Minutes published unapproved for ratification at the meeting to be held on 1 July 2014
MINUTES OF OKEFORD FITZPAINE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD AT THE PAVILION ON 3 JUNE 2014
PRESENT: Cllr M Burt, Chairman
Cllr D Burt
Cllr R Corben
Cllr S Corben
Cllr B Fox
Cllr A Frampton
Also present: – Mrs Sandra Deary and 2 members of the public
1 APOLOGIES: Cllr M Paine, Cllr A Burch, NDDC
2. THE MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 6 May 2014: having been circulated to Cllrs and noticeboards were taken as read. It was proposed by Cllr D Burt and seconded by Cllr Fox they be signed by the Chairman, this was agreed.
3. POINTS FROM THE PUBLIC RELATING TO ITEM 7 ONLY.
4. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Members were reminded of the need to declare an interest if it was not already disclosed on their declaration of disclosable pecuniary interest form held by the Clerk.
Action
5. GRANTING OF DISPENSATIONS: None
6. District & County Councillors’ Report: None
7. MATTERS ARISING
7.1 Poultry Farm, Shillingstone Lane: Lone Star Land LLP: Mr Park and Mr Sey attended the meeting to update the Council on the proposal for the above site. Mr Park advised that as the agents who worked on the Facenda site they were aware of the planning policies for the area. He informed Council that the poultry farm site was quite large and would easily fit the proposed 40 dwelling leaving plenty of green space within the site. Draft plans were shown to the Council showing a green space in the middle with building grouped around it. The plans also showed various footpaths leading from the site. Currently there was a earth bund near the entrance to the site, Mr Sey advised that this would need to be removed to improve visibility. Cllr Burt enquired if one of the footpaths could be improved to provide access to the village centre. Mr Park advised that there were 3 options available:
Widen the road past the site to allow better access and visibility;
Use highway land to provide a footpath to the village
Look at using surrounding fields once ownership was established.
Cllr Burt advised that the surrounding land belonged to Hinton St. Mary estates who had allowed a footpath on their land and were not adverse to helping the village.
Mr Park advised that Lone Star LLP would now look at the feasibility of using surrounding fields as the footpath would need to be built to an adoptable level and have lights for safety and security. Cllr Fox enquired what percentage of the 40 new dwellings would be affordable. Mr Park advised that between 40-50% would be affordable and would consist of 1, 2 and 3 bedroomed houses depending on the requirement of the village. Cllr Burt enquired if there was good connectivity to the village could a village parking area be provided. Mr Park advised that the site would involve a scheme to allow on street parking, if a separate parking area was provided this would need to be overlooked by the housing for security reasons. A member of the public raised concerns regarding congestion in the village. It was hoped that a pathway to provide connectivity to the village would help with this.
7.2 Youth Club: The Clerk was asked to write an article for the Fippenny News advising residents that the youth club had now closed due to lack of attendance and advising that it would remain shut unless volunteers with sufficient experience were willing to come forward to run it. It was agreed that this item should now be discharged from the agenda.
Clerk to put notice in Fippenny News
7.3 Recreation Ground/Pavilion to include Recycling Centre Items: The Clerk advised that she had contacted the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance requesting the removal of the recycling bank and they had agreed to remove it within the next few weeks. Cllr Burt advised that it had already been removed with the rest of the recycling banks due to be removed in the next couple of weeks. Cllr Corben suggested keeping the gates locked for a couple of weeks following the removal of the banks to deter people from fly tipping on the site and removing the sign as soon as possible. Cllr Burt agreed to remove the sign in the next day or so. Cllr Corben advised that a member of the public had asked if he would be allowed to use the Parish Councils mower in order to mow the grass at the Little Orchard and to the left of his house. Cllr Frampton felt that if the Parish Council or residents started to mow this land then the District Council would stop, however that would be the only way to mow the grass to a high standard. The Clerk was asked to write to NDDC to express that the Parish Council was not happy with the standard of grass cutting and to enquire if they would transfer the land to the Parish Council who would then maintain it. Cllrs M Burt and R Corben agreed to look at new grass cutting machines at the weekend. The Clerk was asked to inform them how much money was available in the budget.
