North Nibley Parish Council |
2011 |
MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF NORTH NIBLEY PARISH COUNCIL, HELD ON MONDAY 4 JULY 2011, IN THE VILLAGE HALL, NORTH NIBLEY AT 7.30PM.
Present: Mr. D Purnell (Chairman).
Mr K Brown; Mrs K Glancy; Mr S Hale; Mr K Larkin; Mr D Palmer; & Mr L Smitherman
District Councillors: Mrs J Cordwell & Mr P Smith.
County Councillor: Dr. J Cordwell.
The Clerk: Mr R Symons.
Four members of the public.
To Receive and Accept Apologies for absence.
The Chairman welcomed Mr Smitherman to his first Meeting as a co-opted Councillor. Mr Smitherman duly signed the Acceptance of Office form.
The Meeting accepted an apology from District Councillor Mr A O’Connor.
Declaration of Interests.
The Chairman invited members to declare any interests. There were none.
To Approve and Sign the Minutes of the Meeting held on 6 June 2011, as a true record.
The Minutes had previously been distributed to all members and displayed on public notice boards and the website. All members agreed the Minutes should be signed, as a true and accurate record. The Minutes were duly signed.
The Council noted Matters arising from the Minutes that were not covered by agenda items.
The Clerk’s Update Note, which had been issued prior to the Meeting, informed the Council:
that Western Power Distribution and Gloucestershire CC lighting have replaced the lighting pole on the Island by the Black Horse Inn;
the Judging Panel for the Gloucestershire Vibrant Village competition visited the Village on Thursday 23 June. The Clerk represented the Parish Council and also presented on the Recreation Field pavilion project;
during week commencing 27 June, Gloucestershire CC Rights of Way have been carrying out much needed repairs to Wood Lane;
because of the poor condition of Wood Lane, Mr Noel Banks (Cotswold Warden), had been unable to carry out the work to install a bench on Parish Council land at the Knoll, planned for 14 June. Once Wood Lane is repaired Mr Banks will re-plan the job;
following discussions at last month’s Council Meeting, upon Margaret Marshall’s (Stroud DC Enforcement Officer) return to work, the Clerk had spoken with her to find out about further developments by Stroud Planning on the field at Stancombe;
he had written to the Local Government Boundary Commission, on the Draft Recommendations for electoral arrangements for Gloucestershire County Council;
he had written to Gloucestershire CC setting out the Council’s concerns about proposed changes set out in the ‘Bus Review;
he had received notice that the B4060 will be surface dressed during period 4 July to 26 August. The work will be done during one day during period 4 July to 26 July. The Clerk understands that, weather permitting, the planned date is 17 July, when Highways intend to do the stretch from Stinchcombe to Wotton under Edge. There will be limited access whilst this work is in progress.
The Council considered and commented on the following Planning Applications:
S.11/1126/FUL. Bird Farm, Stancombe. “Permission for siting of temporary agricultural workers’ dwelling with treatment plant and use of existing access for 3 years”.
The Parish Council received a written statement from Mr & Mrs Bird. (See aside).
The Clerk set out the background to the applications and reminded the Council that permission had already been given in respect of Planning Application S.11/0217/FUL.
The Chairman closed the Meeting to enable Mrs Bird and other members of the public to comment. Mrs Bird offered to answer any questions which the Council might wish to ask of her.
In response to Councillors’ questions Mrs Bird said:
They had looked for alternative accommodation but due to the sensitive nature of alpacas they felt it only responsible for them to live on site.
For more than 3 years, they had been looking for a suitable location for their enterprise, within an hour’s travel of the area.
Their longer term intention would be to upgrade to a log built cabin, which they believe would blend in and enhance the area.
Agreeing that some people take advantage of planning laws, she added that this is not what they are about. She was not sure how she could convince people that their intentions were genuine.
She reminded the Council that alpacas are very valuable animals and the death of a cria through birthing, would be a very expensive loss
Mrs Bird agreed that for them this had been a lifestyle choice
On responding to the possibility of property to lease on the Stancombe Estate, Mrs Bird said that it would still not be suitable for how they want to run their business.
