Mullion Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 21 April 2015 at 7.00pm in The Centenary Room, Methodist Chapel, Churchtown, Mullion

Transcription

1 Mullion Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 21 April 2015 at 7.00pm in The Centenary Room, Methodist Chapel, Churchtown, Mullion Councillors Present D German A Gilbert I Harvey Mrs S Ireland J Lang (Chairman) Mrs S Ormond (Vice Chairman) Mrs C Rule R Willey Six members of the public attended the meeting. 1. Public Session No issues were raised. 2. Police Report The Chairman advised the meeting of the Police Report for the month of March as attached to these minutes. 3. Absence Councillors P Wilkins and D Williams were not in attendance. 4. Minutes It was proposed by Councillor I Harvey, seconded by Councillor R Willey and RESOLVED that the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 17 March 2015 be approved as a true record and be duly signed by the Chairman. 5. Declarations of Interest None. 6. Planning Following consideration by the Councillors of the Planning Applications received from Cornwall Council, the following decisions were made: PA15/ Mr T Raybould - Mullion British Legion Club, Churchtown - Change of use and conversion of part of former Royal British Legion building into a 2 bedroom home and PA15/ Mr T Raybould - Mullion British Legion Club, Churchtown - Change of use and conversion of part of former Royal British Legion building into a 2 bedroom holiday-let 1

2 The Agent and Applicant attended the meeting and explained that two individual applications were required for the British Legion Club due to two different changes of use. It was agreed that they would be discussed together, with an individual vote being taken for each application. Two letters of objection had been submitted online (three had been received by the Parish Council). The Agent wished to respond to those objections where he confirmed that the waste removed from the site to date had not been hazardous. The first floor windows in the holiday let would overlook the neighbouring property s front garden but not the rear garden, as proposed velux windows were situated above head height. The first floor windows in the permanent residence would serve bedrooms, not living accommodation. The water main that ran through the neighbouring property did not have a wayleave agreement in place, but the applicant intended to bring a new water supply pipe directly from the main road. He stated the Cornish Hedge was built at the same time as the reading room, and that the neighbouring property was built five years later. Therefore the hedge was owned by the Applicant, although if permission was granted the Applicant would liaise with the neighbour regarding the Cornish hedge. All other boundary walls would remain in place. County Highways had not raised any concern regarding the proposed parking space. The Agent advised the meeting that work would be undertaken quickly, and that the neighbouring driveways would not be blocked by cars, delivery lorries or vans. The Chairman stated that it was unfortunate that the Parish Council was not consulted prior to an application being submitted, as per the Cornwall Council recommendation in their pre-application advice (which also stated that the Planning Officer would not support two residential units in the building). He also remarked it may be acceptable that an alternative use be made of the building, perhaps as a single residential development, given the restricted amenity space. Concern was raised amongst Councillors in relation to the lack of parking for two units of accommodation, and the loss of on street parking to create a single parking space within the property s boundary (which was in question due to the ownership of the Cornish Hedge). Two units of accommodation was felt to be overdevelopment of the existing building. The Chairman then asked for a proposal for the following applications: PA15/ Mr T Raybould - Mullion British Legion Club, Churchtown - Change of use and conversion of part of former Royal British Legion building into a 2 bedroom home It was proposed by Councillor Mrs S Ormond and seconded by Councillor I Harvey to support the application. The proposal received two votes. Five Councillors voted against supporting the planning application, and one abstained. The reasons for objection included: Overdevelopment of the existing building Lack of onsite parking for two units of accommodation Loss of on street parking for the village Overlooking neighbouring properties, which were very close in proximity to the Hall. PA15/ Mr T Raybould - Mullion British Legion Club, Churchtown - Change of use and conversion of part of former Royal British Legion building into a 2 bedroom holiday-let It was proposed by Councillor I Harvey and seconded by Councillor Mrs S Ormond to support the application. The proposal received two votes. Six Councillors voted against supporting the planning application. The reasons for objection included: 2

