5 Planning Applications
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NAWTON PARISH NEWSLETTER APRIL 2015 Nawton Parish Council Annual Parish Meeting 19:30 Monday 18 May 2015 at the Pavilion, Beckett Recreation Ground Agenda 1. Minutes of the last meeting 2. Chairman’s report road safety affordable housing planning and conservation miscellaneous other issues 3. Items raised by electors Jo Powell Chairman 1 April 2015 Nawton Parish Newsletter – Contents Page number Chairman’s statement 1. Affordable housing 2 2. Planning and conservation 3 3. Road safety improvements 4 4. Other activities 5 5. Planning applications 10 6. Governance 12 7. Changes in officials 13 8. Finance 13 9. Annual parish meeting 14 Financial statements 15 Information from village organisations 21 Councillors 22 1 Chairman’s statement 1. Affordable housing 1.1 The Sidings Ambleside Homes was delighted to report completion of The Sidings development ahead of schedule in 2014. All but one of the homes is now occupied and work to gardens appears to be almost complete. 1.2 Future affordable housing The second phase of development, by Yorkshire Housing, on the site at Ashton Green is now complete. 2 x 2 bedroomed houses, 2 x 1 bedroomed flats, 1 x 4 bedroomed house and 2 x 2 bedroomed bungalows have been added to the existing 10 homes. Given that planning was originally granted for a total of 28 homes on the entire exception site, in accordance with Policy SP3 (Affordable Housing) of Ryedale’s Local Plan Strategy in relation to such rural sites, the Council will continue to work closely with Yorkshire Housing and Ryedale District Council to ensure that: any further development of Ashton Green will only take place after local need for such development has been proven occupancy criteria ensure priority for local people properties developed as “affordable housing” remain so in perpetuity. The Council has worked closely with Sanctuary Housing to fill empty properties as they have become vacant. Again, as in 2013/14, tenants fitting the occupancy criteria have been difficult to find. Any person interested in securing affordable housing in the village can access all the necessary information on Ryedale District Council’s website. Alternatively, they can contact the Housing Options Team on 01653 600666. For further information about existing or further proposed development or for assistance with any other local housing need, please contact the Clerk. 2 2 Planning and conservation 2.1 Local Plan Strategy The Council will strive to ensure that there must not be any further approval of development in Nawton for the whole of the 15 years planning period with the exception of: homes, whether affordable or otherwise, that would be restricted in perpetuity to occupancy by households with a proven local need that meets the definition agreed between the Council and Ryedale District Council individual conversions small scale in-fill and that any development fulfilling these criteria be in keeping with the rest of the village. 2.1.1 Proposed new development The Council has recently been contacted by Shepherd Homes seeking to begin community consultation discussions in respect of the potential development of 27 homes on land off Beckett Close. The proposed development will include a mix of 2,3 and 4 bedroomed homes all of 2 storeys in height. 9 of these homes will be designated affordable housing. It had been the Council’s understanding that the village had, in the last few years, taken its quota of housing. An unprecedented show of parishioners at the Council’s April meeting presented an early indication of the strength of opposition to the proposed new development. The Council will carefully monitor the planning application process for the proposed development and will respond, when required to do so, in accordance with the criteria set out in this newsletter. 2.2 Neighbourhood Plan The Localism Act 2011 encourages neighbourhood plans as a way of allowing communities to have a greater say in the development of their local environment within the local planning strategy. A formally adopted neighbourhood plan has more influence in the planning process than the non-statutory parish plan. Parish councils will not have the power to stop development, but will be allowed, for example, to influence what development should look like and where it should be located, to restrict certain types of development, to protect and create open spaces, to promote renewable energy projects and to plan infrastructure and facilities. 3 The Council believes that a neighbourhood plan for Nawton would have real benefits for the village. However, considerable time, effort and resources would be required from the wider community in order to effect such a plan. If you have the time and/or expertise to manage a project like this, please contact the Clerk. 