Minutes of the Caldecote Parish Council
Meeting on
Present: Parish Councillors; B Drayton, T. Footman, O. Kember (Chairman), P. Phillips Dr C Stopp, F. Wolton and Mrs LG Stoehr (Clerk).
Also present by special invitation Mrs S. Fletcher and Mr N. Munsey from January's and Mr Buff from Ashwell Developments regarding the proposed Grafton Pig Farms development.
1. Apologies: from County Councillor R Martlew and District Councillor Stewart.
Councillor Phillips was congratulated on his recent 'Unsung Heroes' award from the District Council in recognition of his work within the community.
2.
Minutes
of the last meeting on
The proposal by the Chairman, seconded Councillor Wolton, that ‘the minutes of the meeting be accepted as a true record' was carried unanimously. The Chairman signed the minutes.
3. Grafton Pig Farms development
The Chairman welcomed Mrs Fletcher, Mr Munsey and Mr Buff to the meeting to discuss their plans for the pig farm sites.
They put before the meeting illustrative plans which showed 42 houses in total, 6 on the south site and 36 on the northern site 50% of which were to be 'affordable/social' housing'. The rest of the land owned by Mr Fletcher that had been discussed with January's at the meeting over a year ago was excluded from the discussions.
On a proposition by Mr Kember, seconded by Mr Wolton it was agreed that in principle the Parish Council would like to see the Planning application and S106 Agreement containing:
· Educational provision for both the primary and secondary schools;
· Access to the primary school from the entrance road and parking along side the schools boundary;
· An opening of the old ditches to the rear of the sites to allow surface drainage from the sites;
· A clause that there should be no occupancy until the pumping station is upgraded;
· A financial contribution towards a pavilion, shop or other village amenity in lieu of public open space within the development sites;
· A reduction in the number of affordable/social housing from 50% to 15% and a financial contribution towards a village amenity;
· No private drives and consultation with the Police regarding lighting, security etc.
·
Appropriate highway access on to
The developer agreed in principle that he was agreeable to the educational contributions if it was also the wish of the County Council and to the reduction of 'affordable' housing if supported by the District Council.
At
4. Matters
arising from the meeting
4.1 (3.1) Krupp Camford/TKA Tallent Chassis Ltd.
In response to Mr McCrystal's letter it was agreed that the overall noise levels had dropped however there were still loud noises when something was dropped. The beepers were not heard anymore. A site visit has been arranged for Saturday 23 February.
4.2 (3.3) Queens Jubilee
In response to the letter from the PTA and Community Association seeking approval to use the village green and asking for a grant towards Jubilee medals and celebrations the proposal by Councillor Kember, seconded by Councillor Lang that 'in accordance with powers under S137 of the Local Government Act £500 be given to the Community Association/PTA to support the Jubilee celebrations/commemoration and the request for the use of the green be approved' was carried unanimously.
4.3 (10) Village drainage
It was agreed that a letter should write a letter to the Environment Agency regarding the poor drainage within the parish and that village drainage be an agenda item for the next meeting to allow further discussion. It was noted that a letter from Wilcon regarding the ownership and responsibility of the awarded ditch was still outstanding. It was agreed that the District Council should be asked to clear the ditch of bollards, wood etc which had fallen because this was becoming a health hazard.
4.4 (3) A letter from the school governing body expressing concern that the Village Hall Trustees had not installed the path or gate as promised was read out.
4.5 (10.3) District Councillor Stewart had faxed a letter from Mr Bacon, SCDC which said that the SSSI and clearance of the awarded watercourse on Mr Bibby's land was not a planning matter.
4.6 Maps of the Conservation area had been received from the District Council.
5. Correspondence/communication received since the last meeting
5.1 Code of Conduct
The papers are to be circulated and this is to be an agenda item at the Annual Meeting.
5.2 In response to the letter received from the Village Institute the proposal by Councillor Footman, seconded by Councillor Lang that 'the Parish Council support the Trustees application to the District Council for a grant for a loop system' was carried unanimously.
5.3 Mr Hickman, West Drive had asked if the Parish Council would be willing to consider security cameras at the entrances to the village. It was agreed that this merited more thought and that it should be an agenda item at a future meeting but in the meantime another letter should be sent to the police with a copy to Andrew Lansley regarding the provision of village wardens. A letter from Allen, Highfields Road regarding recent crime in the village and its coverage in the Journal was read to the meeting.
6. Planning received since the last meeting
6.1 S/2375/01/F, Mrs M Woods, R/O 15/17 West Drive - bungalow and garage. Already gone to Committee. It was thought that it had been approved.
6.2 S/0134/02/F, Target Construction, land R/O 65 Highfields Road (fronting Bosserts Way) - 3 dwellings. Letters of objection to the proposed development had been received from neighbours. The proposal by Councillor Wolton, seconded by Councillor Phillips that the Parish Council refuse the application and make the following comments:
· This is gross over-development of the site
· This application does not conform to the Local Plan
· The dwellings are out of context with the surrounding area
· The increase of traffic on a private unadopted road (Bosserts Way) will exit at a critical junction on Highfields Road, once the traffic calming is in place
· We have concerns for the arrangements for surface water drainage. The existing drains will not take any additional surface water
· The public sewer is at over-capacity' was carried unanimously.
The Inspector's comments on the applicants recent appeal were considered incorrect and it was agreed that a letter be sent to the Inspector pointing out that him comments on page 2, section 8 are incorrect; 2 Bosserts Way does have windows facing the appeal site.
