Whitestone Parish Council
Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held at Whitestone Parish Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday, 14th April 2022.
Attendance:- Chair – Councillor T Miles.
Councillors Cllrs T Baird, M Belt, V Bryant, A Evans, L Fairley, C Galton, P Lee, S Llewelyn
County Councillor A Connett (arrived at 7.40pm)
District Councillor A Swain (arrived at 7.50pm)
Mrs P Vaughan – Clerk to the Council
Apologies: Councillor B Moody.
- Cllr Miles opened the meeting and the minutes of the Council meeting held on Thursday 10th March 2022
having been circulated were taken as read and signed as a true copy by the Chair.
- 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 detailed responses were sent which can be viewed on Teignbridge District Council Planning site:-
24.1 22/00406/FUL Alterations to the existing dwelling and conversion of part of the former farmhouse to a separate dwelling at Attwells Farm, Rowhorne Road. This planning application has been discussed and considered by Whitestone Parish Council. This application is for alterations to the existing dwellings and conversion of part of the former farmhouse to a separate dwelling.
Whitestone Parish Council are in agreement that the farmhouse and the other dwellings that exist on this site are in need of updating and that the outside spaces for each dwelling do need clarification if they are to be lived in again. These buildings have in the past undergone alterations despite condition 8 being a requirement of application 93/0562/COU when planning permission was granted. The proposed roadside view of the farmhouse and the two shared driveways onto Rowhorne Road will remain unchanged.
This new application appears to have recognised that condition 8 has been ignored in the past and it is confirmed that these unlawful additional structures will be removed and the existing buildings separated into various new living arrangements. It is not clear how the new arrangement will look if natural light is to be present in all habitable rooms and how light pollution will be prevented from spilling into neighbouring dwellings due to the close proximity of the dwellings. Whitestone Parish Council have asked for the other agricultural buildings on the site that have been converted (apparently without any planning permission) into workshops etc to be investigated.
Attwells Farm is situated in an AGLV and is not a sustainable development as it is car dependant. The closest amenities are to be found at the bottom of Exwick or at the bottom of Redhills in Exeter. Walking to access these amenities would involve a long steep and unsafe journey where there is no pavement until the edge of the Exwick estate. The plans have not addressed carbon neutral or energy efficiency initiatives. Also missing is an Ecology Report.
Whitestone Parish Council have suggested that no further development should be permitted on this site to protect the amenity of the residents and to prevent overdevelopment. As mentioned in our response previously submitted for the Local Plan consultation regarding extensive development at Attwells Farm, the Parish Council’s position remains the same. Whitestone Parish Council support the application in principle but if Teignbridge District Council are minded to approve this application then we recommend some conditions to be applied.
24.2 22/00588/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 building to a dwelling at Devon View, Whitestone.
22/00589/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 building to a dwelling at Devon View, Whitestone.
Summary of full report: These two applications were discussed and related to the two identical applications submitted recently and refused. On this occasion the applicant has submitted some structural calculations in a bid to get approval from TDC, however it is somewhat difficult to understand how these very basic agricultural barns can be converted into dwellings within the criteria of Class Q planning without providing comprehensive details of how it is actually achieved rather than base it on simplified calculations, opinion and assumptions.
The Structural Engineer has not provided detailed sectional drawings to show exactly how the new roof loading, attic loading and floor loading are going to be carried by the existing structure and the new infill panels mentioned in the report.
The very basic structure of the original barns are presumably designed to the original British Standard for Agricultural Buildings ruling at the time of erection. The loadings to the frame were relatively light, deflection criteria was probably not considered as critical and the external finishes were basic.
This proposal for conversion to a dwelling will attract considerably higher loadings and deflection of the structure will need to be limited to a level appropriate to the blockwork, glazing elevations etc as proposed.
No justification of the existing foundations to accommodate the enhanced loadings applicable to the proposed dwelling is provided. On the basis of this evidence it does not provide any further proof that the structures are capable of carrying the additional loadings required to become dwellings and Whitestone Parish Council again request refusal.
Grant of Conditional Planning Permission
24.3 21/01972/HOU Single and two storey extension with glazed link at Hackworthy Farm, Hackworthy Lane
- REPORTS FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR / DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
County Councillor Connett addressed the meeting but said that he had nothing specific to report. Some discussion regarding speed signs within the parish ensued and he advised that any issues should be reported to the Neighbourhood Beat Officer and Highways simultaneously. At that point Cllr Evans gave an update on the vehicle activated speed signs which were in place and supplied statistics regarding the two active sites. The data revealed that speeding up to 79mph had been recorded at the Styles Barton meter during the day and evening and although a cause of concern, it was generally noted that the average speeds were 32.2mph at Nadderwater and 34.3mph at Styles Barton. Cllr Connett advised that the information should be passed to the appropriate authority and for Whitestone to request further action regarding speed limits and action for further speed calming within the area. The Speed Watch scheme was mentioned and Cllr Baird advised that she had tried to contact our Neighbourhood officer to discuss this further with a view to re-starting this action group. She will continue to pursue this action.
District Councillor Swain said that he had nothing specific to report but he remained until the conclusion of the meeting and offered guidance where applicable.
