Great Parish Council

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY 12TH JULY 2017 HELD AT VILLAGE HALL

In attendance: Cllrs Strowbridge (Chairman), Lord (Vice-Chairman) (items 7 (part) – 21 only), Blowers, Day, Heaney, Mander and Perry. Clerk: Lizzie Ridout Members of the Public: 2

1. Apologies for Absence Apologies for absence were submitted from Cllrs Nicholls and Lord. 2. Declarations of Interest None. 3. To approve the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 14th June 2017, previously circulated. The minutes of the meeting were agreed. 4. Public Participation Two residents spoke to object to planning application17/00920/FUL at Land adjacent to Cliphedge Farm, Harwich Road, . Concerns were raised about the potential environmental damage, rural character being destroyed and the size being out of proportion, with no apparent logical reason for the site to be developed. It was reported that Little Bentley Parish Council had opposed the scheme and the residents requested that Great Bromley Parish Council and residents of Great Bromley do the same. 5. Superfast Broadband Connie Kerbst, Lead Officer for Superfast Broadband programme at ECC attended the meeting to discuss concerns raised by residents over the provision of broadband locally. Cllr Strowbridge explained that most of the village has no option of BT broadband. County Broadband had advised they could cover the area of Great Bromley but when requested to install they find they can’t. Ms Kerbst advised that ECC needed to disprove County’s claim until they can start influencing BT. To do that ECC needed residents to provide evidence, even if it’s just verbal evidence stating date and time of call. She also advised that a public consultation would be taking place starting on 31st July 2017 and undertook to provide an article that could be used in The Messenger. Ms Kerbst also suggested contacting Giles Ellerton at BT to explore the possibility of a Community Fibre Partnership and funding options. 6. Planning Determinations – for information only

REFERENCE PROPOSAL LOCATION DECISION 17/00596/FUL Proposed erection of 2no. two and a Grange Hall, Hall Road Refusal – Full Mr & Mrs half storey detached dwellings. Great Bromley, CO7 08.06.2017 Richmond 7TS Delegated Decision 17/00657/FUL Variation of condition 03 of planning The Caravan, Coppice Approval – Full Mr Robert permission 05/00008/FUL – To View, Carringtons Road, 07.06.2017 Smith increase amount of caravans from 2 to Great Bromley CO7 7XA Delegated 4 caravans. Decision 17/00689/FUL Single storey side extension. 6 Meadow Close, Great Approval – Full Mr T Redfern Bromley, CO7 7UG 15.06.2017 Delegated Decision

The Planning determinations were noted. 7. Planning Applications REFERENCE PROPOSAL LOCATION 17/00850/OUT Construction of a two bedroom detached bungalow and Land to Front of 19 Mr Durrell detached single garage. to 25 Ransom Court, Chase Road West, Great Bromley Parish Council objects to the application as it Great Bromley, CO7 is in front of building lines and is overdevelopment of the site. 7UA

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Great Bromley Parish Council

17/00920/FUL Office building and warehouse, including ancillary site works Land adjacent (car parking, landscaping, surface water management pond, Cliphedge Farm new vehicular access points off Harwich Road and stopping Harwich Road Little up of existing access). Bentley

Great Bromley Parish Council objects to the application for the following reasons:- • It is Grade 1 arable land. • We understand that Europark is going ahead within 2 miles and therefore site is not needed. • We believe there is an Article 4 directive on the site. • Open countryside. • Also loss of wildlife and damage to environment. • It will set a precedent for building from the A120 down to the bridge on A133 slip road. • Out of character for the local landscape. 17/00787/FUL Proposed extensions and alterations to main dwelling. The Nook, Mr & Mrs Proposed detached car lodge to side of main dwelling. Road Johnson Proposed detached car port. Great Bromley, CO7 7TN Great Bromley Parish Council objects to the application and would draw attention to the planning officer that there is a high-tension cable which sags about 8-9m, and the proposed height of the building is 7.4m. The proposal is near to a ditch which is prone to flooding, the ditch drains all properties around The Cross area which were flooded badly last summer. This ditch drains down to a culvert further down and eventually into Bromley Brook. Entrance to the cartlodge is down a shared agricultural access road to a field behind (not in the owner ship of the applicant) and between 2 properties. 17/00629/FUL Erection of one detached bungalow and two detached Land adjacent to houses (amended application) and rear of Kia, Road, Great Great Bromley Parish Council supports this application. Bromley

17/01010/FUL Demolition of north east roof and end flank wall. Alteration of 1 Hill Cottages, Mrs Lorna Sharp internal spine wall. Construction of two storey extension with Parsons Hill, Great enlarged existing infill central extension and single storey Bromley, CO7 7JA side extension.

