HIGHCLERE PARISH COUNCIL

 

Minutes of a meeting held at Highclere Village Hall on Tuesday 9 April 2002

 

Present

Councillor Mrs S Roberts, Chairman

Councillor T Farmer

Councillor I Davidson

Councillor J Pearson

Councillor R East

 

Apology for absence

Councillor Tom Farmer

 

Also Present

Borough Councillor Patrick Hedgeland

 

39/02 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETINGS

The minutes of the Council meeting held 12 March having been circulated were taken as read, agreed by all, and signed by the Chairman

 

40/02 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ABOVE MINUTES

·          The Village Design working group is appraising Councillor's comments on the draft village design statement, together with comments from other interested parties.  It was agreed that there was no need for a meeting, as the team was now working to a deadline.

·          The invitations have been posted for the Annual Parish Assembly and it was agreed that Peggy East would be asked to help with the refreshments.

 

41/02 BOROUGH COUNCILLOR'S REPORT

Many meetings at the Borough Council have been postponed due to imminent Borough Elections and there has been no further progress on Village Hall rents.  The review of the local plan is still progressing

 

42/02 CORRESPONDENCE

The following correspondence is received and relevant information copied to Councillors:

 

·          Agenda for Local Heritage Initiative web site open day 17 April 

       No Councillor was able to attend

·          Information on County and Borough thanksgiving services for the life of the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother on 14 April and 24 April respectively

·          HAPTC bulletin on "Quality Councils" giving summary of responses from members

·          BDBC Key Worker Housing Policy, Supplementary Planning Guidance consultation

       This was considered and the Clerk was asked to express disapproval of the proposals

·          BDBC consultation on Local Strategic Partnership 

In his absence Councillor Farmer was nominated to consider this document

·          DEFRA comments on information given by Countryside Agency re Parish Councils

·          HAPTC Notice of NALC review of Clerk's Wages

·          BDBC Planning and transport quarterly bulletin

 

43/02 PLANNING APPLICATIONS

The following planning applications were considered:

 

BDB52577 Land adj Westridge Tubbs Lane

Retrospective change to BDB48560 to resite the   garage

NO OBJECTION

Comment:  This application has also redefined the area of the site.   The approval conditions attached to BDB48560 require protection of hedgerows and trees within the site, and this retrospective application should not be a means of removing hedgerows and trees. 

 

BDB52698 Little Flexford House Andover Rd

Construct brick wall, gates and bollards

OBJECTION for the following reasons:

·      It is acknowledged that cars traveling too fast along the A343 have, in the past, left the road at this point, but replacing a hedge with bollards and a brick wall will not prevent this happening.  A denser hedge should be planted.

·      A 6ft high wall with gates is totally out of keeping with the other properties in the village.  This is more suited to an American "Gated" complex

·      The draft village design statement has already been submitted to BDBC and the importance of trees and hedgerows is a key factor as SPG

·      The large cypresses are a prominent feature and surely help reduce noise from the road for this dwelling

·      At the Hollington road side there are two prominent yew trees which should also be protected.

 

BDB52721 Windyridge Hollington Lane

Erection of a two storey extension and conservatory to side of property.  Erection of a double garage at Northern corner of boundary

OBJECTION  Unless the following conditions are imposed:

There shall be an enforceable legal agreement for the retention of trees and hedgerows on the plot and the adjacent paddock.

The hedges and trees shall be protected during the construction of the extension.

The garage shall not be used for residential purposes

All materials shall be matched with the existing

 

Comment: The conservatory appears too large and overpowering

 

BDB52726 Farthings Highclere Street

Erection of Rear porch

NO OBJECTION Subject to the following condition:

The alterations meet the technical requirements of the conservation dept

 

Observation: The main building is oak frame infilled with brick, but this extension is oak frame infilled with paneling.  Brick appears more suitable

 

BDB52729 83 Penwood Heights

Erection of single storey front extension

NO OBJECTION

 

BDB52749 Land at Highclere Garage Andover Road

Erection of houses and B1 accommodation

OBJECTION for the following reason:

This site is outside the settlement policy boundary.

 

Comment:  This is an area of outstanding natural beauty with very low density housing. 

The Parish is only a small community and under the housing mix policy more weight should be given to site characteristics and local environment considerations.  There are two many dwellings on this development, which is out of keeping with the rest of the village.

 

BDB52750 Hadley, Star Lane

Erection of single storey extension and conversion of garage to living accommodation

OBJECTION unless the following conditions are imposed:

The new garage shall not be used for residential purposes.

The extension shall not be sold separately as an individual dwelling

The hedgerow at the rear shall be protected

 

44/02 OTHER PLANNING MATTERS

The following notice of planning approval has been received

 

BDB 52209 The Fire House, Andover Road, Highclere

Enclosure of existing undercover parking bays at the front of the property to form office space

 

45/02 ACCOUNTS, AND NEW AUDIT PROCEDURE:

 

Councillor Pearson has conducted an internal audit for the accounts to the year- end 31 March 2002.  NALC has revised the staff supplement payable to Parish Clerks from 1 April 2001, but notification was received too late for the increase to be included in the budget.  It was agreed that the additional amount due to the Clerk in the current year would be identified in the accounts, and the underpayment made when funds permitted.    The new rate would be paid from 1April 2002. The accumulated fund this year is greater than the previous year, but monies set aside for the Village Design Statement and for legal fees has not yet been called for.  It is expected that these will be paid during 2002/2003.

The accounts for the year-end March 2002 will be subject to a new audit procedure, and the financial and practical implications are being studied.

 

46/02 LOCAL PLAN REVIEW, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OF RIVER VALLEYS

There will a meeting to discuss the environmental protection policies for the local plan review with specific reference to the Borough's river valleys.  Councillor Mrs Sue Roberts agreed to attend the meeting on 10 April at Basingstoke and Deane offices

 

47/02 TO CONSIDER REPORTS OF NUISANCE

Several incidences of nuisance have been reported.  These include setting fire to waste, smashing glass bottles, trespass and damage to Penwood Village Hall, and fly tipping.  Councillor East identified the source of the problem as the waste and recycling bins next to the Penwood Village Hall, and proposed a resolution that Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council be requested to remove or resite the recycling and waste bins.

Councillor Mrs Sue Roberts proposed an amended resolution that Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council be asked as a matter of urgency, "what is the procedure to have all recycling and waste bins removed from the land at Penwood Village Hall"

Councillors debated the issue.  The amended resolution was approved and the Clerk was instructed to contact Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council accordingly.

 

48/02 UPDATES

The replies from the Borough Council to the solicitor's questions were considered and his recommendations were accepted.  Basingstoke and Deane have now conceded that a grant to subsidise rent is only renewable at a rent review, and that a Councillor may also be a Village Hall committee member/trustee contrary to advise given by their property services officer.

The traffic calming measures are now all in place and it was agreed that a "walk about" with Mr Soutar from HCC Highways would be undertaken to assess the works.  He has agreed to compare readings from the permanent monitor during April 2002 with readings taken in previous years.  There should also be a questionnaire for parishioners.

Councillor Davidson will try and complete the references before his term of office is ended.

No progress has been made during the year.

 

49/02 ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT

The following accounts were approved for payment:

Mr W Bendle Mr C Corrall HPS (Website)

 

50/02 COUNCILLOR'S QUESTIONS

There were no Councillors questions

As there was no further business the meeting was adjourned.  The next meeting will be the AGM on 14 May.

 

The Annual Parish Assembly will be held on Monday 15th April at Penwood Village Hall at 7.30pm