6.3 S/0106/02/F, S Boak, 56 West Drive - 3 additional dwellings. The proposal by the Chairman to temporarily adjourn the meeting at 9.24pm to allow public participation was carried unanimously. The meeting was declared reopened at 9.30pm. Letters of objection to the proposed development had been received from neighbours.
The proposal by Councillor
Wolton, seconded by Councillor Footman carried
unanimously that the Parish Council
refuse the application and makes the following comments:
·
This is over-development of the site
·
The pitch of the roofs appears to too high. A height restriction should
be put on all the properties, which prohibits rooms and windows in the roof.
·
In order to increase drainage to the site the old ditch that runs at
the rear of the site should be opened up. Mr Boak has agreed publicly his
willingness to do this.
·
The positioning of Plot 3 along the boundary will completely block
light to the neighbour's property
· All neighbours' comments should be taken into consideration
· Restriction should be placed on contractors movements down West Drive'.
6.4 S/2376/01/F, Mr & Mrs Gautrey, Long Meadow, Main Street - amendment for information only.
6.5 S/0211/02/LB, J Meunier, Meunier House, Main Street - alterations and a single storey extension. Approved by the Parish Council.
6.6 Wilcon Homes - 118 houses - amendment.
Letters of concern regarding the proposed development had been received from
neighbours. The proposal by Councillor Kember, seconded by Councillor Phillips,
that 'the Parish Council refuse the application
and makes the following comments:
·
Extra drainage is required to the SW of the site.
·
Drainage throughout Highfields Caldecote is inadequate and this
development will cause unacceptable flooding. No further development should be
allowed until this is addressed.
·
The sewerage pumping station must be upgraded before development
commences.
·
We strongly object to the private drives within this development.
·
We have concerns for the access of vehicles travelling along the
proposed new road and also turning into Hall Drive. Hall Drive is used for
large agricultural vehicles and this will be a potential hazard area.
· This is over-development of the site to such an extent that this will breach the 400 limit is the unallocated land on the site plan is to be later developed. This area should have been included in the original application and no done piecemeal
· Plot 316 should be turned 90o' was carried unanimously.
6.7 C/11/40/12, J Barker, The Old Rectory, Main Street - tree work. Approved by the Parish Council.
Notification had been received that planning permission had been refused by the District Council on the application by Mr Rolf, West Drive.
It was agreed that a letter should be sent to the District Council asking them to check the building at 91 Highfields Road was in accordance with the planning application submitted.
7. The village development
7.1 The Inspection's report on the Local Plan Inquiry was received and considered.
7.2 The Archaeological Evaluation on the Wilcon land off Hall Drive had been received and was noted.
8. To receive and consider the report from
8.1 Recreation Ground Working Party
A letter had been received from Ms Frances saying that the group had now only a small short fall and was eager to have the play equipment ordered. The proposal by Councillor Kember, seconded by Councillor Dr Stopp that 'the Parish Council pay for the bin and bench and their installation and agree to make up the balance of the shortfall (approximately £100)' was carried unanimously. It was agreed that a letter be sent congratulating the group on their hard work organising and fundraising for the project.
8.2 Shop Working Party
It was agreed that if possible a member should attend the Community Shop Conference in Radwinter in March. No plans or costings had been received from Wilcon instead Robert Sadler from Redmayne Arnold and Harris had telephone to say that they would be actively marketing the site.
9. Finance
9.1 Payment of bills
The proposal by Councillor Drayton, seconded by
Councillor Footman, that ‘the following
bill be paid:
K Martlew - £33 salary' was carried unanimously.
9.2 Fidelity Insurance Review
The proposal by Councillor Kember, seconded by Councillor Drayton that 'the fidelity guarantee be increased to £24,000' was carried unanimously. The Chairman signed the form.
10. Councillors’ items
10.1 It was agreed that a letter of complaint be sent to the planning department regarding the two new advertising signs outside ESPI, St Neots Road.
10.2 Residents had complained of flooding in the Wilcon site.
10.3 The lack of footpath near Clare Drive is to be reported.
10.4 Concern was expressed at the lack of progress with the traffic calming. It was agreed that a letter should be sent to Andrew Lansley asking him to assist in getting the road made up to an acceptable sandard and the traffic calming completed.
10.5 Concern was expressed at the lack of care taken by Cleanaway when emptying the green recycling boxes.
10.6 The planning department are to be contacted about all the small advertising signs which are attached to the direction sign south of the railway bridge.
10.7 Councillor Lang reported that the pumping station continued to flood and that he had reported this to Anglian Water. It was agreed that the Clerk should also contact them asking them to take steps to prevent this reoccurrence.
10.8 Mike Cooper is to be asked to clean out thoroughly the gutters along Highfields Road, which are badly blocked with mud. It was agreed to try and arrange this so that cars are not parked in the way thus preventing desludging.
10.9 It was noted that the church step railings had now been removed.
10.10 Mike Cooper is to be contacted about the inadequate patch of pot holes.
10.11 The Clerk is to contact Mr Freed to ask if he is willing to continue putting out the flooding signs as necessary.
10.12 Highway Division are to be asked to level the Highfields Road verges near West Drive following their recent work.
11. Closure of the
meeting and Parish Matters
The Chairman declared the meeting closed at 10.32pm.
signed…………………………………Chairman…….…………………Date.