Whitestone Parish Council
Minutes of Whitestone Parish Council held at Whitestone Parish Hall on Thursday 14th February 2019 at 7.30pm.
Attendance:
Chairman − Councillor A Reed
Councillors Ms T Baird, Mrs M Belt, Mrs L Fairley, D Munro,Mrs B Netherway, A Rose
Devon County Councillor A Connett
District Councillor P Bromell (left at 8.45pm)
Mrs P Vaughan, Clerk to the Council
District Councillor Kevin Lake, Ms V Bryant, Mrs T Taylor, Ms T Lines, Mrs S Greenfield
The followng members of the public left after the discussion concerning the planning application for Lower Hare Farm:- Mr and Mrs Lee, Mr M Fairley, Dr and Mrs Jones, Mrs B Bramhall, Mr and Mrs Northcott, Mr and Mrs Norrington, Mr S Gibbins, Mr and Mrs Chappell, Sir R Norrington, Mr C Banks, Mr J Bryant, Mrs M Durrant, Dr A Kellagher.
Apologies Councillors L Hickman, R Phillips
Cllr Reed opened the meeting in the absence of Cllr Hickman who is away on holiday and invited Public Participation.
District Councillor Kevin Lake introduced himself as he would be Whitestone’s representative from May 2019 owing to the reorganisation of the electoral divisions as Whitestone will be included in the Exminster and Haldon division as opposed to Chudleigh Rural.
Cllr Reed then invited parishioners who were in attendance with reference to the planning application for Lower Hare Farm to make representations. Statements of opposition to the application were given by Dr Jones, Mr Lee, Mrs Taylor, Mr Fairley and Mrs Greenfield. Mr Gibbons, owner of Lower Hare Farm, invited any parishioners to attend to view the proposed site of the planning application.
Public Participation was then closed.
8. Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Thursday 10th January 2019 having been circulated were taken as read and signed by Cllr Reed.
9. REPORTS FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR / DISTRICT COUNCILLOR
9.1 County Councillor Connett stated that he did not wish to comment upon the planning applications as he was a member of the Devon County Planning Committee. He said that as requested by Cllr Hickman he had followed up the issue of speeding through the village and will be pursuing this further.
9.2 District Councilor Bromell said that he appreciated the difficulties which will be affecting the parish with regard to the Devon County planning application and also stated that he would not be standing as a District Councillor at the May elections having been in office for the past 25 years
10. PLANNING
Councillor Reed declared interest in the planning applications for both Lower Hare Farm and for Higher Hare.
10.1 Devon County Planning Application
DCC/4101/2018 Importation of 350,00m3 of inert soils and topsoil for the land raising of previously disturbed land that is not capable of sustaining commercial agriculture at Lower Hare Farm, Lane from Higher Hare towards Alderbed Copse.
The Clerk reported having tonight been passed a letter of objection from Mr and Mrs Smith and this was read to the meeting. It was stated that letters of objections should be sent direct to Devon County Council quoting DCC/4101/2018 as the Parish Council were only being asked for comments and decisions on this application would be made by Devon County Planning Department. It was stated that there were adverse representations from 20 parishioners who attended this meeting.
The application was then fully discussed with Councillors stating their objections with regard to this landfill taking place in an area of great landscape value and the fact that the landfill would take a period of possibly 10 years during which time there would be the issue of excessive additional traffic from the lorries accessing the site along the C50 road. It was felt that the proposal will not achieve the stated objective of returning damaged land back to agricultural use. At a previous landfill site there was a problem with lorries damaging the Devon banks and mud being left on roads. Also of concern was the noise issue of lorries and earth moving equipment for neighbouring properties and dust arising from the site which would be blown across the surrounding countryside, which included a children playground at Crossway Park, to the detriment of the environment by causing air pollution. If granted it was felt that restrictions should be placed on operating hours on weekdays only. After being put to a vote it was resolved to oppose this application.
The following planning applications were examined and discussed and the subsequent observations were confirmed to be relayed to Teignbridge District Council
Applications for Planning Permission
10.2 18/01252/FUL Erection of a stable building and the provision of a riding arena and associated infrastructure at Rebecca Springs, Nadderwater. The application was not supported as there were concerns regarding the size of the proposed buildings and the effect upon the landscape.
10.3 19/0058/NPA Application for prior approval under Part 3 Class Q (a) and (b) paragraph W of the GDPO change of use of agricultural building to a dwelling on land rear of Higher Hare, Whitestone. Following considerable discussion and after a vote with four Councillors against, one in favour and one abstention it was resolved that the application was not supported as a structural survey did not clearly state that all the structures would confirm with precedence law and also that exit onto the main road was unsighted.