Clerk to write to NDDC re: Land at Little Orchard
Clerk to check Grass Cutting Equipment Budget
7.4 Bowey Field: Cllr Frampton reported that the fence at the back of Bowey was now right down. Cllr M Burt hoped that future developer contributions could be used to repair/replace it.
7.5 Village Hall Extension and Car Park: Cllr M Burt advised that he would be attending a course on bid writing in the near future.
7.6 Community Planning: Cllr M Burt advised that there would hopefully be a stall at the Fippenny Fayre regarding community planning. Cllr Fox agreed to check with Mr & Mrs Gartside to see if they are available to man the stall. She also agreed to check if Mr Moore was still interested in being on the neighbourhood planning group. Ms J Wragg of Sturquest had agreed to help out if needed and would be able to provide a gazebo. Cllr Fox advised that she had been trying to complete the grant application and needed further information. The Clerk agreed to speak to Mrs S Jennings, Planning Policy Officer at NDDC.
Clerk to speak to Mrs S Jennings
7.7 Belchalwell & Fiddleford Items: Cllr M Burt reported that the road had now been repaired and had been re-opened.
7.8 Home Watch: It was agreed to discharge this item from the agenda.
7.9 Land at top of Back Lane: The Clerk advised that she had received an email from Mr M Hitchcott, Enforcement Officer at NDDC to informing her that Enforcement notices had been drafted to address the issues. They would need to go through checks with the Legal Services Department, this was a process that could take a few weeks, depending on officer availability and complexity of the case. He advised that the circumstances of this case were fairly complex.
7.10 Land at bottom of Okeford Hill: See Minute 7.9
7.11 Okeford Fitzpaine Housing Survey Results: N.F.T.R.
7.12 Draft Core Strategy: N.F.T.R.
7.13 Proposed changes to the Dorset Local Bus Network: It was agreed to discharge this item from the agenda.
7.14 Castle Lane Footpath: N.F.T.R.
7.15 Museum/Bus Shelter: Cllr M Burt reported that he had removed the Ivy from the south side of the museum and that the facia board and possibly the soffit board would need to be replaced. It was agreed that Cllr S Corben would contact Mr A J Corben to enquire if he could carry out the work.
Cllr S Corben to contact AJ Corben.
7.16 RoSPA Plan Equipment Inspection Report: The Clerk reported that the Annual RoSPA play equipment safety inspection had taken place, the following remedial works were required:
Recreation Ground: Access to the slide was found to fail entrapment requirements. This should be monitored and checked on a routine basis. Corrosion was found on all areas of the slide. The seat of the swing had been damaged but did not require immediate attention, it should be monitored and replaced when hard material is exposed. He added that this type of chain attachment had in some cases been associated with chain detachment, he advised that the key link should be examined closely on a regular basis and replaced if even the slightest wear has occurred. There was a build-up of moss on the surface, this should be swept and monitored. No further remedial maintenance was required at this time.
Bowey Field: The barrier post was loose in the ground, possibly due to decay. The item should be repaired and monitored. No further remedial maintenance was required at this time. Cllr M Burt reported that the barrier post was now down and needed replacing, the weeds under the slide needed spraying and the goal posts needed painting or renewing.
7.17 Any Other Matters:
Darknoll Lane: The Clerk advised that she had written to Mrs McGowan to enquire if the rangers had attended site as discussed at the recent site meeting. No response had yet been received.
Track on Okeford Hill: The clerk advised that this had been reported to the Enforcement Officer at NDDC and the following response had been received: I have now looked at the grant of planning permission for the dwelling house, stables, temporary mobile home and private car parking – with which I have had no previous involvement – and can advise that the issue of the farm track over the adjoining fields towards the top of Okeford Hill is a separate matter.
