MINUTES OF A MEETING OF
BALCOMBE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER 2006 AT 7.30
PM IN THE W I ROOM, VICTORY HALL, BALCOMBE
Present:
Messrs Graham Gosney, Robin Williamson, Roland Burke, Simon Greenwood
& Mesdames Alison Stevenson, Sheila Illsley, Sue Tibbott & Katherine
Gunning
In attendance: Richard Greig – Clerk to the Council
Mrs Pat Backley (did not
speak) & Mr Norman Hawkins who addressed the Council on the problem of
parking in Newlands.
Mr Greenwood in respect of
existing planning application for Buttercup Barn (BA/06/01641/FUL) & site
adjoining the Rectory (application not yet made). Mrs Gunning in respect of planning application BA/06/01798/TCA –
Casteye Barn & Forest View. Mr
Burke re planning application BA/06/01429/FUL – Calliope, London Road.
Received from Messrs. George Wiginton, Gary Marsh & David
Miners.
1850. To approve Minutes of Planning Meetings 3rd
& 30th August & Regular Meeting held on 8th
August 2006
The minutes of the Planning
Meetings held on 3rd & 30th August, together with
those of the Regular Meeting held on 8th August were approved as a correct
record & signed by the Chairman.
1851. Matters arising
1793 Planning Application BA/05/2008/FUL - Mast at
Gillets Surgery. We have still not
received details of the outcome of the recent appeal from MSDC.
1821 MSDC has
now been instructed to install the agreed extra dog bin near the gate leading down to
Vintens. Balcombe Estate is monitoring
the complaint about garden waste accumulation adjoining the defunct Gardeners’
Association Hut (soon to be demolished).
1823 Graffiti on pavilion wall. MSDC has now arranged cleaning off with most satisfactory
outcome.
1834 BA/06/01556/TCA – The
Coach House, Oldlands Avenue – Remove epicormic growth from 4 oaks & trim
lower branches to clear roof by 2m. It
was the view of Environment Planning Group, to whom this was delegated, that
the application be approved. MSDC has
subsequently confirmed this.
1839 Recent
blockage of private sewer serving Bramble Mead, Jobes & Newlands. No further problems encountered. Rosemary Robertson has been sent copies of
the last two articles appearing in the Parish Magazine for use as necessary in
reminding residents of their responsibilities.
Correspondence W2 - Central Mid Sussex County
Local Committees – Community Grants.
Agreed to be publicised as appropriate.
1842 - Mr Greenwood – had copied to the
Clerk the long email from Sussex Police (Message to the Community 26) that he
had received.
a). Cash Book Receipts &
Payments for August 2006 - noted as presented.
b). Bank Reconciliation Statements as at 31st August 2006 for both
accounts - noted as presented.
c). Receipts & Payments by
Budget Heading 5 months to 31st August 2006 - noted as
presented.
d). To note replacement of
photocopier with Canon Multi function machine cost £255 + VAT. Background information provided &
expenditure supported.
e). To authorise further grant
payment to Victory Hall. A motion was
put by Mrs Gunning & seconded by Mrs Tibbott that the application to make a
further payment of £1379 (nett) be approved.
The motion was successful, there being no abstentions.
f). Extra Item –It was
confirmed that the Annual Return of the Council for 2005/06 had been submitted
to the external auditors, Mazars, on 15 August & now approved.
1853.
Planning – to consider the
following applications
For representation by 15th
September 2006
a). BA/06/01429/FUL –
Calliope, London Road – Replacement of existing shed & greenhouse with new
shed/music room. No objection,
providing no objections from adjoining properties.
BA/06/01735 – Little Meadows, Stockcroft
Road – proposed two-storey front extension (renewal of BA/01/1673/FUL) – no
objection.
BA/06/01798/TCA – Casteye Barn & Forest
View, HH Road – Cut back Holly & Plum (Forest View) to boundary. Trim back Sycamore (Casteye Barn) on
southern side by 20% - no objection.
BA/06/01801/TREE – 2 Foxwells – Thin canopies of
2 Limes (T28 &T29) by approx. 50-60% by removing thinner stems – no
objection.
b). To
consider any applications received prior to the meeting.
For representation by 29th
September 2006
BA/06/01778/FUL – High Coombe House, Private
Road – Conversion of Coach House to ancillary accommodation. This was a revised application, the earlier
application having been withdrawn by the applicant. We understand that there is no objection from a neighbouring
property. Members had no objection to
the granting of this application, providing that there was a stipulation in the
approval that the converted Coach House would remain part of the main house.
BA/06/01794/FUL – Winden, Mill Lane. There would be no objection provided
approval stipulated that the proposed new buildings were not permitted to be
used as separate residential accommodation.
Mr Greenwood left the room. The existing planning application for
Buttercup Barn (BA/06/01641/FUL) was discussed - see Minute 1846 of the Planning Meeting held on
30th August. We
considered that the proposed siting of the extension would result in a loss of
view & have a significant environmental impact on a location within an
AONB. There would also be a loss of car
parking. It had been subsequently
ascertained that an alternative location for the proposed extension (into the
field at the rear) was acceptable to the landowner. Agreed that we should continue to press MSDC for a site consultation
meeting, as well as sending a separate letter to them clearly outlining our
views on the most satisfactory way of satisfying the applicant’s
requirements.
Site adjoining the Balcombe Rectory. It was reported that Julian Smith had been
in discussion with our Environment Planning Group concerning development of
this site, for which no planning application has yet been made. We opined that a mix of flats & houses,
the former, possibly similar in style to those on the station garage site, had
no merit & that as an alternative it would be preferable to reduce the size
of the development, possibly to 4 houses, the remainder of the land being
devoted to car parking. However it was
agreed unanimously that before agreeing to any proposals for this site a village
consultation would be necessary. The
discussions are presently in the early stages.
