The
Parish Council met on Thursday 5th June at the Village Hall where 7
Councillors were present and 7 members of the public.
Public Time – Public Footpath ZR7 – Residents reported that the
overgrown vegetation had been cut but it had not been cleared away. Bus
Shelter in Village Centre– A resident commented that the Councils decision
to agree to a bus shelter was most regrettable. He felt that it would
eventually be of great detriment to the village centre. It was explained that
this issue had been discussed many times and a decision by the Council was
necessary. A working party will progress this proposal. Another resident
thanked the Council for voting for this proposal. He had been surprised by the
number of residents who were pleased with this. Deliveries to the CO-OP store – Two residents explained that they had come along on behalf of the
store and were hoping to find out if anything could be done to address concerns
raised. Cllr Tucker explained that the Council had met with the Area Risk
Manager from the CO-OP and the Store Manager to discuss this issue. This item
was on the agenda and members were aware that it involved all lorries
delivering to the village. Pavement overgrown from Beckenham Park to Three
Sisters – It was explained that this could be reported on line at:
www.kent.gov.uk/roads-and-travel
Correspondence – Book funding – Members considered a request to fund or part
fund printing costs of local heritage book. It was agreed not to fund this
request.
Planning - The
following applications were considered:
SW/14/0513
Gardening World, London Road, Newington – Use of additional floorspace within existing
buildings for the sale of non-plant specific/related products. No objections.
TP/14/0066
The Paddock, Oak Lane/Chaffes Lane –
Elder (T1) fell. No comment.
SW/14/0042
Land to the north of Tree Tops, Holywell Lane
– Change of use of land and barn for the grazing and stabling of horses and
associated vehicle parking for private use. The Planning Review Team commented
as follows:
· This is a
retrospective application for a site which has been used since 2004 and, it is
understood, has been tolerated by local residents. What has prompted this
application now?
· The permission
granted in 2004 was for “private recreational use”. Did this include the
keeping of horses? If not, has there been an enforcement notice about this use?
· In section 14 of
the application it says that the site is currently vacant. This is not so as
there are buildings and horses on it.
· Is the use purely
private or is there an income being generated from it?
· The location of
this site is on the controversial Holywell Lane which already has highway
issues from traveller sites. Is this application going to exacerbate it?
SW/14/0589
22 Horsham Lane – Removal of large conservatory to
rear of dwelling and replaced with two storey extension forming new
breakfast/family room at ground floor and bedroom/en-suite at first floor. No
objections.
Permission granted:
SW/13/1198 134 Horsham Lane – Erection of timber
framed garden shed.
Other Planning matters - Public Footpath
ZR24 (part) Upchurch – proposal to divert the footpath – The Order is not confirmed. SW/14/0074 Oast Field Stud, Gore
Farm Track, Holywell Lane – Change of use of land to a 1 no.pitch gypsy
site (1 no. mobile home, 2 no. tourng caravans) with associated foaling boxes
and parking bays. The Planning Review Team had commented that they strongly
objected to this application and also felt that temporary planning permission
should not be an option as it delays the inevitable. SW/13/0152 Horsham
Plantation Yard, Horsham Lane – Change of use from B1 to car sales &
showroom. Members noted that the
Enforcement Officer had visited this site and was taking forward the
planning/advertising issues with the operators of the Car Sales.
Finance – KCC Member Grant Scheme 2014-15- It was suggested to apply for 50%
match funding towards the total cost of replacing the Recreation Ground fence
along the Oak Lane end. All agreed.
Administration - Replacement Village Cleaner –
The Council is looking into the option of a KCC Contractor. Members will
continue to litter pick The Paddock and Recreation Ground on a regular basis.
Allotments and Recreation
Ground – Vacant
plots/Non-payment of rent
– The Clerk reported that three plots were vacant and one person was
interested.
Paddock – New play area/equipment – An email from a resident
suggesting ideas for this had been circulated. Ideas included: benches, seated
area around stump, a nature walk/area in the trees that had now been opened up,
a woodland walk by Bradshaw Close, one piece of play equipment, teenage area
where the old play equipment was located and maintaining the flower beds around
the outside of The Paddock. It was agreed to set up a project working group to
re-visit this now that the tree work had been completed.
Burial Ground and Churchyard – St Marys Churchyard Wall – It was noted that the
Conservation Officer had met with the builders and the Churchwarden to discuss
the rebuilding of the wall that was damaged by a reversing lorry. He had
recommended that the mortar, which is still soft, be raked back just a few mm
to expose the corners of all the bricks. St Marys Church Clock – It was
agreed to accept a maintenance agreement with Gillett & Johnston at annual
cost of £145 plus VAT. Grass Cutting
– The Clerk reported that Grasstex were planning to cut the grass the next
day. Concerns were expressed that the grass had not been cut since the
beginning of May. It was explained that the schedule had been altered due to a
specific request to avoid a funeral taking place in the Church and also, the
bank holiday on 26th May. The Clerk will contact Grasstex to confirm
the dates of future cuts and how amendments to the schedule are dealt with.
Environment – Barbara Webb Memorial – It is hoped to plant a tree with
a plaque in the grounds of the Village Hall. Faster Broadband – Making Kent
Quicker Project – It was noted that the rollout plan and postcode checker
could be accessed via:
www.Kent.gov.uk/leisure-and-community/broadband It
was commented that this was scheduled in Upchurch between July and December
2014.
Highways
- CO-OP delivery
Lorries – The Area Risk
Manager at the CO-OP had recommended implementing parking control(s) in the
area directly outside the store: 1. Apply
yellow lines – It was commented that his had not been favourable in the
past. 2. Apply for a loading bay (narrow
white lines on one side of the road) with restrictions for parking, probably
for a two hour window Monday-Saturday. It was commented that the store could
only control the deliveries of CO-OP lorries. 3. The wooded area to the right side of the store as you viewed by the
road could be used as a loading bay. It was commented that this application
could become difficult and time consuming due to its location within a
Conservation Area. 4. The yard area to the left side of the store
could be used for parking. It
was commented that a planning application submitted in 2002 was refused. It was
accepted that the CO-OP delivery lorries did cause parking issues but it was
compounded by the parking of visitors to all the shops in that area and not just
to the CO-OP. After much discussion, it was agreed to follow up the option of a
loading bay with the CO-OP Area Risk Manager and consult PSCO Cork.
Next meetings – 3rd
July, 4th September at Upchurch Village Hall at 7.30pm.
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.
Tel: 01634 363906 (Mon - Thurs 9am to midday)