I understand that the track was used for a limited period (only) to transport building materials from the field adjacent to the informal lay-by at the top of Okeford Hill, down to the application site (instead of using the Back Lane access route). However, the planning permission itself has no lawful bearing upon the farm track.
Old aerial photographs taken for Dorset C.C. in 2002, 2005 and 2009, and the current satellite image on “Google Maps” show clearly that the track has, in fact been in existence for at least 14 years (and quite probably longer although I have no proof to hand).
In any event, in Planning law, the formation or alteration of a private way – in this case a farm track – which is reasonably necessary for the purposes of agriculture, constitutes, in principle, legitimate permitted development. (Agriculture traditionally means all kinds of farming including horticulture and forestry and, more recently has come to encompass equestrian use as an expected and legitimate use of land in the countryside).
Please note that no special or different lawful provisions exist for land which lies within a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Therefore, please be advised that, in principle, there is no statutory requirement for planning permission for the track re-instatement / improvement works that have been undertaken. However, the landowner has not followed the correct procedure because he should first have submitted an application to the Local Planning Authority for a determination as to whether prior approval for the means of construction (re-construction) would have been required.
In the event, wood chippings and / or scalpings have recently been laid over part/s of the track surface which has accelerated the natural weathering process and softened the white appearance of the repaired track rendering it rather less conspicuous. This is the surface treatment the L.P.A. would have stipulated had the correct procedure been followed. The Planning Authority will therefore seek to have the full length of the rack treated in this way.
Finally, I am concerned that the gated access from the lay-by area to the public footpath over the top of the hill has been locked shut with a heavy chain and padlock. This is an unlawful act which has been reported to the Rights Of Way Officer at Dorset County Council. It seems possible that the same landowner could be responsible for this, but unless and until proven this can only be supposition. I will pursue this matter further with D.C.C.
Pot Holes: The Clerk advised that she had reported the potholes as requested at the last meeting. No update had been received.
Finger Posts: Cllr D Burt advised that the fingerposts on the triangle of land at the bottom of Okeford Hill and behind The Old School House had been knocked down. The Clerk was asked to write to DCC to inform them.
Okeford Hill: A member of the public advised that whilst walking they noticed that a gate had been erected across the footpath. Also some way markers were missing. Cllr S Corben agreed to check the footpath number and inform the Clerk to enable her to report the matter to DCC.
Clerk to write to DCC regarding finger posts.
Cllr S Corben to Check footpath No.
8. PLANNING MATTERS:
8.1 Applications: 2/2014/0531/PLNG – Longacre, Okeford Fitzpaine, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 0RT – An application has been received for a Certificate of Lawfulness in respect of the above land. Cllr Fox ran through the history of the property explaining that when the current owner purchased the property he was not made aware of the agricultural tie on it. Following discussion Cllr R Corben proposed no objection, this was seconded by Cllr Fox and agreed by Council.
2/2014/0294/PLNG – Former Faccenda Factory, Higher Street, Okeford Fitzpaine, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 0RQ – Erect 12 No. dwellings with associated parking spaces and access. Mr Park of Lone Star LLP advised that the application was to replace the commercial part of the granted application with affordable housing as research had shown that there was little optimism to let commercial properties and this was causing a delay as developers were reluctant to take on the liability of commercial units. Cllr R Corben asked how far off was starting the development if planning permission was granted. Mr Park advised that if this application was granted work would start on the site in the very near future. Following discussion Cllr Fox proposed no objection, this was seconded by Cllr D Burt and agreed by Council.
8.2 Decisions: None
8.3 Any other planning matters: The Clerk advised that she had written to Mr John Hammond, Development Services Manager at NDDC regarding the possible sale of land in Castle Lane for Housing. The following response had been received: As this site lies outside the settlement boundary for Okeford Fitzpaine we suggested the owner contact the parish in order for them to consider whether or not as part of the parish plan process it might form an opportunity for growth. As this stage I do not see how the local authority can spend time seeking interest from housing associations on a site which does not as yet have neighbourhood plan support. We could end up undertaking significant and repeat work on sites which do not eventually move to an allocation in an adopted neighbourhood plan. As you will appreciate we do not have the resource to undertake what may be speculative work in support of the districts various neighbourhood plans.
