Present: G. Willcox (Chair), T. Hodgson, L. Aldridge, D. Creed, P. Gurl, J. Gane, M. Colman, J. Tucker (Vice Chair) and A.Creed.
Minutes of the last meeting were approved and signed.
Nil Declarations of Interest.
Public Speaking-Time.
D.Cllr's Report.
MDC is presenting a balanced budget for 2020/21 of £17 Million.
New corporate aims have been agreed - to make Mendip a fairer place, deliver on climate and ecological commitments and protect and enhance our towns and rural communities.
Various papers have been published re the future of local government - MDC is for future collaboration and integration with other districts as a pose to a unitary council - which would make it quicker and less costly.
Electric vehicles are appearing but charging points are few and costly. MDC has identified where they might be needed most and are looking at a no-cost plan to the council with a procurement plan. Slow-charging points cost £15k and fast chargers £50k.
Review of polling districts to include places where there is no representation continues:- eg West Bradley, Parbrook, Horn Blotton and Lottisham.
Last year the government revised the National Planning Policy and Framework. There is an increased national target of building 300,000 homes a year which affects Mendip by increasing it's target from 420 to 604 a year, an increase of 43%.
The Council could not meet the 5 year supply of land so the Local Plan is being re-written.
Glastonbury Festival - The Proposed new campervan area to the south of the Festival site (Poplar Fields) will not be going ahead: Additional Campervan pitches will be spread among the existing and the Bath and West Showground (Confirmation email The Glastonbury Festival).
Concerns raised the district council are ignoring parish council Planning application recommendations which are based on knowledge and on the effect on others.
It was pointed out National Standards apply as to Housing Needs and is legislated.
Correspondence - circulated.
Planning:-
Planning decisions, Mendip District Council.
1. Retrospective application for new front wall, fence and infilling for archway/Old Cider House/Newtown lane - Approved with conditions.
2. Conversion of existing dwelling into 2 self-contained dwellings/3, Mulberry Farm/Scottles lane - Approved with conditions.
3. Application for prior notification of agricultural development for a Proposed building/Piltown Farm - Prior Approval not required (Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development Order 2015) As Amended).
4. Proposed workshop and Tractor Store and improvements to vehicular access/Piltown Farm - withdrawn.
5. Proposed development of replacement dwellinghouse/Woodlands Farm/Woodlands - Approved with conditions.
6. Change of use of existing barn to holiday let use, demolition of small single-storey extension and enlargement of existing lean-to/Laverley Farm - Approved with conditions.
Planning Applications:-
1. Propose to extend period of use of land as seasonal parking, caravan and camping park and retention of part of an agricultural barn as a servery/reception/gate/storage check/Sui Generis/Ashcombe Park/Stockbridge lane to Steanbow.
Recommend Refusal.
Reasons:-
a. Highways safety and traffic generation.
b. Concerns this could generate a year-round camp-site suggesting permanency and transience as a pose to a camp site for holiday makers.
The two are very different.
2. Erection of an Agricultural building for dairy cattle/Woodlands Arch/Woodlands.
Recommend Approval.
Highways Matters:-
Page lane has yet to be repaired and is in a dangerous state.
Bradley lane has incomplete repairs.
Clerk to report same to SCC Highways.
There being no further business the meeting was closed.