Whitestone Road sign

Whitestone Parish Council

DRAFT Council Meeting held at Whitestone Parish Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday 9th November 2023 to be ratified on 14th December 2023

Attendance:- Chair – Councillor L Fairley
Councillors Cllrs T Baird, M Belt, V Bryant, A Evans
County Councillor A Connett – left at 8.30pm
District Councillor K Lake
Mrs P Vaughan – Clerk to the Council
Mr M Frankum, Mrs C Lang, Mr S Tucker, Mr P Nierop – left at 8.05pm.
Apologies:- Cllr C Galton, Cllr B Moody, District Councillor J Parrott

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Mr Nierop stated that he was in attendance because of his concerns that procedures had not been followed correctly according to regulations regarding expenditure by the Council which had been discussed at the October meeting in respect of the refurbishment of the bus stop area and a proposed Christmas Party to be held at the Parish Hall.

Cllr Fairley responded that these matters had indeed been discussed in October but it had been in order for the necessary advance arrangements to be made. They were, however, on the agenda for tonight’s meeting in order for clarification and for the necessary expenditure to be resolved.

  1. Cllr Fairley opened the meeting and the minutes of the Council meeting held on

Thursday 12th October 2023 having been circulated were taken as read and signed by

the Chair. 

  1. Co-option of new Councillors

Applications had been received from Mr Martin Frankum and Mrs Claire Lang to join the Parish Council and these had been circulated to Councillors. They were subsequently nominated to fill the two vacancies and signed the necessary declaration of acceptance of office and then joined the meeting.

  1. REPORTS FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR / DISTRICT COUNCILLOR
    • County Councillor Connett welcomed the two new members to the Parish Council and spoke on the school transport which had been discussed with Devon County. He informed the meeting that the Library Service will be discontinued in the future.

79.2 District Councillor Lake informed the meeting that the Crossways issue had been dealt with. He also mentioned the maintenance of hedges being cut back and that Glebe Farm is being investigated.

  1. PLANNING

80.1 23/01873/HOU Two storey side extension, single storey front extension and single storey rear extension at Armonija, Nadderwater

This application is for a generous extension to a barn conversion for which approval was given in 2017. For reference: 17/01105/NPA 26th April 2017 – the Cowshed 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. Whitestone Parish Council did not support the proposal in 2017 for the following reasons: encroaching development not conducive to an agricultural area. Nonetheless approval was granted. In accordance with paragraphs 186 and 187 of the National Planning Policy Framework the Council (TDC) has worked in a positive and pro-active way with the Applicant and has negotiated amendments to the application to enable the grant of planning permission. The current application is a full planning application for a considerable increase in floor space from the original: Our calculation is that the original conversion was approximately 360 sq m Extension including second storey and garage is an additional 480 sq m One of the criteria for granting planning permission for Class Q is that the cumulative floor space does not exceed 450 square metres. The proposed would be close to double that.

Whitestone Parish Council has discussed the new application and has several concerns with the proposal:

  1. The proposed extensions make it less like the original agricultural building it once was and no longer has an agricultural reference. The proposed altered building looks very domineering in its setting - especially as seen from its south and north elevations. This does not meet criteria set out in policy S1 (g) maintenance or enhancement of the character, appearance and historic interest of affected landscapes.
  2. Potential overlooking with a second storey, as there are large windows on all sides except to the east. The extension brings it closer to Higher Hurston. This does not meet criteria set out in policy S1 (e)impact on the residential amenity of existing and committed dwellings, particularly privacy, security, outlook and natural light. Measures to minimise light spill resulting from the large increase in glass would be welcomed.
  3. The proposed extension does not appear to satisfy the criteria for development in S22 (Countryside).
  4. There is no evidence that policy EN2A is being addressed (landscape protection and enhancement). We would like to see some landscaping with indigenous planting to maintain the landscape quality.
  5. Policy EN3 (carbon reduction plans) does not appear to be addressed, other than indication of a heat pump in the drawings. WPC has declared a climate emergency and would wish to see evidence of green initiatives and energy efficient measures.
  6. No ecological document is supplied, consequently the proposed does not appear to meet the criteria set out in policy EN8 (Biodiversity protection and enhancement). There is no mention of measures to support biodiversity and protect wildlife.
  7. The garage appears to include a shower, as is shown in the plan. If this is the case, we would question the need for a shower in the part of the property used for cars/storage.

Whitestone Parish Council does not support this application. If Teignbridge District Council is minded to do so we would recommend certain conditions:

We would like to see some landscaping with indigenous planting to soften it all.

Biodiversity measures.

Measures to minimise light pollution in an area of dark skies.

Energy efficiency measures.

