MINUTES OF LEIGH-ON-MENDIP PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY
18 APRIL 1988 IN LEIGH SCHOOL.
The meeting commenced at approximately 1950 h. Present were Miss
B Chubb, J Davis, A Gould, P Rooke, D Turner and D Yelland -
Chairman. Three members of the public and P C Gregor were in
attendance.
1. Apologies were accepted from G Lee.
2. The Minutes of the last meeting were acceptrd & signed.
3. MATTERS ARISING.
A letter had been received from CAMELOT HOMES LTD about the
Proposed development at Manor Farm (PC meeting 7 March 1988). It
thanked the Parish Council for their comments and stated that
after further meetings with the local Planning officer they hoped
to submit new plans, if possible incorporating: semi-detatched or
terraced properties; reduction of the existing ground level;
making a provision for easing parking problems in the playing
field; keeping 'frontage' development in character with the
village; staggering the development to allow new residents to
integrate and the provision of adequate fencing and tree
planting to stop the danger of damage from cricket balls or the
like. The Councillors were very encouraged by this letter.
School Governor Application form had been returned by Miss Chubb
on 18 March 1988.
Two letters had been received from Somerset County Council
Surveyors Department.One to the effect that the blocked drains
would receive attention and that further improvements to Soho
Crossroads could only be carried out if land was purchased. The
other communication confirmed that work on the pavement at Park
Hayes will be carried out this summer.
The East Somerset Quarry Advisory Committee meeting had been
cancelled.
A new Emergency Peace Plan had been received and despite a
request from the PC the village shop had not been included as a
food store.
4 POST OFFICE
A letter had been received by Mr Yelland from Mr Godfrey the Sub
Post Master to say that the paid hours of opening of the village
Post Office had been cut by the GPO to 15 a week. Initially he
had agreed to a trial period of full-time opening but now felt he
must cut down to 25 hours a week. The Clerk had written to the
GPO to querry why, in view of development plans within the
village the designation had altered. No written reply had yet
been received but during a telephone conversation with Mr Redman
of the Network Section the Clerk had been advised that each post
office's status was reviewed on its volume of business when it
changed hands. Mr Rooke asked if another concern could apply to
run the Post Office, the answer to this was not known although it
was generally felt that if the policy was to pay for only 15
hours opening a week it might not be so attractive to a new
operator. Concern was expressed that this might be the start of a
move to close the Post Office and also about the lack of
consultation. It was decided to await the official reply before
pursuing deciding whether to pursue the matter any further. The
Councillors expressed their understanding of Mr Godfrey's
difficult position.
5 FOOTPATHS AND HIGHWAYS
Mr Rooke had had enquiries from some Parishioners about the
steps to be taken to get a Speed Limit in the village. PC Gregor
stated that if Street Lights were within a certain distance then
an area is classified as 'built-up' and automatically has a 30
mph limit. If insufficient lighting then the Highways Department
must errect repeater signs at set distances. It was decided to
investigate with the County Council the possibility of imposing
a Speed Limit. Miss Chubb asked how it would affect parking on
Leigh Street after dark. PC Gregor stated that if Street
Lighting was sufficient cars could legally be parked without
light. The Clerk will pursue the matter.
Mr Turner drew attention to a section of Pitten Street part of
which has fallen into the stream. Although it occurred a few
weeks ago the danger is only marked by unlit bollards and could
be very dangerous. Somerset County Councils Highways
Departments attention will be drawn to this.
6 HALECOMBE QUARRY
The Chairman had contacted Mr Grazier after seeing a drill in one
of the local fields. He was told was this to get information on
water levels. The matter of the quarries future plans was
discussed and he was told that plans are still in hand to mount a
display in the Memorial Hall although present plans were much
changed from those put forward in the '70's.
7 PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Erection of 2 dwelling & Garages with Access on Land adjoining
Rose Cottage
The reply to the District Council made the following points: The
Plot was felt to be too small for 2 dwellings, contrary to Policy
SP7 part 2 of the Frome Local Plan although 1 dwelling was felt
to be acceptable. Attention was drawn:- to a footpath across
the plot; to the Historical interest of the building known as The
Pound and dated 1881; to the transformer already on the site;
and to a claimed vehicular right of way for the property to the
East. Concern was expressed as to the height of the plot.
