Dartington Parish Council

Transcription

1 Minutes of the meeting of Dartington Parish Council September 12 th 2018, 7pm in the Village Hall Present: Cllrs Hopkins, Chadwick, King, Prout, Hornby, Rasmussen, Lunk, Jefferys. In attendance: Kate Wilson, Clerk, DCC/SHDCllr Hodgson for part of the meeting, 2 members of the public for part of the meeting. ref subject Actn 9/18:1 Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Balch and approved. 9/18:2 Interests arising from this agenda were declared by Cllrs Hopkins and Prout in respect of item 9/18:6.1 and by Cllr Hornby in respect of item 9/18:7.4 The council adjourned for the following items: 9/18:3 9/18:4 There were no members of the public wishing to speak. County/District Councillor s report had been circulated in advance. The council reconvened to conduct the following business: 9/18:5 The minutes of the Full Council meeting of July 11 th were agreed. 9/18:6.1 Planning application ref 2514/18/HHO There was discussion as to whether a public Clerk footpath adjoins the site and agreed that the Clerk would seek clarification. It was agreed to support the application. (Cllrs Prout and Hopkins declared interests and abstained) 9/18:6.2 Planning application ref 2479/18/FUL Full Planning Application for the development of commercial / business premises. Land off Nellie's Wood View, Dartington Totnes TQ9 6FP Cllr Hornby noted that the site is identified for employment use in the Local Plan and further noted the application proposes shipping containers as employment units. Cllr Hornby's view is that these bear no relationship to the vernacular of the area, especially the adjacent housing development. Cllr Lunk supported the use of shipping containers as being creative but added that the units facing the main road were a little brutalist and needed softening. She suggested wood cladding be used. Similar containers have been used in Bristol on the waterfront and look good. Cllr King felt that shipping containers were out of context in a rural setting and so were in an inappropriate location. Cllr Lunk suggested that the developer consults with residents. She welcomed the sustainability of the proposals but was concerned that the modernist exteriors might cause concern. She noted the importance of setting a good design precedent. Cllr Rasmussen said that containers could be clad in different things eg wood, vines, to mitigate their impact. Cllr Chadwick said that shipping containers can be aesthetically pleasing, but they need to integrate with the roadside. He added that the Bloor estate in his view is out of kilter with rest of area. He supported the application noting that it is pushing the boundaries in commercial development design and is to be welcomed. Cllr Hornby said he felt that shipping containers are inappropriate in design and scale for the site. Cllr Lunk supported the sustainability of the development. Cllr Hornby noted that shipping containers are already recycled, and many of the proposed frontages are glass. He further noted that there are flat roofs which are not conducive to Devon weather and questioned the sustainability. Cllr Rasmussen noted that new materials and chemicals would not be used to build the development. Cllr Lunk said if the development was successful it could lead the way to cheap housing using shipping containers being delivered elsewhere in the parish. Cllr Hornby noted that reusing shipping containers for housing causes condensation which is a concern. 58

