The minutes were accepted as a true record of the March meeting and were duly signed by the Chairman.
Cllr Sanders is still looking into which areas on the Parish may be suitable for a 30 miles per hour speed limit. Cllr Maxwell said that applications for the first tranche of villages wanting to be considered for such a scheme closed on 30th April. Of these 9 were prioritised and 6 were definite, one of which is Newtown. However there are many rules and regulations which apply to such a scheme.
A reply has been received from Alison Quant at Hampshire County Council in response to the Council's letter following the meeting about the Safer Routes to Schools Scheme. The Council's requests have not been granted, but there is the possibility that restricted parking may be put in place.*
*ACTION: CLERK TO SEND COPIES OF THE LETTER TO THE HEADTEACHERS AT BOTH THE INFANT AND JUNIOR SCHOOLS.Cllr Maxwell has not yet obtained a copy of the Engineers Report, neither has Cllr Sanders obtained a copy of the Independent Examiner's Report.
There has been no further progress or development with regard to the Boundary Committee's proposals. The Chairman has sent a letter to the Committee expressing the views of this Parish Council.
The footpaths 'walk' is now complete. Cllr Maxwell has not yet had an opportunity to speak to the Gainsborough Stud regarding the blockage on Path 44, but will aim to do so as soon as possible.
Cllrs Kernahan and Powell attended a meeting at the Borough Council's offices regarding the identification of Buildings deemed as of Local Interest (BOLIs). The Chairman has information on eligibility.
A new fingerpost sign is now in place at Blindmans Gate. The new Twinning Sign will be unveiled there on Monday 28th May at 10.30 a.m.
As a result of criticism following the Annual Parish Meeting, the Chairman's notes have been published in Spectrum and will also be posted on the Parish noticeboards.
The minutes show a summary of those planning applications that required a detailed response from the Parish Council (PC). The objections and comments of the Council and individual residents will be found on Basingstoke and Deane's website as part of the Officer's report on each application prior to determination under delegated powers, or by the Development Control Committee (DCC). The PC submission is reported in full and residents' response is summarised. The registered number is needed to locate an application and can be supplied on request.
Blindmans Gate, Woolton Hill. This application to demolish Milton and replace with 2 five bedroom detached houses was opposed by residents and the PC on grounds of over development, overlooking of Westmead and the detrimental effect on the character of Blindmans Gate and other developments along the C5 main road. The application was taken to the DCC and the Chairman, Cllr Clive Sanders and Brian Count (for residents) spoke against the application. However, despite a proposition to refuse the committee was persuaded by the Chief Officer present to pass the application. His argument appeared to be based on the previously agreed backfill development of 3 detached houses. The implication is that other similar proposals may arise in this cul de sac that will, if allowed, significantly alter the character of this area.
Redwood, Tile Barn. This development of 6 detached houses was permitted in 2004 and is now underway. Applications have been received to change the designs in a minor way externally, except for Plot 6, close to Tile Barn Lane, where a substantially larger dwelling is proposed. We and residents discovered that the developer had received permission in 1966 to increase the under of bedrooms in a number of the dwellings under a 'minor amendment' procedure not requiring a full application. This is in contradiction of planning policy on housing mix and the interpretation applied when the original permission was
given. This departure is being treated by BDBC as a complaint and the current applications will not be determined until a decision on the complaint has been decided. The original application stated that sewerage would be dealt with by an on site installation that may require a separate planning application. We and residents requested information that has yet to be supplied, but one resident has met with a Director of the developer and it appears that, whilst provision for holding and pumping sewage from 4 houses will be needed, all effluent will be discharged to the public sewer. Surface water will be dealt with by soakaways and will, hopefully, not increase drainage problems for adjoining properties at a lower level that front onto the C5. The runoff of surface water and debris from Tile Barn Lane onto the C5 is already a problem, and again it is important to absorb suface water on site.
The Garden House, Hollington Lane. A second application has been received that overcomes the reasons for rejection. We will be repeating the comment as reported at the March 2007 PC meeting.