- ENFORCEMENT
26.1 22/0083/ENF Hen House, Tedburn Road
Cllr Miles reported on a response received from the Enforcement Officer in respect of the complaint which had been made in February regarding the siting of a blue mobile home in this area. The officer was satisfied that a breach had not occurred but would visit the site when next in the area for further investigation. Cllr Connett suggested raising the issue with both Environmental Health and the Environment Agency regarding the discharge of waste directly into the Alphinbrook to ensure the waterway was kept safe as animals regularly drink from the Alphinbrook further downstream.
26.2 It has been noted that there will shortly be another application from Cross Park Farm for the change of use of an office building to a dwelling. Still waiting for an update report from the Enforcement Team regarding previous unpermitted building works.
- MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION
27.1 Nothing to report on Lower Hare Farm Landfill or Lower Brenton Farm OE Landfill.
Crossway Park
27.2 Work on the toilet facilities for Crossway Park have already begun and three estimates have been received for electrical work required for the new hand drier, i.e. £560.80 including VAT; £602.77 including VAT; £740.00 + VAT. These estimates were examined and it was proposed and seconded that the estimate of £560.80 from L C Electrical be accepted and Cllr Baird will organise the work to be carried out. All in favour. It was noted that the replacement water saving tap had been installed and it was mentioned to reduce the water pressure further.
27.3 The meeting was informed that the necessary annual play inspection for the park had been completed and the Report had been circulated to Councillors. Two items were found to be in need of urgent repair and have been taken out of service. Discussion followed regarding the installation of new replacement equipment and to effect any repairs Cllr Fairley had already obtained some quotes. Following discussion it was resolved that £9,000 should be allocated for this work and funded from the Council’s funds with funding bids made to secure additional funds. All in favour of expenditure to action as soon as possible. Suggestions were brought forward for other ways to raise monies for this and Cllr Swain kindly agreed to grant £300 from his Community Fund and it was suggested to also approach Cllr Connett to seek DCC funding. Also to investigate any other community funds/grants that might be available.
27.4 Cllr Fairley indicated that it had been necessary to purchase further rubber mats from Mole Avon for the playpark area when it had been extremely wet and it was resolved that a cheque for £66.64 be reimbursed to her (Cheque No 632). It was agreed to purchase 4 more mats as we have no spare.
HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
27.5 The grant of £750.00 which had already been authorised at the March meeting was raised by Cllr Belt and a cheque was raised for the Whitestone Sports and Social Club for the purchase of mugs to commemorate this event which will take place on Saturday 4th June together with a picnic for parishioners and the cheque (631) was duly signed. All in favour.
Annual Parish Meeting
27.6 This will take place at 7.30pm on Thursday 28th April and parishioners have been invited to attend and give reports on the events which have taken place over the past year.
27.7 Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO) – Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 – Dog Fouling Notices & Fines enforceable by the Police. Some discussion took place regarding this issue.
We were advised that the PSPO covering all of Teignbridge also applies to Whitestone and from the 1st April 2022 the Dog PSPO has been extended until 31st March 2025. This covers various rules regarding controlling your dog or dogs in a public place and specifically if you don’t pick up after your dog and bag it and bin it or take it home an on the spot fine of £100 can be served or £1000 if it goes to court. We were told that if you are fed up with this problem, take action and report the perpetrators to the TDC Community Environment Officer. Full details will be on our website.
- FINANCE
28.1 Bank balances at Nat West Bank as at 31st March 2022
|
Current Account |
£200.00 |
|
Business Reserve Account 1 |
£21,475.38 |
|
Business Reserve Account 2 |
£3,417.36 |
|
£25,092.74 |
Income
28.2 1 School Houses rental to 14th April £775.00 - £93.00 (includes £15.50 VAT) = £682.00
28.3 2 School Houses rental to 1st May £825.00 - £109.20 (includes £18.20 VAT) = £715.80
The following expenditure was proposed and seconded for payment. All in favour and the cheques were signed by Councillor Miles and Councillor Belt
Expenditure
28.4 Devon Association of Local Councils Membership £177.48 (includes 20.49 VAT) (Cheque No 626)
28.5 Devon Association of Local Councils £36.00 (includes £6 VAT) (Cheque No 627)
28.6 Mr L Blades £352.12 (Cheque No 628)
28.7 The Play Inspection Company Ltd £83.40 (includes £13.90 VAT) (Cheque No 629)
28.8 Mr B Angel £152.58 (Cheque No 630)
- REPORTS
29.1 Cllr Bryant reported on the Responding to Planning Applications webinar which she had attended on the 23rd March and had kindly written up a summary sheet and passed a copy to all members regarding the planning aspects which the Council need to be aware of. The granting of Class Q permission at Higher Hare was discussed in respect of the clause regarding reducing carbon footprint and energy saving initiatives as TDC had stated; “Conversion likely entails a lower impact than a new build. No specific carbon reduction measures have been sought”. It was noted that WPC would continue to request this on all planning responses.
29.2 Cllr Galton reported on the Climate Change meeting which had taken place on the 23rd March but which had a fairly low attendance compared to the first meeting but further meetings on this subject will be arranged. It was agreed that a general local awareness had been achieved.
29.3 Cllr Baird said that she had been requested by Cllr Moody to raise the subject of the telephone boxes within the village but no further progress has as yet been made regarding these to be set up as book stores for public use. Cllr Belt is to liaise with Mr Blades to discuss installing the shelves and make progress, additionally Cllr Baird requested some ditches to be cleared.
The meeting closed at 9.45pm
The next Parish Council meeting will take place in the Parish Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday 12th May 2022.