2 Cllr Chadwick supported the ethos. Cllr Lunk noted that the NP supports innovation and sustainability and that the proposed development is aiming to be off grid and fossil fuel free. Councillors expressed concerns about the view of the site from Queens Meadow. Cllr Prout asked about road access in to the site and it was noted that the access road for the employment land is shared with the Housing estate access and that there is a further access road in situ to the site boundary. The Clerk advised that residents had expressed concerns about the proposals and concerns in relation to traffic, parking and footpaths on the development. and that there are two routes from the housing development leading to that development s boundary - one for a potential footpath and one for a potential cycleway/footpath. After further discussion it was proposed that: The Council writes to the developer, copying in SHDC, urging early consultation with local residents. This was agreed unanimously. The Council seeks clarification as to whether there will be a footpath crossing the proposed development to link with the existing footpath on the residential site. This was agreed unanimously. The Council support the application in principle, and welcome the sustainability of the scheme, but expresses grave concerns about the development s outward facing facades re the view from Ashburton Road being urban rather than rural and needing softening with cladding/landscaping; and the view from Queens Meadow. This was agreed by a majority: Cllr Hopkins abstained, Cllrs Hornby and King voted against the proposal. 6.3 Decisions in respect of the Planning Applications listed on the agenda were noted. 9/18:7 Finance: 7.1 The accounts paid during the August recess were formally agreed. Prop Cllr Chadwick 2 nd Cllr Prout. 7.2 The accounts to be paid for September were agreed. An additional payment for printing was also agreed. Prop Cllr Chadwick, 2nd Cllr Prout. The Clerk to issue an updated payment schedule for Cllrs. 7.3 It was agreed that the Clerk should register for CILCA training before the end of September to avoid an increase in fees. Prop Cllr Hopkins 2 nd Cllr Lunk 7.4 To consider the grant applications received. The Village Hall application for 340 for an emergency cord pull in the disabled toilet was unanimously approved. Prop Cllr Hopkins, 2 nd Cllr Jefferys Meadowbrook Social Club Decision on this application was deferred pending request for further information. Parochial Church Council application for 1000 to maintain grass and external hedges and trees of the graveyard and allow access to gravestones was unanimously approved. Cllr Hornby declared an interest and abstained. Prop Cllr Prout 2 nd Cllr Jefferys. 7.5 Cllr King proposed the Council consider recruiting a volunteer task force for asset maintenance and general upkeep in the village. Tasks under consideration would be work on bus shelters, re-varnishing benches, litter picking, footpath clearing etc and it is envisaged that it could be a social occasion as well as being useful. It is hoped the group could run itself once the parameters are decided. It was suggested that the At Home event in October might be a good place to gauge interest. Noted that the Parish Council s insured covers volunteers. Cllr King to take this forward initially. The proposal was unanimously agreed. 7.6 Asset maintenance it was agreed to wait until after the at home to see if volunteers come forward before discussing maintenance requirements and a schedule. otments wall Cllr Rasmussen said that his builder would charge 150 a day. It was felt that more quotations are needed and Cllr Rasmussen agreed to this and report back. TK AR 59

3 7.7 The response from the external auditors was noted. The difference in figures is due to the previous auditors transposing figures resulting in an erroneous final figure. 9/18:8 Dartington At Home. The event update had been circulated by Cllr Balch. Cllr King suggested a meeting with Cllr Balch to pool knowledge and agree final arrangements. Clerk to contact Cllr Balch. Cllr Lunk noted the remarkable amount of work that has gone into a positive action for the Council. 9/18: /18: GIdleys Meadow play area: Cllr King s report had been circulated. She noted that the consensus is for the play area to be geared to primary age children, but with more space to sit for older people and better access. The next step is to brainstorm some ideas and hold an open site meeting. People who are interested have replied to the surveys. It was agreed to respond to Rob Sekula outlining what the Parish has done and to enclose the consultation results. Traffic and highways: Cllr Balch s report of the Report of DCC meeting had been circulated. Virtual pavement: It was suggested that people are asked for their views on the Virtual pavement at the At Home event. A FoI request re accidents on the A384/A385 in Dartington show only 1 reported collision incident by the village shop in June 2017, but it was noted that the bar for reporting incidents has been raised. A motor home parked on the road by the DRA playing fields is being lived in which causes an obstruction by the Lescase building and blocks the pedestrian view when crossing the A385. Noted It is a DCC Highways matter and if reported they will evict, but this isn t necessarily a solution. Cllr Hornby noted that the old entrance to the primary school is concreted over and lorries park there. DCC/SHDCllr Hodgson will raise with highways. 9/18:11 Footpath 10: After discussion, it was agreed by a majority view (Cllrs Hopkins and Prout abstained having declared an interest) that the Council will lift its objection to the current footpath route in the hope that it will relieve the deadlock and allow the footpath to be formally recognised by DCC. This will in turn allow SHDC to apply to move the footpath (using a s257 diversion order) to the site preferred by the Parish Council which is to the pavement outside Forder House (as opposed to on land owned by the nursery and used as car parking which is the current proposed route). Noted that any diversion will be the subject of consultation. Noted that the footpath route within the development site is unchanged. 9/18:12 Brimhay: Some residents near the development site have received a letter saying that phase 1 demolition of some of the bungalows is due to start on October 3 rd. The Council has received no further information. 9/18:13 (9/18:4) Mobile Phone Mast: District Cllrs report relates - carried over from earlier in the agenda. Standing Orders were suspended. Re Phone mast: no reply from Vodaphone or Damian Bragg education secretary. Green party conference to have a workshop to get national publicity. DCC/SHDCllr Hodgson is focusing on SHDC and is aiming to see the minister in London and raise the profile. Cllr Chadwick said WiFi in schools in Europe is almost totally banned. Cllr Prout noted that Highways and Education are both DCC responsibilities and asked whether they should be concerned. DCC/SHDCllr Hodgson noted that the Gov t paid 2.5 million via the LEP to increase mobile coverage. Re Residents parking Gidley s meadow. DCC/SHDCllr Hodgson will liaise with residents and draw up residents parking plan which she will send to the Parish Council. Standing Orders were reinstated Mobile phone mast: There is local opposition. A meeting between DHT and Dartington Primary School has been postponed. 9/18:14 Our Dartington: Cllrs commented on another good issue The sub group meeting report was circulated 60

