (covered by present application) is 300mm above previous existing ground level not 1m, letter from J-Design providing further written justification for the facilities and proposed building, a response to issue of use of runway by Air Westward, an outline of the perceived social benefits of the scheme, a montage showing the building within the landscape when viewed from north. Following further information is expected to be submitted: a revised traffic assessment from the traffic consultants appointed by the applicant, a detailed acoustic report covering site., a landscape appraisal and a business plan.

Sheldons sound engineer confirms that noise is not reduced as yet and also proposed reduction measures will not be effective. It must be remembered that the noise issue is separate to the planning application, no appeal has been lodged against the Noise Abatement notice (the four month notice period expires on 13th November 2006) at which time Environmental Health will resume monitoring and take enforcement action as is appropriate if the nuisance has not been extinguished. Recommendation: REFUSAL as information requested is still outstanding and the size of the building remains unaltered, Dunkeswell Parish Council fully supporth the objections made by Sheldon parish Council to these amendments in their letter of 18th September 2006.

MINOR AMENDMENTS
06/1650/FUl Slade Farm – EDDC copy letter agreeing to relocation of gas bottle housing and exhaust cover as minor amendments.

ENFORCEMENT
Land at Westerhope – following appeal dismissal the inspector varied two sections of the previous Enforcement Notice and amended the action required

Clerk to ask if four houses on Highfield Road comply with current policy on proximity to hedge line.

Outstanding planning matters/applications as at the 18th September 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 05/2475/FUL The Old Forge – new dwelling.
05/2721/FUL Brookside Farm – change of use to residential, educational centre, activity equipment.
January 2006 06/0051/CPE Westerhope Units, Long Lane - use as dwelling
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.
March 2006 06/0430/FUL units 4a and 3b Marcus Road – renewal of permission of 01/P0351
06/0490/FUL Beechwood Farm, Long Lane – extension to house pigs.
06/0499/FUL unit 18G Flightway – retention of work live unit.
May 2006 06/0969/FUL Highfield Community Hall
06/0893/FUL 22 Simcoe Way – conservatory.
August 2006 06/2038/COU Sheldon Grange –cross country course
06/2052/FUL Higher Park Farm – agricultural livestock building.
06/2103/COU Old Highwood Farm – convert barns to five holiday lets
06/2270/FUL Royal Oak Inn – New dwelling and access
06/2273/TRE 1 Bluebell Road –reduce beech trees by 10 feet in height
06/0043/FUL Lammasland – erection of chemical store and hay barn

4 HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC
4.1 Royal Oak pavement – awaiting outcome of application for new dwelling.
4.2 Abbey Road – no further information at present.
4.3 Manleys Lane – sign is ordered, the drainage is more complicated and unsatisfactory than first thought and this will mean a delay, a written time scale is awaited.
4.4 Speed signs/30mph sign – these were stolen and have been reordered.
4.5 Windgate Hill – although these have been cut back, it is still felt that the road needs closing and a more drastic cut be made. Clerk to contact Highways and ask for a road closure and a further trim especially on Crook Hill.

5 FOOTPATHS AND BRIDLEWAYS
5.1 Report from Mr Barrow. Mr Howard and Mr Barrow have built a new bridge on footpath 14 and a second bridge is awaited. Hedges have been trimmed for this year.

6 ENVIRONMENT
nothing to report

7 COMMUNITY FACILITIES
7.1 Community policing report – PC Vickery/PCSO Anning – Three crimes, burglary to dwelling, theft from vehicle on airfield, theft of mini digger and trailer from airfield.
7.2 Playground safety inspections – fence £150 requested towards repairs to the fence. AGREED.
7.3 Sports field – revised plans from solicitors have arrived and conveyance awaited, plot is now larger.
7.4 Halls – nothing to report
7.5 DCC Public Notice on proposed relocation of Millwater School and change of character. Now issued.
7.6 Royal British Legion two minute silence. Offer of maroons from EDDC. Agreed not required.
7.7 Devon County Council have given County Councillors a small amount of funds to distribute to projects which cannot attract other funding. This is a one off award. Groups are invited to apply and funds will be first come first served basis.
7.8 Copy of Speedwatch report is still awaited (clerk to remind).

8 FINANCE
8.1 Receipts – EDDC Precept (September 2006 – march 2007) £5275.00
8.2 Cheque payments - Cut and Trim (invoice 7 and 8) £40.00
CJ Keitch (replacement playground barrier) £189.76
Reimburse Mr Sumpter £11.00
Audit Commission (2006) £141.00
J Howard (footpaths account) £128.00
Payment by direct debit - Virgin Broadband (Public Access Computer) £24.99
BT Quarterly payment (Public Access Computer) £32.99
(Cheques and direct debits AGREED).
Account balances - at 1/9/06 Paths Account £14.70
Parish Account £14698.97

8.3 EDDC Meeting of Parish Councils: Tuesday 19th September 2006 6.30pm at The Knowle, Sidmouth three
delegates from each parish council are invited for a light buffet followed by a meeting RSVP 8th September 2006.
8.4 WARD MEETING: was held on Monday 11th September, 2006 7.30pm at Combe Raleigh Village Hall
8.5 Completion of annual audit received.

QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC (The meeting closed at 8.56pm before questions from the public).

A gentleman asked about a pothole by Abbey Road. Mr Barrow also asked about the road surface by the Police House.

A lady asked about the proposed wind farm at Smeatharpe, it was suggested she contact the Blackdown Hills AONB office to see the full reports on visual impact and other issues which may be of concern.

Dates for next meetings –
Planning Applications: Monday 9th October, 2006 7.30pm – 8pm Dunkeswell Village Hall

Parish Council: Monday 16th October, 2006 7.30pm Dunkeswell Village Hall

Blackdown Hills Group of Parish Councils:
Monday 25th September, 2006 7.30pm Dunkeswell Community Hall