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MINUTES OF THE FREMINGTON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 7th JANUARY 2008 AT FREMINGTON PARISH HALL

AT 7.00pm

Present: Cllr Jury, Cllrs C Turner, Brailey, Gill, Jones, Mrs McCormack-Hole, Piper,

Silver, Miss Thomas, G Turner and Wood

Clerk Mrs Mills

Deputy Services Officer Mrs Towers

In Attendance: County/District Councillor Cann. The Police and members of the public

0801/01Prayers

The Chairman led the Council in prayers.

0801/02Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from Cllr Mrs Bennett, Cllrs Harris and Hockin,

0801/03Declarations of Interest

Cllr Jones declared a personal interest in application 45714 as a personal friend of the applicant

0801/04Chairman’s Announcements

  • The Chairman advised that there was a sustainable funding course on the 28th February which could prove beneficial. Cllrs Piper and Turner put their names forward as wishing to attend.
  • It was agreed to bring forward application 45714 to follow minute 0801/06

0801/05 To agree the agenda between Part A and Part B (confidential information)

It was resolved to agree the agenda as published.

Part A

0801/06Police Report

PC Hodgson gave a report. There had been some problems with vandalism locally but measures were being taken to prevent this in future.

Standing Orders were suspended to allow members of the public to speak.

A member of the public asked the Parish Council for support to prevent criminal damage in the area. The Chairman responded that the Council were fully supportive of any action that the police proposed to take.

Standing Orders were reinstated. There were no drink driving convictions locally over Christmas and PC Hodgson said that an education programme visiting rural pubs had proved successful.

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0801/07Planning Application 45714

It was resolved to bring forward planning application 45714

Proposal: Erection of 2 dwellings with car parking & formation of retaining walls

Location: Land to rear of 3 & 4 Linden Close, Sticklepath, Barnstaple

Applicant/Agent: Devon Property Developments Ltd

Cllr Cann, although not a member of the Parish Council, left the meeting.

Standing Orders were suspended to allow members of the public to speak

Standing Orders were reinstated

It was resolved to recommend to North Devon District Council that this application should REFUSED on the grounds that

  • It is a flood plain area which will not support any more development in the area without risk of flooding locally and further downstream. PPG 25 (23) states that LPAs should give due weight to the need to avoid adding risk to flooding. The Environment Agency has also expressed concerns over the development.
  • It would be overintensification of the area
  • Highway problems have not been addressed, access is dangerous
  • Privacy issues, the new development would overlook existing properties
  • The Parish Council supports refusal and enforcement to re-instate the area to its previous situation

Cllr Cann returned to the meeting

Cllr Gill gave his apologies and left the meeting

0801/08To receive questions and/or deputations or petitions from parishioners. All deputations or petitions to be referred without discussion to the Clerk for action, or to the next Council Meeting for discussion as appropriate. Any question requiring an answer at the Meeting to be submitted at least five working days before the Meeting

There had been a letter from a parishioner, who was unable to attend the meeting, however the Chairman had met with him earlier and had responded to his queries.

0801/09To confirm and sign the minutes of meetings previously circulated

It was resolved with no votes to the contrary to confirm and sign the

minutes of the following meeting as a correct record:

- Fremington Parish Council Meeting held on 10th December 2007 at 7pm

0801/10To consider and adopt the minutes of committees and sub-committees previously circulated

It was resolved with no votes to the contrary to confirm and adopt the

minutes of the following meeting as a correct record:

-Parks & Playing Fields Committee Meeting held on Tuesday 11th December 2007 at 9.45am

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0801/11To receive reports on matters of policy or major decisions affecting North Devon and this parish in particular from the County Councillor and District Councillors

  • County Councillor Cann gave a report (attached)
  • District Councillor Brailey reported that South West Water were proposing remedial work at Park Avenue and it was hoped this would

alleviate further problems

  • District Councillor Gill advised that meetings were continuing regarding South Molton Recycling and in-house waste collection
  • District Councillors Jones and Mrs McCormack-Hole had nothing to report

0801/12Flooding issues – update

Cllr Miss Thomas advised that she had contacted the County Council regarding problems adjoining Pottery Lane. Drainage work has started adjoining the Cemetery.

0801/13 Highways issues – update

Cllr Turner raised the question of the mobile speed sign that had been in Fremington. Cllr Cann advised that it was moved around the area to various trouble spots.

