Upchurch Parish Council Report - February 2020

Report of the Parish Council February 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.

Planning

Ref: 19/506093/FULL Address: Ebenezer Chapel Halstow Lane Upchurch ME9 7AA

Proposal: Conversion of existing vacant building to 4no. two bedroom and 1no. one bedroom flats over three floors, including car parking for 6no. cars, bike and bin stores. Demolition of existing boiler room and stores. 

Councillors considered the application and the objections of the neighbours. Concerns were raised as to whether there were sufficient parking spaces and also with regards to the visibility splay as the information from KCC Highways was insufficient. The concerns of the neighbours need to be addressed. 

Councillors agreed to support the application subject to neighbours’ views being taken into account and that KCC Highways looks at the access and egress point which is on a bend on a narrow road.

Ref: 19/506127/FULL Address: Starborne Oak Lane Upchurch ME9 7BB

Proposal: Demolition of the existing bungalow and 2no. outbuildings, and erection of a replacement four bedroom family home with attached garage.

Councillors considered the application and agreed to support the proposal.

Ref: 19/506175/LAWPRO Address: 10 Woodruff Close Upchurch ME8 7XQ

Proposal: Lawful Development Certificate for proposed loft conversion.

Councillors noted the application.

Ref: 19/506300/FULL Address: 96 Chaffes Lane Upchurch ME9 7BH

Proposal: Demolition of existing outbuilding and construction of single storey single person annexe for use ancillary to main house.

Councillors considered the application and in the absence of any justification for need for this dwelling, agreed to object in principle to the proposal.

Ref: 20/500014/FULL Address: Former Greens Garage Site London Road Upchurch ME9 8PT

Proposal: Change of use of the vacant car sales premises to a Sui Generis use as an office and yard for a gas mains engineering contractor and the hard surfacing of a currently open part of the site as yard space.

Councillors considered the proposal and noted that there are two dwellings near the site.  The business operates twenty-four hours a day and there may need to be restrictions regarding the operation. The Parish Council has asked if the hours of operation will take into account the two residential dwellings near the site.

Paddock and Recreation Ground 

The No Dog Fouling sign is missing from The Paddock and the Community Warden is obtaining another sign from Swale Borough Council. 

The Paddock and Recreation Ground hedges have been cut back and the bush on the Oak Lane side of the Recreation Ground has been removed.

Councillors have agreed to a request for a memorial bench in The Paddock.

Street Lighting

The contractor has agreed to honour the tender submitted a year ago and work is expected to start on the upgrade to the lights soon.

Footpaths 

Following the issues with bottles being smashed on the footpath ZR21, the Golf Course has moved the recycling bin to nearer the clubhouse. The Council is grateful to the Golf Course for its prompt action.

Footpath ZR10 has been blocked and this has been reported to KCC Public Right of Way.

Environment

Dog fouling continues to be a problem in the village. Dog fouling can lead to an increased risk in and toxocara canis can pass from dog waste to humans as Toxocariasis through contaminated sand or soil, and children are at particular risk. The Parish Council asks all dog owners to be responsible and clean up after their dogs.

VE Day 75^th Anniversary 8^th May 2020

Preparations continue for the event to celebrate the 75^th anniversary of VE Day. The Council has booked a Captain Mainwaring impersonator and a gramophone DJ with two vintage gramophones for the event.

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 5^th March 2020 at 7:30pm in Upchurch Village Hall.

The Planning Committee and General Purposes Committee - Wednesday 18^th March. at 7:30pm in the Committee Room of the Village Hall.

All residents are welcome to attend 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

Tel: 01622 739324

Email: clerkupc@outlook.com

Website: www.upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

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Upchurch Matters is 15 Years Old

Our village website www.upchurchmatters.co.uk is 15 years old today 🎉🎈🎂

“Success doesn’t come from what you do occasionally.

It comes from what you do consistently”

Marie Forleo
(us neither)

Thank YOU for all the support you give us 👍🏼 😃

#UpchurchMatters

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Poolside Bar Music Nights - March 2020 at Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

From 8:30pm

Free Entry - Non-Members Welcome

Jenny Giles - Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Telephone: 01634 360626

Website: www.rivervalleygolf.co.uk

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Road Closure - Mill Lane, Hartlip

It will be necessary to close Mill Lane, Hartlip from Wednesday 19th February 2020 for up to 21 days.

The road will be closed at the junction of Hartlip Hill.

The alternative route is via The Street, Mount Lane, Lower Hartlip Road and Hartlip Hill.

This is to enable gas mains replacement to be carried out by SGN.

This Notice applies when the relevant signs and barriers are on site, and is valid for a period of no more than 21 days.

The KCC Highways 24hr Contact Centre helpline is: 03000 418181

For details of roadworks, see: https://one.network

Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste
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CANCELLED - Parents & Friends of Holywell School and 4th Gillingham Sea Scouts Charity Golf Day

6th April 2020 at Upchurch River Golf Course

To book please contact Ray Kemsley or Andrew Mendoza

Email: GolfDay@4thGillingham.co.uk

Ray Kemsley

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UPDATE: Thursday 13th February 2020 - Notification of Major Gas Works: A2 - High Street, Newington

Our project is progressing well, and we have completed our engineering works along Keycol Hill by the junction of Rook Lane. We have begun our process of reinstatement, for everyone’s safety while this work is carried out, temporary traffic lights remain in place around our work area.

To guarantee gas supplies to properties in the area, we needed to revise our programme of works, especially during the winter period where the gas demand increases.

From Wednesday, 19th February we'll be upgrading our network in the A2, working from Mill Lane to outside No. 97 London Road, Newington. Whilst we are replacing the old cast iron pipe with new plastic pipe, we will also be transferring two large rotary meters supplying gas to the nurseries along this section to the new main. For everyone’s continued safety, temporary two-way traffic lights will be in place around our work area for approximately five weeks. We will also need to close Mill Lane at this junction, a signed diversion will be in place for motorists and pedestrian access will be maintained.

Click map to enlarge.

From Monday, 6th April we’ll progress along the A2 upgrading our gas network in the High Street between Bull Lane and Wickham Close. Due to the location and size of our gas main, we need to close the A2 - High Street for approximately four weeks. Signed diversion routes will be in place for local traffic and pedestrian access will be maintained. Following consultation with Medway Council and Highways England, HGVs will be diverted via the M2 to avoid our work completely.

Click map to enlarge.

Click map to enlarge.

To minimise future disruptions, whilst we are working in the High Street, we’ll be removing an existing gas valve located in the road and relocating it to the grass verge nearby. Kent County Council is also speaking to all utilities seeking collaborative working during our closures.

To complete our project as quickly as possible from Monday, 6th April we’ll be working simultaneous upgrading our network in Keycol Hill at Key Street roundabout. For everyone’s safety, the A2 / Keycol Hill westbound lane will be reduced and restricted to access only for smaller vehicles and deliveries. All other motorists will need to follow the signed diversion route in place. We would encourage all commuters to please, plan ahead and allow extra time for your journey.

Click map to enlarge.

We’re continuing to plan the future phases of our work in consultation with Kent County Council. We’ll provide details of our plans once confirmed.

We appreciate your understanding and patience while we carry out essential gas mains replacement work. All being well we plan to complete our necessary upgrades by the end of the school summer holidays.

SGN Gas

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