LAUGHTON PARISH COUNCIL

LAUGHTON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

WEDENSDAY 15TH OCTOBER 2014

AT LAUGHTON PARISH HALL

Present: Cllr Julie Gill (Chair) JG, Cllr Jackie Breeds (JB), Cllr Alex Carey (AC), Cllr Mike Cook (MC) and Cllr Miranda Dart (MD) and Cllr Nick Williams (NW)

Also in attendance

Cllr Nick Bennett (NB) East Sussex County Council

Karen Crowhurst – Clerk to Laughton Parish Council.

Members of the public - 0

Minutes / Action by
LP/14/111 / APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Cllr Ben Burbridge and Cllr Dashwood-Morris.
LP/14/112 / DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS
None Received.
LP/14/113 / TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES FROM THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 17TH SEPTEMBER 2014
With one slight amendment it was resolved to accept the minutes of the meeting held on 17th September 2014 as a true and accurate record. This was proposed by Cllr Dart and seconded by Cllr Cook. The minutes were then signed by Cllr Williams who chaired the meeting.
LP/14/114 / QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, RELATING TO MATTERS ON THIS PUBLIC AGENDA
There were none.
LP/14/115 / EAST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL AND WEALDEN DISTRICT COUNCIL REPORTS
Cllr Bennett apprised Members about the report circulated to Members prior to the meeting. Cllr Bennett also reported on:
-  The SLR meeting and matters which arose at the meeting which were, speeding, white lines, HGV restrictions, verges and ditches. Cllr Bennett urged Members consult with Parishioners about any changes to the speed limit through the centre of the village before they come to any decision.
-  The proposed bus service changes and his involvement with the consultation and the next steps in response to some cuts affecting certain parishes.
-  Progress of Superfast Broadband.
Cllr Bennett left the meeting after his report.
Members noted the report sent by Cllr Dashwood- Morris. No queries relating to the report were raised.
LP/14/115 / PLANNING
a)  Plans
WD/2014/1983/F DECOY COTTAGES, 3 LAUGHTON ROAD, LAUGHTON BN8 6DS
PROPOSED DETACHED DWELLING FOR OCCUPATION BY HOLIDAYLET MANAGER AND CHANGE OF USE OF EXISTING MANAGER'S ACCOMMODATION TO ADDITIONAL HOLIDAY LETTING UNIT.
Comments and observations
Laughton Parish Council recommends refusal of this application for the following reasons:
1)  No justification has been provided for the essential need for a manager to live permanently in a new dwelling on site. The National Planning Policy Framework paragraph 55 states:
“.... Local planning authorities should avoid new isolated homes in the countryside unless there are special circumstances such as: the essential need for a rural worker to live permanently at or near their place of work in the countryside; ...... ”
None of the other circumstances apply e.g. heritage asset, reuse of a redundant building or an exceptional design.
The site is outside of any development boundary.
2)  A high level of occupancy was stated as a reason for more capacity being required. Contained within the application was a figure relating to an occupancy rate of 75%. However, this would require the holiday lets to be fully occupied for 9 months of the year. The level of occupancy stated is in conflict with the figures on the bookings the website which suggests a meaningfully lower level of occupancy.
3)  The actual and projected profit figures stated are not sufficient to pay a Manager and finance the construction of a 3 bedroom house.
4)  The proposed dwelling is not well related to the actual holiday lets and could result in future pressure to separate the house and land from the holiday lets business.
5)  If Wealden District Council grants permission Laughton Parish Council would like to see a non-severance clause preventing separation of the house from the land and holiday cottages and permitted development rights be removed on the whole site.
b)  To consider any planning applications that have been received after the agenda has been published
WD/2014/2105/FA MARCHANTS HARDY PLANTS, MILL LANE, LAUGHTON BN8 6AJ
VARIATION OF CONDITION 6 OF WD/2013/2549/F
Comments and observations
Members of Laughton Parish Council recommends refusal of this application for the following reasons:
1)  Wealden District Council granted the previous application with certain conditions. Members of Laughton Parish Council cannot see the need for the proposed move of 1.5 meters.
2)  Members of Laughton Parish Council have concerns with the proposal as the existing building in essence will not be re-used as previously agreed. The proposal will lead to the demolition of the existing building and reconstruction of a new building within a few meters.
3)  Members still have concerns regarding parking on the site; the moving of the building will only make matters worse.
4)  There are no substantial reasons for the proposal as ESCC Highways and the applicant’s agent advised that the past proposal was compliant and posed no risk.
c)  Planning applications refused, approved, referred or appeals
WD/2014/1661/F BAY HOUSE, LEWES ROAD, LAUGHTON BN8 6BJ – Approved
WD/2014/1626/F LAND AT POUND LANE, LAUGHTON, BN8 – Approved
WD/2014/1574/FR BACHELORS, PARK LANE, LAUGHTON BN8 6BP – Approved
WD/2014/1575/LBR BACHELORS, PARK LANE, LAUGHTON BN8 6BP – Approved
Members noted approved applications.
