MINUTES OF THE MONTHLY MEETING OF APPLETON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 18 NOVEMBER 2014 AT 7.30PM IN THE PARISH HALL
PRESENT:- Mrs. D Edwards (Chairman)
Mrs. S J Benger (Deputy)
Dr. I Axcell, Mrs. J M Walker and Ms. J C Wheeler
Dr. B P Axcell, Mr. J L Price, Mr. B K Smith, Mr. T M Stansfield and
Mr. P J Walker
Mrs. L E Parker (Clerk)
Press: Aran Dhillon - Reporter for the Warrington Guardian
- Apologies
Apologies had been received from:
Mrs. V P Davies (who was attending the AGM of Lumb Brook Millennium Green Ltd as the Parish Council representative), Mrs. S A Harris & Mr. K J Arnett.
Mr. P J Walker had previously advised the Clerk of late attendance due to a meeting at the Town Hall.
2.Code of Conduct – Declaration of Interests
No declarations of interest were made at the start of the meeting.
3.Environment Issues
Sharon Walls (SW), Highway and Environment Service Manager (Public Realm), Economic Regeneration, Growth and Environment, Warrington Borough Council (WBC) in attendance to provide an update on highways and environment service savings / changes and explore opportunities to work closer with the Parish Council to agree priorities.
SW referred to the presentation made at the Parish Liaison Meeting on 30 September which was attended by Clerks/Councillors though copies of the presentation were available:
- SW manages highway maintenance, trees, grass cutting, street lighting, woodlands & fleet services reporting to David Boyer, Assistant Director, Transport and Environment who then reports to Andy Farrall, Executive Director Economic Regeneration.
- Key points:
WBC required to reduce costs by £7.7m.
Savings of £1.9 million across Highways and Environment Services.
Reduction of 18 staff and 18 agency staff.
Employs 40 permanent full time staff.
Grass cutting frequency changes especially for those where there is a necessity for traffic management though site lines remain a priority.
Weed spraying carried out “in house” this year however will go out to tender next year for price comparison.
Problems with the new road surfaces as the quality is poor and does not last as long.
Surveys of roads have just been completed.
Number of staff allocated to Wards based on length of roads and footways.
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- Future
A lot more information would be included on the WBC website such as monthly plans / schedules / seasonal calendars.
Looking at working closer with Parishes
Gateway Improvements
Questions and concerns were raised by Councillors on the following:
- Grass cutting
- Litter at Gateways into Warrington including the A49 London Road
SW recognised that there were problems with the gateways and that a Gateway Team was being set up with evidence of litter being gathered to take to the originating businesses.
- Leaves and Blocked gullies on London Road and Quarry Lane
To overcome the problems particularly caused by leaves, SW referred to the use of two WBC “large” heavy goods sweepers and leaf hoovers / “suckers” to keep on top of the issue. A new depot has been set up for housing equipment to save staff time in South Warrington on Cliff Lane.
Mrs. D Edwards referred to the narrowing of the footpath on Lumb Brook Road from Parrs Wood to the Bridgewater Canal aqueduct due to the hedge, brambles, nettles and grass encroaching. SW indicated that WBC would contact the landowner to arrange cut back.
SW agreed to forward in the New Year a schedule of works for 2015 before the growing season for comment by the Parish Council.
Mr. J L Price referred to the much needed installation of a pavement with kerb edging at the top of Red Lane towards Highwood Road and SW agreed to forward the request to the Officers involved with the WBC Local Transport Plan (LTP).
Mr. B K Smith requested a footpath from Wright’s Green to Ashberry Drive and again SW advised that this was not under the Highways remit but for the WBC LTP colleagues. However Mr. B K Smith questioned whether the recent resurfacing would continue along Lumb Brook Road, Wright’s Green from Appleton Thorn but SW advised that this would be determined by the recent survey results.
4. Police Community Support Officer (PCSO)/Police Report
Police Inspector Sarah Heath (SH) and PCSO Lynda Garner (LG) in attendance and report included the following:
- Reported incidents in Appleton from 18 October
13 suspicious activity, 2 criminal damage, 5 burglary dwellings and 8 other incidents
19 incidents of anti-social behaviour (ASB) which included the Halloween and Bonfire night period.
4 traffic incidents.