There being no further questions, the Chairman thanked Mrs Bird and reopened the Meeting. The Council further discussed the application.
Having considered this Application in conjunction with the Stroud District Local Plan and Planning Policy Statement 7: Sustainable Development in Rural Areas, the Council agreed to Object to this Application on the following grounds:
The Application is contrary to Planning & Policy Statement 7 Annexe A (and the previous Local Policy HN12) in so far as the land lies outside the defined settlement area of the Village and does not meet the “special justification” criteria in PPS7. Furthermore the Council is not convinced that the applicants have made any attempt to secure housing in the nearby area. It was evident that the applicants’ longer term intention, as explained at the Meeting, is that they would establish a log built cabin on the site for longer term usage.
The Council also consider the Application is contrary to Policy HN10 in so far as the land is outside the defined settlement boundaries of North Nibley and in their opinion is not essential to the efficient operation of the agricultural operation.
This development does not in any way complement the AONB and in the opinion of the Parish Council does not meet the criteria of Policy NE8.
In the Council’s opinion the grounds for the earlier refusal on 13 April 2011also apply to this application.
S.11/1125/FUL. Bird Farm, Stancombe. “Permission for retention of 3 containers”
Having considered the Application, in conjunction with the Stroud District Local Plan and Planning Policy Statement 7: Sustainable Development in Rural Areas, the Council Objected to this Application on the following grounds:
The applicants have previously successfully applied for planning permission (S.11/0217/FUL) for an agricultural building on this site. The erection of said agricultural building would have negated the need for these containers to be placed in open countryside. However the applicants have instead chosen to locate a mobile home (without planning permission) in the location of the planned agricultural building and as a result are now requiring permission for the containers. Had the applicants taken a properly planned approach to their enterprise this application would be unnecessary.
The Parish Council Objects on the grounds that this application is contrary to Stroud District Local Plan Policy NE8, in so far as the land falls within an AONB and the siting of these containers does not meet the first two criteria in that Policy.
S.11/0797/FUL. Binley Farm, Waterley Bottom. “Permission for erection of barn as replacement for previous barn and lean-to and erection of poly tunnel and potting shed (partially retrospective)”.
The Chairman closed the meeting and invited the applicant, Mr Stephens, to comment on this application. Mr Stephens accepted that he should have made a planning application before erecting the poly tunnel. He acknowledged that this was an error and had taken steps to minimise the visual impact on the area by screening the poly tunnel. In the longer term he also intended to plants trees which would further screen the site. Mr Stephens was asked questions by the Council about his use of the poly tunnel. In reply he told the Council that:
he planted vegetables, tomatoes, aubergines and other “heat loving plants” to feed his family.
That he is irrigating the plants from a spring well which serves Binley Farm and adjoining properties. He assured the Council that he took the water supply issue seriously, so much so that he intends to replace the existing 1914 pipe with a new one.
Mr Baxter, a neighbour, commented that he supported this planning application and has no objections to it.
The Council held a lively discussion on the poly tunnel part of the application including the following:
Mr Purnell commented that he had tried to see the poly tunnel from around the area and although he could see it from one location he didn’t see it as a problem. Mr Larkin added that it is visible from the public footpath and Westridge Woods. He appreciated that Mr Stephens had tried to screen it. Mr Brown commented that there are other poly tunnels in the area and he doesn’t see this poly tunnel as a problem. Mr Smitherman commented about that it is not a pretty thing. He also commented about the size of the poly tunnel and asked if a smaller one could be used and the tunnel re-sited. Mr Stephens said that he couldn’t see the benefit of a smaller tunnel, but he was open to discussion.
The Chairman re-opened the Council Meeting.
It was established that there were no arguments about the erection of replacement barn, which is part of this application.
Following further discussions Mr Brown proposed and Mr Purnell seconded a motion that the Council Support this application in so far as the construction of a replacement barn will enhance the site and replace the previous dilapidated building, providing appropriate storage space for equipment & materials; and the poly tunnel, as currently constructed with screening and the proposal to plant hedging & trees to further screen the site, is supported by the Parish Council. Following a vote Messrs. Brown, Purnell and Mrs Glancy supported the motion. Messrs Palmer, Larkin and Smitherman opposed the motion. Mr Hale abstained.
