Council Minutes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2006

Present : Parish Councillors B Fisher ( Chair ), A Chetcuti, E Bolton, U Cansfield, T Martin, B Butler, M Mitton. A number of residents and landowners with an interest in planning applications for Thistle Hill and ‘Pinderpound’.

Before the start of the Parish Council meeting a number of interested parties had requested an opportunity to attend to share their views on planning application 06/00294/FULMAJ – Creation of football pitches and pavilion at Thistle Hill. The applicants had also asked to attend the meeting but were not present.

If the application were allowed, residents and farmers were concerned about the risk of further development in Green Belt and increase in traffic. Access to the field is by a narrow track which the landowners share responsibility for maintenance is deemed impracticable for the passage of greater numbers of vehicles, cars/coaches. There was concern about the effect of noise and activity on livestock and wildlife and the future possibility of light pollution if the site were further developed to accommodate after school training. Drainage from the site into surrounding fields was also queried.

The group will submit their views to the planning authority. They were thanked for attending and left the meeting.

THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

  1. Apologies for absence : District Councillor C Bayliss and County Councillor J Savage.
  2. Declaration of interest in items on the agenda

A Chetcuti for planning application 11 b) ‘Pinderpound’.

3. Minutes of the previous meeting – held on 12.1.06

Accepted as a correct record. Proposed: T Martin. Seconded: B Butler
Matters arising from the minutes

    • ‘Summerfield’, Tofts Lane. Enforcement investigation revealed the building height was 3” higher than the approved plans, not considered to result in any planning harm that warrants further action at present. Front extension is larger than the original building and is shown on the approved plans. In addition, it appears that an earlier approval ( 2002 ) for a 2 storey side and rear extension is also being erected. It was not clear from the most recent plans that work would commence on both approvals. This may have affected the Parish Council view on the second application. Clerk to raise this matter with the planning authority.
    • Community emergency plan for Follifoot and Plompton – presentation by officers from NYCC and Harrogate to take place on 4 May, 2006.
  1. Chairman’s communications
    • Environment Agency – reported that oil pollution near to footpath is decreasing. Source of sewage leak not yet identified, residents nearby have complained.
    • Hillside – complaint re. parking by a resident received via MP and District Councillor Bayliss. B Butler agreed to make contact with the person concerned with a view to resolving the matter, he will report back to the next meeting. Noted that parking on Hillside particularly difficult at present because of roofing works, though complaint does pre-date these.
  1. Matters concerning Plompton
    There were none.
  1. Street Lighting, Main Street

Enquiries have established that Manor Cottages no longer owned by Rudding Estate/Mackaness family. One response to letters seeking views of current residents which suggested some concern about the effect of additional light on sleep and village youth congregating around the ‘bus shelter. Query re light positioned on Post Office to be explored.

  1. Standing Orders
    Amendment proposed to reflect changes in the process of considering planning applications ( at regular Parish Council meetings or specially convened Parish Council meetings to meet consultation time limits ) was approved.

Proposed: U Cansfield Seconded: T Martin
Finance
Balance at the bank
Total of £ 7807.65 in both accounts. Receipt of £ 70 from Harrogate Council for grass cutting grant.

    • Request for authorisation of expenditure

Stamps £10.08, Christmas trees £23.50, Stationery £22.24, Subscription ‘Clerks and Councils Direct’ magazine £9.

Proposed: B Butler Seconded: U Cansfield
Request for approval of grass cutting contract for 2006.

Price per cut £8.85 + VAT plus ‘one-off’ weedkilling around name stones at £5.70 + VAT. Represents a 3.5% increase on previous year. Quotation of £47.64 + VAT for weedkilling inside Pound. Prices were accepted.

Proposed: B Fisher Seconded: B Butler

  1. Clerks report and correspondence

Parish Council records have now been catalogued by NYCC records office. List of documents to be stored and those not required to be circulated.

Highways – noted that a litter pick required on A661 ( this done by Harrogate Council 10.2.06 )

Meeting with County Councillor – Parish Council would like to know when he is free to attend a meeting, list of meeting dates has been sent.

Documents circulated to councillors.

  1. Planning
    • 06/00109/DVCON – Follifoot Ridge Farm Cottage – to lift condition of agricultural occupancy. Agents for applicants conducted a confidential marketing exercise ( not available to the Parish Council ) that indicated no interest in letting the property with an agricultural condition. Councillors were unclear if the rent was at market rates or at affordable/agricultural rates. They objected to the application on the grounds that it could create a precedent and pave the way for future housing development.
    • 06/00202/FUL – Pinderpound, Plompton Road for replacement house and detached garage ( revised scheme ) Further amendments made to comply with the planning authority requirements. The Parish Council had no objections.
    • 06/00286/TPO – Priory Lodge, Plompton Road to fell 1 Ash, reduce 1 Acer to 1 main stem, crown trim 1 Beech. It was noted that new trees would be planted in the area. The Parish Council had no objections.
    • 06/00294/FULMAJ – Field no. 8200, Thistle Hill for change of use of land from agricultural to recreational, 6 football pitches, 50 car spaces, vehicular access, single storey pavilion ( revised scheme ). The Parish Council objected on the grounds that it was an inappropriate development in the Green Belt. Concerns expressed were around the likely increase in traffic on a minor road, access into the site could lead to an increase in accidents, the potential for noise pollution and drainage off the site. The club’s business plan implied a greater level of activity than week – ends only and appeared to offer recreation to Knaresborough schools and one Harrogate school only. There seemed to be no advantage to the local community.
    • Other planning matters : Tewitt Holme, Plompton Road fell 1 Beech and 1 Birch ( Parish Council consultation not required ). The Fold, Rudding Dower – approval for single storey extensions and infills.
  1. Date of next meeting 9 March 2006.