- LG reported on the traffic issue and double parking which caused gridlock on bonfire night on Windmill Road.
- Due to the issue raised regarding parking at St. Monica’s Primary School, visible presence provided by LG with moving on of any vehicles parking at junctions. Dr. B P Axcell referred to parking across driveways from 8am to 6pm however LG advised that recent PCSO presence has probably deterred vehicles from parking. LG agreed to advise the School Head of the parking issues.
- LG is hoping to set up a Police surgery in Appleton Thorn.
SH advised that PCSO Ben Scholte would be moving with effect from next week to Lymm due to Lymm PCSO Ian Carter retiring. The new PCSO, Rachael Anders, was undergoing training and would be covering Appleton from 5 January 2015.
Mr. J L Price enquired on the impact of the 20 mph speed limit however SH advised that enforcement was time intensive and speed enforcement was reactive not proactive. SH advised that the introduction of 20mph was not just a Borough issue but was a national issue around communities and was self-enforcing.
Criteria for positioning speed cameras includes collisions history on road but speed cameras cannot be sited within 200m of a speed change. Speeding was an issue in South Warrington and the Police spend more time in Warrington South than any other area on this issue. PCSO Steve Parr recently carried out 4 days of speed enforcement in Appleton including Lumb Brook Road, Wright’s Green and the B5356.
SH referred to a recent trial elsewhere in Warrington where the offender is taken into a school to discuss the speeding crime face to face for half an hour with a pupil as an alternative to ticketing offenders. The installation of speed cameras would need to be taken up with WBC however depends on collision history.
Mr. P J Walker arrived at 8.18pm.
5.Bloor Homes – Development of land on Stretton Road / Pepper Street, Appleton Thorn
Meeting held with Campaign Against Ruining Our Environment (CARE) on 6 November with Mrs. D Edwards, Mr. T M Stansfield and Mr. P J Walker. Mr. Kevin McAloon (KM), on behalf of the CARE residents in attendance, referred to the following:
- Information received from Borough Councillor J C Wheeler concerning the refusal of planning for an eco house in green space in Hatton which could be useful in objecting to the proposed Bloor development.
- Details of Envision, network of planning consultants, who promise delivery of a Neighbourhood Plan in half the time.
- Letter sent to WBC by CARE addressed to Professor Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive and Andy Farrall, Executive Director Economic Regeneration raising concerns and requesting answers to questions raised. A copy of this letter was also sent to David Mowat MP and Nick Bent, parliamentary Labour candidate for Warrington South with a copy of the CARE’s November newsletter.
Mr. P J Walker advised that Bloor Homes have asked for a meeting with WBC Planning Department however a date has not yet been arranged.
KM advised that it had been agreed by CARE not to get involved with the Bloor Design Working Group as it would send out the “wrong message.”
Mrs. D Edwards advised that the recent sale of the HMP land was to a farmer and not to a developer as previously had been presumed.
Mr. P J Walker agreed to forward CARE sight of the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) once available however advised that this was still being developed as there were many sites still to be viewed but WBC had agreed to consult with Parish Councils. This is likely to be in early 2015.
CARE next meeting had been arranged for 19 November at 7pm and Mrs. S J Benger & Mr. T M Stansfield agreed to attend.
6.Neighbourhood Plans (NP)
Meeting held with CARE on 6 November with Mrs. D Edwards, Mr. T M Stansfield and Mr. P J Walker.
Mr. P J Walker and Mr. K McAloon advised that funding is now available in England and Wales for Neighbourhood Plans though until recently funding was not going to be available until the new financial year April 2015.
Discussion ensued on the boundary of the inset Appleton Thorn village and the “Local Plan Core Strategy Polices Map – Adopted Editon (21st July 2014) was referred to.
Members agreed that the issue of developing a Neighbourhood Plan for just the inset village or the Thorn Ward may be “devisive.”
Mr. B K Smith, Editor of the Parish Council newsletter, agreed to place an artice in the next edition due in the new year on the matter.
Mr. P J Walker advised that producing a Neighbourhood Plan was not a mechanism to stop the Bloor Homes development.
Mr. P J Walker referred to the Cummunity Infrastructure Levy (CIL) that if a parish council has a Neighbourhood Plan, they will received 25% of any relevant CIL receipt. In areas without a Neighbourhood Plan, they will received 15%.
