Minutes of the Caldecote Parish Council Meeting on 7 March 2002 at 7.30pm

in the village hall

Present: Parish Councillors; B Drayton, T. Footman, O. Kember (Chairman), J. Lang, P. Phillips, Dr C. Stopp, F. Wolton and District Councillor J. Stewart, County Councillor R. Martlew and Mrs LG Stoehr (Clerk). Also present 6 members of the public.

1. Apologies for absence

Mr M Oakman of Highway Division, Cambridgeshire County Council and Gordon Hodgkinson of Wilcon Homes Ltd.

2. To approve the minutes of the last meeting on 7 March

The proposal by Councillor Phillips, seconded by Councillor Wolton that 'the minutes be approved as a true record was carried unanimously. The Chairman signed the minutes.

3. Matters arising including

3.1 Highfields Road

As both the County Council Highway Division and Wilcon Homes had sent their apologies it was agreed to carry this item forward to the next meeting. The Chairman urged residents to writ with any concerns and complaints about the state of he road to the County Council. Mr Lansley had replied that he was aware of the road's condition and that he would take the matter up with the County Council.

3.2 Flooding

Flooding from the Wilcon site into Mr Mintram's was noted. Councillor Stewart reported that the Wilcon application had been approved by the District Council with a specific condition relating to drainage details. Wilcon Homes had apologised for the flooding saying it was a result of levelling the site following the archaeological dig.

As the storm cell matrix is to be only under the old village hall site it was agreed that a letter be sent to Anglia Water and the Environment Agency expressing strong concern and asking for a flood risk assessment.

It was noted that Wilcon had been pumping out water from the site all week.

The proposal by the Chairman at 7.47pm that the meeting be temporarily adjourned to allow public participation was carried unopposed. The meeting was re-opened at 7.51pm.

It was agreed that a letter be sent to Mr Bacon, the District Council's Enforcement Officer asking why Banner Homes properties were allowed to be occupied despite the planning condition stating 'there shall be no live flows of sewerage from the site until the new terminal pumping station is completed (Reason - to prevent water pollution'.

A copy of a letter from Mrs Ladds, Wedgwood Farm, Main Street to the District Council regarding Anglian Water's proposals for the pumping station had been received and was considered. It was agreed that a letter be sent to Anglian Water asking what is its intention for the pumping station.

3.3 Award ditch. Councillor Wolton reported on the recent meeting with Mr Pat Matthews, the District Council's Land Drainage Manager. Mr Matthews had agreed that the District Council will draw up a plan to clear the ditch along its length (to be discussed with the riparian owners) and return to clear debris from the stretch already completed in front of Wilcon Homes and the village hall. A letter confirming transfer of responsibility had not as yet been received. It was agreed that the Clerk should e-mail Mr Matthews to enquire about the plans and to keep gentle pressure on for the work to be completed without undue delay.

3.4 Community policing and wardens

Carry forward to the next meeting until PC Bradley is present.

4 To attend to Correspondence/Communication received since the last meeting

4.1 POS provision (Mrs S Tasker)

Mrs Tasker's letter was read and considered. It was agreed that a reply should be sent detailing the tennis court specification and explaining that the Parish Council was unable to do much until the land was transferred under the terms of the S106.

4.2 Footpath - Hardwick to Bourn request for dual use status (CDC Cycling Club)

The request for support from the Cambridge District Cycle Club was considered and the proposal by Councillor Kember, seconded by Councillor Lang that 'the Parish Council add its support the request for dualling' was carried unanimously.

4.3 Nuisance bonfires. A complaint from a West Drive resident was considered and it was agreed that if the resident should contact the District Council.

5. Planning received since the last meeting including

5.1 S/0459/02/F & S/0460/02/F Ashwell Developments Ltd, Grafton Pig Farm Development, West Drive Highfields Caldecote.

Letters from parishioners on the application were noted. The proposal by the Chairman at 9.42pm to adjourn the meeting to allow those present to express their views on the application was carried unopposed. The meeting was declared re-convened at 9.56pm.

The proposal by Councillor Kember, seconded by Councillor Wolton, carried unanimously that 'the Parish Council refuse the application with the comments

The Parish Council is not against this proposed development in principle and indeed welcomes the chance to tidy up the pig farm sites at both the northern and southern ends of West Drive. It does, however, have certain reservations about the details of the proposed plans.

With regard to the southern application (S/0406/02/F):

  1. The Parish Council understands that since there is no demonstrable need for more affordable housing in the parish of Caldecote it can suggest to the District Council that the proposed development of Grafton Pig Farm land within the village development envelope does not have to include any affordable housing units. This represents a major saving for the developer and the Parish Council believes that in consequence a significant "planning gain" should accrue to the parish and that the developer should consider the erection of a pavilion on the recreation ground immediately south of the proposed development at the southern end of West Drive. Given that the Parish Council owns part of the area of the proposed access to the site (from Highfields Road), the Parish Council believes that a section 106 agreement incorporating such a pavilion and some other matters (e.g. a shop) to be negotiated should be signed before planning consent is granted, with the developer paying all legal costs associated with such an agreement.

  2. A (small) contribution towards education at Comberton Village College and the local primary school is also required in a section 106. Both of these schools should be specifically named in the agreement.

  3. The drainage of the site is a major problem. The Parish Council is still of the view that the old drain passing north—south through the site should be piped so as to allow water from the north of the application site to drain away to the ditch to the south of the application. In the past the Parish Council has investigated this historical drain and has had the support of residents along its line in restoring it. Indeed such a drain would have considerable environmental benefits and the Parish Council believes that if the developers do not pipe the drain through their site and the restoring of the drain does not materialise then its project will be frustrated.

