LEIGH-ON-MENDIP PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON
MONDAY 20 JUNE 1988 IN LEIGH SCHOOL
Present were B Chubb, J Davis, G Lee, P Rooke, D Turner & D
Yelland who took the Chair. Cllr Hewett & 6 members of the
public were in attendance.
1 Apologies were received from A Gould.
2 The Minutes of the meeting of 18/06 were accepted & signed.
3 MATTERS ARISING: No reply was yet forthcoming from the GPO
concerning the Post Office or from SCC regarding the Speed Limit,
the Clerk will write again. Pitten Street had been resurfaced and
repaired. The Clerk had been told that the Planning Application
for Manor Farm was due for discussion at the Planning meeting on
21 June. When Cllr Hewett consulted his list for that meeting
this application was not on it - Clerk will check with MDC.
4 PLANNING APPLICATIONS: Approximately 20 minutes was spent in
discussion with Cllr Hewitt on the subject of how the Parish
Council could more effectively get its views considered by
Mendip District Council's Planning committee. Various problems &
examples were drawn from the village to illustrate the Parish
Councillors dissatisfaction with the planning process.
(i) Mr Yelland raised the concern of Councillors at the
infilling occuring with the village and stated that in his
opinion it was not beneficial. Cllr Hewitt replied that the
approval of infilling was not necessarily the case as the Local
Plan included the need to try and maintain the character of the
area. Each plan was viewed in relation to its surrounds.Leigh
was lucky to be classified as a 'village' as this allowed some
development. Mr Yelland pointed out that Tadhill & Townsend were
outside the structure plan - Cllr Hewett stated that its
inclusion, if desired should have been raised at the structure
plan appeal.
(ii) Mr Turner pointed out that in the last year this Council had
had to deal with more applications for dwellings than had
probably been dealt within the last ten years. He felt that
the expansion of the village ought to be staggered. Mr Hewett
said this could not be controlled by the Council.
(iii) Mr Turner drew attention to the use of Bradstone on the
houses at the Sawmills development which the PC had strongly
opposed - Cllr Hewett stated that he also had opposed this but
had been outvoted.
(iv) In the same development attention was drawn to the District
Council's objection to a pumped sewer. This had been allowed at
Towns End and the lack of consistency was querried.
(v) Mr Rooke expressed concern as to the Sawmill site's lower
access, sited on a dangerous bend, Cllr Hewett suggested that on
any question of access the PC ought to consult the County
Surveyor - who had not objected in this case.
Cllr Hewitt stated that examples of valid objections to a
proposed plan could be that it overshadows an existing building
but not that there is a transformer on the site. MDC work by the
book as to size of plot for each dwelling. He informed
Councillors that there was no right of appeal once a planning
application is passed.
It was agreed that more discussions ought to take place with Cllr
Hewett and other concerned departments on Planning Applications.
5 HALECOMBE QUARRY
Mr Yelland stated that despite the fact that the PC had not yet
received the Planning Application for the quarry extension he
felt that after the Parish Meeting & the one held by Somerset
County Council the Parish Council ought to decide its policy.
He sought confirmation from fellow councillors of his feeling
that the villagers were not opposed in general terms to quarrying
at Halecombe but that they had reservations about the present
application as it stood. It was agreed that: 1)The Council
members were not opposed to quarrying. 2) They were not opposed
to Halecombe in general. 3) They all had reservations about the
present planning application as it stood.
Mr Rooke suggested a referendum be called on this issue. Miss
Chubb pointed out that although the basic plans are known the
actual details eg siting of access are unknown. It was agreed
that it would be the P C's intention to seek the views of the
parish by way of a questionaire or survey. It was agreed that
when this was done new residents of the village, not yet on the
electoral roll must be taken into account.
Mr Davis suggested a meeting with SCC to state villages point,
Cllr Hewett agreed that this may be a good idea.
Mr Yelland stated that Mr Grazier had suggested a Quarry Liason
Committee made up of 2 Parish Councillors & 2 members of Wimpey
Hobbs. The general feeling was that all eligible Councillors
ought to take part in the discussion.
Advice was sought from Cllr Hewett on the matter of'Interest'. It
was agreed that Mr Lee, as an employee of Wimpey Hobbs had a
pecuniary interest and Cllr Hewett felt that Miss Chubb & Mr
Yelland, as employees of ARC, had an indirect interest. It was
felt, however, that their specific knowledge could be of value to
discussions at the Parish Council level.
This meant that 4 Councillors remained to discuss the subjects of
Noise, Blasting, Dust, Water, Size of Plant area, Plant Position,
Planting of new banks, & Footpaths, with Wimpey Hobbs. Miss Chubb
suggested the inclusion of restoration and after use of the
quarry. It was agreed that Mr Davis would contact Wimpey Hobbs &
arrange a meeting involving himself, Mr Gould, Mr Rooke & Mr
Turner and the Clerk.
Mr Turner pointed out that the expansion of the quarry had been
stated at the meeting on June 16 to be dependent on the provision
of a new route onto the Nunney bypass. There was concern that
this could open up Tadhill to quarrying.
