PARISH OF STOKENCHURCH

Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 7th April 2010 at Longburrow Hall

Attendees: Mr Penny(in the Chair), Mrs Baker, Mrs Cripps, Mr Conran, Mr Davis, Mr Elliott, Mr Harding, Mr Jones, Mr Randall, Cty Cllr Frank Downes, Mr Capell (Clerk), together with 35 members of the public.

1. Apologies. Mr Dunn, Mrs Warden and District Cllr Chris Watson. 2. Declarations of Interest. None 3. Former Slade Road School site. Mr David Parker of David Parker Architects Ltd, Watlington, acting as agent for Bucks County Council gave a presentation on a possible development proposal for the site. Members noted that the County Council hopes to obtain planning permission for residential development to offset possible revenue shortfall during the recession; a previous proposal had fallen through and Mr Parker described the revised scheme and updated consultations eg on noise and air quality considerations. A detailed planning application would be submitted in due course but it was unlikely that any development would take place until at least late 2011. It was proposed that the development would include 25 flats and 10 houses, carefully designed to minimize the impact of the adjacent motorway; plans, photographs and illustrations were displayed for Members and the audience. Mr Parker described the constraints of the site and Government building requirements, and the ‘pros and cons’ before inviting comment on the proposals. Among the issues raised were:-  parking provision (70 spaces, shared for residents of the flats, 2 spaces + garage or car port for the houses  gardens ( a 3m to 5m ‘buffer’ strip between existing houses and the new development)  mains drainage ( a resident reported that Slade Road and other local areas had not been adopted by the District Council)  noise ( could the Highways Agency be prevailed upon to install a quieter surface on the adjacent stretch of motorway?)  guarantee that the plans will not be changed (matter for the District Council, no guarantee, but given AONB restrictions, likely that any developer will wish to comply with Architect’s proposal)  access road (accepted that width is narrow, but sufficient for 4.8m roadway plus pavement and verge. May be a case for brick instead of timber fence for houses on either side)  Views (inhabitants of flats unable to see the motorway)  insufficient accommodation at school (issue for LEA)  storage space in garages (6.5m deep, adequate for car and some storage)  guarantee of housing for local people (matter for District Council and Housing Associations)  Play equipment on former school field (expect some contribution from the developer; further discussion expected) At the end of the presentation, the Chairman warmly thanked Mr Parker for an excellent overview. 4. Minutes. The Minutes of the meetings held on 17th and 19th March 2010, having been previously circulated, were confirmed (proposed by Mrs Baker, seconded by Mr Jones and agreed unanimously). There were no matters arising. 5. Reports and Actions. Mr Randall reported that he had attended a meeting of the Rural Forum and gave details of some of the issues discussed; Mr Penny had attended a meeting of the Bucks Community Forum to receive a plaque and ornamental tree in recognition of Stokenchurch’s achievements in Community-led planning. Mrs Cripps had taken appropriate action following an encounter with a trail rider riding on Bowling Green Common. 6. Planning. Four applications were considered. In the case of 05539 (53 New Road), two neighbours made detailed representations on the many aspects of this application, which cause concern, including access to the highway, security, damage to a protected tree, visual intrusion, mass/scale of the proposed property, over-development of backland/housing intensification/ tandem development. Following careful discussion, it was proposed by Mr Penny, seconded by Mr Harding and agreed by majority decision, that the Parish Council object to this application. Mr Elliott asked that his abstention be recorded. In the case of 05563 (1 Homefield Close), Members agreed by majority decision to make no objection to the application; Mr Harding, Mr Randall and Mr Elliott abstained. In the case of 05517 (Scouts & Guides HQ) and 05592 (Five Oaks Farm), Members agreed to make no objection to the proposals. It was reported that case 05466 (18 & 20 Marlow Road) had been approved by the District Council. 7. Finance. (i) Bills payable. It was proposed by Mr Jones, seconded by Mr Conran and agreed unanimously that the Bills Payable be approved. (ii) Direct Debits. It was proposed by Mr Conran, seconded by Mr Randall and agreed unanimously, that the Clerk be authorised to use the direct debit system of payment where appropriate, subject to informing the Council of each occasion of its use. (iii) Security System. Members agreed to accept the quotation from Templewood Security for the ‘silver service’ level of maintenance for the Longburrow Hall security system. 8. Correspondence. Received from: WDC re maintenance of verges, High Wycombe CAB (letter of thanks for recent grant), Mr David Lidington MP re policing in Stokenchurch, BALC (invitation to Planning Workshops) and the Chiltern Society re walks to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the opening of the Chiltern Way. Members noted that the Parish Council had been asked to organise a local walk in this connection and that it will be taking place on Saturday 5th June. 9. MUGA. Mr Penny reported that a meeting had been held with Elliott Keeble and his mother concerning arrangements for the official opening of the MUGA on 24th April. It was hoped that all Parish Councillors will attend and other invitations would be dispatched this week. PCSO Penny Ling was making arrangements for the Police/Parish Fun day. Members asked that wide publicity of the event be arranged including press and local radio. 10. Scouts and Guides HQ. Mr Chris Nash reported on the latest position re negotiations with Sure Start, including a request for a lease of 60 years. 11. Memorial Hall. Neither the Secretary nor the Chairman of the Memorial Club Committee could attend, but it was understood that an offer of funding towards a new roof had been received, but the donor required an assurance concerning the future of the premises in the event that the social club ceased to operate. The Parish Council considered that it was unlikely that the Social Club would vacate the Memorial Hall, but if this event prevailed, readily confirmed that it would seek its use by another user, preferably from within the village and that provided the Hall was structurally sound, would not seek its demolition. 12. Temporary Event Notice. The use of a ‘TEN’ on 31st July for a birthday party was approved. 13. Other Parish Matters. Mr Davis reported that new trees had been ordered, including one to be used as a memorial to the late George North. The hedge between the Cricket Ground and Linden Homes has been cut, unfortunately during the bird nesting season. The clerk was asked to arrange for any future cut to be made during the dormant season. Agenda item for the next meeting – posts on the triangle near the Fleur d’Lis. The first meeting of the Finance Committee will take place on Tuesday13th April. There being no further business, the Meeting closed at 9.15pm