On Thursday 31st January 2008 commencing 7-30 p.m.
Present Councillors B Alexandre, P Ashcroft, J Cowley, J Cox, K Garland D Grimes,
J Wardell and W Batty-Smith Chairman, D J Hine (Clerk)
In attendance D Cllr G Carr-Jones and 10 members of the public
To receive apologies C Cllr D Fox, Cllrs. R Penfold and J Smith
Declarations of Interest
Confirm minutes of last meeting and decisions of NDDC Planning Cttee
Minutes previously approved
Decisions of NDDC Planning Committee
No. 1204 Dairy House Farm C of U of outbuilding to office/artist studio. Granted
No. 1212 Dikes., Install automated Teller Machine Granted
No. 1214 Dikes. Install illuminated sign. Granted
No. 1209 19 Park Road. Install dormer window. Granted
No. 1208 Oakleigh, Lower Road. Install dormer window Granted
Decision from Sth. Somerset DC
N. 02855 Erect engineering workshop, Henstridge Airfield. Refused
Planning Applications
No. 1349 Land to rear of Stalbridge Library. Erect 4 dwellings. Signpost Housing
After a detailed discussion which included various objections raised by members of the public it was proposed by J Cowley and seconded by D Grimes that objections be raised as per attached list compiled by the Planning & GP Cttee. All agreed. It was also pointed out that D Cllr Carr-Jones has already requested that this application be dealt with by the full Planning Committee. Copies of 7 letters of objection received.
No. 0025/0026 Stalbridge Arms. Various alterations. It was proposed by J Cowley and seconded by B Alexandre that objections as per attached list compiled by the P & GP Cttee be raised. 6 in favour, 1 abstention. However it was agreed to add that if the concerns raised in the list can be resolved to the satisfaction of the Town Council then they have no objection to the application being dealt with under delegated powers.
Sth Som. 05482. Site breeding tanks for worms. Henstridge Airfield. It was proposed by D Grimes and seconded by J Wardell that there be no objections. All agreed.
Award contract for Cleaning Toilets and Pavements
After some discussion during which it was confirmed that the various items in the S L A referred to work in Zone 1 only i.e. from The Ring to the bottom of Church Hill and Station Road as far as the Car Park (a plan showing this area to be attached to the SLA) It was proposed by B Alexandre and seconded by D Grimes that the contract for the work be awarded to Gillingham Town Council for 20 hours only from Monday to Friday inclusive. Carried on a vote of 6 in favour 1 abstention.
It was also agreed to write to NDDC and point out that it is felt that the Business Rate of £2,400 p.a. approx. seems excessive for such a small building and that NDDC should continue to pay this as they will get part of it back from the Government in Grant. It was also agreed to request that NDDC bear the legal costs of the Town Council as they have forced the TC to do this work and to take on the lease of the Toilets rather than the TC asking to do it.
Any other business
J Cowley reported that the pavement retaining wall in Park Grove adjacent the Dog Bin is crumbling.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9-15 p.m.
Comments made by the Planning & General Purposes Committee
Planning Application Numbers 0025/0026
Various Alterations – Stalbridge Arms
We object to the above applications, on the grounds that it is unclear whether adequate provision has been made for ventilation to/from the extended kitchen area, and whether that ventilation would impinge on the surrounding properties. We feel it essential that the kitchen exhaust fumes are not directed over the garden of the property to the rear
There are also concerns that the en-suite rooms will not be let out under normal Hotel conditions but let out on full-term residential basis.
We have reservations that as this is a listed building, these proposed alterations/developments might not conform to the appropriate regulations.
Planning Application Number 2/2007/1349
Land to rear of Stalbridge Library – Erect 4 Dwellings
We object most strongly to the above application for the following reasons:
1) Due to the inadequacies of the highway network, Stalbridge is scheduled as a ‘Town of Limited Growth’. The Town is already well over the number of housing units, as allowed for in the Districtwide Plan.
2) Part of this site has already been designated for the relocation of the recycling bins. Please see the attached correspondence between Mr Ritchie (Asset Management Consultant NDDC) and Stalbridge Town Council dated 14th May 2007. As the remainder of the site is urgently required for additional car parking spaces, it is an inappropriate use of the land: since the loss of the car park in Grove Lane, this site has been earmarked as a contingency car park, to provide much needed additional car parking spaces for those who come to Stalbridge to work, residents visiting the Library, Doctor’s Surgery and Dental Surgery, parents taking children to school (because of the difficulty of parking elsewhere) and of course, visitors.
3) It is an overdevelopment of the site, and will be very intrusive for the residents of Hardy Crescent, the site being on a much higher level than Hardy Crescent.
4) It would be a development with an inherent danger: on the assumption that it will house families with young children, they would be a risk to, and at risk from traffic movements within the car park, as well as the increased traffic resulting from the Archstone development. The road directly in front of the proposed properties will in effect become a ‘through’ road.
5) The drainage to the properties is stated to be soakaways, which would exacerbate problems which already exist for properties in Hardy Crescent.
6) It is unacceptable to remove another tree within the Conservation area.
We consider it essential that this application goes before the full Development Control Committee.