Because of an equality of votes the Chairman used his casting vote to support the motion. (Local Government Act 1972 Schedule 12 S.39 (2)). The Council Supported the application.
The Council noted the decision of Stroud District Planning Authority to grant Planning Permission for:
S.11/0655/HHOLD. Binley Farm, Waterley Bottom. “Creation of residential annexe to existing farm house from existing attached outbuildings. Construction of porch on North elevation to replace existing. Application of external insulation, with render finish to external elevations of farm house and annexe. Reinstatement of single storey store structure to existing annexe”.
S.11/0699/CPL. Cedar Lodge, Pitt Court. “Certificate of Proposed Lawful Use/Dev for “use of residential garage as granny annex”.
The Chairman closed the Meeting for public discussion and invited questions.
There were no questions, the members of the public having left earlier.
The Council received a written District Council Report from District Councillor June Cordwell.
The Council received a written County Council Report from County Councillor Dr John Cordwell.
The Chairman invited Parish Councillors to report on any Meetings they have attended.
Mr Larkin reported on the Meeting of the Recreation Field Trust. They intend to erect a gate at the entrance in order to control access to the site; the Trust are considering whether they should maintain their charitable status; and there was discussion about the tree in memory of Edna Purnell.
Mr Larkin also reported upon his attendance at GAPTC “Being a Good Councillor” training event and recommended it to other Councillors. The Clerk confirmed that there will be future events during 2011 and that the Council would pay for the place on the course.
Mrs Glancy reported on attendance (by herself and Mr Purnell) at Stroud Planning Event organised by GAPTC. She said that they revisited the basics of planning and also discussed how to deal with conflicting policies and their approach to sustainable development. There were also discussions about the possible outcome of the Localism bill and the introduction of Neighbourhood Plans.
Mr Brown reported that he had been advised about a dangerous incident caused by cyclists riding on footpaths in the woods. Following further discussion the Clerk agreed to speak with Gloucestershire CC Rights of Way. Mr Brown also reported that the purchase of land on Nibley Hill is progressing.
Mr Palmer reported that earlier there had been discussion about producing a Footpath Plan onto an Information Board. It was agreed that this should be further discussed on the October Agenda.
The Council discussed how it should celebrate the Queens Jubilee in June 2012. Following discussion it was agreed that the Clerk should include this topic in his “On The Edge” article and look to bring together other interested bodies to discuss this issue.
The Council discussed how it should recognise Mrs. Ann James’ 20 years service to the Parish Council & community. Following discussion it was agreed that the Clerk should purchase a suitable gift and arrange for a scroll to be produced.
Following agreement from the School Governors arrangements will be taken forward for a tree in memory of Mrs. Edna Purnell. The Clerk will contact the head teacher to discuss further.
Finances.
The Council received and approved a written First Quarter Finance Report from the Clerk.
The Council approved the following Invoices for payment and signed the cheques:
Gloucestershire County Council. Supply of the Tyndale Monument Direction Sign. (£38.58) (Countryside Act 1968 s.27)
T.W. Hawkins & Sons. Contract mowing at the Cemetery, period 6 April to 20 May 2011. (£477.60) (LGA1972 s.214)
Geoff Crew Plant Hire. For work on Parish Council land at Breakheart Hill. (£359.40). (LG Act 1894 s.8 (1)).
Clerk’s salary for Quarter 1 2011/12. (£1,110.42) (LGA 1972 s.112)2))
Clerk’s expenses for Quarter 1 2011/12. (£116.60) (LG(FP)A 1963)
The Council received a written report on the Cemetery. Following a suggestion from the Chairman it was agreed to defer discussion of the Report until the August Meeting.
The Council received for information details of Correspondence received. (See list attached).
There being no further business the Meeting ended at 9.55pm
The next Meeting of the Parish Council will be held in the Village Hall on Monday 1 August 2011 at 7.30 pm.