3 Road safety improvements 3.1 Temporary vehicle activated speed signs Nawton has shared a pair of vehicle activated 30mph signs (VASs) with Hovingham for the last four years. The Council continues to believe that a significant benefit to the village (in road safety terms) is afforded each time the VASs are in place and will support their continued return. 3.2 Potholes North Yorkshire County Council responded promptly to the Council’s requests and has carried out repairs to a number of potholes in the village. 3.3 Future road safety improvements For some years now, the Council has been aware of the potential threat to the safety of all pedestrians using Gale Lane. Of particular concern is the stretch of footpath leading to Ryedale School. Discussion has taken place during the course of the year with the Head Teacher of Ryedale School in relation to the feasibility of creating a new entrance to the school via an existing track on the Western boundary of Beadlam village. The School has had several meetings with interested parties and has sought funding through various avenues. It has now been confirmed that the School will not be eligible for funds from North Yorkshire County Council’s capital funding programme for schools. The School proposes to continue to explore alternative options for funding this proposal whilst working closely with the Council in an effort significantly to improve safety for all. The Council will continue to mark Gale Lane (together with School Lane) as priorities in its winter snow clearing and gritting programme. 4 4 Other activities 4.1 Caretaker The Council was not able to submit a claim for the funding of a caretaker under the guidelines of the second LEADER grant programme of funding. Having successfully co-funded a caretaker for Nawton for a period of three years, the Council will continue, for as long as it is able, to fund a scaled down Caretaker service in order to maintain current village standards. 4.2 Grass Cutting The Council loses its grass cutting subsidy with effect from April 2015. The Council will endeavour to account for this loss without having to increase existing contributions to the precept. Since Ian Wood has decided to move on, Phil Gospel has been awarded the contract for grass cutting and ad hoc Caretaker services in the village for 2015/16. 4.3 Nawton Quarry Clearance and Tree Planting The saplings continue to grow well in the cleared site at the quarry. Some additional planting will take place during the year, to be funded from the grant set aside for this purpose. 4.4 Bulb Planting The newly planted crocus bulbs together with the additional daffodils once again produced a fine spring display along the boundaries of the A170. The Council proposes to continue enhancing the existing displays in the village by funding the planting of additional bulbs in the Autumn. Please contact the Clerk with any suggestions you may have for other sites in the village which could be planted with bulbs. 4.5 Bus Shelter The Sycamore has now been removed and repairs to the bus shelter have begun. A new flagged floor has been laid and oak benches will be restored in due course. A new roof piece will be crafted by a local builder to seal the central hole. Lady Clarissa Collin has generously agreed to fund a new Field Maple, which will be planted on the grassy area adjacent to the bus shelter. All efforts will be made in the 5 meantime to provide optimum conditions on the site for the new tree to thrive in the years to come. Any one interested in helping to maintain the young tree in the first few years should contact the Clerk. 4.6 Highfield Lane The Council’s attention was again drawn to Highfield Lane when concerns were raised by parishioners in relation to: the destruction of grass verges flooding significant increase in traffic use noise pollution The Council wrote, at length, to Ryedale District Council to voice its concerns but was informed that there is currently no funding available to provide remedial action. The Council will continue to raise the matter regularly with Highways in an attempt to try to improve conditions for residents. 4.7 Neighbourhood Watch The Council continues to be updated weekly, by Terry Wallis (area NHW coordinator for Kirkbymoorside and the surrounding villages), with all current alerts in relation to village safety. Anyone interested in receiving these alerts or in volunteering to act as a local NHW coordinator should contact the Clerk. 4.8 Street Lighting North Yorkshire County Council no longer operates an ad hoc repair service for street lighting. As a result, in 2013, the Council subscribed to North Yorkshire County Council’s formal Maintenance Plan. All streetlights owned by the Council are now routinely inspected, cleaned and have replacement bulbs fitted on a 2 yearly basis. Repairs carried out in the interim period are charged individually at a rate set out in the Maintenance Plan.