Tile Barn House, Woolton Hill. The proposal to build a large dwelling in the front garden of this listed building has been considered by Basingstoke on two previous occasions and refused on the basis that the design was not acceptable. The principle of permitting a building has been agreed by the DCC against the advice of the Conservation Officers. In the light of the history of development near to Tile Barn House, the reduced height and scale of the proposed building and the accepted principle to permit this development, the PC did not object to this application. However, we accept that this may create a precedent for development in the garden of the adjacent listed Orton House.
Thorngrove School, The Mount, Woolton Hill. A proposal has been received to build a long timber garage and storage building close by the rear gardens of some of the new houses in Wheelwrights. At first sight this appears undesirable and we are considering our response. The properties are near completion but not occupied so we cannot have discussion with residents.
We have received Basingstoke's Draft Supplementary Planning Document on Affordable Housing. We are formulating our response to be made before 14th June 2007. The key issues arise from the interpretation of Local Plan Policies C2 and D8, Government Planning Policy Statement 3 (PPS3) and the South East Plan. They include the rule for provision of 25% affordable housing in any proposal for 7 or more dwellings, the determination of local need, the possibility of exception sites for affordable housing in rural areas near to but outside settlement boundaries and the finding of a 2003 survey in rural areas for the need being predominantly for single adults and couples.
The Local Government Information Unit has published an important Guide to Planning for Parish Councils. The guide is sponsored by the Commission for Rural Communities. This is an excellent publication. It identifies important principles in dealing with planning applications and relationships with the planning authority, clarifies limitations on the status of our position in influencing the planning decision process, outlines the changes in planning policies and procedures arising from recent planning legislation and the value of VDSs and Parish Plans. There is also an important section on the role of members of the PC who are also members of higher councils - referred to as dual-hatted councillors.
Funding is now in place for the new play equipment at the Recreation Grounds. However, no definite date for commencement of the work has been fixed. It is therefore felt advisable to inform the organisations wishing to use the Woolton Hill Recreation Ground of this, allowing them to make alternative arrangements.*
*ACTION: CLERK TO DO SO.Once a date is known, it will be necessary to put up signage informing people that the work is taking place.
Training on the CCTV has been delayed due to the installation of new software to the system.
The Chairman has received a request for a new Dog Bin in the Parish. However, the meeting agreed that this was not necessary, and it would be better to encourage dog owners to clean up after their animals rather than leave it to the Parish Litter Wardens.*
*ACTION: CLERK TO PUT NOTE IN SPECTRUM.In the absence of Cllr Sanders, there was no Highways report.
A list of income and expenditure was presented and cheques duly signed.
A letter has been received from the Silver Band, thanking the Council for their donation towards the Band's concert at the Corn Exchange in October.
A request has been received from Maureen Smith at East Woodhay Village Hall for a donation towards the cost of repainting the interior of the hall, including the meeting room, kitchen and stage. They have received estimates of between £9,000 and £10,000 for this. The meeting felt that these estimates were rather high and that grant funding is available for projects such as this. It was agreed that the normal annual donation of £100 would be given now instead of later in the year, with the suggestion that grant funding be sought.*
*ACTION: CLERK TO DEAL.Following the recent survey of the footpaths in the Parish Norman Powers has produced a report. It would appear that the Parish Council has no obligation to carry out any work to the stiles etc., and that this is solely the responsibility of the landlord.*
*ACTION: CLLR MAXWELL TO SPEAK TO RIGHTS OF WAY OFFICER AT HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL. CHAIRMAN TO RESEARCH FURTHER.Su Elsden was delighted with her painting of the East End triangle, and the Clerk has received a lovely thank you note from her, which was read out. £80 was raised for Naomi Hospice. The Council was very grateful to Bill Crook for all his work producing a beautiful painting.
In the absence of PC Matt Deery, there was no Police Report.
There were 4 applications for the post of Parish Clerk. All applicants were interviewed on 15th May at Cllr Maxwell's home. The interview panel was made up of the Chairman, Cllr Maxwell and Cllr Kyle-Lawrence. The recommendation of the panel is that Caroline Cole be appointed as Clerk with effect from 1st June, subject to receipt of suitable references and completion of other formalities. All were agreed to this.