The Clerk reported on the following:-
Grant of Conditional Planning Permission
10.4 18/02254/FUL Toilet in new churchyard and improvements to churchyard access at Church of St Catherine, Church Lane.
Refusal of Request for Prior Approval
10.5 18/02499/NPA Application for Prior Approval under Part 3 Class Q (A) and (B) and Paragraph W of the GDPO for change of use of agricultural buildings to two dwellings at Friars Ball Farm, Rowhorne Road.
11. MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION
11.1 Request for a Grant to install telephone line/internet access at the Parish Hall.
An application had been received from the Parish Hall Committee for a grant to cover the installation of a phone line to the Parish Hall at a cost of £150 and it was resolved that this should be made. In addition there was a request to cover half of the ongoing internet connection which would be required, possibly £15 a month but to be confirmed. It was resolved that this latter request should be granted to be reviewed in 12 months time.
11.2 Whitestone Parish Hall
Request for re-imbursement to Parish Hall Committee for insurance cover for Parish Hall which had been negotiated at a cost of £1,121.34. It was resolved that a cheque was raised to cover this expenditure which had been paid by the Hall Committee.
11.3 School Houses
Fault with boiler at 1 School House investigated and repaired by CR Kibbey and repairs to flat roof at School Houses completed by SG Property. Both jobs paid through rental agreement. As previously reported repair work was required to the insulation of the back extension at 1 School Houses and three estimates had been obtained, namely £640, £695, and £700 none of which included electrical works. After discussion it was resolved to accept the quotation from S McCarthy & Son at a cost of £640.00
11.4 Crossway Park − Playpark enhancements − Climbing frame
Cllr Rose presented a spreadsheet which had been prepared in conjunction with Cllr Fairley giving details of three quotations received. After deliberations it was resolved that the quotation of £10,500 from Wicksteed for the installation of a wooden climbing frame should be accepted. Further investigations will be made with regard to the adult exercise equipment installations.
11.5 Parish Plan - Parish Enhancements
Mrs V Bryant submitted a Whitestone Parish Action Plan update as follows:-
“Action 20d − This action relates to the Whitestone Welcome letter. Since my last update Pam Lee has delivered two more welcoming letters to new residents. There has been a reminder in the parish magazine over the last two months for those who have new neighbours or know of any new resident to get in touch with Pam. This action seems to be working very well. I would like to see the reminder as a permanent feature in the magazine.
Action 3 − relates to exploring the feasibility of setting up a shop/post office within the parish. After an initial meeting before Christmas we felt we needed more interested parishioners to help take this forward so I wrote an article for the parish magazine and sent out a request via the emailing system asking for more volunteers. At least two more parishioners came forward and a meeting was set up for 22nd January. As a result from this meeting the group have decided to “test the water” and have hired the hall on Saturday 20th April from 2 to 4pm and will be selling local produce. More details will be advertised in the next magazine. This is a real positive step forward and I would like to thank Neil Davies and his team for their efforts. They would still welcome any additional volunteers who wish to join this steering group. Please contact Neil on his email address:- neildavies914 @ btinternet.com.
Action 4 − This action relates to implementing ‘quick fix’ small scale parish enhancements. Thanks to Fiona and Trish who have been looking after the area around the Whitestone sign on the Tedburn St Mary side of the village. Unfortunately towards the end of the Christmas period the little tree (although concreted into a buried pot) was stolen. This has not deterred the ladies who now plan to plant up with some bulbs. They would appreciate it if the Chairman of the Parish Council would let them know if he still plans to have wooden planters at that site and if so, when, so that they can plan their planting accordingly. The area around the Whitestone sign on the Exeter side of the village continues to be beautifully tended thanks to Maria and Peter Joll.”
Cllr Reed thanked Mrs Bryant for her report.
12. FINANCE
Income
12.1 1 School Houses rent to 27th February 2019 £725.00 - £69.60 (includes £11.60 VAT) = £655.40.
12.2 2 School Houses rent to 1st March 2019 £800.00 − £76.80 (includes £12.80 VAT) = £723.20
Expenditure
The following expenditure was proposed and seconded for payment. All in favour and the cheques were signed by Councillors Belt and Munro
12.3 Clerk’s expenses £53.82 (cheque 443)
12.4 Whitestone Parish Hall Management Committee £1,121.34 (cheque 444)
12.5 SG Property Maintenance £69.00 paid through Carter Geering
12.6 C R Kibbey Ltd £237.60 (includes £39.60 VAT) through Carter Geering
13. REPORTS
13.1 Cllr Fairley reported that there had been two road accidents on the C50 road.
13.2 Cllr Belt reported dumped rubbish at Nadderbottom
The meeting closed at 9.45pm