The Parish Council met on Thursday 5th December
2013 in the Hall of Holywell Primary School where 4 Councillors were present
and 16 members of the public including Gordon Henderson MP and Cllr Mike Baldock.
Public
Time – SW/13/1373
Orchard Park, Oak Lane – Gordon Henderson MP assured those present that he
would continue to support them in objecting this application. He reported his
reasons for opposing this proposal and a question and answer session followed.
It was suggested that the Council and residents collectively put in their
objections. However, individual letters were encouraged as well. The Council
and members of the public thanked Mr Henderson and he left the meeting. It was
proposed to set up a working group to include residents. This group could
escalate to Swale BC and other bodies, the growing concerns of residents over
the increasing number of traveller & gypsy sites in Upchurch in proportion
to other Parishes across Swale. Tree overshadowing allotment – A
resident requested that a tree in the Recreation Ground be cut back as it
created a shadow on his allotment for a large part of the day. Teen Shelter
– A resident raised concerns about this idea. Bus Shelter – A resident
explained that his views opposing this were well documented. Residents living
in the vicinity of the proposed bus shelter were strongly against it. Another
resident explained that Lower Halstow had a bus shelter and there was no
evidence of anti-social behaviour there. It was commented that there are other
bus stops in the villages and they may also like a bus shelter.
Correspondence – Proposed Bus Shelter on corner of The Street and Horsham
Lane – An email from a resident objecting to this had been
circulated. Also another email from a resident highlighting concerns about this
and a teen shelter had been circulated. It was commented that planning
permission would almost certainly be required as the bus shelter would be
located in a Conservation Area. It was felt that the Council should seek the
opinions of residents by organising a petition for example, or by arranging a
poll/survey on Upchurch Matters. Burial Ground expenditure – An email from a resident questioning
why the Parish Council is involved in the control and operation of the Burial
Ground had been circulated. It was reported that the Parochial Church Council
(PCC) asked UPC to take over responsibility for the maintenance of the two
areas of Churchyard in 1998 and they agreed. If they had said no, then the PCC
might have carried on or asked the next level of local government to look after
it – Swale BC. At the time, it was felt that the village would rather have
control of the areas where their ancestors’ and relatives’ graves lay, rather
than passing such control to an outside authority with less personal
commitment. The
Parish Council Burial Ground is owned by UPC therefore has the responsibility
for the control and operation of this area, subject to Civil and Ecclesiastical
Law.
Planning - The following applications were
considered:
SW/13/1206
The Paddock, Holywell Lane – Variation of
Conditions 1 & 3 of planning permission SW/04/1302 to allow additional
mobile homes on the site (total 5), with one being sited adjacent to the
southern boundary - The Planning Review Team of UPC objected most
strongly*
SW/13/1209
The Paddock, Holywell Lane – Change of use of land
for the stationing of two mobile homes (in connection with adjacent existing
site) - The Planning Review Team of UPC also objected to this application,
mainly as this application had various anomalies which needed an explanation,
as well as disquiet at what amounts to yet another gypsy site, or an extension
to an existing site.*
SW/13/1369
2 Macklands Cottages, Otterham Quay Lane –
Proposed raised patio area with workshops/store below - The Planning
Review Team of Upchurch Parish Council had no objection *
SW/13/1190
The Cart Lodge, Chaffes Lane –
Construction of Oak-Framed garage and two open-fronted parking bays. Relocation
of entrance gate (new fencing to be installed at boundary where existing gate
is removed) and formation of new access and excavation of soil around the
proposed garage and construction of retaining wall (stone-filled gabions) – The Planning Review Team had no objections.
SW/13/1373
Orchard Park, Oak Lane – Application to vary
conditions (2), (3) and (4) of SW/10/0765 (private gypsy and traveller site
consisting of eight plots); condition (2) to be varied to allow up to 32 (note: currently 22) caravans of which no
more than 16 (note: currently 8) can
be static caravans or mobile homes; condition (3) such that occupancy is
restricted to gypsies and travellers as defined in Annex 1, Planning Policy for
Traveller Sites; and condition (4) such that the use is to cease and the site
to be restored to its previous condition if it ceases to be occupied by gypsies
and travellers as defined in Annex 1, Planning Policy for Traveller Sites - The Planning Review Team of Upchurch Parish
had major concerns and felt overall the conditions imposed in 2010 should be
upheld*
SW/13/1403
13 Wilks Close – Convert garage into
habitable room – no objections.
Certificate of Lawfulness of Proposed Use
or Development
SW/13/1091
2 Wallbridge Lane – Single storey garage
to side
SW/13/0886
75 Forge Lane – Lawful Development
Certificate for rear dormer window and internal alterations (proposed)
TP/13/0112 The Paddock – Fell 4 x Sycamore, 1 x Oak, 1 x Holm Oak, 1 x Ash, 1 x
Hawthorne. Crown lift 6 x Holm Oak, 1 x Sycamore, 1 x Oak, 2 x Lime, 1 x Mixed
Holly. Coppice 2 x Field Maple. Cut and remove Ivy, 1 x Sycamore, 1 x Acacia.
Thinning of 50% vegetation – It was reported that residents of Bradshaw Close
were concerned about the proposed clearance of undergrowth labelled as number
19 on the plan. It was emphasised that the plans did not include removing all
the trees; the objective was to remove weaker trees and open up the Paddock to
create a “Village Green”.
Notification of refusal of
permission to develop land:
SW/13/1119
Tranquillity, Otterham Quay Lane –
Change of use to dwelling; alterations to window and door configuration; and
internal alterations.
Finance
–
Ground Maintenance Contract 2014-2017 – It was agreed that the price of cuts be the deciding factor
irrespective of the contractor. Therefore it was confirmed that the quote from
Grasstex would be accepted. Budget/Precept 2014/15 – Swale BC will no longer be providing the Council Tax Support.
Last year, the Council received £2,183 under this scheme. Therefore, the
Council will be looking at ways to make savings.
Allotments
and Recreation Ground – Allotment tenancy agreement – This has been amended and all
allotment holders will be asked to sign the new agreement at the time the rent
is renewed.
Paddock – Paddock
Project – Members were pleased
to hear that Holywell School would like to be involved in the Village Fete. Two
dates were suggested, the first weekend in August and 28th June
2014. It is hoped to set up a working group as soon as possible. Please let the Clerk know if you are
interested in being part of this working group.
Next
meetings – 9th January 2014 and 6th
February 2014 starting at 7.30pm, at Holywell Primary School.
The Public are welcome
to attend this meeting and may put questions and/or make comments to members.
It is helpful if you let the Clerk know in writing prior to the meeting.
Claire Attaway
Parish Clerk
33 Church Farm Road, Upchurch.
Tel: 01634 363906 (Mon-Thurs 9am – 12pm)
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