As an alternative, it may be more useful for the parish to approach housing associations to clarify the levels of plot price that would allow them to promote a mixed affordable /market scheme to give you some generic figures to work with as the parish looks to move forward with site options for growth. The Clerk advised that she had emailed the enquiry to the four Housing Associations recommended by Mr Hammond. Two had responded showing an interest with one of them doing a site visit before responding further. The Clerk was asked to pass on the email address of the landowner to the interested housing associations.
8.4 Updates: None
Clerk to inform NDDC of no objection
Clerk to inform NDDC of no objection
Clerk to pass email address to H.A.’s
9. CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED SINCE LAST MEETING:
RoSPA – Play Equipment Reports
CPEND Minutes – 1 April 2014
DAPTC – Chief Executive Circular 4/14
DAPTC – Allotments Seminar 7 June 2014
DAPTC – Consultation on DAPTC Website
DAPTC – Extraordinary CE Circular – AGM Timetable with deadlines
DT11 – TAG – Information on Minibus to help fill gaps caused by cut in Bus Services
DCC – Various Road Closures in Okeford Fitzpaine
NDDC – Renewable Energy Seminar – 9 June 2014
DAPTC – Councillors Powers & Duties event 4/5 June 2014
SNT Newsletter May 2014
Winterborne Division Meeting – Wednesday 25 June 2014 at Milton Abbas Reading Room
10. REPRESENTATIVES REPORTS:
Rights of Way/Footpaths: N.F.T.R.
Football Club: Cllr S Corben advised that the match secretary would be retiring after 47 yrs in post. A replacement had been found.
Village Hall: N.F.T.R.
Community Group: N.F.T.R.
Tree Officer: N.F.T.R.
DAPTC: N.F.T.R.
11. POINTS FROM THE PUBLIC: Cllr M Burt advised that a member of the public had contacted him to ask if the Parish Council would like a year old oak sapling. Following discussion it was agreed that this could be placed in the grounds of the pavilion or on the top bank. Cllr M Burt will say yes if the sapling is not too big to remove.
Cllr Burt to accept year old Oak Sapling.
12. FINANCIAL MATTERS:
12.1 Accounts paid since last meeting:
AON Insurance
£1326.71 Chq No 817
12.2 Accounts to be paid:
Mrs S Deary – Salary
£289.37 Chq No 818
Mr M Burt – 2 x Fly Killers for Pavilion
£15.40 Chq No 819
Mr M Corben – Works to Museum
£1192.22 Chq No 820
Playsafe Ltd – RoSPA Play Equipment Inspections
£156 Chq No 821
DAPTC – Annual Subscription
£301.10 Chq No 822
St Andrews Church
£600.00 – Grass Cutting & Magazine Donation Chq No 823
It was proposed by Cllr Fox and seconded by Cllr D Burt that these be paid. This was agreed by Council.
12.3 Annual Accounts: The Clerk advised that the Annual Accounts had been approved by the Internal Auditor with no issues highlighted. The Clerk would now submit the accounts to the External Auditor.
12.4 Any Other Financial Business: A £50.00 donation was received from UK Cycling Events Ltd.
Clerk to submit Annual Accounts to BDO
13. ANY OTHER BUSINESS: Cllr D Burt enquired if DCC had informed the Bus Services of the forthcoming road closures. The Clerk was asked to write to DCC to ask if they had contacted bus services and what the affect would be on bus routes.
Cllr M Burt informed Council that the DAPTC AGM had been set for 8 November, he asked if any other councilor intended to attend. Cllr Fox agreed to attend with Cllr M Burt.
THE NEXT MEETING: The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Tuesday 1 July 2014 at the Pavilion, Castle Lane at 7.30 pm. The Chairman thanked all present and closed the meeting
at 9.50pm.