3 Overdevelopment of the existing building Lack of onsite parking for two units of accommodation Loss of on street parking for the village Overlooking neighbouring properties, which were very close in proximity to the Hall. Total lack of amenity space The Parish Council was sorry to see the loss of the Royal British Legion, and would like to see the building put back into use, but it was felt that these applications were not appropriate for the existing building. Four members of the public left the meeting. The Chairman read out the following Decision Notices received from Cornwall Council:- PA14/ Mr D Cotterell - Carne Chy Un Lur, Meaver Road - Change of use of existing caravan from holiday letting to ancillary accommodation and the use of the land as curtilage to the dwelling known as Carne Chy Un Lur Approved PA15/ Halcyon Hotels And Resorts Plc - Polurrian Hotel, Polurrian Road - Certificate of lawfulness for the commencement of works in respect of the erection of 6 holiday units with associated parking and change of use of agricultural land to hotel amenity area - Granted Councillor Mrs S Ormond asked what the Certificate of Lawfulness meant for the Hotel. The Clerk explained that they could build the six units of accommodation which were granted approval in The more recent planning application for four blocks of three hotel suites was pending a decision by Cornwall Council. The Chairman advised that a meeting had been held with Ed Persse, Planning Agent for the landowner, and a representative from Coastline Housing regarding the extension to Parc En Venton. They were proposing a development of 15 affordable houses, which would be a mix of rentable and purchasable, and 11 open market dwellings which could include 4 bungalows restricted for habitation for over 55 s. The next step would be a public consultation in the Village, hosted by Coastline and the Planning Agent. 7. Report from Cornwall County Councillor Mrs C Rule The Chairman welcomed Cornwall Councillor Mrs C Rule on her return to the Parish Council meeting, following her bereavement. Cornwall Councillor Mrs C Rule wished to thank Councillors for their support and kind words over the past few months. She stated that the Community Chest applications were now available for the current year, and that the Clerk had the relevant paperwork. 8. Chairman and Clerks Comments The Chairman read the following report from Justin Whitehouse, National Trust Warden, who had hoped to attend the meeting but had submitted his apologies that day:- 3

4 Mullion Harbour: The main repairs to the harbour walls are now complete with the contractors off site by Good Friday. The builders are due to return briefly within the next few days in order to replace the ladders and the handrail leading up the harbour steps. We are also agreeing with the contractors a programme of small tasks and maintenance work to be undertaken throughout the year, mostly just pointing to the surface of the breakwaters. The climbers may also be returning shortly to undertake some minor pointing repairs to a small section of the southern breakwater. Meanwhile, Alastair is beginning to work with Andrew Richards from Cornwall Council and English Heritage on agreeing a Heritage Partnership Agreement to make future approvals for repairs easier to obtain. Teneriffe campsite: The Trust will soon be submitting plans for the replacement of the amenity block to provide better visitor facilities. These would be built to modern standards and be compliant with new accessibility guidelines. They will also ensure we don t have large queues in the summer months which affect our visitors enjoyment of the site. It is proposed to build a new facility alongside the existing agricultural buildings, with a more agricultural looking design. We will also be applying for permission for an extra four pitches in the main field as well as applying to formalise the use of the temporary camping field, presently being used under the 28 day ruling. The capacity of Teneriffe campsite is restricted by the capacity of the sewage treatment plant and as such there will be no increase in the number of visitors using the site at any time. These improvements will however extend the use of the site into the shoulder season. This is a very brief summary of our plans at Teneriffe, and the Trust would like to invite members of the parish council to the campsite in the near future to look at the plans and ask any questions. This site meeting can be arranged at your own convenience. In the meantime, please don t hesitate to get in touch if you have any concerns or questions and do call to arrange a time to visit site. This can be an evening or weekend if it s more convenient for members of the council. The Clerk was asked to arrange a meeting with the National Trust to visit Teneriffe Farm in the near future. One member of the public left the meeting. 9. Public Rights of Way Councillor R Willey had been approached by the owner of Priske Farm, Polhorman Lane, regarding Footpath 18 that runs through his yard and across his farmland. FP18 leads to the stream at the bottom of the valley and then stops; it does not join another path, and leads nowhere. The landowner would like to see the footpath stopped up. It was proposed by the Chairman, seconded by Councillor D German and unanimously RESOLVED that the Parish Council had no objection to the footpath being stopped up, but that it was the landowners responsibility to meet the costs involved in closing the footpath. In relation to the condition of Bridleway 19, which runs from Priske Farm to Chypons, Councillor R Willey advised the meeting that the path was passable on foot. The Clerk advised the meeting that the footpath contractor would be cutting Footpath 3 twice this year due to the amount it s used and the growth on the path. 4

