On Wednesday 30th November 2005 commencing 7-30 p.m.
Present Councillors P Ashcroft, J Cowley, J Cox, D Grimes, J O’Hare and
D Neal Chairman, D J Hine (Clerk)
In attendance Mr D Hardy NDDC and Mr M Pinkney Signpost Housing
To receive apologies
Declarations of Interest None
Confirm minutes of last meeting and decisions of NDDC Planning Cttee
The minutes of the Planning Cttee meeting held on 16th November were approved and signed by the Chairman.
Decisions of NDDC Planning Committee
No. 0919 Gomershay Farm Erect Cattle accommodation Granted
No. 0951 Gibbs Marsh Farm. Erect stables and create track. Granted
No. 0987 13 Duncliffe Close. Erect single storey extension Granted
Sth. Som. 02229 H Airfield Erect aircraft factory. NDDC Object.
Notification that the appeal by Mr J Harris against the decision to refuse permission for a gas tank off Drews Lane has been dismissed
OPEN FORUM Planning matters only. No comments
Planning Applications
No. 1096 Fairview, Wood Lane. Single storey extension. It was proposed by J Cox and seconded by J Cowley that there be no objection. All agreed.
Mr D Hardy NDDC re. Affordable Housing
Mr Hardy, The Housing Policy Manager for NDDC introduced Mr Martin Pinkney of Signpost Housing Association who explained the situation with regard to providing housing in the rented/shared ownership sector The identified need across the whole district is 650 new properties per annum over the next 10 years. What they will most probably be able to provide is 60 p.a. the main providers being housing associations of which Signpost is the main one in the area. The Housing Associations have to apply to the Government Controlled Housing Corporation for grants (approx £45,000 per house) Signpost have applied for a grant to build 10 houses in Stalbridge but they most probably will not hear if they are successful until March 2006.
The identified need in Stalbridge is as follows (as at June 2004):-
Existing tenants wishing to change size of property 29
New applicants 32
People who wish to return to Stalbridge 33
Residents who wish to have elderly parents move here 11
The area being considered for the application is part of Pond Close which at the present time is leased to the Town Council as a recreation area next to Pond Walk. Some discussion took place with regard to this but no decisions were made as it all depends on whether or not a grant is received from the Housing Corporation.
The Chairman thanked Mr Hardy and Mr Pinkney for attending and explaining the situation to Councillors.
Other Business
The Chairman and J Cowley had met Mr S Howard of DCC together with J else and D Foster-Pegg representing High Street Traders, that morning regarding what could be provided with regard to pedestrian crossing facilities in the High Street. A full report of this meeting will be put on the next Agenda.
It was agreed to hold an informal meeting to discuss budget figures on Wednesday 7th December
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9-00 p.m.