Great Bromley Parish Council has no objection to the application however it appears that the applicants may have appropriated some land, thus making their side garden much bigger. This will be reported to Essex Highways. 17/01020/OUT Outline application for up to 2 No. dwellings. Land at Frating T J and R A Road, Balls Green, Chalmers Great Bromley Parish Council objects to this application. The Great Bromley, CO7 access on to the highway is contrary to the Highways 7JU Management Development Policy DM3 which states that no new access on to secondary feeder roads should be permitted. The proposal is non-sustainable and has poor transport links, along with no local amenities. 17/01051/FUL Single storey orangery style extension. Summer Breeze, Mr Gary Mills Frating Road, Great GBPC has no objection to this application. Bromley CO7 7JW

8. Planning Appeals REFERENCE PROPOSAL LOCATION STATUS 16/01992/FUL New detached dwelling Willow Farm, Hilliards Appeal in progress Mr & Mrs Craven and detached Road, Great Bromley garage/cartlodge for 2

Great Bromley Parish Council

private use The Planning Appeal was noted.

9. Planning application on border of Great Bromley RE: 17/00920/FUL This item had been covered during items 4 and 7. 10. Reports County Councillor’s Report – previously circulated. District Councillors’ Reports – None. Parish Councillors’ Reports Cllr Lord advised he had reported an incident of flytipping.

Cllr Perry reported that the properties being built on Ardleigh Road are having cesspits installed and he was concerned over where foul water would be discharged to. He had consulted the LDF and draft Local Plan which stated that septic tanks would not be permitted, and had carried out the same check with the Environment Agency who advised it was illegal for new discharges to be within 30m of a sewer. He had written to Cath Bicknell, Head of Planning at TDC who had responded advising that it was beyond the control of the Local Authority. Cllr Heaney asked Cllr Perry to email her with all the details and she would raise with TDC.

On the subject of Highways, Cllr Perry reported that he had written to request the installation of two VAS signs but was advised this needed to go through the Local Highways Panel. Cllr Perry had attended twice and requested the installation but nothing had been forthcoming. A further application had been sent to Highways and Cllr Perry said he would email County Councillor Guglielmi for further assistance.

With regard to flooding, Cllr Perry reported that Essex Highways had repaired the culvert in Ardleigh Road and had looked at the bund which was now obsolete due to resurfacing several times to meet the height of the bund. He advised Highways were awaiting confirmation of a new system. Cllr Perry also raised concerns about the flood system at the Pond Farm development.

Cllr Day reported that cat’s eyes had been installed along Harwich Road.

Cllr Mander asked if a response had been received regarding the rat infestation along Ardleigh Road, the Clerk advised there had not. Cllr Mander also reported the severe flooding by Bush Farm that morning. The Clerk was asked to write to Mr Brazier to clear the ditch.

Cllr Strowbridge reported that the proposed application for Ardleigh Reservoir site had been refused. She also thanked the handymen for ensuring that St George’s Church looked so smart for their recent Flower Festival. A letter had been received from the PCC thanking the Parish Council for its grant to increase security at the church. A Vestry-cam had now been installed. It was agreed that the handymen would cut back the hedge in front of the now vacant vicarage so that the pavement would be passable. There were many regulations surrounding the installation of the new village signs and the Highways Rangers have been asked to carry out this work. Blands Landscapes had been asked to provide a quote for the hedge cutting at . For cutting the outside only by hand their charge was.£230 +VAT. The charge for a flail cut in the winter for the inside (and outside if needed) was £260+VAT. In the meantime, the handymen had cut visibility splays. Regular watering of the tubs had meant that they were especially beautiful this year, with extra watering whilst it had been very hot.