The Clerk had been informed that this plan was not going before
the Planning Committee yet as the Planning Department felt it
needed modification.
It was suggested at this point by Mr Yelland that perhaps a
meeting ought to be arranged with Mr Hewitt our District
Councillor to make known to him the Parish Councillors general
concept for the village and to consult with him. This was agreed.
TOWNS END PLOTS 1,2 & 3
The applications by Chobham Garages had been considered by the PC
and the following points made to the Planning Committee.
Plot 1:- Concern over safety of access and egress. A Pumping
Sump was shown on the plan this had been disallowed at the
Sawmill Site. The positioning of the Septic Tank was felt to be
unacceptable due to problems stated in 11.80 of the Frome Local
Plan. It was felt that on this site a smaller dwelling ought to
be considered.
Plot 2:- Positioning of Septic Tank. Ownership details seem to
preclude right of access to the property and the plot included
land not in the original outline permission site.
Plot 3:- As above but a request was made to retain existing
trees despite their proximity to the house.
All letters included the observations that the Councillors
favoured a residential development providing lorry parking was
excluded from the proposal site and surrounding area. And that
building materials ought to be in keeping with the area.
This Application will be dealt with on 19 April and approval has
been recommended by the Planning Department.
The Planning Application for land at Manor Farm has been deferred
from tomorrow's Planning Committee Meeting.
FORMATION OF VEHICULAR ACCESS,HARDSTANDING & TURNING SPACE -
TOWNSEND FARM.
Mr A Gould declared an interest and took no part in this item.
No objections were made to this plan although it was hoped that
the wall would be rebuilt in the original stone.
SINGLE STOREY REAR EXTENSION - YEW TREE COTTAGE, TADHILL
The plans were considered and permission was recommended.
Mr Turner raised the question of the building that had been
errected behind Ivy Cottage. The Clerk had already contacted the
Planning Department and had spoken to Mr Phillips, Enforcement
Officer. He had visited the site and decided that as it was an
agricultural building it was permitted development.
8 NEWSLETTER
This will be kept if possible to a single sheet and be ready for
distribution, hopefully, by 25 April.
9 AGM
Various village concerns had still to be asked to present
reports.
10 FINANCE
The payment of the parish Council's subscription to Somerset
Association of Local Councils, £46.61, was proposed by D Turner &
seconded by P Rooke - motion carried.
The Parish Councils Insurance Policy with Cornhill Insurance
Group required renewing, the premium was £30 and included
Employers Liability. Miss Chubb proposed payment and Mr Rooke
seconded - motion carried.
As of April 1 1988 the Parish Council had £126.96 in its Current
Account and £1080.69 in its Post Office Investment Account.
(Clerk's salary + expenses of £165.81 paid by crossed warrant on
11 April.) £200 was allocated to the Church for repairs to the
wall.
11 CORRESPONDENCE
Village Halls - VAT on works of Improvement
Notes for Guidance had been received from MDC. It was suggested
that they might apply to the Church Wall as well as to the
Memorial Hall, this will be investigated. The Guidelines will be
brought to the attention of Mr Mattick, Treasurer fo the Memorial
Hall Committee.
BRITISH LEGION HOUSING ASSOCIATION LTD- SCATTERED SCHEME
A letter had been received in reply to a query stating that as
soon as more details were known as to when money would be granted
and work started the PC would be informed and interviews would be
arranged for those interested in becoming tenants of the Leigh
property.
APPLICATION FOR A GOODS VEHICLE OPERATORS LICENCE - T J SEAFORD
A letter had been sent to the Licensing Authority on behalf of
concerned neighbours of LJH but the Parish Council had been
informed that they could not make representations, these must
come from individual land owners. A list of those concerned had
been sent to the Licensing Authority asking that their
representation replace that of the Parish Council.
12 There were no items to be carried forward.
13 The next meeting will be the Annual Parish Meeting and Parish
Council AGM on Monday 23 May in the Memorial Hall at 1945 h.
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