Draft Minutes of Piddle Valley Parish Council
Tuesday 29 October 2019
Piddletrenthide Memorial Hall
Present: Cllrs Phillips (CHAIR), Potts, Abbott, Lock, Fear, Habgood, Howard, Sherwood, Latimer, Murray, Cox
Apologies Received: Dorset Cllr Haynes
Democratic Period
A parishioner expressed thanks to the council for getting the school hedge cut back and confirmed that the visibility is now much clearer.
A plea was put out for a Treasurer for the News & Views as without this it could put the magazine under threat. Even if someone could take it on in the interim that would help. An advert has gone out in the News & Views for the vacancy and will appear again in the next issue.
A parishioner reported the state of one of the stile’s on a footpath in Piddletrenthide and agreed to carry out the repairs needed. It was agreed that the Clerk would also report to the Countryside team at Dorset Council.
Action: Clerk to report to Dorset Council
It was also reported that a lot of litter has been deposited over Cerne Hill.
A parishioner reported a flooding problem at the entrance to the Enterprise Park at Piddlehinton. Cllr Phillips advised the parishioner to report this online to Highways but also Cllr Phillips would discuss this with the Community Highways Officer for the area.
Action: Cllr Phillips to report to Highways
It was reported that the condition of the verges along the Plush road has got very bad due to agricultural vehicles driving on them. Cllr Phillips agreed to discuss this with the Community Highway Officer.
Action: Cllr Phillips to report to Highways
A discussion took place regarding the planning application for Mullets, White Lackington after Cllr Phillips gave a brief pre-amble on the application and asked for a calm discussion.
The applicant’s representative gave a history of the proposals and the amendments that have been made. He explained how the new application meets certain planning policies and Neighbourhood Plan policies.
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There were several comments made by members of the public which included the following;
An immediate neighbour expressed concerns with being affected by the proposals and also the footpaths would be affected. There is not a lot of difference between the applications submitted. There is no point in the Neighbourhood Plan if developers can ride rough shod over it. Disagreement with the G2 issue. Concerned with applicants attitude towards planning consultation. Clearly visible from bridleway. Neighbourhood Plan should take precedence. What difference does this third application make? It’s an onerous process going through the application paperwork again. Holiday accommodation already exists in the Piddle Valley which would be impacted greatly if this development were to go ahead. The Parish Council supported the Neighbourhood Plan along with the referendum and the Policy 2 received a lot of support, this policy is relevant to this application. If this application is approved it would be an open invitation for others. Those involved with the Neighbourhood Plan would be let down if this is approved. The ‘Gap’ in the Neighbourhood Plan states very clearly that there is to be no development in the gap. If this application is accepted it goes against the whole initiative of the Neighbourhood Plan. These previous variations of the proposals have been refused twice already on the paddock. It would be a development and should not be supported. Democracy should be respected. The ‘Gap’ should be preserved.
Cllr Phillips thanked all for the comments and advised that the application is on the agenda and would be discussed within the meeting.
i) Dorset Councillor Update
Dorset Cllr Haynes sent her apologies for the meeting.
ii) Police/Home watch update
No update has been received from PCSO Donnison.
150/2019 Declarations of Interest
Cllr Phillips declared an interest in item 6i) WD/D/19/002362 Cllr Lock declared an interest in item 6i) WD/D/19/002374
151/2019 Minutes of Piddle Valley Parish Council meeting held on 24 September 2019
It was proposed by Cllr Latimer and seconded by Cllr Potts that these minutes should be accepted as a true record of the meeting. All agreed with one abstention.
152/2019 Matters arising from last minutes – action sheet
The outstanding items on the action sheet were updated.
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153/2019 Planning matters
i) Responses to Planning consultations
WD/D/19/002149 – Land at Mullets, White Lackington - Erection of Two Eco Holiday Homes
Cllr Sherwood presented this application and included comments from the Planning Officer. Cllr Sherwood reminded the council of the reasons for refusal on the previous applications. Some of the councillors attended a site visit on 26 October 2019 to gain a clearer understanding of the new proposals. Cllr Sherwood confirmed that these proposals do not meet the AONB criteria. The AONB is reflected in the Neighbourhood Plan. It is important to note that the relevant policies etc isn’t recent and has been part of the Piddle Valley Design Statement and has remained in the Neighbourhood Plan. This should have been raised to buyers when purchasing the property. It was noted that a lot of work has gone into this by the applicants.
It was stated that the 5 years of hard work that went into the Neighbourhood Plan would be undermined if this application is agreed. There is a huge risk that a precedent would be set for other ’Gaps’.