Agreed that the Council, after further discussion with the site owner,
will write to MSDC, outlining their suggestions, with a view to agreeing a
suitable scheme for consultation & subsequent submission.
1854. To discuss MSDC document “Alternative
Development Sites & Proposed Boundary Changes”
The
recently received report had been circulated to the Environment Planning
Group. MSDC’s Small Scale Housing
Allocations Submission Document to the Secretary of State recommended no
Balcombe sites, as a result of the Council’s representation. However MSDC has subsequently, under the
terms of the consultation process, received representation from respondents
asking for the Submission document to be amended. Included in the 58 alternative development sites are:
ALT/22 –
Glebe Farm, Haywards Heath Road
ALT/23 –
Land north of Station House, London Road
ALT/24 –
Vintens Nursery, Oldlands Avenue
ALT/25 –
Land to the west of the Rectory
In
explanatory information we would circulate to residents it was agreed that it
should be placed on record that neither the Parish Council nor MSDC are
proposing any of the alternative sites and that MSDC has advised that it is
legally required to advertise all alternative sites. It will also be mentioned
that a mechanism exists to object formally to any or all of the particular
alternative sites.
1855. Traffic Calming – report of Work Group conclusions
for future traffic calming (as circulated)
A discussion took place. The overall view was that any additional
scheme should represent value for money & that importantly pedestrian
safety should not be compromised. If
there were to be developments/changes to the present CSW (Community Speedwatch)
scheme that we run in conjunction with Sussex Police, then possibly we could
share cameras with other villages.
It was not considered timely to
have any discussion with WSCC on our
outline proposals at this
stage. As almost certainly traffic
calming will appear in the analysis of the Parish Plan then we could well
consider giving a brief to outside consultants for some preparatory work early
in the New Year. Key factors would be
cost, as well as likely time scale.
1856. Precept
2007/08 – Report of Work Group proposals (as circulated)
The Clerk would be completing some preliminary work regarding lighting
& electricity costs for the pavilion.
One member was of the view that it might be prudent to raise the
2006/2007 precept to build up a reserve for traffic calming. It was mentioned that MSDC had now replied
to our query on the tax base.
1857.
2007/08 Budget Timetable
& “Wish List”
To be deferred until the October
meeting. At that time a draft budget
would be discussed.
1858.
Recreation Ground Report/
Plaque wording for BWTA seat
In his absence Mr Wiginton had provided the
following comments:
“An examination of the playground was made with two
representatives of MSDC. As a consequence, 2 trees (one of which is dead) are
to be replanted outside the play area; hopefully more graphic signage regarding
the prohibition of dogs and bikes in the play area is to be installed;
replacement planting to be made using more robust plants that cannot be
destroyed as easily and the general nature and location of the Phase 2 play
equipment was discussed as MSDC has £12K available for this equipment.
As a consequence of the latter discussion, MSDC has
sent along a proposal for our consideration.
What MSDC is proposing looks very interesting and durable with the
opportunity for future increments. The only concern is that the slide that is
incorporated into the unit is not conventional in that it appears to consist of
2 rails only with no base (i.e. slide on the rails and not on a smooth surface)
that may make it inappropriate for younger children. I suggest that we enter
into a discussion with MSDC about this point
Otherwise, the unit looks very good”
The Clerk reported that the wording for the plaque
had been agreed with BWTA & that a plaque had been ordered from Pat Pope’s
daughter, as before.
1859.
Parking update
The problem in Newlands is still
causing concern. We had had a meeting
recently with MSDC who has agreed to arrange
re-arrangement of the upper car
park, adjoining Jobes, to give possibly two or three extra spaces.
1860. To re-consider financial support for High
Weald AONB £2million bid from the Heritage Lottery Fund (decision deferred
following initial discussions at August meeting).
A motion was put by Mrs Gunning
& seconded by Mrs Tibbott that a lump sum payment of £100 be approved. The motion was successful, there being no
abstentions.
1861. Parish Plan
The questionnaires were to be
collected shortly. Mrs Gunning, in the
absence of the Chairman, to attend the next Steering Committee meeting.
A school questionnaire was being
issued, as well as one suitable for the voluntary organisations in the
village. Michael Noble’s concept for
the cover of the final report was shown.
1862. Footpath Report
Mrs Tibbott reported that Peter
Dutton had kindly done some further work to try & remedy the soggy entrance
to the footpath leading into Walk Wood.
1863.
MSALC Draft Charter – to
note reply from BPC
Details of our reply were made
available.
1864.
Village Design statements
Background information had been
circulated. This aspect would not be
included in the forthcoming Parish Plan.
1865.
Correspondence
M5 MSDC Strategic Flood Risk Assessment. Details taken by Mr Greenwood.
7 Other - Letter from CPRE Chairman
Sussex. The Clerk to reply.
1866. Exchange
of Information
Mr Burke reported that the planned volunteer Treasurer for the Youth Club had
now backed out. As there was still no
new Leader the Club would not be able to continue in Balcombe, but members
would, if they so wished, be transported to a neighbouring Club on the same
evening.
Mr Williamson considered that we should receive a detailed supply from EDF
concerning what he considered to be unjustified interruptions of power supply
to Balcombe households. The Clerk
confirmed that a letter had been sent.
There was a profusion of brambles on the footpath in Bramble Hill
emanating from St. Agnes.
There being no further business the meeting closed
at 22.12 hours.
Signed…………………………………………..
Approved following meeting 17.10.06