Whitestone Parish Council

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held at Whitestone Parish Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday, 9^th December 2021 to be ratified on Thursday 14^th January 2022.

Attendance:- Chair – Councillor T Miles.

Councillors T Baird, V Bryant, C Galton, P Lee, S Llewelyn
District Councillor A Swain
Mrs P Vaughan – Clerk to the Council
Mr and Mrs Gillard (arrived at 8.30pm)

Apologies: Cllrs M Belt, A Evans, L Fairley, County Councillor A Connett

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Cllr Miles then opened the meeting and the minutes of the Council meeting held on Thursday 11^th November 2021 having been circulated were taken as read and signed as a true copy by the Chair.

REPORTS FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR / DISTRICT COUNCILLORS

District Councillor Swain spoke regarding a report which he had distributed to councillors regarding the operation of Teignbridge District Council and alleged claims.

PLANNING - These applications can be viewed on line by going into the public access system at Teignbridge Planning following the directions giving the application reference. The following applications having been received from Teignbridge District Council with a request for comments were examined and responses were sent which can be viewed on Teignbridge District Council Planning site:-

21/02248/AGR Agricultural Barn at Pound Farm, Whitestone, EX4 2HP

Response sent to Teignbridge District Planning Department:- This application is for an agricultural barn to be used for storage and general agricultural use. The applicant states that their existing barns are too low and small to be used with modern machinery. Whitestone Parish Council support this application but understand the applicant has not yet decided which of the two possible entrances they wish to use to access the proposed barn. One possible entrance is directly off the lane that runs from Heath Cross to Crediton before reaching the Pound Corner junction and the other through the wooded area between the main entrance to Pound Farm and the neighbouring property now known as “The Conifers”. If Teignbridge District Council are minded to approve this application we would recommend a condition be placed that once the barn is no longer used for agriculture then it should be removed.

21/02612/FUL Dwelling to replace existing agricultural building at Styles Barton Meadow, Whitestone

Response sent to Teignbridge District Planning Department:- The application has been discussed and considered by Whitestone Parish Council. This application is for one dwelling to replace an existing agricultural building. Class Q approval was granted last year (20/00074/NPA) for the change of use of the agricultural building into two dwellings. The new application 21/02612/FUL seeks permission for the demolition of the existing agricultural building and to build one totally new dwelling within its footprint which replaces the prior application 21/00905/FUL that was withdrawn earlier this year due to the comments received from the Design and Heritage - Landscape Officer.

Whitestone Parish Council still strongly feel that this site is in danger of becoming over developed especially when considered alongside the applications submitted and approved from the applicant’s neighbours at Styles Barton Farm for a similar development 21/00735/NPA as well as the application 21/01452/NPA at Apple Orchard Barn, Styles Barton. Styles Barton Meadow is situated in an Area of Great Landscape Value and any additional development must not be in conflict with the traditional character of the area.

Any additional residential dwellings in this area of the parish will generate extra traffic accessing the highway at a potentially dangerous spot close to where the speed limit changes from 60mph to 30mph. The access from the highway appears to be shared and the driveway would serve not only this new dwelling but the property known as Styles Barton Meadow and Apple Orchard Barn, owned by the occupants of Styles Barton Farm. Ownership and rights of way may need to be clarified especially if these new builds are to be sold on the open market. The drainage arrangements as well as the accessibility to fuel for the proposed wood burners all heavily depend upon the applicant's land at Styles Barton Meadow. Consideration needs to be taken into account as to what will happen when the new dwelling proposed is sold or there is a change of hands at Styles Barton Meadow itself.

Whitestone Parish Council do agree that the revised design has addressed many of the comments raised by the Design and Heritage – Landscape Officer previously. The revised design does now provide an agricultural reference and is considered to be more subservient to the main farmhouse than the original plans demonstrated. The carbon-neutral and biodiversity aspects have been addressed and include some potentially expensive claims, like the instalment of an air source pump. Close monitoring will be required to ensure that these “green” initiatives do become reality. The inclusion of additional bird and bat boxes is welcomed.

Demolition of this agricultural barn must be countered with energy efficiency in the construction and use of the property with particular consideration to light pollution. It is felt that any new build must avoid light spill into the surrounding landscape and as the design includes large windows, the increase in artificial light provides potential for light spill from both internal and external sources. It is recommended to install low level light with no PIR fittings to protect nocturnal habitat and illuminance should not pose a threat to the dark skies landscape of this rural area or affect the surrounding neighbouring properties.

The conversion of the agricultural barn into two smaller properties (application 20/00074/NPA under Class Q) would be an opportunity to provide more affordable housing for local families wanting to stay in Whitestone rather than one large executive dwelling of high specification. This of course would need to be offset against additional car journeys especially on such a dangerous exit point.

If Teignbridge District Council are minded to approve we would recommend that conditions are specified relating to the biodiversity and carbon-neutral aspects of this application ensuring that they are adhered to and that the existing corrugated fibre cement roofing, if asbestos, to be removed by specialists. We would also recommend that there are conditions made relating to the proposed planting scheme and that it is followed as specified.

Grant of Conditional Planning Permission

21/01608/HOU Two storey and single storey side extension and replacement conservatory at Woodside, Five Mile Hill

Refusal – not permitted development

21/02248/AGR Agricultural barn at Pound Farm, Whitestone EX4 2HP

MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION

Resignation of Mrs M Smith as Parish Councillor

This was noted and the vacancy will be advertised throughout the Parish.

