MINUTES OF THE KINGSTONE &THRUXTON GROUP PARISH COUNCIL EXTRAORDINARY MEETING HELD ON 25 MARCH 2013 AT THE VILLAGE HALL

PRESENT

Parish Councillors:

Mr P Wright, Mr A Price, Mr H.Cleveland, Mr J Greenly, Mr C Rowan, Mr B Lloyd, Mr J Watkins, Mrs L Fleming and Mrs S Walker.

ABSENT

Parish Councillors: Mr S Anstey.

IN ATTENDANCE

Mrs R Craine (Clerk), Cllr. J Knipe, parishioners.

An extraordinary Parish Council meeting was held to discuss Planning Application 130351/F, Land South of the B4349 and West of the C1221, Kingstone. Erection of 150 dwellings (mix of 1-5 bed), new employment (commercial and live work units), community building, 1.4 hectares of public open space, community orchards and allotments, play areas, cycle & footpaths, bus stop & pedestrian crossing. The meeting was well attended with in excess of 70 parishioners; those present raised the following concerns:

1.  Time frame to comment inadequate, an extension to be requested. ACTION: R Craine.

2.  Sewerage will be a problem as although Archihaus putting in a temporary plant, Welsh Water may not get upgrade completed by 2015 and water and raw sewage will still have to be transported in and out of development. Present sewerage system already struggling and causing problems.

3.  Sustainability, no law as to what sustainability is, although Archihaus propose that the development will be highly sustainable.

4.  No employment opportunities in Village, therefore residents will have to travel on already congested roads into Hereford. Several business premises vacant.

5.  Seven Sites already affected by flooding from run off from the proposed Site, problem will worsen when field covered with houses.

6.  Community building will be in direct competition with Village Hall.

7.  Who will maintain and pay for maintenance of the proposed ditches, canals and green spaces.

8.  Plans don’t tally with amount of space available unless houses are very small.

9.  Latest Draft Core Strategy has Kingstone down for a 14% rise in housing by 2031 i.e. 70 houses over 20 years, therefore Development does not comply with Herefordshire Council guidelines as is a 30% increase in three years.

10.  Application does not conform with current Unitary Development Plan, site is agricultural land never identified for development and application greatly exceeds the 8 houses needed locally as identified in latest Housing Needs Survey.

11.  Surgery will struggle with this increase and excellent service will deteriate.

12.  Water supply already poor, problem will exacerbate with this large increase in houses.

13.  Design of houses not within keeping.

14.  Anti-social behaviour already a problem, decrease in policing and increase in population will lead to further problems.

One parishioner raised the point that an increase in local population may be a benefit as there would be more people to take part in Village life.

When asked at end of discussion period for a show of hands 2 parishioners supported the application (3%) and the remainder were very much opposed to it.

1.  APOLOGIES

None.

2.  DECLARATION OF INTERESTS AND DISPENSATIONS

Mr J Watkins declared a non-disclosable pecuniary interest in the Planning Application.

3.  PLANNING APPLICATION 130351/F

The points raised by parishioners were discussed and Parish Councillors unanimously agreed to prepare an objection to the application. Mr Rowan kindly agreed to draft the response.

ACTION: C Rowan.

Mr Greenly raised the point that the PC may be the legal owners of Seven Sites and will make further enquiries.

ACTION: J Greenly.

Cllr. Knipe suggested that reps. From Kingstone & Thruxton, Madley and Clehonger Parish Councils meet, as all three Villages will have to contend with large-scale housing development planning applications. Meeting to be arranged.

ACTION: R Craine.

4.  LETTER TO MR HARDY

Councillors were shown a draft letter to Mr Hardy asking for clarification as to whether those involved in the Archihaus Application had made donations to local political parties. A reservation was made and the draft amended, all Parish Councillors then agreed that the letter should be sent.

5.  PARISH MATTERS

Mr Capon has sent letter of resignation. Electoral Office to be informed and letter of thanks to be sent to Mr Capon.

6.  DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting would be held on Wednesday 17 April 2013 commencing at 7.30 pm at the Village Hall.

The meeting closed at 9.30 pm.