On Wednesday 27th February 2007 commencing 7-30 p.m.
Present Councillors B Alexandre, P Ashcroft, J Cowley, J Cox, D Grimes, R Penfold
J Wardell and W Batty-Smith Chairman, D J Hine (Clerk)
In attendance 16 Electors
To receive apologies C Cllr D Fox, D Cllr G Carr-Jones, Cllrs. K Garland
and J Smith
Declarations of Interest None
Confirm minutes of last meeting and decisions of NDDC Planning Cttee
The minutes of the Planning Cttee meeting held on 13th February were approved and signed by the Chairman.
Decisions of NDDC Planning Committee None to hand
In view of the interest from the electors present the Chairman decided to deal with Item 5 next.
Consider Town Council’s response to comments on proposed
Traffic Calming Scheme
The Chairman went through the history of the parking restrictions in the High Street and explained that as a result of the request for a Pedestrian Crossing being refused the DCC Highways had produced the scheme to replace the single yellow lines in the High Street with double but at the same time provide a limited time waiting area between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. outside the Newsagents and Hairdressers. They felt that this would help alleviate the problem with heavy lorries being unable to pass each other without mounting the pavement due to illegal parking (motorists are more likely to take notice of the double lines) but loading and unloading and parking by disabled badge holders would still be able to take place. The Chairman then allowed those members of the public present to express their views, which were all against the proposed changes and included complaints that they had not been consulted. The Chairman pointed out that the matter had been put on various Agendas and discussed at various Council meetings which are always open to the Public. As a result it was agreed to hold a public meeting and to invite a representative from DCC to attend and answer questions. Date to be arranged by the Clerk. It was also agreed to send the draft letter produced by the Clerk to the Blackmore Vale Magazine for publication, with the additional comment that the various planning applications that have been granted for developments on Henstridge Airfield would increase the heavy traffic through the High Street. All members of the public then left the meeting.
Planning Applications
No.0116 Middle Farm, Stalbridge Weston continue use of Mobile Home for Agricultural Worker for 3 years It was proposed by B Alexandre and seconded by J Wardell that although there is no objection to the continued use of the mobile home it would that the plan attached to the application is incorrect. There are two units on the site but the application is for one only. The unit shown would appear to be the alleged office accommodation. It is requested that the application is dealt with by the full committee unless refusal is recommended. All agreed.
B Alexandre advised that there had been problems with the HGVs accessing the site during the middle of the night on Tuesday 26th Feb. Clerk to raise the matter again with DCC and also contact NDDC regarding possible noise pollution.
Clerk to progress
Sth. Som. No.00351 Site Anaerobic Digester Units to serve Biorefinery Henstridge Airfield. J Cox proposed and R Penfold seconded that although there is no objection to the application there are concerns about the increase in vehicle movements which could adversely affect Stalbridge. All agreed
Other Business
With regard the price for repairing the housing of the Pump on the Ring, the Clerk confirmed that the price of £345 plus VAT included replacing all the timber, treating and painting. It was therefore agreed that this work should be carried out.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9-20 p.m.