Present: G. Willcox (Chmn), L. Aldridge, A. Creed, J. Gane, J. Tucker, D. Creed, P. Gurl, T. Hodgson, D.Cllrs J. Greenhalgh, N. H.Cooper, and parishoners.
Apologies: M. Colman.
Minutes of the last meeting were approved and signed.
Nil Matters arising.
Public Speaking-Time.
Parishoners expressed grave concerns re ongoing planning, Land at Yew Cottage, Newtown lane (residential development for 5 dwellings - Outline Approval granted by Mendip District Council under 2013/2275/OTA.
Amended Plans received to Reserved Matters (All matters) received by Mendip District Council 23.10.15 and 09.11.15.
The Parish Council has consistently voted against development here and has expressed grave concerns re access onto an already congested Newtown lane.
This also supported and researched in great detail as per correspondence received by the parish council.
All parish councillors present voted unanimously STRONGLY RECOMMEND REFUSAL - as per correspondence received by the parish council and Mendip District Council with accompanying letter of reasons and objections.
Correspondence was circulated.
Parishoners present left the meeting.
Planning No. 2.
Timber-frame garage/Mulberry Cottage/Scottles lane: Recommend Approval.
Notice from Mendip District Council: Planning Permission required for new filled gate entrance onto Stockbridge lane (access)/Piltown Farm, Woodlands road to Stockbridge lane.
Highways Matters.
Drain has been repaired in Church lane. Further repairs to follow shortly.
Newtown lane and Southtown lane remain in a bad state. Clerk to report to Highways.
The War Memorial has been cleaned.
There being no further business the meeting was closed.
Wishing Everyone a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
LETTER FROM WEST PENNARD PARISH COUNCIL TO MENDIP DISTRICT COUNCIL IN RESPECT OF PLANNING, LAND AT YEW COTTAGE, NEWTOWN LANE:
Observations and reasons as to why planning re land at Yew Cottage/Newtown lane/West Pennard, Reserved Matters (All Matters) for residential development for 5 dwellings following outline approval under 2013/2275/OTA (AMENDED PLANS RECEIVED 23.10.15 AND 09.11.15) HAS BEEN STRONGLY RECOMMENDED FOR REFUSAL.
Your Ref 2015/1238/REM.
1. It has been brought to our attn. the initial applicant and agent allegedly misrepresented their ownership of the land included in the site plan.
The application would therefore have been invalid and an offence under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 section 65.
2. Objections from neighbours that their land had been included appear to have been ignored by MDC.
3. The second applicant applied for all reserved matters allegedly taking more land from neighbouring Willow Cottage and widening the site boundary lines at the driveway.
4. It would appear the site was cleared before an archeological assessment had been approved and carried out.
5. It would appear asbestos was removed from site without legal requirements and documentation. By it's very nature ithis poses a serious health risk to both labourers and residents. The work was carried out during the summer school holidays. It would appear the enforcement Officer was not informed or the neighbours.
6. The above would consist of 5 dwellings plus a 6th host property having an access/egress of only 3m.
7. From a safety aspect emergency vehicles require a minimum of 3.1m.
8. Waste collection vehicles require a minimum of 5m.
9. Would 3m be sufficient for other large vehicles - i.e. removal vans, fuel lorries?
10.. The aforementioned poses true safety issues for road users and pedestrians in an already congested Newtown lane where other residents have to park in the lane.
11. Yew Cottage is Listed and therefore has a Heritage Value.
12. Neighbours, especially the semi-detached would be unacceptably negatively impacted.
13. It has been brought to our attn. the applicant has been given 31 weeks and 3 days to prepare their application before the decision date - i.e. 29th May to 4th Jan 2016.
Why so long?
Is there a reason for this?
Please could Mendip District Council supply West Pennard Parish Council with written confirmation that the village is no longer endangered from asbestos-related diseases and that the applicant will assume responsibility for the next 50 years?
In consideration of the alleged misinformation/lies/half-truths made in connection with this application the parish council would STRONGLY recommend planning permission is completely withdrawn and left to be sorted-out in respect of finances between the applicant and previous owner of the property.
As a result of this COMPLETE fiasco West Pennard Parish Council hope Mendip District Council Planning Dept will take more notice of the parish council's observations and recommendations in the future.
Clerk.
Chairman.