Report of the Parish Council April 2021
Cllr Tyrone Ripley (Chairman), Cllr John Arnold (Vice Chairman), Cllr John Bodycomb, Cllr Pam Denny, Cllr Alan Horton, Cllr Gerry Lewin, Cllr Janet Marshall, Cllr Gary Rosewell and Cllr Neil Sheppard. Clerk Mrs Wendy Licence
Councillor Vacancy
There had been no call for an election to fill the vacancy and Mr John Bodycomb has been co-opted to the Parish Council.
The Great British Spring Clean
The Great British Spring Clean is from 28th May - 13th June, unfortunately, due to COVID-19 regulations, the Council is unable to organise an event. The Council is grateful to those residents who are currently litter picking their local area, if you would like to help during the national event please contact the Clerk.
Streetlights
It had been anticipated that the streetlights would have been completed by 18th March but this had not happened as UK Power networks have not connected the lights. The Council is liaising with the contractor and UK Power Networks.
Planning
i. Ref: 21/500690/FULL Address: Orchard Barn Twinney Lane Upchurch ME9 7FS
Proposal: Change of use of land to residential garden, erection of garage/tractor shed including alterations to gated entrance.
Councillors considered the application and had no objections to the proposal.
ii. Ref: 21/500853/FULL Address: 27 Homefield Drive Upchurch Gillingham ME8 8RS
Proposal: Demolition of conservatory and erection of single storey rear extension.
Councillors considered the application and had no objections to the proposal but the views of neighbours must be given due weight.
iii. Ref: 21/500990/FULL Address: 75 Forge Lane Upchurch Sittingbourne ME9 7AD
Proposal: Erection of single storey rear extension.
Councillors considered the application and had no objections to the proposal in principle but were concerned that the flat roof was not in keeping with the area, consideration should be given to a pitched roof. The views of neighbours must be given due weight.
iv. Ref: 21/500778/FULL Address: 10 Hartlip Hill Hartlip Sittingbourne ME9 7PA
Proposal: Erection of a single storey rear extension and detached garage to the rear (part retrospective revised scheme to 20/500039/FULL).
Councillors thanked the Planning Officer for consulting on this application but felt it inappropriate to comment as the proposal is not in the parish.
v. Ref: 21/501136/PNEXT Address: 9 Woolbrook Close Upchurch Gillingham ME8 8ST
Prior notification for aproposed single storey rear extension which: A) Extends by 4.92 metres beyond the rear wall of the original dwelling. B) Has a maximum height of 2.80 metres from the natural ground level. C) Has a height of 2.40 metres at the eaves from natural ground level.
Councillors considered the application and agreed that this was a technical matter for the Planning Officer.
vi. Ref: 21/501145/FULL Address: Bell Grove Stud Farm Halstow Lane Upchurch ME9 7AB
Proposal: Removal of a mobile home and erection of 1 No. detached dwellinghouse.
Councillors considered the application and noted that work had already started and that there had never been permission for a mobile home. There needs to be a view from an agricultural consultant and there needs to be evidence of a need for the proposal. The proposal would cause a coalescence between the settlements of Upchurch and Lower Halstow; it would cause further urbanising of Halstow Lane; it would change the character of the landscape; there was no business case to justify the proposal Councillors agreed unanimously to object to the proposal.
Environment
The barrier baskets at the Recreation Ground will be replanted and the cascade planter in the centre of the village will return.
Burial Ground
The area of the Burial Ground behind the village hall will be planted with wildflowers.
Co-op
The Co-op is currently receiving two deliveries a day and to ensure these arrive, cones are placed outside the store. If you are unsure whether you can park in these spaces please speak to the staff in store who will be happy to help.
This is a precis of Council business; full minutes of all meetings can be found on the website when ratified.
Date of next meetings:
Annual Parish Meeting, Annual Parish Council Meeting and Monthly Meeting - Thursday 6th May
This will be held remotely, please contact the Clerk, clerkupc@outlook.com to obtain login details for the meeting.
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.
Full Council Meeting - Thursday 24th June
Meetings will return to the Village Hall.
Wendy Licence - Clerk to the Parish Council
Tel: 01622 739324