It was agreed that the Parish Council CARE group would report back to the Parish Council with a recommendation at the December meeting.
7.Public Participation
Residents of Wright’s Green referred to the recent results received from the WBC Traffic Management / Collision Investigation Assistant Engineer indicating 50,000 cars over the period surveyed which appeared to be an increase in 2,000 vehicles per day since the last survey.
It was agreed that Borough Councillor Judith Wheeler, Mr. B K Smith, Mr. T M Stansfield and residents meet with the Officer to consider the traffic movements on Dingle Lane and Lumb Brook Road, Wright’s Green issue preferably at commuter time with results to be provided at a future Parish Council meeting.
8. – 9.Planning
8.Current Planning Applications
The recommendations of the Planning Committee on applications received since the last meeting were accepted and it was Resolved that the following recommendations be forwarded to the Development Control Manager, Environment and Regeneration, WBC:
Planning applications to 18 November 2014
a) NO OBJECTION to the following applications -
2014/24574Mr. Kevin Lampkin - Householder - Proposed construction of first floor extension at 437 London Road, Appleton.
2014/24711Mr. & Mrs. Allerdice - Outline Application - Proposed outline application for a new dwelling at 185 London Road, Appleton.
b) Concerns raised on the following applications:
2014/24407Ms. Kate Bond - Householder - Proposed two storey side/rear extension, replacement garage, new boundary fence to Green Lane, permeable tegular driveway and proposed steel railings and gate at The Rowans, Cann Lane North, Appleton.
It is understood that there have been concerns raised on the boundary issues and presumably this has now been resolved.
However looking at the plans for the garage, it appears that the side elevation to the Green Lane side is made of glass panels. Green Lane is part of the Mersey Valley Timberland Trail and as such the Parish Council believes that the glass panels would be harmful to visual amenity contrary to the Warrington House extensions SPG2 and UDP policies DCS1, DCS9, HOU8 and policy QE7 of the Core Strategy.
If permission is granted to the proposal for the new two storey garage, the Parish Council requests that a condition be placed on the detached garage as follows:
The accommodation and / or building shall only be used in connection with and ancillary to the occupation of the existing property on the site as a single dwelling house and shall not at any time be occupied separately. Reason: In order to prevent the establishment of an independent residential unit on the site.
2014/24605Mr. Simon Puleston - Householder - Proposed 2 storey side and single storey rear extension at 21 Arley Road, Appleton Thorn.
The 2 storey side extension appears dominant and overbearing on the street scene and makes the house appear as two semidetached dwellings.
2014/24736Mr. A Mannion - Householder- Proposed first floor side extension & ground floor rear extension at 415 London Road, Appleton.
Consideration needs to be given as to whether the ground floor rear extension will breach the 45 degree code in respect of the attached property at 417 London Road.
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2014/24795Mr. Sathish Kumar - Householder – Retrospective proposal for a 2-storey rear extension and single-storey rear utility room extension at 6 Birchways, Appleton.
The Parish Council feels strongly that no planning permission was sought prior to the commencement of the building works.
The rear extension appears dominant with the roof line not subordinant to the existing ridge height which is normally a planning requirement.
As no planning permission has been granted, it is questioned whether the extension has been inspected by WBC Building Control.
The Parish Council wishes to be kept informed of any future action by WBC.
2014/24798Mr. John Bryan - Full Planning - Proposed amendment to vehicular access arrangements relating to already approved application 2012/20609 at Birch Tree Farm, Red Lane, Appleton.
The Parish Council understands that there is an enforcement order ENF/14/04597 Alleged problem: Not compatible with the previous agricultural use at Birch Tree Farm, Red Lane, Appleton but the specifics are unknown to the Parish Council. However the Parish Council wishes to bring this to the Planning Officer’s attention when assessing the application.
Due to the location on the busy Red Lane, it is requested that WBC Highways consider the proposed amended vehicular access arrangements.
2014/24808Mrs. Philippa Ward, Old Vicarage Day Nursery - Variation of Condition - Proposed variation of condition 2 to allow an increase in children from 66 to 80 children following previously approved planning application 2003/01761 at Thorn House, Green Lane, Appleton Thorn.