4 14.2 Financial update the magazine is being subsidised by the Council, but it was agreed that this is a good use of public money. Invoices issued were circulated. 9/18:15 Parish Lengthsman update. Jake Richards has been appointed and the parish is allocated 80 hours from October to March. Cllr Hopkins will meet with the Clerk and Jake to devise a schedule of work. The Clerk will be advised of hours he does for Dartington. Staverton PC will administer the project. 9/18:16 DPC/DHT catch up meeting verbal report. The Trust is interested in feedback on their Summer activities and events. Contact Jo Atkey. The next Open House will be November 2nd and 3rd. The JLP has been through examination and the major modifications consultation is awaited re the Red Line on the Core Estate. The yellow leaflet with latest information has been delivered to households in the parish and is available on their website. The 300 houses mentioned in the leaflet is the number that has been discussed for some time but is subject to confirmation of allocations in the JLP. There will be further events re housing and traffic planned. 9/18:17 Neighbourhood Planning update. Next SG meeting will be 8th October - meeting time and venue to be agreed. People are working on environment, transport and economic section. Policies can be generic and borrowed from other plans some can be seen on the NP website. ( How heritage issues are handled will be important. JLP will be out for consultation hopefully in October. NPs have achieved quite a lot for example policies against 2 nd homes and building in unsuitable places. NPs can afford to go into more depth than a higher-level plan can so are more locally responsive. 9/18:18 Correspondence: Tree planting a parishioner had contacted the council re planting trees at his property. Cllr Rasmussen and Hopkins will meet the parishioner to discuss his plans. Cllr Hornby noted that the Parochial Church Council is still keen to have trees on car park. Cllrs Rasmussen and Hopkins will meet to discuss sites and report back to the next meeting. Traffic A parishioner has written concerning traffic issues near Bidwell Brook School the parishioner has been advised that her letter has been forwarded DHT who owns the car park. 9/18:19 No one has come forward to be co-opted to the remaining vacancies. 9/18: Personnel: The draft appraisal policy as circulated was approved. The Clerk s appraisal date is to be agreed by Cllrs Chadwick and Hopkins and the Clerk. Councillors can contribute to the appraisal process if they wish to by filing out the relevant form in the policy and return to the chair asap. It was agreed that Councillors need to respond to the Clerk in a timely manner. 9/18:21 Urgent business. Parishioners have contacted Cllr King with concerns that a substantial access route has been created to Merrifield Barn and were concerned that this did not form part of the consent. This says that work to the existing track may require planning consent. (4051/17/pdm) /DCC/SHDCllr Hodgson agreed to follow up. Highways overhanging hedges on Cott Road need to be reported to DCC highways DCC/SHDCllr Hodgson agreed to follow up. AR/ AR/ AC/ 61

5 Cllr Prout noted problems with the path opposite Huxhams Cross that leads to the beginning of the Steiner path where Steiner children go. Noted it is a Highways issue. DCC/SHDCllr Hodgson agreed to follow up. Cllr Prout had received a parishioner enquiry about the seats at Brimhay and asked whether they could be removed and placed at the Mill Road bus stop rather than go to waste. The Clerk will make enquiries. Hedge at 19 Newman Crescent. Can t walk on the pavement. Generic letter please cut hedges. The Clerk will write a generic letter for use in such situations. A parishioner has noted that a car has been parked for 2 years near bungalows at the end of Tolchers. Resident to contact SHDC abandoned vehicles. Concern was expressed that there is rubbish at Apricot Centre in the field where the chickens used to be. The Clerk will make enquiries. 9/18:22 To note the date of the next meeting is October 10th Meeting closed at