  4. The Parish Council notes too that the sewage facilities are still inadequate in the village and that a further development will only exacerbate the situation. It believes that there should not be any construction before the pumping station is upgraded.

  5. The mix of houses should accord with the area and not detract from the generally large houses of the area. Chalet-style dwellings should be built adjacent to existing properties.

  6. The houses should be positioned so as not to overlook existing houses (which are in the main single-storey bungalows in this part of West Drive). Three-storey houses are definitely not acceptable.

  7. Those houses fronting West Drive should respect the building line of existing properties and should be aligned east-west so as to front West Drive.

  8. The question of parking for the school requires an independent inquiry and it is hoped that such an inquiry will take place before planning consent is granted.

  9. A tarmaced footpath is required across the piece of grass joining the two parts of West Drive

  10. The developers must ensure that any asbestos from existing buildings on the site is safely disposed of and that the existing rat problem is not exacerbated by the dispersal of rats from the pig farm site.

The northern application (S/0459/02/F):

1. Again houses should not overlook existing properties and should fit in with existing properties. Three-storey houses are definitely not acceptable.

2. Dwellings should respect the height of existing properties. Landscaping needs careful attention given the proximity of the engineering works on Bourn Airfield. An acoustic noise barrier should be constructed.

3. Drainage and sewage problems need attention.

4. Specific questions need to be answered about the main drive. Will this be adopted or will it be a private drive. The Parish Council objects if it is a private drive. The access to plot 2 on the corner of west Drive needs careful attention to avoid accidents.

5. The radius of the corner of West Drive at this point needs increasing to cope with increased traffic'.

It was agreed that copies of the Parish Council's response to the application should be sent to Anglian Water, the Environment Agency and Pat Matthews drawing their attention to the Council's concern regarding drainage and enlisting their support.

5.2 S/0552/02/LB, Whyatt, College Farm, Main Street - internal and external alterations and extensions No recommendation.

5.3 S/0528/02/F R Stevens, 107 Highfields Road - garage. The proposal by Councillor Kember, seconded by Councillor Wolton, that 'the Parish Council refuse the application objecting on the grounds of the building line. The garage should be inline with the existing house' was carried unanimously.

5.4 S/0513/02/F, N Trentham, 10 Bosserts Way - Extension. No recommendation.

5.5 S/1603/01/RM Wilcon Homes - amendments, revised landscaping plans for information only. It was agreed that the landscaping plans should be considered properly at the next meeting and that a letter be sent to Mr Morgan informing him that the Council's comments would follow.

5.6 Councillor Stewart reported that the advertising signs on the A428 did require planning permission and that Mr Bacon would be visiting the company.

6. The village development

Nothing further.

7. To receive and consider the report from

7.1 Recreation Ground Working Party including the request from CALYPSO for early transfer of land

Wilcon were agreeable to the early transfer of the play equipment area as already requested and had agreed to send the Parish Council's solicitor a written undertaking to cover its legal fees. In considering the letter from CALYPSO the proposal by Councillor Kember, seconded by Councillor Drayton that 'the Parish Council ask Mills and Reeve to complete the transfer for just the play equipment area with all haste and that the CALYPO transfer be re-considered when the project is nearer completion' was carried unopposed. On a proposition by Councillor Drayton, seconded by Councillor Kember it was agreed that the Chairman and Vice-Chairman could approve the transfer documents.

7.2 Shop Working Party

As the Agent had not received any other offers for the shop site the proposal by Councillor Lang, seconded by Councillor Kember that 'the Parish Council write to Redmayne Arnold and Harris offering, in absence of any other offers a peppercorn for the shop site, reminding them of the S106 Agreement regarding the shop site' was carried unanimously.

8. To consider and adopt the new 'Code of Conduct'

The proposal by Councillor Kember, seconded by Councillor Footman that 'the Parish Council adopt the model Code of Conduct' was carried unanimously. All members signed their declaration of acceptance.

9. Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Structure Plan

It was agreed that the Clerk write in support of the policy (P6/4) on improvements to drainage.

10. Payment of bills

The proposal by Councillor Drayton, seconded by Councillor Wolton that 'the following bills be paid:

K Martlew - £33 salary

CALC - £180.32 affiliation fees' was carried unanimously.

11. Councillors' items

11.1 Village sign. It was agreed that Councillors Wolton and Phillips should visit Mr Gaze and discuss the sign's progress and that this should be an agenda item for the next meeting.

11.2 Following the recent clearance of Bourn bridleway it was agreed that a letter be sent to Karen Champion requesting some hedging or temporary fencing be installed at the end of the bridleway to prevent unauthorised access by vehicles.

11.3 It was agreed that a letter be sent to Chris Taylor at the District Council asking for examples of commuted sums and parish benefit from other developments of a similar size to the Grafton Pig Farm development.

11.4 Rubbish in the hedging along Highfields Road and along Main Street is to be reported to Environmental Health.

11.5 Problems with postal deliveries mixing up Highfields Court and Highfields Road were considered. It was agreed that a letter be sent to the authority requesting a renumbering of Highfields Court to start as 200 Highfields Road.

11.6 Schematic village map to be put up for information on the village notice boards.

11.7 The Annual Parish Meeting is to be on 9 May.

12 Closure of meeting and Parish Matters

There was no further business and the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 10.25pm.

 

 

 

signed…………………………………Chairman…….…………………Date.