Report to the Gedney Parish Council November 2009

Voluntary Car Scheme

Lincolnshire Highways are aware of the current position and of Gedney Parish Council's withdrawal from the South Holland Parish Voluntary Car scheme.

There is general agreement that access to a car scheme or a subsidised taxi service is needed to meet problems of social exclusion in the evenings and at weekends, when Call Connect is not available.

Currently, Nina Lightfoot, Accessibility Transport Officer, LCC is in discussion with alternative car schemes. She is trying to find a booking agent. Once one is found, she will contact parishes not covered by a car scheme with a view to recruiting drivers.

Recommendations from the Parish Council with regard to a booking agent or drivers would be much appreciated

Queen Mother Memorial Park - Change of use

Planning officers advise that a change of use from a recreation ground to a nature reserve will require planning permission. A planning application is required. The initial fee, just for change of use, would be £335 inclusive of VAT. Officers are unlikely to recommend refusal, unless the planning authority becomes aware of strong local opposition. However, a complaint has been received by the Council Chairman that the council is restricting dog-walking in the park. I am waiting for advice from the clerk with regard to the policy of the parish council on this matter.

If the council decides to provide facilities e.g. a toilet block or café then a further planning application would be needed and further fees would be payable.

Existing parking arrangements would be accepted without planning permission as pre-existing works, and that would include any maintenance to bring it up to the existing standard. However, significant changes in size, position or arrangements might require a further planning permission and a further fee.

Again a planning application would be payable for any built feature such as a lake which required engineering works. However, an alteration in the pumping regime for the park, which South Holland IDB could be asked to provide, which caused part or all of the park to return to a fenland habitat with consequent diversity of flora and fauna, would not necessarily require further planning permission.

Cllr Hargreaves met the SHDC Conservation Officer on the 11th June 2009, and a draft report is being prepared by Mr Goodley. Mr Goodley makes it clear that a management plan is required detailing planting, grazing or cutting, cutting of paths, fencing , and gates.

In time the council will need to give thought to any needed further planting, - the SHDC Tree Officer would pleased to advise, and to recruitment of volunteers to carry out routine maintenance

The parish clerk is recommended to discuss the planning requirements with SHDC officers.

Mill, House and Outbuildings at Gedney Dyke

The condition of the property is of serious concern to the conservation officer, who would like to see an agreement reached with the owner with regard to a programme of renovation and re-use of the building, but agreement has not yet been reached.

I am making further enquiries as to the cost of an Urgent Works Notice, and the designation of the centre of Gedney Dyke as a conservation area, to protect the buildings.

Advice from the Parish Council as to the best future use for the buildings would be appreciated.

Road name change - Dawsmere Road, Gedney Drove End

In response to complaints that the Dawsmere Road was incorrectly named, and advice that the correct name for the section from the main road to Sot Hole Bank should be named "Thomsons Long Road, I have made enquiries of the Parish Clerk and SHDC Building Control who are responsible for road names. I am advised that the existing name "Dawsmere Road" is of long standing, that parish records do not record any discussion or consultation about a change of road name to or from Dawsmere Road and SHDC records do not have a record of an application to change the road name.

Building Control advise that if an error has been made they will require proof of the previous name.

If the name is to be changed at the request of the parish council, a letter requesting this would have to be sent to the District Council. The change will not be made unless local residents give their consent. Any evidence of name changes that the parish council can provide would be much appreciated.

It is agreed that the road names at the junction with Sot Hole Bank are wrong and these will be corrected and a further sign provided at the north end of Sot Hole Bank.

SHDC advise that the stretch of road from Sot Hole Bank to the east is not Dawsmere Road but Church Street.

Following a meeting with Phil Adams SHDC, attended by Cllr David Sones, I anticipated that before the last meeting, I would receive a note of the conclusions reached by SHDC and the action they proposed. This was not received and I now understand that Mr Adams has found further information and wishes to discuss this at a meeting the 10th November.

Empty House - 7 Dawsmere Bank

The property has inspected the property, and understands that it was occupied until the 17th March 2009. Thereafter it stood empty and SHDC was advised that it was being repaired. As the property has now been empty for more than six months, SHDC is able to consider taking action to bring the property back into use. The owner's consent is an important consideration.

Foul Dyke, Dawsmere Road

Following complaints, SHDC officers contacted the Environment Agency, who raised the question of a polluted outflow from the Anglian Water sewage treatment plant behind Holborn Site.

Following pressure from the EA, work was carried out by Anglian Water to bring their outflow into the dyke to a standard which complied with the EA discharge consent. EA appear content that this has now been achieved.

There is normally no flow down the dyke to the west, because of alterations to the profile of the dyke carried out by a previous adjacent landowner. This could be rectified if the dyke was re-profiled, but it has been suggested that this is not necessary as long as the quality of the sewage treatment plant flow is up to standard, and could be regarded as a form of water attenuation.

The condition of the private dyke is a matter for the landowner unless it interferes with other drainage controlled by South Holland IDB. The view of the parish council would be appreciated.

Flooding Elgood's Field

As no further complaints have been received, and the cause of the previous flooding has been established, no further action is planned.

Flood Defence

Two public events are planned to advise the public of the content of the Wash Shore Management Plan which has been produced by EA. This is part of their ongoing consultation process.

  • 6th November @ Market House Long Sutton - 1pm to 7pm
  • 10th November @ The South Holland Centre 10am to 3pm

Planning Application 11000v Overhead Power Line at Dawsmere Road.

The views of the parish council would be appreciated.

Walker Memorial Park

The parish clerk has now received a briefing with regard to alcohol free areas and can brief the council

S G Marthews

District Council

30/10/2009