On Wednesday 21st March 2007 commencing 7-30 p.m.
Present Councillors P Ashcroft, B Booth, J Cox, J Cowley, D Grimes, D. Neal,
J O’Hare and J Wardell
In attendance 3 Electors
To receive apologies C Cllr D Fox, Cllr W Batty-Smith, and D Hine (Clerk)
Declarations of Interest D Neal and J Wardell
Confirm minutes of last meeting and decisions of NDDC Planning Cttee
The minutes of the Planning Cttee meeting held on 07th March were approved and signed by the Chairman.
Decisions of NDDC Planning Committee
No 0010 The Old Rectory Erect Garden Shed Granted
No 0026 Gibbs Marsh Farm Granted
No 0493 1 Park Grove Appeal against refusal of permission for extension Dismissed
OPEN FORUM Planning matters only.
Mr K Butt raised three points about the effects that the proposed development could have:
1. Highway matters – safety for pedestrians using the stretch of road between entrance to Pond Walk and the BL, there being no footway. The previous junction alterations (Barrow Hill/A357) were inadequate.
2. Is the School large enough?
3. Query over lease of land until 2011
J Cowley responded to the points
Ms J Rabbetts expressed concern over the loss of ‘open spaces’ in Stalbridge, and that previous money for Traffic Calming had still not been spent on a Pedestrian Crossing.
Discussion over actual amount of 106 money, and attempts to procure a Pedestrian crossing.
Planning Applications
No 0198 Further Development at Pond Walk.
The Council has no objection to the planning application in principle, but there were a number of points to be raised with NDDC, which were taken separately and voted on individually:
1. The boundary of the development on its western side needs to be established.
Item 1 Proposed by B.Booth and Seconded by P.Ashcroft – All agreed
2. The stone stile (an unusual feature) to be retained in its present position.
Item 2 Proposed by D Grimes and Seconded by P.Ashcroft – All agreed
3. From the stone stile, the diverted footpath (FP No 4) to pass between the proposed western boundary fence, and the present hedge bank, to enable access to the land to the rear of number 21 Park Road, which could potentially be the site for future allotments.
Item 3 Proposed by J Cox and Seconded by D Grimes – All agreed
4. The above in turn, would provide for badgers, which have a run through the site.
Item 4 Proposed by D Grimes and Seconded by P.Ashcroft – All agreed
5. We consider it to be a missed opportunity were the development not to be ‘carbon-neutral’. Have the developers incorporated any such features/facilities into their design – i.e. solar panels, cavity insulation etc.?
Item 5 Proposed by B.Booth and Seconded by J Cox – All agreed
6. A ‘ring-fenced’ Developers’ contribution to a footway extension from the British Legion to the Grove Lane entrance is an essential requirement. Proposals for additional housing on both sides of Barrow Hill will mean many Mothers, toddlers and push-chairs having to use this narrow section of highway.
Item 6 Proposed by D Grimes and Seconded by B Booth – All agreed
7. If the proposed developments – i.e. Messrs Dikes and the application under consideration - proceed, has the local school sufficient capacity to provide places for children from both sites?
Item 7 Proposed by P Ashcroft and Seconded by D Grimes – All agreed
8. May we draw attention to the position when the original planning application for the houses now situated on Pond Walk, was proposed.
The number of dwellings was reduced from 35 number to 22 number under pressure from the County Council as Highway Authority, because of the sub standard road junction at the bottom of Barrow Hill with the busy Class 1 A357.
Hence the £30,000 monies allocated to ease the situation under a 106 Agreement, only part of which has been spent on traffic calming, with limited success. Again we draw your attention to this problem which will be exacerbated by the housing on William Dike’s site on the southern side of Barrow Hill. Mr Madgwick of DCC, Transport & Engineering Department, stated in January 1996, that any development likely to increase traffic movements in this area would be resisted.
South Somerset District Council has already given planning permission for various sites on Henstridge Airfield, which will increase the traffic up to threefold on the A357 through Stalbridge.
Item 8 Proposed by B.Booth and Seconded by P.Ashcroft – All agreed
9. Is there a statutory time limit by which 106 Agreement monies must be spent? The District Council also holds a substantial sum to be used for the same purpose from the Springfields Development.
Item 9 Proposed by J O’Hare and Seconded by P.Ashcroft – All agreed
10. In view of the potential increase in traffic movements into and out of the Pond Walk Development, could a short section of Double Yellow Lines be introduced around the junction of Pond Walk and Barrow Hill?
Item 10 Proposed by J Cox and Seconded by P.Ashcroft – All agreed
11. We have been quite unable to get the Dorset County Council to spend any part of the 106 monies to provide a promised Pedestrian Crossing in the High Street on the A357. We consider this to be absolutely essential, as children from both of the aforementioned sites will have to traverse the A357 to attend Stalbridge Primary School.
Item 11 Proposed by B.Booth and Seconded by D Grimes – All agreed
Item 12 Proposed by J Cox and Seconded by B Booth that a request be made for the application to go before the Full Development Committee. – All agreed
It was also proposed by J Cox and seconded by J O’Hare that a copy of the correspondence be sent to the Chief Executive – All agreed
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.40 p.m.