Mr Yelland went through a letter received from Mr R Dixon about
the Halecombe Planning Application. The Chairman felt that the
policy already agreed at this meeting had dealt with many of the
questions raised.
Mr Hewell stated that in the February 1986 Draft Policy the
purpose of the identification of quarrying zones was to safeguard
them for future quarrying not to allocate them. It was stated
that the Parish Council must remember that they can still reject
the plan at the end of the day but that they can carry more
weight if they consult.
Concern was expressed that at the County Council meeting on 16
June a wrong impression may have been given of village feelings
about the proposed quarry expansion from the survey conducted by
Mr Lee & Mr Fear. Mr Yelland had received 3 letters & 3 verbal
complaints saying the survey was not representative. Concern had
also been expressed to another Councillor. Mr Lee stated that he
felt compelled to take the survey after the Parish Meeting when
the Chairman had called for a vote at the end despite saying
earlier he would not do this. Mr Yelland stated that he had
explained to Mr Lee that he had asked for an indication of
feeling from those left but had stated more than once that no
vote taken was legally binding on the Parish Councillors, he
offered to resign if the Councillors felt he had acted
improperly. It was agreed that an indication had been requested
not a vote & Mr Yelland's offer was rejected.
Mr Rooke expressed the concern of many at the % quoted on the HTV
programme but it was agreed that as no count was taken there was
no validity to the figure quoted.
Mr Yelland said that at the SCC meeting the Chairman had said
that the survey was conducted independently and that he had read
out a letter containing 4 provisos that he said had been asked in
conjunction with the survey. These did not form part of the
survey & the Chairman of the meeting must be informed of this.
Part of a letter from the Secretary of the Asham & East Mendip
Group was read out expressing concern that a member of the Parish
Council had misused his position in conducting the survey and
alleging irregularities and misconceptions during its execution.
Cllr Hewett when appealed to said he felt the survey was
misguided & spurious. Mr Lee asked the Chairman to read out 11
letters from Parishioners saying that they had signed the survey
of their own volition, without intimidation. The Chairman did so
but pointed out that they did not answer the allegations raised.
Mr Turner felt that Mr Lee ought to have approached the Parish
Council before conducting the survey. When asked if he would be
prepared to submit the survey for independant ratification Mr Lee
refused on the grounds of confidentiality. Mr Lee agreed that it
should be withdrawn from Somerset County Council.
The 3 Councillors present without a declared "Interest" agreed
that a letter would be sent to the Chairman of the meeting
convened by Somerset County Council expressing their concern
that the survey was not a true representation of village
feelings. It would mention the Parish Council's intention to
conduct an independant survey at a later date. The letter would
also make clear that the 'surveyors' were employees of Wimpey
Hobbs.Mr Yelland suggested that they request answers to the
points raised by the Councillors in their original letter
concerning the submission.
Copy of the relevant page of PC Minutes 20 June 1988
Mr Yelland said that due to the cost involved in conducting an
independant survey this matter must be raised at another meeting.
Some discussion took place as to the timing & form the survey
should take.
A questioner from the floor drew attention to the proposed
revision of the Somerset Quarrying Structure plan and querried
whether this application ought to be delayed. She querried why
Wimpey Hobbs had applied now. Mr Yelland said he thought it had
to do with long term investment in new plant and Mr Turner stated
that a new mineral policy would not be formulated for at least 5
years.
Mr Lee left at this point.
6 HIGHWAYS & FOOTPATHS.
Mr Yelland was in receipt of a letter concerning the lamentable
state of the footpath from Ivy Cottage to Barn Close. General
concern was expressed as to the state of all village pavements
which were impassable due to overgrown verges - a letter of
complaint will be written to the County Surveyor.
The state of the road outside the Sawmills development, Knowles
Auto Repair workshop & Fox Cottage was causing concern also the
state of the bank up to the Post box & damage to the road at the
lower access to the Sawmills development - a letter will be sent
to the Surveyors Department.
Discussions took place on the errection of a sign at the Great
House Farm end of the High Street warning motorists about the
lack of a pavement - enquiries will be made.
Mr Rooke had received a complaint about cars parking near the
junction of Pitten Street & the Main Road - the Chairman offered
to approach the offenders personally.
7 ASHAM & EAST MENDIP GROUP - CHANGE OF DELEGATE STATUS
Mr Davis said he felt that as an observer on this committee he
could not speak on behalf of the Parish Council and proposed a
change of status from Observer to Representative, seconded by Mr
Rooke - Motion carried. A letter will be sent to the Group
asking if they will accept the change.
8 A questionaire from Leisure 2000 had been received & will be
circulated to the Councillors for their comments.
A letter informing on Procedures for dealing with Obstructions to
Rights of Way was read.
A letter requesting money from South Wandsdyke CAB was considered
a proposal by Mr Rooke to donate £5, seconded by Miss Chubb was
defeated on the Chairman's casting vote. It was decided to defer
this to the next meeting.
9 MATTERS TO BE CARRIED FORWARD
CAB request. Mr Davis will report back on the parameters set for
the first meeting of the quarry liason group.
10 The next meeting will be on 18 July 1988 at 7.45 in the
School.
The Meeting closed at 10.40pm.
mn20688
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