The Parish Council questions the traffic impact from the dropping off and picking up of the proposed increased number of 80 children at the Nursery especially with the congestion issues already at this busy/difficult junction of Green Lane / Lumb Brook Road and the B5356 - Grappenhall Lane/Stretton Road. There is already evidence of vehicles being driven over the land at the grass triangle and the front of the War Memorial and it is therefore requested that WBC undertakes a traffic impact assessment for the area before the application is considered.
It is wondered how many children and staff Thorn House, which is a Locally Listed Building, can hold due to fire regulations for that type of building. Presumably WBC will have laised with Ofsted on numbers and any recent Ofsted inspections.
c) For information only
2014/24719Mr. Bob Hanna - Section 192 (Lawful Development Certificate) - Proposed demolition of exisiting conservatory, construction of single storey rear extension and partial garage conversion to a habitable room at 3 Teddington Close, Appleton.
2014/24725Mr. D Carroll - Discharge of condition - Application for approval of details reserved by condition following previously approved application 2014/24336 - conditions 3 (Site Levels) 4 (External roofing & facing materials) 5 (hard surfacing area) 8 (Parking provisions) and 11 (Bat Mitigation Measure) to be discharged at Dennow Cottage, Firs Lane, Appleton.
2014/24731Mr. S. Rainford - Works to trees - Proposed works to two oak trees at 5 Field Lane, Appleton.
2014/24744Mr. Philippe Turner - TPO - Proposed felling of Oak tree (T1), two Sycamore trees (T3 & T7) and Common Ash trees (T2 & T4) at 6 Woodstock Gardens, Appleton.
2014/24753Mr & Mrs K Crichley - Non-material amendment - Application for non-material amendment to alter the front porch extension to incorporate a WC and change of materials to entrance pillars following previously approved application 2014/23584 at Four Winds, Firs Lane, Appleton.
2014/24773Mrs. Barbara Westwell - TPO - Proposed works to trees covered TPO 67, Crown thinning at 62 Kingsley Drive, Appleton.
Due to Dr. B P Axcell being a substitute member on the WBC Planning Applications Sub Committee/Development Control Committee, he did not participate in the planning discussions or the recommendations agreed.
9.Previous Planning Applications
9.1Appeal
2011/19244 3C Waste Limited - Proposed extension of operational life of Arpley landfill facility to 2025 at Arpley Landfill Site, Forrest Way, Warrington
Letter dated 23 October from the Department for Communities and Local Government following direction from the Secretary of State confirming the Inspector’s recommendation that the appeal be dismissed and planning permission refused.
9.2Enforcement
ENF/14/04479Alleged building works at The Cottage, Stretton Road, Appleton – Case closed as accords with planning approval 31/10/14.
ENF/14/04590Alleged problem: Breach of planning at 6 Birchways, Appleton.
ENF/14/04597Alleged problem: Not compatible with the previous agricultural use at Birch Tree Farm, Red Lane, Appleton.
ENF/12/03388Alleged unauthorised development (new track) and breach of condition (trees) at Apple Jacks Adventure Park, Stretton Road, Appleton – Reason for closure: Other
ENF/14/04511 Alleged removal of trees at Hillcliffe Baptist Church, Red Lane, Appleton - Reason for closure: No Breach Found
ENF/14/04604Alleged problem: Expansion of numbers at Grappenhall Lodge, Cartridge Lane, Grappenhall and Thelwall.
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9.32014/23332 Hensmill Property - Full Planning (Major) - Proposed construction of subterranean car storage facility (Sui-Generis Use Class) with ancillary office development and associated demolition and landscaping accessed from Crowley Lane at Former Stretton Airfield, Appleton Thorn. (Amended plans.)
The Clerk advised that a resident had notified the Parish Council that the planning application, which includes use of the airfield for 14 events per annum, may be considered by the WBC Planning Applications Sub Committee on 10 December.
10. Pavement Cafes Consultation
Email dated 21 October from the WBC Senior Licensing Assistant attaching a letter & policy regarding Pavement Cafes in Warrington.
The Licensing Committee considered several responses received during the last consultation exercise at its meeting on 15 October 2014.
The Policy has since been changed to incorporate the comments received and the Committee has approved a further consultation exercise. (All changes have been highlighted in the policy – including addressing concerns on smoking and litter issues.)