80.2 23/01871/FUL Construction of agricultural building (retrospective) at Glebe Farm

Whitestone Parish Council have discussed and considered planning application

23/01871/FUL for the construction of an agricultural building {retrospective} at Glebe Farm. This application was submitted as a result of receiving a letter from Enforcement {planning ref: 23/00305/ENF} after a very large wooden agricultural building suddenly appeared in the field behind the existing agricultural buildings at Glebe Farm. The planning statement clearly states the reasoning for the applicant wanting a large barn and that it is sited in a similar position where the previous owner had a temporary structure. The new agricultural building is in the same style as the other barns close by. The planning statement does say that the new building is well screened but we would argue that it is very visible from Waddlesdown Cross. We would like to draw the case officer’s attention to the fact that the applicant has already submitted another planning application 23/01872/NPA asking for prior approval under Part 3 Class Q a} and b} paragraph w of the GPDO change of use of an agricultural building to a dwelling house. Whitestone Parish Council have not been invited by Teignbridge District Council to comment on planning application 23/01872/NPA but we do feel that both applications need to be considered together. Planning application 23/01872/NPA is claiming that there is a redundant barn suitable for converting into a dwelling yet application 23/01871/FUL is seeking permission for a new barn. The planning statement says that there are “no highway implications” yet mention is made of wanting to purchase a larger tractor which we presume will at some point use the highway. We are unsure which access the applicant intends the tractor and other machinery to use when accessing the highway. The gate facing Waddlesdown Cross at the far end of the field we consider unsuitable and would prefer the main gate in front of the other agricultural buildings to be used instead. We also question how safe it is for the horses and riders that use this Equestrian Centre with the potential increase of large vehicles and machinery on site and accessing the highway.

Whitestone Parish Council do not support this application.

If Teignbridge District Council are minded to approve this application Whitestone Parish

Council would like the following conditions applied:

  1. For the agricultural building to be a temporary structure and removed once it is no

longer required for the storage of hay and for the storage of implements and machinery.

  1. Screening using indigenous planting to reduce the visual impact from the Waddlesdown area.
  2. Glebe Farm already makes use of a lot of bright external lighting so we would like to

see strict rules implemented regarding any external lighting and internal light

spillage/pollution to protect the biodiversity of the area.

  1. We would like bird and bat boxes to be attached to the new agricultural building.

80.3 Withdrawal of Planning Application

23/01761/VAR Variation of condition 2 on planning permission 21/02059/FUL (Two dwellings to replace agricultural buildings) to add garages to the approved dwellings at Hackworthy Lane, Nadderwater

  1. MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION

81.1 Remembrance Sunday

Cllr Fairley reported that she will be attending the Remembrance Day Service which will be held at the Parish Hall on 12th November owing to the closure of St Catherine’s Church at the present time. It was resolved by the meeting that a donation of £50 be sent to the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.

81.2 Repair/refurbishment of bus stop area

It was reported that this had now been carried out at a cost of £380.00 and it was resolved that this expenditure should be paid. It had been noted when this work was carried out that further work will need to be carried out to the roofing sheets and Cllr Baird was requested to obtain a further quote for the work needed.

81.3 Christmas Party at Parish Hall

Following a suggestion for this to be held at the Parish Hall in December it was resolved that this should go forward on Saturday 16th December and Cllr Baird has booked the Hall at a cost of £100. A Disco has been booked at a cost of £250.00 and table decorations at a cost of £100.00.. It was resolved that these expenditures should be passed for payment at the 14th December meeting. Arrangements for the event will be made in conjunction with the Sports and Social Club.

81.4 CCTV for carpark and play area

No response has at yet been received from the Parish Hall Committee with regard to taking this matter further.

81.5 Police Surgery

The Police report for November had been circulated to Councillors and it was noted that there were no offences recorded. Discussion took place regarding a further Police Surgery being organised and it was decided that this should take place on a Saturday morning in February/March next year.

81.6 Vehicle Activated Speed Signs

Cllr Evans gave a report on the Speed Signs.

81.7 Dog poo bins

A request had been received for a bin to be placed in the Edenfield area and following discussion this will be investigated further.

81.8 The Welcome letter

This was discussed and will be updated.

81.9 Snow warden scheme

Information regarding this will be passed to Cllr Frankum.

81.10 Grit bins

A survey of the bins has been completed and will be sent to Devon County Council Neighbourhood Highways

  1. FINANCE

Income

82.1 1 School Houses rental to 2nd December £950.00 - £174.00 (includes £29.00 VAT) = £776.00

82.2 Devon County Council Locality Budget Payment £470.00

82.3 Teignbridge District Council donations from Councillors Parrott, Nuttall and Lake £250.00

Expenditure

The following expenditure was proposed and seconded for payment. All in favour and the cheques were signed by Councillors Fairley and Baird.

82.4 Mr L Blades - £375.13 9 (Lengthsman) Cheque 712

82.5 Mr N Thom £380 (Refurbishment of the bus shelter) Cheque 713

82.6 Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal £50 Cheque 714

  1. CORRESPONDENCE

Mrs Gill Oakey wrote to thank the Council for organising the repair work which she had reported to the Council in October.

  1. REPORTS

84.1 Cllr Baird noted that the plinth by the bus stop was in need of painting. It has also been pointed out that the notice board at the bus stop is in need of “tidying up”.

84.2 Cllr Belt felt that appreciation should be given to those volunteers who tended the flower bed within the village.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Mr Tucker made some comments on drainage issues in the Parish

The meeting closed at 9.15pm.