Cllr Cox informed the meeting that the ‘Gaps’ were first identified in 2004 when the Design Statement started and the Neighbourhood Plan took a lot from the statement. When the Neighbourhood Plan was being produced the ‘Gaps’ were not defined enough so further work was carried out to define these.
The parish council should adhere to the Neighbourhood Plan. It is acknowledged the changes to the proposals in the new application.
Cllr Abbott suggested it would be a ‘slap in the face’ to all those involved in the PV Design statement and the Neighbourhood Plan if these new proposals are approved.
Cllr Phillips stressed that the final decision will be Dorset Council’s.
A discussion took place regarding the conditions that should be attached if the application were to be approved.
Cllr Potts asked if the application was to be approved would the natural roof planting match that of the meadow. The applicant’s representative confirmed that it would.
It was proposed by Cllr Sherwood and seconded by Cllr Abbott that this application should be refused as it contravenes policy 2 of the Neighbourhood plan. There is also no difference in the refusal reasons given by West Dorset District Council on the previous applications. All agreed.
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WD/D/19/002169 – Carters Barn Farm, Piddlehinton - Erect stable barn providing 6 stables, tack room, feed room and storage area
Cllr Habgood presented this application and confirmed that no other objections have been made as yet. Concerns with increased traffic were raised and it was noted that on previous planning application for the same site it stated that traffic would access it through the Enterprise Park but this doesn’t appear to be happening.
It was proposed by Cllr Habgood and seconded by Cllr Sherwood that this application should be refused due to access concerns with increased traffic along London Row. All agreed.
WD/D/19/002362 – 6a Rectory Road, Piddlehinton - Erect a 2nd storey extension over garage
Cllr Habgood presented this application and confirmed that the extension would be used to extend the master bedroom and also for a home office.
It was proposed by Cllr Cox and seconded by Cllr Habgood that this application should be approved. All agreed with two abstentions.
WD/D/19/002281 – Woodlands Farm, Park Farm to Brace of Pheasants, Plush - Erection of Garage
A discussion took place and it was proposed by Cllr Fear and seconded by Cllr Cox that this application should be approved although the colour of the windows should be in-keeping with the surroundings. All agreed.
WD/D/19/002480 – Field B8 at Bourne Farm, Piddlehinton - Development of a solar PV array alongside existing solar PV array in Field B8. Deployment of c. 10,500 solar PV panels to generate 240kw capacity of electricity generation. Change of use from long-term arable farming. Variation of condition 3 of planning approval 1/D/13/001044 extending the life of the installation from 25 to 40 years
A discussion took place and it was agreed that no comment needs to be made. All agreed.
WD/D/19/002374 – 12 Rectory Rd, Piddlehinton - Installation of lpg boiler and siting of lpg cylinder storage cabinet
Cllr Habgood presented this application and proposed that the application is approved. This was seconded by Cllr Potts. All agreed with one abstention.
WD/D/19/002394 – Various sites in WDDC area - Notification of intention to remove 68 public payphones
It was agreed that canvassing is required to see if there is support to object to the decommissioning of one phone box in Rectory Rd, Piddlehinton, and another in Wightmans Orchard, Piddletrenthide. This should be carried out before the next meeting (November) when it would be discussed again.
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Action: Cllr Sherwood to place a questionnaire in the Piddletrenthide Shop asking for support from residents.
ii) Decision Notices
WD/D/19/001896 & 001895 – Old Post Office, Alton Pancras - Demolition of existing loggia, erection of new loggia Demolition of existing green house and erection of new garden room – APPROVED
WD/D/19/001975 – Barcombe Farm, Alton Pancras - Erection of 15m pole with 3 antennas in a shroud, equipment cabinets, fencing, satellite dish and ancillary development – APPROVED
WD/D/19/000714 LAND EAST OF ACCESS ROAD, ENTERPRISE PARK, PIDDLEHINTON. Display of non- illuminated entrance sign. – APPROVED
iii) Enforcement Matters
No update received.
154/2019 Community Car scheme working group
Cllr Fear gave an update including the returns for the quarter to September 2019; 20 trips 230 miles 4 drivers 13 clients
All trips fulfilled but three of these were covered by Cerne Abbas and Piddle Valley covered two of theirs.
More drivers are required for this scheme.
Representatives from the working group have been invited to the Cerne Abbas scheme meeting on 15 November and they will attend.
155/2019 DAPTC meeting update
No update this month. It was confirmed that nobody will attend the AGM in November due to other commitments.
156/2019 Website update
The clerk confirmed that all Councillors papers are on the website.
Cllr Phillips raised the lack of content under the tabs Parish Council Map and Parish Council History.
