DRAFT MINUTES
CHEARSLEY PARISH
COUNCIL
DRAFT MINUTES OF
THE MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 19TH FEBRUARY 2018
IN THE CRICKET CLUB AT 7.30PM
PRESENT
Councillors: Nic
Brown (NB), John Lewis (JL), Martin Hearmon (MH), Julia Witcher (JW), John Howard (JH), Paul Bown (PAB), Michael
Hawkett
Parish Clerk: Helen
Spurgeon
Parishioners: There were
38 Parishioners
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
JW declared an interest in the planning
application for Chilton Road and excused herself from that part of the meeting.
PARISHIONERS QUESTION TIME
- A parishioner requested that the
village noticeboard be lowered.
- A parishioner expressed thanks for
the clearing of Dark Lane footpath.
- A parishioner informed the meeting
that stones are coming off the drive onto the road at 7 Church Lane and
asked whether there was a stipulation to have a yard of granite sets. ACTION: PC to find out.
- The corner of the church car park is
getting worn away by lorries. A parishioner asked if anything can be done
to prevent this. NB reported that
there is a big initiative this year to look at trees and verges in
Chearsley.
- A parishioner commented on the
entrance to Hicks path, it is on a gradient and her mobility scooter is
tipping. NB explained that this
would all be part of the village improvement works for 2018.
1. APOLOGIES
Michael Edmonds (ME), Robert Parkes (RP)
2. APPROVAL OF JANUARY 2018 MINUTES
Minutes were agreed as a true record and signed by
Chairman, Nic Brown.
3. PLANNING
·
18/00308/APP – Land South-West
of Chilton Road, Chearsley
There
were two representatives from Rectory Homes present at the meeting in order to
answer any questions that may arise. Some parishioners were unhappy with
Rectory Homes being present at the village meeting so it was agreed that
Rectory Homes would hold a separate information meeting on Monday 26th
February in the Cricket Club. The AVDC comment date of 28th February
will therefore need to be extended. ACTION: Clerk to confirm extension date with
AVDC tomorrow. The two representatives from Rectory Homes left the meeting.
·
The Village Plan was discussed. It was intended to give a guide to the
direction of the village and the number of new houses. No more infill in the
lanes, development to be on the edges of the village and the need for smaller,
affordable houses was agreed by the majority. It suggested 10-20 new homes over
the next 20 years. The Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan (VALP) from November 2017
classifies Chearsley as a small village with no requirement for any more
housing.
·
A parishioner commented that there is enough house building going on
in neighbouring villages to meet demand.
·
A parishioner asked if there was anything different with this new
application from the previous one that was rejected. The current application
has improved landscaping, 9 houses this
time rather than 10 previously, this application does not include a village
hall overflow car park, there is one bank of houses rather than two in the
previous application. There have been two previous planning applications for
this piece of land, both of which were dismissed on appeal. This application is
very similar to the previous one with visual character being the main issue.
·
This time the planning application is being put through by Rectory
Homes rather than the landowner.
·
Chearsley does not have a strategic plan. The VALP is an emerging plan
where Aylesbury Vale has to build around 15,000 new homes over the coming
years.
·
A parishioner commented that the 2 main reasons to refuse this
application are that the land is outside village limits and is in an area of
attractive landscape. Also, it is agricultural land and there is a public
footpath with views out over the site which will be lost.
·
It was questioned whether village infrastructure can support the extra
housing.
·
NB urged parishioners to write in to AVDC
with their views.
·
JL informed the meeting that the PC are being
asked by AVDC to put in an appropriate S106 project. If this development goes
ahead a sport and leisure contribution will be generated.
·
Each of the councillors gave their views on the application. Everyone
opposes the application. It is no different to the previous application and
there is the risk of more development in the future. The reasons for opposing
the application need to quote from the planning inspectors report from the previous
application. The PC should go ahead and supply a S106 project to AVDC.
·
The PC resolved to oppose the application. ACTION: NB to draft reasons for opposition
for Clerk to submit to AVDC.
·
16/03565/APP – 2-4 Winchendon
Road, Chearsley HP18 0DP
This
application is significantly different to the original application which was
for 9 houses. It is now for 5 houses: 2 x 2 bed rentals, 2 x 3 bed affordable
housing on a shared equity scheme and 1 x 4 bed freehold to be sold.
·
A parishioner asked if the scheme can be changed but this is highly
unlikely.
·
A parishioner commented that the site may end up being much larger if
the other two houses are knocked down in the future. She said that the site is
in an area of attractive landscape, outside the village limits and is at the
entrance to the village.
·
VAHT will be building the houses.
·
Some of the reasons to object to this application are similar to the
reasons to object to the Rectory Homes application. However, this is a
brownfield site. Each application is assessed on its own merits.
·
A parishioner thanked the PC for allowing everyone to express their
views.
