MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 17TH OCTOBER, 2012 AT 7.30 PM IN THE DAY CENTRE LOUNGE

Present : Cllrs. Mr. Truesdale (Chairman), Mr. Armitt, Mrs. Aston, Mr. Moore, Mr. O’Hanlon, Ms. Poole, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Young

  1. Apologies : Mr. Fell – personal. Accepted.
  1. New Applications

(a)12/02015 – Children’s Playground Runfurrow – erection of 2 semi-detached dwellings.

12 residents attended the meeting strongly opposing the loss of the only green space in the area on which children could play. It is a much used area. PC would try to arrange a meeting between VAHT and the residents.

Parish Council’s response as follows :-

The PC objects to the change of use and to the loss of this amenity. The PC had strong representation at our meeting from approx. 12 residents of all ages objecting to the loss of what is clearly perceived to be valued open space. We understand that this was originally intended and laid out as a children’s play area, which has over time been poorly maintained, but is still used as informal play space, particularly by younger children. We appreciate the need for affordable housing, but this needs to be balanced by other community needs, and there is clearly strong local concern. The PC has offered to facilitate a meeting with residents and VAHT, but VAHT declined to attend.

(b)12/01949/APP & 12/01950/ALB – 29 Churchway – demolition of existing outbuildings and erection of rear kitchen extension, lobby, attached garage, BBQ hearth and open sided roof terrace and ancillary storage area and internal alterations to main house (amendment to permissions).

No objections.

(c)12/01968 – Long Farthings, 20 Church End – fell one Silver Birch tree.

No objection.

(d)12/01998 – 30 High Street – demolition of existing outbuilding and replacement with new outbuilding and decking area.

No objection subject to condition that proposed building should be ancillary to the principal building at 30 High Street. Reason : to prevent any future independent use.

(e)12/01188 – 11 Bridens Way–two storey side and rear extension and new vehicular access to rear.

The PC would be satisfied subject to condition that the additional accommodation should be ancillary to the original dwelling at 11 Bridens Way in order to prevent separate or independent use in the future. There was concern regarding creating a vehicular access into Wykeham Way.

(f)12/01775 – 11 Slave Hill – construction of chimney (minor amended plans).

No objections.

(g)12/02119 – 2 The Clays – single storey side extension.

No objection.

(h)Application for Wind Turbine – Lower Waldridge Farm, Owlswick Road, Ford.

  1. Applications Approved

(a)12/00494 – Bradmoor Buildings, Lower Road – erection of agricultural lean-to building to an existing barn for the storage of animal feed, ay and straw.

(b)12/01626 – 1 The Paddocks – single storey rear extension.

(c)12/01644 – 7 Station Road – crown thin 1 beech by 20%, crown this 2 hornbeam by 15%, pollard fully 1 willow tree, crown thin 2 sycamore trees by 15% and crown thin 1 Japanese Maple by 10%.

(d)12/01968 – Long Farthings – fell one silver birch tree.

(e)12/01705 – 80 Townside – various internal alterations and kitchen doors.

  1. TPO confirmed

1 T1 Lime – The Old Vicarage, 22 Church End.

  1. AVDC has asked for our suggestions for road names for the development of 71 dwellings at land off Pegasus Way. 4 names are required. The same request has also been made of the developers and it is asked that we liaise with them to agree mutually acceptable names. A competition had been held at HaddenhamJuniorSchool and a list of their suggestions had been included. It was agreed as follows :-
  • Yellow area on mapCotts Field
  • Pink area on mapPilots Place
  • Green area on mapSpitfire Road
  • Blue area on mapFurther research to be done.
  1. It had been asked if we were doing a Neighbourhood Plan. This is to confirm that we are not but we are updating our Parish Plan.
  1. E-mail received from Mr. & Mrs. Davies asking what the PC is proposing to do with the land being handed over by Rectory Homes at Townsend Green. PC will maintain as public open space, but no decisions have been made as to management of the site as it has not yet been transferred to the PC.
  1. Copy of letter sent to AVDC by Mr. Hirst received expressing concern that the Linden Tree on Townsend Green had had its lower branches lopped by the contractors installing the wooden post into the new green space off Townsend Green.
  1. Mr. Webley of Churchway had asked if 2 sycamore saplings growing in the alley from Churchway to The Gables could be removed. He would undertake. Agreed.