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Action: Cllr Phillips to forward data to Clerk for uploading onto the Website
Cllr Howard raised an issue with the link to the Dorset Council Planning website. The existing link states search options for Piddletrenthide and Piddlehinton only. The Clerk will get this removed.
Action: Clerk to remove specific search option from link
157/2019 Defibrillator Working Group update
Cllr Sherwood confirmed that electricity is now connected to the Alton Pancras defibrillator and thanks to a resident who was responsible for getting this done were expressed. Cllr Phillips agreed to write a letter of thanks.
Action: Cllr Phillips to write letter of thanks to resident and co-sign with Cllr Potts
Cllr Phillips proposed that the monies due from Ironman should now be put towards the playground equipment. This was seconded by Cllr Habgood. All agreed.
158/2019 Financial Matters
a) Bills for Payment
Village Hall hire costs £ 20.00
Clerks expenses £ 22.50
DAPTC - The planning system from a Local Council Perspective x 2 £130.00
DAPTC - New Councillor Induction x 3 £120.00
Eyelid Productions – Website annual support/ Domain £160.00
Nordcat £ 28.00
Hardye Signs £320.64
It was proposed by Cllr Abbott and seconded by Cllr Cox that these payments should be made. All agreed.
b) Income
Community Car Scheme £ 28.00
Precept £5665.00
c) Parish Precept setting – 2020/2021
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This to be deferred to November meeting.
d) Alton Pancras funds from Best Kept Village
Cllr Potts requested that the monies won by Alton Pancras from previous Best Kept Village competitions are transferred to Alton Pancras Trust.
Cllr Cox confirmed that these monies are assigned within the Parish Council accounts for sole use by Alton Pancras and these funds can be accessed anytime upon request.
159/2019 Highway Matters
a) Speed Indicator device
Cllr Phillips informed the meeting that the new posts have now been installed and the hedge on Rectory Road requires cutting back.
b) Transport letter
This is deferred to the November meeting. It was noted that only a couple of Councillors have made comments for amendment. Cllr Phillips had been informed by County Town Aggregates that they will look at their routes and timings at their next Business Meeting in November to see if they can do anything to reduce traffic along Rectory Rd.
c) Ironman
The Race Director for Ironman has offered to attend the January meeting to discuss any concerns/requests the council may have. This will be discussed and agreed if his attendance is required, at the November meeting.
d) Letter to PV First School regarding overgrown hedge
Cllr Cox confirmed that these works have now been completed.
160/2019 River clearance
Cllr Sherwood informed the meeting of a concern she has received from a parishioner concerning the weed taken out of the river being left on the side of the verge which could cause harm to the river. The guidance given from the Environment Agency last year did state that all debris removed from the river must be discarded responsibly and not left on the riverbank.
Cllr Cox expressed disappointment at the lack of support from the council is helping to clear the river and reminded the council that as the riparian owner it is the council’s responsibility to clear it.
The financial contribution towards machinery used will be discussed and agreed at the November meeting.
161/2019 Alton Pancras church graveyard fund
The Clerk confirmed that this will be part of the wider discussions regarding the maintenance of all church yards once a financial report has been received from all churches.
162/2019 Affordable Housing meeting
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Cllr Sherwood confirmed that the first meeting will be held at Piddle valley First School on 10 December 2019.
163/2019 News & Views items
Dog waste, 2019 Ironman event.
164/2019 Playing Field & Playground
Dog waste – bags of dog waste have been left on the railings - an article about this has been produced for the next issue of News & Views. Playground grant application – Cllr Phillips has started to complete an application for Leisure development which can provide 20% of the total costs. Cllrs Cox and Howard will assist in this. A Safeguarding Policy is required as part of the application and Cllr Phillips provided an outline application. It was agreed that the Clerk will be the nominated Safeguarding Officer. County Town Aggregates have offered to donate £110 towards the playground refurbishment. Cllrs Cox and Phillips will attend a cheque presentation on behalf of the Parish Council.
Cllr Potts reported on items picked up in his inspection of the playground this month.
165/2019 External Communications
No concerns or comments were made on recent communications circulated.
166/2019 Items for next agenda
Church Lane Bridge – Update from Dorset Cllr Haynes Transport letter – Cllr Lock Financial contribution towards machinery used for river clearance Financial contribution to church yard maintenance Precept 2020/2021 Fingerposts BT Payphones Safeguarding Policy
There being no further business the meeting closed at 2210 with notice that the next meeting will be held on Tuesday 26 November 2019 at 7.30pm, Piddletrenthide Memorial Hall.
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