It was resolved to put this matter on the next agenda with the view to considering installing appropriate equipment

Cllr Miss Thomas gave her apologies and left the meeting

0801/14To consider purchase of a Chipper

It was resolved to consider a full feasibility study to include siting of a chipper and to place on the agenda for future discussion.

0801/15To consider entry to Best Kept Village competition

The Chairman advised that Fremington was to large to enter this competition, it was suggested that Yelland and/or Bickington could be considered. The Clerk was asked to publicise the competition and seek volunteers to organise the entries

0801/16To consider ongoing problems with Sainsbury’s trolleys

It was resolved to contact Sainsburys to arrange a further meeting and also write a letter of complaint for the attention of Cllr Cann.

0801/17To consider exhibiting at a Discovery Day 16th March 2008

It was resolved to provide a presentation and to invite the Gaia Trust for some assistance.

0801/18Matters to Note

- Copy letter from Fremington Environment Group re road signs (4 December 2007)

- Village Green magazine – December 2007 (held in office)

-Letter & Notice from North Devon District Council re Register of Electors 2007/08

-Letter from Devon County Council re Parish Lengthsman service (10 December 2007)

-Message from Chief Executive, Devon County Council, re Exeter’s unitary proposal

-Letter from Mr & Mrs Mortimer re Planning Application 45470 (10 December 2007)

-Letter from North Devon District Council re Parish Polls (28 November 2007)

-Notice from Devon County Council re temporary prohibition of through traffic – Pottery Lane, Yelland (24 December 2007)

-Letter from North Devon District Council re decision on Planning Application 45496 (19 December 2007)

It was resolved to note the above matters.

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0801/19North Devon District Council - Enforcement Appeals

Cllr Jones declared a personal interest in this matter as a personal friend of the applicant.

North Devon District Council has asked for comments on the following to be forwarded to The Planning Inspectorate:

Town & Country Planning Act 1990

Appeals by: Mr Peter Simon Brown

Location: Site at Penhill Nurseries, Fremington, Barnstaple

It was resolved to write to thePlanning Inspectorate advising that the Parish Council continues to support refusal of this application and enforcement..

0801/20North Devon District Council – Planning Applications

North Devon District Council, the determining Authority, has asked for comments from this Parish Council on the following planning applications:

It was formally noted that participation of the Councillors who are also members of NDDC in both the debate and subsequent vote (in respect of any of the above, were preliminary taking account of the information matters) was on the basis that the views expressed made available at the time to the Parish Council. The District Councillors were reserving their final views on the applications until they were in full possession of all the relevant arguments for and against.

45567Proposal: Construction of 32 dwellings with roadways parking & garages together with demolition of existing bungalow to allow access to site

Location: Land off 37 Yelland Road, Fremington, Barnstaple

Applicant/Agent: Bloor Homes

It was resolved to recommend to North Devon District Council that this

application be REFUSED on the grounds of

  • There is an inappropriate mix of dwellings
  • Although the application is for 32 dwellings, on closer inspection it appears to be for more than 50 dwellings.
  • There is a privacy issue which contravenes Article 8 of the Human Rights Act.
  • This is contrary to the North Devon Plan also the Fremington and Yelland Action Plan.
  • The Planning Inspector recommended more than 50 but a maximum of 70 dwellings on this site.
  • The current infrastructure is inadequate to support this development
  • Three storey flats are inappropriate for a village
  • Highways issues
  • There are contamination issues

45609Proposal: Erection & operation of concrete batching plant together with associated structures

Location: Former Hide Factory, Roundswell Hill, Barnstaple

Applicant/Agent: Scott Wilson

It was resolved to recommend to North Devon District Council that this

application be APPROVED subject to the following conditions

  • That the road works improvements that had previously been agreed should be implemented
  • That the vehicular access should be moved away from the existing bungalows

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45700Proposal: Retrospective application for variation of condition 4 (occupancy restriction) attached to planning permission 34027 to allow occupation of annexe as 1 unit of holiday accommodation

Location: Ellerslie House, Bickington, Barnstaple

Applicant/Agent: Mr M Patel

It was resolved to recommend to North Devon District Council that this

application be APPROVED subject to the application of a planning condition that this continues as holiday occupation.

