MINUTES OF THE Parish Council meeting held in Failand Village Hall

7.30pm Tuesday 9 January 2007

PRESENT – Cllrs. Ambrose (Chairman), King (Vice Chairman), Sykes, Mrs Shaw, Down, Mrs Moon, Sage, Sheppard & Delmas.

IN ATTENDANCE – District Cllrs. Cook & Roberts, Liaison Officer Sally Varley & Clerk.

APOLOGIES – Cllr. Sapsed & PC Adam Clarke 2707.

PUBLIC – Ruth Gofton, National Trust; Dr Mike Amos, Local Access Forum.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST – Cllr. Mrs Moon 3e – Next Door Neighbour

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1. MINUTES – The minutes of the meeting held 12 December 2006 were agreed and signed.

10 CHAIRMAN’S URGENT BUSINESS

MEETING CLOSED 7.35PM – Dr. Amos addressed the meeting regarding Cleaner Neighbourhoods.

MEETING OPENED 7.45PM.

2. ISSUES

a) RESIGNATION – The resignation of Sue Parsons was read to the Councillors. She is resigning because of her business commitments.

b) T-MOBILE – It was reported that the Planning Application 06/P/2746/F in respect of the ‘Mast’ on a site near the observatory has been rejected, (Long Ashton application)

c) ANY COMMENTS ON COUNCILLORS UPDATE – Clerk had only received comments from 3 Councillors. All other Cllrs. were asked to send their comments to the Clerk.

3 PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT

a) APPLICATION 06/P/2871/F – Remove flat roof from existing rear dormer and replace with pitched tiled roof for Mr Green 43 Clevedon Road, Failand

RECOMMENDATION – No objection.

b) APPLICATION 06/P/2867/F – FOR INFORMATION ONLY – LONG ASHTON Make internal alterations and extend existing bungalow. Single storey side extension and small rear extension at Staddle Stones, Beggar Bush Lane, Failand.

c) APPLICATION 06/P/2919/F – Erection of a first floor side extension including front and read dormers and installation of 1 no. roof light for Mrs E Bradford at Ku Chawe, Bristol Road, Wraxall

RECOMMENDATION – We understand from the neighbours opposite that they have not been informed of the application (new owners)

We consider the extension to be inappropriate over development as it will have a significant visual impact on the rural character and setting of the village.

From the south the view of the Church tower will be reduced.

From the original baseline of 1948 this should be considered as a disproportionate addition. We are unable to support this application.

d) APPLICATION 06/P/2931/F – Erection of a two storey side extension, replacing the existing single storey side extension for Mr P Young, Rose Cottage, Bristol Road, Wraxall.

RECOMMENDATION – Councillors understand that the base line for the original dwelling should be 1948 not 1985 as stated in the application. We therefore do not know what effect this will have on the application.

We do question whether the increase in volume is appropriate for the Green Belt as no reference is made to removing the dilapidated area.

We also question why it was not considered as an alternative for development and what future plans are envisaged for that area.

There is no impact on neighbours at present. However, once the new access is in place – 06/P/2216/F – the house will be visible from the B3130.

Without answers to the questions raised we are unable to make a recommendation. Therefore, at present we cannot support the application.

e) APPLICATION 06/P/2977/F – Erection of a rear conservatory for Mr & Mrs Robshaw 1 Bowden Way, Failand.

RECOMMENDATION - No problem - but please note that the property was extended
some time ago (garage incorporated into living area) and a plan for a rear
extension and a garage (access down the side of the house) was approved on
14 June 2002 but has not yet been started. Does this impact on the current
application?

f) APPLICATION 06/P/3006/F – Erection of a single storey rear extension for Mr O’Conner, Bankside Cottages, 21 Bristol Road, Wraxall

RECOMMENDATION - No objection.

g) APPLICATION 06/P/3021/F – Erection of a single storey and a two storey rear extension and a two storey side extension after demolition of existing lower ground floor toilet and store. Erection of a single storey front extension to enlarge lobby area and the insertion of 2 no. dormer windows to rear elevation for Mr & Mrs S Burleston. Robin Hill, Tower House Lane, Wraxall

RECOMMENDATION - Whilst having no objection in principle we question whether
this is a disproportionate addition over the original, by reason of the bulk and scale within the Green Belt. It is further noted that the access is via a small (unadopted) road in a poor state of repair which would greatly suffer under the traffic of large contractor's vehicles and possibly cause subsidence to properties along that small road. It is thought that some
restriction of such vehicle's size and weight should be specified.

h) APPLICATION 06/P/2971/H22 – FOR INFORMATION ONLY – FLAX BOURTON

Planning (Hazardous Substances) for Oil & Pipeline Agency (23 Kingsway WC2B 6UJ) at Flax Bourton PSD, Station Road, Flax Bourton OS SJ415716

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Copy of Risk Assessment to be requested from Planning Officer (Lee Bowering)

i) APPLICATION 06/P/3038/ADV – FOR INFORMATION ONLY – FLAX BOURTON Wooden lettering on wooden post and rail fence for NS Agricultural Society – Corner of B3130 and Station Road, Flax Bourton.

j) APPLICATION 06/P/3064/TPO – Silver Birch x 1 – Fell; Silver Birch x 1 – Remove left hand leader of multi-stemmed tree for Fountain Tree Care on behalf of Mr Addy, The Willows, 3 Manor Way, Failand

RECOMMENDATION - No problems.

EXTRA ITEM – Not due until 23 January but Cllrs. had already visited the site and

considered the application.

APPLICATION 06/P/3095/F – Conversion of garage into living accommodation, erection of a single storey rear extension and erection of first floor extension over garage for Mr C Lopresti, The White House, Whitehouse Lane, Wraxall.

