Report of the Parish Council June 2020
Cllr Tyrone Ripley (Chairman), Cllr John Arnold (Vice-Chairman), Cllr Pam Denny, Cllr Alan Horton, Cllr Gerry Lewin, Cllr Peter Masson, Cllr Janet Marshall, Cllr Gary Rosewell and Cllr Neil Sheppard. Clerk Mrs Wendy Licence.
Play Area
Following Government guidelines to stay safe by avoiding using playgrounds, as it cannot be guaranteed with the volume of people using them that they are not contributing to the spread of the virus as playground equipment cannot be sanitised after each use.
Upchurch Parish Council has closed the Play Area at the Paddock until further notice.
Government guidelines on social distancing should be observed at all times when exercising at The Paddock and Recreation Ground and also when walking or running along public footpaths and this will help keep all members of our community safe.
Planning
Ref: 20/501698/FULL
Address: 3 The Street Upchurch Sittingbourne Kent ME9 7AJ
Proposal: Erection of single storey side extension, fenced enclosure to existing plant and relocation of ATM. Extension of vehicular crossover to include 3no. parking spaces and resurfacing.
Councillors considered the application and noted there had been no responses on the planning portal. Concern was raised that children walk along the pavement at the vehicular crossover between the Newsagents and the Coop to buy their sweets and the parking creates a potential danger for them. Concern was raised about the flat roof extension which is in a Conservation Area. Although three parking spaces are being provided, two spaces on the road will be lost. Cars will have to pull into the parking area before being able to see if there is a vacant space; if there is no parking available the vehicle will have to reversed out onto the road as it will not be possible to turn round in the parking area. The boundary fence between the Coop and the Post Office will need to have good sight lines. Any refrigeration units on the outside must not disturb the neighbours.
Councillors agreed that in principle they had no objections but questioned the flat roof in a Conservation Area. Any refrigeration units on the outside must have “silent packs” and not emit any noise especially at night. Councillors welcomed the inclusion of a disabled parking space but had concerns about the safety of pedestrians, especially children, in the area.
Ref: 20/501714/FULL
Address: 5 Church Farm Road Upchurch Sittingbourne Kent ME9 7AG
Proposal: Demolition of garage and erection of single storey side extension and creation of front parking area.
Councillors considered the application and had no objections to the proposal and requested consideration be given to run-off water and drainage. Neighbours’ comments should be taken into account.
Ref: 20/501839/FULL
Address: 42 Oak Lane Upchurch Sittingbourne Kent ME9 7AU
Proposal: Demolition of existing conservatory and erection of a two storey rear extension (Resubmission of 20/500756/FULL).
Councillors considered the application and had no objections to the proposal and requested that consideration be given to neighbours’ comments.
Allotments
The Parish Council is grateful to plot holders for repairing the track. A sleeper will also be laid at the entrance which will address the problem of water running off the road and flooding the entrance when it rains. This will enable the two plots near the entrance to be used.
Footpaths
Concern has been raised about PROW ZR10 which is difficult to use and this will be monitored. Councillors will meet with the KCC Public Rights of Way East Kent Area Officer when restrictions are eased.
Concern has also been raised about the footpath from The Poles to Horsham Lake which is being used as a public toilet, this has been to the Swale Borough Council Environment Team. There is an issue about the number of cars and car transporters which are being stored at the front end of Horsham Lake and a formal complaint has been lodged with the Swale Borough Council Planning Enforcement Team.
Environment
The cascade planter has returned to the village centre for the summer. The Council has purchased four barrier baskets which will be installed on A frames in the Recreation Ground. Cllr Rosewell is kindly making the A frames.
Another dog waste bag station has been installed on the footpath at the back of Chaffes Lane and it is hoped that this will help alleviate the problem with dog fouling. Residents are reminded that they must clean up after their dog.
This is a precis of Council business, full minutes of all meetings can be found on the website when ratified.
Date of next meetings:
Full Council - Thursday 2nd July 2020 at 7:30pm
The Planning Committee and General Purposes Committee - Wednesday 15th July at 7:30pm.
The Local Authorities (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority Meetings) Regulations 2020 now gives Local Councils the power to meet remotely during this COVID-19 pandemic and Upchurch Parish Council is now holding meetings virtually. Please check the website for details of the meetings
All residents are welcome to view the meetings and there is a time for members of the public to comment, raise concerns or ask questions.
Wendy Licence - Clerk to the Parish Council
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