45714Proposal: Erection of 2 dwellings with car parking & formation of retaining walls

Location: Land to rear of 3&4 Linden Close, Sticklepath, Barnstaple

Applicant/Agent: Devon Property Developments Ltd

This application was brought forward to minute 0801/07

45751Proposal: Application for consent for works to trees covered by a Tree Preservation Order in respect of crown-clean Oak tree & remove damaged limb on north side of tree

Location: Rear boundary of properties 5/6 Woodville, Barnstaple

Applicant/Agent: North Devon District Council

It was resolved that in the absence of the tree wardens Cllr Piper would look at this application and make his recommendation to the Clerk.

Cllr Piper advised that this work was necessary.

45753Proposal: Outline application for erection of 1 local needs dwelling

Location: Garden of 1 Welches Lane, West Yelland, Barnstaple

Applicant/Agent: Mr & Mrs Eccleston

It was resolved to recommend to North Devon District Council that this

application be APPROVED subject to there being no Highways issues, impact on neighbours, and a condition being imposed that this property would remain

“local needs and affordable” in perpetuity.

45783Proposal: Notification of works to trees in a conservation area in respect of pollarding of horse chestnut tree

Location: The Orchard, 1 Higher Road, Fremington, Barnstaple

Applicant/Agent: Carol Jackson

It was resolved that in the absence of the tree wardens Cllr Piper would look at this application and make his recommendation to the Clerk.

Cllr Piper advised that this work was necessary but wished it to be noted that the tree in question was diseased.

0801/21North Devon District Council – Planning Appeal

It was resolved to note that

The Planning Directorate has advised that the following planning appeal has been ALLOWED:

43198Proposal: Outline application for erection of 1 dwelling

Location: The Old Telephone Exchange, Yelland Road, Fremington, Barnstaple

Applicant/Agent: Mr Bonner

0801/22North Devon District Council – Planning Decisions

It was resolved to note that North Devon District Council, the determining Authority, has APPROVED the following applications with conditions as filed:

45381Proposal: Extension to dwelling

Location: 3A Linden Gardens, Sticklepath, Barnstaple

Applicant/Agent: Paul Cole Associates

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45384 Proposal: Conversion of garage to form additional living accommodation

together with formation of 1 additional parking space

Location: 2 Wester-Moor Way, Roundswell, Barnstaple

Applicant/Agent: Mr I Masters

45388 Proposal: Conversion of garage to form additional living accommodation

together with alterations to roof

Location: 1 Deptford Villas, Sticklepath, Barnstaple

Applicant/Agent: D & J May Architectural Service

45420Proposal: Extension to dwelling (amendments to planning permission 44663 to allow alternative first floor design)

Location: 143 Yelland Road, Yelland, Barnstaple

Applicant/Agent: Mr & Mrs Wright

45460 Proposal: Erection of 1 dwelling, provision of 4 additional car parking spaces&alterations to vehicular access (amendment to planning permission 43916)

(amended description)

Location: Garden of Fremington Lodge, Fremington, Barnstaple

Applicant/Agent: D & J May Architectural Services

45473Proposal: Outline application for erection of 1 dwelling (amended site area to that of outline permission 44111)

Location: Land adjacent 49 Lynhurst Avenue, Sticklepath, Barnstaple

Applicant/Agent: Mr & Mrs Snell

45483Proposal: Extension, porch & conservatory

Location: 27 Heal Park Crescent, Fremington, Barnstaple

Applicant/Agent: Nick Adams

45494Proposal: Extension to dwelling

Location: 23 Beechfield Road, Fremington, Barnstaple

Applicant/Agent: John Stromski & Associates

45496Proposal: Erection of dwelling

Location: Adjacent to 2 Merrythorn Road, Fremington, Barnstaple

Applicant/Agent: John Stromski & Associates

45521Proposal: Extension to dwelling to include integral garage

Location: 16 Yelland Road, Fremington, Barnstaple

Applicant/Agent: RAW Design

45565Proposal: Extension to dwelling

Location: 5 Kilnwood Park, Roundswell, Barnstaple

Applicant/Agent: Woodward Smith

It was resolved to note that North Devon District Council, the determining Authority, has REFUSED the following application with condition as filed:

45355Proposal: Outline application for erection of dwelling

Location: 13 Chilpark, Fremington, Barnstaple

Applicant/Agent: Mr R Evans

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Signed……………………………Dated…………………………………