RECOMMENDATION – No objections, however we question if this is a disproportionate extension in the Green Belt by reason of the Bulk and Scale.

k) APPEAL – 33 Clevedon Road, Failand – Letter to Inspectorate read to Cllrs.

l) Clerk will report on decisions made by North Somerset Council on Planning Applications previously considered by this Council.

One in particular is to be queried as it was Retrospective and has now been Withdrawn.

Cllrs. attention was drawn to the fact that Cleeve are to speak in Parish Voice section of CAC re. Bristol International Airport and that there is an Agenda item in the main CAC on the same subject. No one wished to attend,

4 HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION

a) Lay-by at Bottom of Tower House Lane, Wraxall

Cllr. Ambrose reported that Streets and Open Spaces Dept. had arranged for the central reservation of the ‘lay by’ at the bottom of Tower House Lane to be cleared of undergrowth to make a ‘safer’ place. Daffodils had been planted – hopefully to be paid for by Wraxall Village Assn. Whilst Cllrs. Ambrose & Delmas were planting they saw a Tesco lorry mount the kerb and drive on the grass verge thus causing a deep rut, apart from being dangerous. Clerk has written to Tesco asking that all drivers are told to use only the tarmac area.

b) Portbury Lane, Pot Holes These have again been reported. E-mail received stating

that Adam Wood, who deals with Portbury Lane, has raised an order with NSC

contractors to repair the potholes.

5 PROW

a) Rights of Way Improvement Programme – Report by Cllr. Sykes has been sent and an acknowledgement received.

b) LA20/54 Watercress Farm. Cllr. King reported that those using footpath LA20/54

had encountered an aggressive man and vans parked over the footpath. Clerk to write to North Somerset regarding this with a copy to Watercress Farm.

6 TYNTESFIELD

Ruth reported that they had had a very successful Christmas opening.

They have appointed a fund raising manager.

We will shortly be receiving planning applications – Mains water and Opening to

the Public.

There were 102,000 visitors last year and no obvious problems with traffic. Public transport

is being monitored – about 2000 used this form of travel (2%) and they were each given £1

off the entrance ticket cost.

7 CORRESPONDENCE

a) STANDING FOR ELECTION – THE MINIMUM AGE – Reduced to 18 years from 21.

b) SITA & CONNAUGHT – Connaught has now taken over from Sita and will ring shortly to arrange a convenient time to come to talk to the PC.

c) VILLAGE SHOP SCHEME – Fay McIntyre e-mailed to say that this scheme can be used more that once by each ‘shop’. Cllr. Sykes took the details to Nigel Edwards in Failand Post Office.

Cllr. King mentioned the mud next to the PO. D/Cllr Roberts has this in hand. He is arranging for the mud to be taken away and replaced with hardcore.

4 EXTRA ITEMS

d) Halcrow had written to say that they were undertaking highway & transport planning studies in partnership with NSC. NSC intends to undertake formal consultations with all Parish & Town Councils later this month in respect of Decriminalised Parking Enforcement powers.

e) AFFORDABLE HOUSING – Andrew Smith of ERHA has sent a sample of the survey and a covering letter for us to ‘vet’.

f) BADGER CENTRE – Justin Parsons had sent an e-mail to raise awareness of the Badger Centre where he works for Voluntary Action.

g) Reminder that Bristol International Airport will be discussed at CAC on Thursday 11 January 2007.

8 MEETINGS

a) PARISH PLAN – COMMUNITY CONSULTATION TECHNIQUES

Abbots Leigh Village Hall 2-4.30 January 12 2007. Cllrs. advised that this had been cancelled due to lack of support.

b) PLANNING TRAINING – January 31 2007 7pm – 9.30pm (Cllrs. Ambrose, King, Sage & Delmas will attend) Hangstones Pavilion, Stowey Road, Yatton

c) There are other Parish Plan Events scheduled – list to be sent to Cllrs. Ambrose, King, Sheppard & Delmas.

d) NALC - Shaping Communities Conference – 13 February 2007 Hotel Russell, Russell Square, London – Day delegate rate £129.25 Member, £176.25 Non Member.

e) ALCA NORTH SOMERSET GROUP – 21 February 2007 Cleeve. Cllrs Ambrose, King, Sheppard and Sykes will attend. Cllr. Delmas is on the executive so will also attend,

9 FINANCE

a) LOCAL COUNCIL TAX ELEMENT FOR PROPERTIES IN EACH BAND is available from Clerk.

b) ESTIMATED COST OF ELECTION – 3 May 2007 will be £1,440 if contested. It will only be between £85 – 120 if uncontested.

c) ACCOUNT FOR PAYMENT – Authorised.

Chq No. Payee Details Amount

1529	ERC Cobb	Safety Reports Mill Green Nov 06	40.00
1530	Tonkin & Daughters	Refurbishing Notice Boards	540.00
1531	Sita	Emptying Dog Bins – October	17.86
1532	Cllr. R I Sykes	Expenses	17.00
1533	Failand Village Hall	Hire of Hall for APM 26.4.07	30.00
1534	Mrs F Shattock	Reimburse Broadband 18.99 Talk -Talk 23.27	42.26
1535	Mr D Wynn	Repair to War Memorial	45.00
1536	Sita UK	Emptying Dog Bins – Nov & Dec	37.95
1537	ERC Cobb	Safety Reports Mill Green Dec 06	50.00
S/O	Mrs F Shattock	Salary – December 2006	1043.91

10 CHAIRMAN’S URGENT BUSINESS – See after Minutes.