d)  Other planning matters – To discuss or note any other planning matters brought to the attention of the Parish Council
Members discussed licensing matters regarding the recent Roebuck Public House application.
The matter of commenting on planning applications by email was also discussed. It was agreed that the Clerk remind Members about the application and request comment. If no comments are received it will be taken that Laughton Parish Council has no objections and will leave it to the Planning Officer to decide. Initial comments will be collated and circulated by Cllr Dart for Members comment prior to the deadline set in order for the Clerk to submit the comments to Wealden District Council.
e)  Kitty Hawk Farm Solar Park having started but without the provision of permanent passing places on Mill Lane/Darp Lane.
Cllr Dart informed Members that she has been in contact with the Planning department regarding the provision of parking as work is commencing and as it is apparent no provision has been made for parking nor a passing bay been provided. Members discussed this further and agreed that Cllr Dart draft a letter to be sent to Wealden District Council.
The drop kerb access to the land opposite Holly Cottage was raised. The Clerk reminded Members about a letter received from Wealden District Council advising that there will be no enforcement proceedings although, the work commenced after the deadline. / MD
All
MD
LP/14/116 / VILLAGE GREEN WORKING GROUP REPORT – to agree any actions arising from the report
The Clerk reported that the Village Green Working Group will be hosting presentation evening in December on the same date as the Parish Council meeting to gain views of residents about the Village Green. It is the aim of the Working Group to hold a meeting in the large hall prior to the Parish Council meeting commencing. Members requested confirmation of the time and agreed to place an item in the next edition of The Buckle. / Clerk
LP/14/117 / CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES AND LIGHTS – to agree Parish Council involvement
Cllr Williams informed Members that Mark Buttifant will be arranging Christmas festivities as in previous years. Cllr Williams also reported that a Parishioner has mentioned donating a cut Christmas tree to be placed on the green. Members discussed the Christmas lights and agreed a donation for the electricity supply will be the same as previous years. Members also agreed that if a cut tree is forthcoming to move the lights onto that tree as it will be more noticeable.
LP/14/118 / PLAY EQUIPMENT – update and any further actions
This matter is still on-going.
LP/14/119 / MEETING SCHEDULE 2015 – JAN 2016
Resolved – to accept the meeting schedule 2015 – 2016.
LP/14/120 / REPORT AND AGREE ACTIONS ARISING FROM SLR MEETING HELD ON 8TH OCTOBER 2014
Cllr Dart led the report about the most recent SLR meeting where matters relating to speeding, ditch works, speed loops, Shortgate Lane and other matters were discussed. Members made various comments about the matters discussed. One item which needed agreement from the Council as a whole was that of the cost of placing speeding loops to gather data in order to try and reduce speeding in the village. ESCC recommended 2 places at a cost of £400 each time.
After careful consideration and listening to objections of one Member and thinking about the overall benefit it was resolved to request ESCC place 1 speeding loop from the bus stop to the Roebuck Public house at a cost of £400, preferably in the second week of November and to consider the other area recommended should the need arise. / Clerk
LP/14/121 / THE BUCKLE AUTUMN EDITION
Members considered the timing of the next edition of the Buckle and content and agreed that items should include:
- Speeding loops
- Village Green Working Group meeting in December
- Cllr Dashwood- Morris item regarding the Community Dividend Fund contribution
- Cllr Nick Bennett item about changes to the bus services
- Christmas festivities
All items to be collated by 10 November for printing and distribution to commence the week of 17 November / Clerk
LP/14/122 / ROAD MATTERS - update and actions
Members noted the link sent by the Clerk which included Road Safety statistics. Cllr Cook agreed to take pictures of the Fingerposts in order to claim a grant for the works carried out. / Cllr Cook
LP/14/123 / FINANCIAL MATTERS
a)  Payments and receipts
Resolved to accept payments and receipts previously circulated by the Clerk.
b)  Bank reconciliation
Resolved to accept the bank reconciliation prepared by the Clerk. Cllr Gill then signed the bank reconciliation document.
c)  Any other Financial matters
The Clerk reported that she is preparing information requested for the budget meeting to be held on 26th November 2014.
LP/14/124 / CLERK REPORT
The Clerk had nothing to report.
LP/14/125 / REPORTS (BY LEAVE)
Cllr Dart reported that an ad-hoc litter picking day has been carried out. Cllr Dart added that she was very impressed with Mc Donald's of Uckfield who were most helpful and generously supplied hoops to keep litter sacks open, making the task a lot easier.
LP/14/126 / ITEMS FOR REFERRAL TO NEXT AGENDA OR APPROPRIATE COMMITTEE
None.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.02pm. Date of next meeting, Wednesday 19th November at Laughton Parish Hall.

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