Last week, the culvert under Colchester Road had been investigated. It had now been replaced as it was found to be broken. It had been noted that the gateway of Brook House in Bradley Hall Road was being demolished. DB concrete had responded to the Clerk’s letter requesting that speeding be reduced. It had been agreed that they were possibly not speeding on the whole, but it was asked if they could drive more slowly past the houses. On the subject of lorries, one resident of Ardleigh Road had said that on Sunday night he was not woken by lorries, the first time for many months. On the whole there had seemed to be fewer lorries.

A resident had made contact to complain about the properties on Colchester Road who had containers in their front gardens. It was agreed that a letter asking for its removal. There had been no requests to retain the paper waste bin and the Clerk was asked to request it be removed, and the handymen to install screening.

Cllr Strowbridge advised she was unable to attend the TDALC meeting next Wednesday and asked if 3

Great Bromley Parish Council

anyone else might be able to attend.

Cllr Nicholls had reported to Cllr Strowbridge that he had been contacted by a concerned resident regarding trees being cut down in Springhill Close. There was a TPO on the trees and therefore Clive Dawson at TDC had been contacted and had visited the site and spoken to the owners. The trees in question were Willows that were being pollarded and no further action was being taken.

She had also been contacted with a request that the sign by The Cross be changed from a "Give Way" to a ‘Stop’ sign as there have been several near misses. The Clerk was asked to write to Highways to request this.

Clerk’s Report and Correspondence received A resident had reported that pruning had been undertaken within Hare Green with the clippings just left. Also a sign on Harwich Road was in danger of falling due to being rotten. Reports of HGV’s had been passed to Cllr Nicholls. The internal audit had now been completed, thanks to William Marshall for undertaking this. 11. Accounts and tax update The accounts had been previously circulated. Cllr Blowers advised he had not yet been able to access the accounts due to poor broadband speeds but would do so as soon as he was able to. 12. Action Sheet review and update Actions had been completed and Cllr Strowbridge provided Cllr Lord with a form to complete regarding the acquisition of Land on the West Side of St Georges Close. 13. Hall Road speed limit near 3 & 4 Hall Cottages A resident had contacted Cllr Strowbridge about the speed limit along Hall Road and dangerous exit. It was suggested to install a convex mirror opposite, and a sign saying concealed entrance. 14. Church Meadow closure Cllrs were reminded of the forthcoming annual one-day closure of Church Meadow that was scheduled for Wednesday 16th August 2017, as previously agreed. The Clerk was asked to include in The Messenger, and Cllr Strowbridge undertook to ask Cllr Nicholls to display signage accordingly. 15. Council – Draft Local Plan Cllr Heaney reported that the draft Local Plan was proposing to remove several Protected Lanes including Road, Mary Lane North, Wick Lane in Ardleigh and Ravens Green. The Clerk was asked to write to TDC to oppose this proposal and request that they are retained, and also question the rationale for removal. The lanes were very popular with dog walkers. The section of the draft Local Plan was under Heritage Assets, Table E2. Cllr Heaney also raised the list of wildlife sites and ancient woodlands; to which Cllr Mander said she would investigate. 16. Parking at St George’s School This item was deferred until the August meeting. 17. Proposed Rally through Great Bromley It was reported that the proposed route may have been changed and the Clerk was asked to contact the organisers to confirm. Cllr Strowbridge undertook to study the route, if changed, and inform affected residents. 18. Flooding update This item was covered under Cllr Perry’s Parish report. 19. The following payments were approved:

Clerk’s Salary £260.49 HMRC £68.00 Village Hall £22.50 Lewis Mander – Village Maintenance 10194 £374.05 Bland Landscapes £348.00 Deans (Flowertubs) £480.00 Information Commissioner’s Officer – Data Protection £35.00 Registration renewal Signs Made Easy – New Great Bromley signage £1521.60 G B Farm Services – Maintenance equipment £61.09

20. The following receipt was noted. Flower Tub Sponsorship – Sweet Success £25.00

21. Date of next meeting – Wednesday 9th August 2017 The meeting closed at 9.48pm

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