·
JW commented that in the VALP Chearsley would
have windfall sites which are brownfield and Winchendon Road fits into this
category.
·
NB reported that the application was
previously refused on too many dwellings on the site.
·
A parishioner commented that the village needs to be able to say what
type of housing is needed.
·
JW reported that the footprint of the houses
in this application is closer to what is there currently.
·
A parishioner asked whether Rectory would change their plan to include
affordable housing.
·
A parishioner said that the view from Cuddington will be of these two
blocks of houses.
·
Each of the councillors gave their views on the application. JW and PAB need more time to consider and will come back with their view
by Friday 23rd February. JH, MH and JL support the application. JL commented that the application
brings affordable housing to the village and that the existing houses are an
eyesore. He is concerned that the site could get sold to another developer. The
PC’s requests for change have been met. There are no sight line issues. He is however
concerned that it may set a precedent and there could be further infill.
·
The parishioners were asked to show their view: the majority support
this application.
·
The parishioners were thanked for attending and contributing to the
meeting.
·
18/00485/APP – 5 Bernards
Close, Chearsley HP18 0BX
Side
extension. ACTION: Clerk to
submit no objections to AVDC.
·
17/04592/APP – 2 Bernards
Close, Chearsley HP18 0BX
After
careful consideration and a site visit in December, the PC supported this
application.
4. MATTERS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES
·
UK Power Networks. To be contacted regarding the
mess left behind following work at village hall. Village hall are picking this
up.
·
Stockwell on Church Lane. Clerk confirmed
that the Stockwell is covered by public liability insurance. Grants: ACTION: JH
to identify 2 or 3 community charities and liaise with Derek Allen regarding work
required.
·
Grit bins. Bins are to be repaired by
Bucks Landscapes and a new one to be located by Stoney Furlong. ACTION: NB
to chase up.
·
War Memorial repair and
conservation. NB confirmed
that the war memorial is owned by the PC which is documented in old minutes. ACTION:
JL to produce requirement statement
for contractors to quote against. Advice from other parishes, such as
Shabbington and Thame, who have completed similar projects needs to be sought.
·
Trees. NB now has a map plotting all the
trees the PC are responsible for.
·
Bus stop. ACTION: JH to look at the installation of a noticeboard inside the bus shelter to
display children’s art work.
·
Defibrillator. Clerk confirmed that the PC are
insured for defibrillators up to the value of £5000. A number of volunteers
have come forward to help with the defibrillator.
5. CORRESPONDENCE
There was no
correspondence outside the Agenda items.
6. CONTRIBUTIONS FROM AVDC AND BCC COUNCILLORS
Nothing new to
report.
7. FINANCE
·
The monthly finance report has been circulated to Councillors. At
present there is just over £26,000 in the bank.
·
The sum of £1,400 was donated
by the village, from the proceeds of the summer fair. The PC would like to
record their thanks for this.
·
Orders for Payment
·
Cricket Club rental £20.
·
H Spurgeon £230
·
Bank charges £6.50
·
Ringway Jacobs – feasibility study £4512.56
8. REPORTS FROM COUNCILLORS ATTENDING MEETINGS AND OUTSIDE ORGANISATIONS
There were none.
PAB has
been sent an invitation to the TfB focus group on 14th March 4pm to
6pm but he is unable to attend. ACTION: JW to advise PAB if she is able to attend instead.
9. DEVOLUTION OF GRASS CUTTING
PAB has
emailed BCC requesting the 2018 grass cutting schedule.
10. MAINTENANCE AND MANAGEMENT OF THE NEW PC WEBSITE
We need to
ascertain what is involved in maintaining the website. JL agreed to take this on initially to see how much work is
involved.
11. GENERAL DATA PROTECTION REGULATION (GDPR)
Clerk attending
‘Data protection & freedom of information’ training on 14th
March. JL was given the authority to
also attend a course if required.
12. BEST KEPT VILLAGE COMPETITION 2018
It was agreed to consider
entering the competition in 2019.
13. S106 CONTRIBUTION CHILTON ROAD DEVELOPMENT, SPORT/LEISURE PROJECT
Current ideas are
play park, cricket pavilion, car parking. A response needs to be drafted and
submitted to AVDC.
14. UPDATE ON TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES
There has been a
lack of response from AVDC. ACTION: JH to continue to chase.
15. TREE REPORT
NB now
has the tree map from ME.
16. PARISHIONERS QUESTION TIME
There were no questions.
17. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
·
Planning Liaison Conference at The Gateway, AVDC, 20th
February 2018 17.30-19.30, JH & PAB to attend.
·
JH & PAB gave their apologies for the next PC meeting.
·
Format, date and location of April AVM to be confirmed. ACTION: Clerk to agenda for next meeting and confirm with Angela Gray if the new
village hall will be available then.
18. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING in Chearsley Cricket Club
·
Monday 19th March 2018 at 7.30pm