Community Garden

A letter had been received from the Whitestone Gardening Club advising that members regret that they can no longer undertake the maintenance of the Community Garden attached to Crossway Park. Discussion followed and it was agreed that the Parish Council should advertise for help. Special thanks were expressed to Gill Oakey, Patricia Millinson and Jane Richards for their efforts during the past years in keeping this area so beautiful for the Parish.

It was also noted that thanks and appreciation are sent to all of our volunteers that give their time and effort to the parish in many different ways to keep everything in order, we are very grateful.

Toilet facilities for Crossway Park

Cllr Baird submitted a first quote (£713.42) which she had obtained for the work needed to provide the necessary plumbing and electrical work required to install a hand drier and automatic tap in the outside toilet at the Park. Further discussion took place and it was proposed and seconded that a further two quotes be obtained in order for this work to be carried out.

Progress on parking at Crossway

Cllr Miles reported receiving a response from Teign Housing regarding the parking situation and was informed that they would be writing to Crossway residents in order to improve the parking within the area. They agreed to enter into dialogue with the residents to find an agreeable way forward and to discuss funding sources.

Vehicle Activated Speed Signs

Devon County Council have approved the revised positioning for the signs and Cllr Evans is awaiting confirmation from nearby residents that they do not oppose the signs being close to their property.

Action on Climate Change

It was reported that the meeting on the 24^th November was well attended with good discussion. It was clarified that this was not at the innovation of the Parish Council although some Councillors had formed a sub group to report back to the council as the Parish Council had declared a Climate Emergency, an energy efficiency drive was being promoted in the parish.

Social Media Policy

A proposed Policy had been distributed and after discussion it was agreed that this should be reviewed before adoption in order that the Parish Council should be seen to be protecting itself.

Lower Hare landfill

It was reported that these is no update at the present time on any operations and some discussion took place regarding the Trood Lane landfill proposal regarding the additional landfilling of 350,000 cubic metres of inert waste materials. Discussion mentioned that this was known prior to the DCC decision on Lower Hare Farm and the facts provided to the committee members concerning the remaining available capacity had been distorted.

Exeter City Council Redhills Application

Some discussion ensued and Cllr Miles reported that a response has been sent and advised that a further application had been submitted by the same developer.

Cross Park Farm Appeal Response

A response has been sent to The Planning Inspectorate and it is understood that Tedburn St Mary Parish Council have also sent in their comments to Teignbridge District Council in response to community concerns..

Parochial Parish Church - Contribution to magazine

Correspondence has been received regarding the Parish Council’s contribution for the inclusion of the Council minutes and articles in the magazine being insufficient in view of the increase of items submitted for publication. After analysis provided by the PCC Treasurer discussion followed and it was proposed and seconded that the contribution from the Parish Council which is usually paid in May should rise to £358 and this was resolved.

Teignbridge Local Plan Review Phase 3

Cllr Miles reported on this and requested that everyone provide comments where possible.

FINANCE

Bank balances as at Nat West Bank as at 30^th November 2021

Current A/c	£200.00
Business Reserve A/c 1	£21,045.12
Business Reserve A/c 2	£3,417.21
	£24.662.33

Draft Budget for 2022-2023

Documentation regarding the finances of the Parish Council having been distributed it was proposed and seconded that the Precept for 2022/23 should remain as £6,100 with no increase. A vote was taken and the proposal was adopted. Further information regarding budgetary figures will be distributed and discussed at the January meeting to finalise agreed expenditure.

Income

1 School Houses rental to 14^th December £775.00 - £93.00 (includes £15.50 VAT) = £682.00

2 School Houses rental to 1^st December £825.00 - £109.20 (includes £18.20 VAT) = £715.80

2 School Houses rental to 1^st January £825.00 - £109.20 (includes £18.20 VAT) = £715.80

Teignbridge District Council reimbursement of Council Tax for No 1 School House £113.61

Expenditure

The following expenditure was proposed and seconded for payment. All in favour and the cheques were signed by Councillors Miles and Mrs Vaughan as Clerk to the Council/Responsible Financial Officer

Mr L Blades £310.11

SLCC Membership £70.00

S Andrews Electrical (paid through Carter Geering) £50.00

CORRESPONDENCE

A letter had been received from the Whitestone Parish Hall Management Committee thanking the Parish Council for the donation of £500 made towards the new disabled access which had been put into place allowing access to the rear door of the Parish Hall.

PSCO Mark Easton has contacted the Council with information of a virtual meeting which will take place on the 12^th January to raise any issues regarding relationships with the Councils.

The Clerk confirmed that insurance was in place for the newly acquired laptop computer.

REPORTS

Cllr Lee read a report from Cllr Fairley regarding the Crossway Park and also distribution of trees which had been supplied for the Parish.

Cllr Llewelyn had submitted a report to Councillors on the Devon County Council online conference regarding parking issues.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Mr and Mrs Gillard were in attendance regarding a planning application for land at Heath Lane and asked for some assistance in confirming that this had not yet been passed by Teignbridge. Cllr Miles confirmed that the Parish Council was not aware of any application and she would investigate this further.

The next Parish Council meeting will take place in the Parish Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday 14^th January 2022.

The meeting closed at 9.40pm.