Waltham St Lawrence Parish Council
WALTHAM ST LAWRENCE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of a meeting of Waltham St Lawrence Parish Council
on Tuesday 11 January 2011 in the Neville Hall at 7.45pm
Present: Clive Scott-Hopkins - (Chairman)
Christopher King - (Vice Chairman)
Katie Sarsfield
Stuart Craig
John Birkett
Sandy Quinn
Sally Burtenshaw
In attendance: 31 members of the public, Borough Councillor Maureen Hunt & Amanda Hall from the Maidenhead Advertiser
ACTION
Public Question Time:§ A member of the public asked what is happening about the additional caravan on the Traveller site in contravention of the Injunction. Cllr Hunt said that the Borough are taking legal advice.
§ Borough Councillor Maureen Hunt advised that there has been widespread theft of man hole covers and road signage from across the whole Borough and that we should be vigilant.
§ Louise Hill asked if the Parish Council could contact Simon Muir the owner of the Manor Farm units in Beenhams Heath to advise that the locking bollards had been removed once again, and that lorries have been entering and leaving the site via The Street, The Chairman advised that he would take this action point / CHAIRMAN
1. / Apologies:
Received from Gary Grandin
2. / Minutes:
The minutes of a meeting held on 7 December 2010 were approved by the Council and signed by the Chairman
3. / Matters Arising from the Minutes:
§ Contravention of TPO at the Travellers site - the Clerk read out the response from Tim Slaney Head of Planning and Development at RBWM. He is minded to await the outcome of the Public Inquiry as any grant of permission may provide the necessary retrospective approval for the tree works. He advised that appropriate steps to ensure any unauthorised activity is dealt with after the hearing.
§ Bears Copse infilling of Barn – the Clerk read out the response from Jonathan Murray an Enforcement Officer at RBWM. He advised that this does need planning permission because it is not being used in connection with its authorised use. The applicant has been advised and will be submitting a planning application. If an application is refused or not received enforcement action will be taken.
§ Journal of Local Planning – the Clerk advised that the publication would cost £50 for four issues. It was unanimously agreed that we should obtain the journals.
§ The Clerk advised that although pursuing the replacement of the village sign on Milley Bridge not much progress had been made. Borough Councillor Maureen Hunt advised that it will be replaced and she would establish what material they would be made of. / CLERK
4 / Travellers update:
The Public Inquiry will resume on 24 January. Friday 28 January has been set aside for the site visits. A representative of the RADIUS group advised that flyers will be delivered to every household within the Parish advising the dates of the Inquiry.
5a / 10/03026: Pool Lane Farm, Waltham St Lawrence
Mr Jones agent for the applicants addressed the Parish Council about the background to the application. Members of the public asked him questions following the presentation
Mr Nicholson asked Mr Jones if he was aware that the land contained a restrictive covenant for agriculture use only and asked whether the applicants would be applying to the Land Tribunal and Mr Jones said they would
The Parish Council object to this application – whilst there may be some logic in extending the Pool Lane caravan site there are over-riding planning constraints on this site which render this application unacceptable:
1. It is an inappropriate and excessive (6 caravans/mobile homes) development in the Green Belt by reason of policies contained in the Local Plan GB1, 2 & 3
2. The site lies in the high risk flood zone 3 (RBWM 12/09) which is known to flood and particularly vulnerable to caravan structures (Circular 01/2006)
3. The single track roadway is in fact a Restricted Byway leading to two public rights of way in conflict with pedestrian/rambler use and unsuitable for more vehicular traffic
4. The site is bounded and overlooked by two public footpaths (24 & 31) and visually intrusive
5. A precedent would be created on land between the two sites (now for sale) whereby further development would be difficult to resist
6. The application fails the sustainability test of Circular 01/2006 there are a lack of local facilities and will put a strain on the village infrastructure
For these policy and environmental reasons the application will need to be refused permission.
The Parish Council understand that there is a Restrictive Covenant limiting the use to agricultural purposes only on this land.
10/03002: The Darach Farm, Waltham St Lawrence
The Parish Council object to this application under GB1 Openness of the Green Belt and GB2 1.3 overdevelopment of site
10/02882: Paradise Farm, Waltham St Lawrence
The Parish Council had no objection to this application but request a Condition to prevent separate disposal in view of the Conservation Area status to retain the farm yard appearance
10/02916: Chelmarsh, Shurlock Road, Waltham St Lawrence
The Parish Council object to this application as it conflicts with GB4
10/03030: Shurlock House, Shurlock Row
The Parish Council object to this application as it conflicts with GB4. Overdevelopment with garage block impacting on the openness of the Green Belt and also concerned at the height of the railings
10/02934: Glebe Cottage, Straight Mile, Shurlock Row
Certificate of Lawfulness to determine whether an existing use of the barn at Glebe Cottage as a separate dwelling unit is lawful
The Parish Council made no comment
5b / Trees in a Conservation Area:
10/02964: Mortimores, The Street, Waltham St Lawrence
The Parish Council noted that the application had been withdrawn
6. / Plans that have arrived within the last couple of days:
10/03036/38: Paradise Farm, Waltham St Lawrence + LBC
The Parish Councillors will visit the site on Saturday 15 January and will report at the February meeting / ALL
7. / District Planning Agenda/Other Planning matters
§ Letter from Graham Stallwood Development Control Officer RBWM – updated information on viewing planning applications at Parish Council offices – noted
8. / Enforcement Notices & Appeals:
Nothing to report
9 / Date of Next Site Visits:
Saturday 5 February 2011 at 9.30am
10. / Reports from Representatives:
§ The Vice Chairman reported the results of the recent traffic calming survey in Shurlock Row. The preferred option would be for SIDS. The Clerk will contact the RBWM to establish whether they would be prepared to assist with the cost of installation of the SIDS. The Clerk will also write to Tony Carr at the RBWM to establish whether the RBWM would consider a reduction in the speed limit at the southern end of The Street because of Foxley Nursery School / CLERK
11. / Finance:
§ The cheques issued in December were agreed and signed by the Chairman
§ The Income & Expenditure report submitted by the RFO was discussed
§ Discussions were held about setting the Precept figure for 2011/2012. The Councillors unanimously agreed that this would remain at the same level as the previous year / ALL
12. / Correspondence:
§ New Public Service Mapping Agreement – c/f February meeting
§ Parish Questionnaire – the participatory budgeting form was completed and the Clerk will respond
§ Section 106 Funding for Parish Notice Boards – the RBWM have agreed to set aside up to £4,000 for these. The Vice Chairman advised that quotations are being sought and the Clerk will write to RBWM to advise
§ Report on Housing Needs – this will be forwarded to the Editor of the Lych Gate for publication
§ BALC Membership Renewal – unanimously agreed
§ Chairmanship Training - noted / CLERK
VICE CHAIRMAN
CLERK
CLERK
CLERK
13. / A.O.B.
§ Katie Sarsfield gave feedback on the meeting with Iain Ganson and the Clerk in relation to a proposed Royal Wedding Party
§ Vice Chairman advised that the annual review of the Burial Ground and Allotment charges should be reviewed. This will be addressed at February’s meeting / CLERK
14. / Next meeting: 8 February 2011 at 7.45pm in the Neville Hall
The meeting closed at 22.09 & the Confidential meeting commenced
parish council minutes January 2011