Town Council MINUTES OF THE PLANNING MEETING HELD IN THE TOWN HALL 2 May 2012 @ 7:30pm

Present : Cllrs A Blake D Doran A Martin

Apologies : A Banfield (Work) R Rose (Personal) R Stott (Personal) D Swindells (Civic Function )

Absent : D Middleditch

In attendance : Mrs E M Banfield (Town Clerk)

Also in attendance : Mr S Havers Council

In the absence of a Chairman since Cllr Wills’ resignation, Members called on Cllr Martin to Chair this meeting. So proposed Cllr Blake Seconded Cllr Doran RESOLVED

1. Chairman’s Welcome and Public Forum.

i. Housekeeping. The Chairman advised of emergency procedures, exits, local hazards and location of wc’s. Mobile phones to be switched off or turned to ‘silent’. ii. Members of the public to be allowed 15 minutes to address Members on any item of business on the agenda. Mr Powell of Sun Valley Park (Plan B) addressed members regarding his application. Members asked questions of Mr Powell before considering the application.

2. Apologies for absence. As listed

3. Members Declarations of interest : None

4. Presentation Mr Steve Havers of regarding the Core Strategy and the inclusion of the ‘Eco Town’ . Reported separately.

5. Planning Applications and other planning matters, as detailed below

1. Planning Applications Plan A PA12/01523 : Removal of two ground floor upvc windows and one first floor upvc window located at the side and rear of the cottage and replace with three four pane side opening flush casement timber framed windows Cobweb Cottage, 4 Union Hill, St Columb

Members supported this application which returns the appearance of the cottage to be more in keeping with its traditional build. Supported

Plan B PA12/02550 : Demolition of B1 light industrial units and use of land for siting of residential park homes St Columb Business Centre, Barn Lane, St Columb Members supported this application which makes use of a brownfield site in line with Government Policy.

The proposals cleans up an otherwise disused site and promotes the growth of an established business. One objection had been forwarded by e mail to the Town Clerk regarding the use of Barn Lane for access/egress to the site. Supported

Plan C PA12/01930 : Tree preservation application for crowning of ash 49 Praze an Cronor St Columb Major Members supported this application stating this is not the best looking specimen of tree; it has been severely cut back previously and now presents some risk particularly to close neighbours

Due to the proximity of neighbours, Members would wish to be reassured a competent and qualified tree surgeon s used to carry out the work Supported

Plan D PA12/02888 : Proposed erection of a porch and conservatory to extend dwelling 18 Bosworgey Close, St Columb

Members supported this application as there would appear to be no adverse affect on neighbouring properties and it is of an acceptable design. Supported

Plan E PA12/02907 : Repowering the site of an existing windfarm. Construction of a windfarm comprising five wind turbine generators with a maximum tip height of 100 metres above existing ground level, site access tracks, acces track to A39, underground electrical cables, crane hardstandings and construction compounds, additional substation/control building, ancillary equipment. Decommissioning, dismantling and removal from site of eleven existing turbines and associated elements except where required for repower or continuing agricultural use of the site St Breock Wind Farm, St Breock, , Cornwall

Members were concerned that this application had been sent to a council to make a recommendation on a proposal not in its parish and not in the next neighbouring parish either. Whilst it was appreciated that the site can be seen from the edge of St Columb parish, so can , many miles distant. St Wenn Parish is the neighbouring parish and Members of St Columb Planning Committee did not feel it was for them to interfere.

If however the Planning Department feels otherwise, the Town Council will look at it again. Returned

2. Correspondence

a. Cornwall Council Publicity for applications w/e 30 March, 5, 13, 20 April 2012 Noted b. Cornwall Council : Lists of Planning Decisions 26 March, 2, 10, 16, 23 April 2012 Noted c. Enforcement Notices 16 March - 19 April 2012 Noted

Meeting closed at 9:15pm

Signed : ...... Committee Chairman Date :......

Planning Committee Meeting 2 May 2012

Mr Steve Havers began his presentation by explaining that community growth had been considered and how to deal with it , whether to add to existing communities or having a ’stand alone’ town, one suggestion being an ‘Eco Town’.

Consultants identified possible sites, it was not a Cornwall Council initiative.

The portfolio holder Mark Kaczmarek has since stated that an ‘Eco Town’ is not an option. A full draft document will go before the panel for housing for consideration

A ‘Community Draft’ will go to the Network Area first.

Cllr Heggies asked whether public opinion was the only reason not to go ahead with the ‘Eco Town’ plan.

Mr Havers replied that if there is no public support, then yes. However if it had fitted in with the Council’s Policy, it would probably have gone ahead. Also in the mix would be whether the Neighbourhood plan had mentioned it, the community would be listened to, if it fits broadly with strategy they ‘knit’ them together.

A general discussion followed on supporting infrastructure in such community developments, the need for larger or more schools, whether funding would be available to ‘Academies’ to increase numbers given that they had ‘opted out’.

S106 was discussed and Neighbourhood Plans as opposed to Parish Plans. Mr Havers explained that at the moment s106 funding is sorted out by the County Council in conjunction with a local committee whether that committee is the Town/Parish Council or a group of qualifying residents/business people but when CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) comes in probably mid next year, any funding will be for the Town Council to deal with as it will be able to demonstrate accounting practice. A Neighbourhood Plan can only be done by a Council though if there is a Parish Plan in existence this would be a good foundation for a Neighbourhood Plan.