MINUTES OF THE EXTRAORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON
MONDAY 24th FEBRUARY 2014 AT 7.30PM IN CRANTOCK MEMORIAL HALL
Present -:
Cllrs. B Blackford (Chairman), S Robinson (SR), Mrs D Dumpleton (DD), Mrs A Thomas, Ms E Seward-Adams (ES), B Clark (BC), I Inskip & R Vodnik
Mrs K Rees (Clerk), 13 members of the public.
001 / Apologies: Cllr. Ms N Chadwick002 / Recordable/Non-Recordable Interests:
Following the advice given by Cornwall Council, Councillors were advised that provided they were not pre-determined they could take part in a general discussion on housing sites within the Parish but not specific discussions relating to the site. At this stage of the meeting, all Councillors confirmed that they were not pre-determined.
Interests:
Development on land next to Bella Vista– AT
Development on land off Trevowah Road – IS, DD & ES
Development on land off Pentire Green – ES
Development on land off Halwyn Hill – RV & BC
Dispensations: None
003 / Public Participation:
None.
004 / Crantock Position Statement:
BB gave an overview of the situation and reconfirmed the figures from the Housing Survey carried out last summer. The Crantock Position Statement is a tool to direct developers on where development is most appropriate in the Parish. Delaying development until 2030 was discussed but a developer cannot be prevented from submitting an application and if there is no valid planning reason for the application to be turned down, then permission will be granted.
The first question that needs to be answered is whether, in principle, the Parish Council supports a further development of affordable housing in the Parish. It was discussed that at the public meeting there did not seem to be any overall support for further development in the Parish and there is a query as to whether the right people are being allocated the houses. It would be better to liaise with neighbouring parishes to see if a joint agreement could be reached. Following discussions it was RESOLVED that the Parish Council cannot support further development in the Parish at this time.
Each of the sites were discussed with comments for the Statement.
Land off Green Lane:
· The land is consecrated & an application has been made for it to be listed as a schedule monument.
· Harmful to the landscape character of the area and to the setting of the village
· Poor access
· Intrude into prominent view
· No support for this site at the public meeting
· RESOLVED: Parish Council strongly objects to development on this site
Land off Bella Vista (AT left the meeting):
· Development would set a precedent along West Pentire Road for further development towards West Pentire
· Very close to area of Great Landscape Value and would give harm to the landscape, features & characteristics of this area of the village.
· Problems with surface water run-off.
· Access to the site is along an extremely dangerous road with speeding traffic, poor lighting & no pavements
· RESOLVED: Parish Council objects to development on this site.
Land off Pentire Green (ES left the meeting):
· Access to the site is via the Carneton Close Housing Estate. The road is extremely narrow, as there is residential parking on both sides of the road & wider vehicle will be unable to access the site.
· Problems with surface water run-off & flooding in the valley
· Potential ownership issues with the space directly in front of the site access
· RESOLVED: Parish Council objects to development on this site.
Land of Trevowah Road (DD, ES & IS left the meeting):
· Access problems with line of sight & the speed of traffic along narrow road & no pavement
· Problems with surface water run-off and flooding in the valley
· One third of the responses received following the public meeting felt that this was the best option for development if the highways issues were addressed.
· RESOLVED: Parish Council objects to development on this site.
Land off Halywn Hill (BC & RV left the meeting):
A pre-application of this site has just been submitted for 27 houses, with a site entrance off Halwyn Hill. Initial feedback as follows:
· Proximity to conservation area, site not in keeping.
· Flooding problems in the Post Office would be exacerbated with surface water run-off
· Access is off a very steep hill with poor line of sight & no pavement
· Concerns over the grading of the site
· Concerns over the ownership of the access land
· RESOLVED: Parish Council does not support development on this site
Further Development in the Parish – general concerns:
· Lack of infrastructure to support further development
· Local school nearly at capacity
· Unsustainable including poor transport links
· Concerns over the drainage capacity in general. Village already prone to flooding.
Alternative sites in the village and whether it would be possible to nominate a preferred site as a ‘worst case scenario’ was then discussed. The responses from residents who completed the survey at the Public Meeting were taken into account. 30 responses were received, 37% supported the Trevowah Road site, 20% supported the Bella Vista site & 7% the Pentire Green site. All Councillors with an interest were again asked if they were pre-determined & all six confirmed that they now were. This only left two Councillors to vote which was not quorate so a vote on a preferred site could not take place. The following conclusion for the Crantock Position Statement was RESOLVED:
CRANTOCK PARISH COUNCIL DOES NOT SUPPORT FURTHER DEVELOPMENT IN THE PARISH AS HOUSING NEED COULD BE MET WITH INTER-PARISH CO-OPERATION. HOWEVER, IF FURTHER DEVELOPMENT IS IMPOSED ON THE VILLAGE, THE PARISH COUNCIL WOULD PREFER TO SEE THIS DEVELOPMENT TAKE PLACE TO THE EAST OF THE VILLAGE, ALONG HALWYN ROAD ON SITES THE ABUT THE VILLAGE.
005 / Any Other Urgent Matters for Discussion:
None
006 / Closure
The Chairman thanked members for their attendance and advised that the next scheduled Full Council Meeting will take place on 12th March at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall, Crantock. The meeting closed at 21.15 hours.
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