Lewknor, Postcombe and South Weston Neighbourhood Planning Group

Minutes of the meeting held on Wed. 26th September 2018, 7.30pm

Attending Apologies

Peter Gardner ( chair) Charles Hopkinson-Woolley Christine Smith ( vice chair) Jon Knight Tom Meath Helen Knight Nick Gowens Kayti Foster Ailsa Blackman Lesley Peel Elan Preston-Whyte Duncan Boulton Peter Freeman

As previously circulated, a note on the minutes from 29th August – we have £9000 available in grants, not £14000.

Before the meeting began there was a short discussion about preparations for the appeal against planning permission on the Watlington Rd. site. Some members of the steering group met members of the Parish Council and other residents on 10th Sept – and have joined a working group to draft statements to read out at the appeal hearing.

Item 2. There were no new declarations of interest.

Item 3. Approval of minutes The minutes of the meeting on 29th August were approved.

Item 4. Matters arising Chris sent minutes of the meeting with Tracy Smith to all members of the steering group. Jon has been unable to find an expert on flooding, so will do further research himself – Peter F has a map of the drainage system in Lewknor. Duncan continues to liaise with interested parties regarding the planning appeal. Peter G. has emailed Community First for details of their services. Ailsa has produced a leaflet with results of Cons. 2. This has also been placed in Grapevine, on Facebook and on the website; Helen produced a map of the parish for use at the feedback events. Some working group project plans have been entered on Google Drive, but some are still being completed. Ailsa has not yet written the introduction to the NP – she has been concentrating on preparation of the website.

Item 5. Website The website is nearing completion. Louis has agreed to transfer the web address. All of our documents and minutes are completed – Ailsa will send a copy to the group this week for approval. Duncan confirmed that Lewknor parish council will fund the ongoing costs of the website. Action: Ailsa will distribute a copy of website information to the group.

Item 6. Community Feedback sessions The stand at the parish fete and show received lots of attention and positive feedback – many leaflets were handed out. The Postcombe feedback event will take place on 7th October – Peter G. Duncan and Kayti will attend. This event will be publicized in Grapevine, on our Facebook page and with a poster on the notice board. Consultation result leaflets have also been placed in the Leatherne Bottel. So far there have been no requests from residents for further information. Action: Peter G, Kayti and Duncan will run the Postcombe feedback event.

Item 7.Working Group Project Plans The Environment group met last week to review progress. 4 character assessments have been completed and are ready to go onto Google Drive. Some assessments need summarising for the NP appendix, with accompanying photos; this will be completed soon. Kayti is completing the review of the Conservation area. Peter F. is compiling a database of ages and styles of all the houses in the parish. An assessment of green spaces is also being undertaken; this will be checked against the definition of green spaces.

The Infrastructure group have agreed to allocate policies for each member to complete – members being Peter F, Sabine, Nick and Marcus. They hope to complete this by 22nd October for the approval of the Steering Group.

The Policy group have written several policies, which will be checked for supporting evidence. They may decide that more policies are needed following the appeal hearing – they will complete this task after the hearing. It may be necessary to conduct a third consultation to find out residents' views on the policies, when they are all completed.

Housing needs Assessment - Peter G, Duncan and Chris will meet Ricardo Rios on !st October to receive advice on this subject. We will also ask his advice on other NP issues. Chris has written to AECOM to explain the delay.

Site Assessment – The Call for Sites has been completed, informing us of sites for 2 potential bungalows in Hill Rd, Lewknor and 3 potential dwellings in Postcombe, in addition to the sites already identified by SODC's previous Call for Sites. This information has been sent to AECOM, who are in the process of applying for government funding for our Site Assessments. We shall draw up the criteria for assessing sites, following advice from Ricardo - some criteria may be site specific. Action: all working groups to finish writing policies. Peter G, Duncan and Chris to attend meeting with Ricardo on 1st Oct

Item 8. Issues for our meeting with SODC on 1st October We agreed to ask Ricardo about the situation in Chinnor – they have completed their NP, but are nonetheless having to fight an appeal against the building of 179 extra houses. It was stated that the response rate to consultations in Chinnor was low, approx. 20%, whereas ours has been much higher, approx. 60%. We need to ask whether the response rate reduces the weight which the NP has. Duncan suggested that we should attend the appeal hearing in Chinnor, to familiarise us with the process.

Item 9. Community First Oxfordshire Community First is an independent charity, with 7 trustees and has assisted many local communities with their NPs, including Watlington, Long Wittenham and Chinnor. Lewknor parish council is a member. Peter G. contacted them for a quote – there are a range of prices depending on how much we ask them to do. We could apply for a grant of up to £9000 from Locality. We agreed to defer a decision until we have taken advice from Ricardo.

Item10. AOB Nick will attend a meeting of the Parochial Church Council in October, to hear more about the refurbishment plans for St. Margaret's church, Lewknor. Chris has spoken to Mrs. Cole, the head of Lewknor school, about pupil numbers – currently 86 on roll, though capacity is 105. Approx 50% come from out of the catchment area. The school are raising funds to build a new classroom, which will replace a temporary building, but not extend the teaching space available. Tom confirmed that Krakatoa has 20 children on roll, but their limited opening hours make it difficult for parents who work full-time. Chris has arranged a meeting with Adrian Cannon, from Tetsworth, who may have tips for us regarding the appeal process. We agreed to ask Ricardo for the correct definition of Affordable Housing. Action: Nick will attend meeting with the Parochial Church Council. Chris, Elan and Nick will meet Adrian Cannon tomorrow(27th Sept)

Date of next meeting. Meetings will be held on 17th Oct (small meeting room), 31st Oct, 14th Nov (small meeting room), 12th Dec. In the new year, meetings will be held on 16th Jan, 6th Feb, 6th March, 3rd April.