The Parish Council met on Thursday 3rd April in
the Hall of Holywell Primary School where 6 Councillors were present and 3
members of the public including Cllr John Wright.
Public
Time
– Cllr Wright – Swale BC’s changes to the refuse
collections started shortly and he commented that he would like to receive any
feedback on this. He also referred to the consultation document titled “Swale
BC Gypsy & Traveller Site Allocations: Issues & Options Feb 14” and
encouraged members and residents to respond. Approval of Gypsy and Traveller
Site in Oak Lane – A resident asked if the Council could arrange a meeting
with the Planning Officer at Swale BC to find out why they continually have
objections overturned and explain their policies. This meeting could be held in
the Village Hall and a question and answer session could follow. Cllr Tucker
assured the resident that members understood his concerns and would follow this
request up
Correspondence – Upchurch
Village Hall Management Committee – Members
noted that the AGM will be held on Wednesday 9th April. Cllr Tucker
will continue as the Village Hall Representative. Victim Support – A
request for support in the forthcoming financial year. Members decided not to
support this request. Co-Op Lorries in the centre of the village – An
email from a resident asking if the Parish Council propose to take action had
been circulated. His concern was with regards to the Co-Op Lorries visiting the
village and their maneuvers and parking within the centre of the village.
Members asked the Clerk to contact the Co-Op to find out if they are taking steps
to address this issue. Holywell Primary School – A letter explaining
that additional costs will be charged for letting of the school Hall. Members
agreed to change the venue of the meetings to the Village Hall. Due to a prior
booking, the Clerk will confirm the date of the first meeting to be held at the
Village Hall. (Please note: the meeting on 1st May will be held in the
school hall. From 5th June, the meetings will be at the Village
Hall)
Planning
- SW/14/0162
Hursell Farm, Chaffes Lane – Partial change of use of stable block to use as a day room and the
siting of an additional mobile home. The Planning Review Team objected and
commented as follows “The use of the
existing stable block for use as a day room, is in contravention of Swale
Planners conditions in the previous permission for the use of this site
(SW/13/1098) Condition 5 states that the stable is for the stabling of horses only,
for private use only, not for any commercial or residential purpose.
Enforcement of this condition should have been taken by Swale. The so-called
day room appears to be larger and better appointed than for its stated use and
could easily be used for habitation.”
SW/14/0267 Upchurch Garage, 2 Horsham Lane & rear of 2 & 4
Horsham Lane – Demolition of existing
car sales showroom and MOT bay and workshop, and the residential development of
4 no.3 bedroom two storey houses and 1 no. 2 bedroom flat over garage unit
together with all associated garages, parking spaces and access driveway. The
Planning Review Team commented:
• It is
concerned about the lack of parking spaces. As most households now possess at
least two vehicles that will occupy the spaces shown, there is no space for
visitors to park. Also there is no turning circle which would require vehicles
e.g. delivery Lorries to reverse onto Horsham Lane.
• The north
and eastern boundaries adjacent to the Churchyard require retaining walls to
prevent slippage of land. This should be supplied if the proposed fencing is
used along these boundaries (an extension to 10.5.4 of the recommendations in
the Archaeological Desk-based Assessment)
• There
should be no planting of trees or shrubs in the front garden of plot No.1 which
would obscure the view of the Church when approaching Horsham Lane (an
extension to 10.5.1 of the recommendations in the Archaeological Desk-based
Assessment)
• The
Churchyard is located in a Conservation Area and we ask that a condition be
placed on the trees that they are not allowed to be removed should they shade
resident’s gardens at any time in the future.
SW/13/1198
134 Horsham Lane – Erection of timber
framed garden shed- no objections.
SW/13/1209
The Paddock, Holywell Lane – Change
of use of land for the stationing of two mobile homes (in connection with
adjacent site).The Planning Review Team made the following comments:
• It
reiterates its previous comments about the ribbon development of Holywell Lane
and the track to Gore Farm. This additional site extends it further and there
is already another planning application for the adjacent site alongside this
current one.
• There is
already an application for an additional mobile home on the existing site
(SW/14/1206). We have not received a decision on this and, if approved,
together with the current application will bring the number of vans to seven.
This is in contravention of Policy H4, assuming it can be still applied to this
site?
• With both
these application still current, is the water & waste removal sufficient
for almost doubling the size of the site?
Permission
granted:
SW/13/1373 Orchard Park, Oak Lane – application to vary conditions (2), (3) and (4) of SW/10/0765) private
gypsy and traveler site consisting of eight plots); condition (2) to be varied
to allow up to 32 caravans of which no more than 16 can be static caravans or
mobile homes; condition (3) such that occupancy is restricted to gypsies and
travelers 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 travelers as
defined in Annex 1, Planning Policy for Traveller Sites.
Application
withdrawn:
SW/14/0096 Twinney Wharf, Susans Lane – Erection of barn for storage of animal feed, bedding and associated
plant and machinery and demolition of existing storage buildings.
Other
planning matters a) Spade
Lane, Sittingbourne – Members noted the proposed sale of this site with
pending planning permission. SW/13/0152 Horsham Plantation Yard, Horsham
Lane – Change of use from B1 to car sales & showroom. It was questioned
whether the applicant had obtained permission for the large bright pink signs
that had been placed over their fences.
Allotments
and Recreation Ground – Allotment rent due 1st
April 2014 – It was reported that six allotment holders had not paid their
rent. It was suggested that the Council could advertise the allotments should
any plots remain unoccupied.
Paddock – Tree at rear of 2 & 3
Bradshaw Close – A request to
remove a tree causing concern for a resident had been referred to the Tree
Officer of Swale BC. It had been advised that if the offending tree was a shrub
then it would not fall within the regulations therefore the Council could
proceed with any necessary works without submitting a formal notice. Maintenance
Plan – It was suggested that a
review be carried out for the general maintenance of the Paddock to include a
review of the litter bins/dog bins.
Burial
Ground and Churchyard – Risk Assessment – In the middle
churchyard, two headstones needed reinstating. Also, a section of fencing was
down on the east side. It was explained that Mr. Osborne was able to repair
this at cost but would require assistance. Cllr Rossiter raised concerns about
the increased marking of boundaries by little hedges, little fencing, stones
etc. She commented that more stones/gravel coverings were appearing and shrubs
being planted in the grave spaces and also outside ashes tablet areas. The Rules
and Regulations specifically say no shrubs allowed at all. It was therefore
suggested to arrange a tightening up of the Rules to make it easier and safer
for the grass cutters. It was agreed to refer this to the GPC.
Environment – BT High Speed Broadband – It was reported that that
the proposed roll out for fibre optic was currently scheduled to be completed
by BT between April and June this year. Residents could contact BT directly by
telephoning the BT Sales Team on 0800 800 150 or via the website: www.bt.com/inifinity
Next
meetings – Thursday 1st
May at 7.15pm in the Hall of Holywell School. Thursday 5th
June at 7.30pm at the Village Hall.
Upchurch
Village Fete – Please note this is being held on Saturday 28th June 2014 from
11am onwards.
Claire Attaway