5 10. Public Open Spaces Concern had been raised by Cormac regarding the safety of the six large fir trees located on the northern boundary of St Mellans Park. As the trees probably had fairly shallow roots, and were now very tall, it was proposed by Councillor Mrs S Ireland, seconded by Councillor D German and RESOLVED to cut all six fir trees down as soon as possible. The Clerk was delegated powers to obtain quotes and authorise the work to be carried out. Mark Tonkin, Funeral Director, had been approached by Mr Coulson Thomas requesting a third interment in his parents grave. As the grave was located in the old Cemetery, it would be sealed with a concrete top and a traditional kerb. The grave had been examined by an independent memorial company, who confirmed that there was approximately 3 feet of space between the top of the last interred coffin and the ground, which would leave approximately 2 feet of coverage. They were satisfied that, with a sealed concrete top, this was enough depth for a third interment. It was proposed by Councillor D German, seconded by Councillor I Harvey and RESOLVED to allow Mr Coulson Thomas to be interred with his parents in the old Cemetery. The Clerk advised the meeting that she was in the process of obtaining quotes for the creation of paths in the Cemetery. Councillor I Harvey advised the meeting that the Park was in a good condition. The Clerk had obtained two quotes for the ground maintenance in the Park and the Cemetery. It was proposed by Councillor R Willey, seconded by Councillor D German and RESOLVED to appoint RTS Garden Services the grounds maintenance team for 2015/ Highways The Clerk advised the meeting that the annual inspection of the public lighting in Tremenhee Car Park and Gibbons fields revealed that all lights were in a good condition. 12. Risk Assessment and Financial Regulations The Clerk had previously circulated the update Risk Assessment and Financial Regulations. It was proposed by the Chairman, seconded by Councillor I Harvey and RESOLVED to adopt both documents. 13. Affiliation to the Cornwall Association of Local Councils It was proposed by Councillor R Willey, seconded by Councillor A Gilbert and RESOLVED to affiliate to the Cornwall Association of Local Councils for 2015/ Maintenance of the Closed Churchyard The Chairman advised the meeting that the Parish Council had been approached by a representative of St Mellanus Church in relation to the maintenance of the closed churchyard. Cornwall Council had a statutory duty to maintain closed churchyards, and they had an informal arrangement with the Church to pay the Church for three cuts per year. The Church employed their own grass cutter, and then claimed the costs back from Cornwall Council at the end of the year. Therefore, the churchyard was cut more frequently, as local costs were less that Cormac rates. 5

6 Cornwall Council had advised the Church in March 2015 that they were unable to have a legally binding contract with each other, due to changes in the law. The Parish Council was being asked to (1) obtain the funds for the cutting of the grass in 2014/15 and (2) sign the agreement with Cornwall Council, to obtain the funds for the maintaining the closed churchyard in the future. Councillors discussed this matter at length and it was proposed by the Chairman, seconded by Councillor I Harvey and RESOLVED to act as the 'go between' to obtain the funds owed to the Church for the 2014/15 cutting year, as long as the Parish Council was not entering a formal agreement by doing so. It was then proposed by Councillor Mrs S Ormond, seconded by Councillor D German and RESOLVED not to sign the agreement with Cornwall Council for future years. It was felt that the Council would be left exposed to being held liable for paying for the grass to be cut if the agreement was signed for future years (as part of Cornwall Council s devolution programme). The Clerk agreed to send the paperwork to Cormac to extract the funds owed to the Church for 2014/15, and to send a cheque as soon as the BACS payment was made to the bank account. 15. LGA 1972 requests for funding A request for funding had been received from Home Start Kernow. It was agreed not to issue a grant donation to this charity at the current time. 16. Finance and Accounts It was proposed by Councillor I Harvey, seconded by Councillor D German and RESOLVED to confirm the accounts and to pay the invoices. 17. Other correspondence received None. The Chairman closed the meeting at 8.25pm. Signed:.. Chairman Dated:.. 6