CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL 75
Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting of Churchill and Blakedown Parish Council held on Wednesday, 21st April 2010, at 9.00 pm, in Blakedown C of E Primary School.
PRESENT Cllr R J Whiston (Chairman)
Cllr Mrs S Cartwright
Cllr S D Charman
Cllr Mrs P L Coley
Cllr P A Dearden
Cllr J W Long
Cllr B A Pitt
Cllr Mrs V J Swindells
In attendance: R D Gurney, Clerk to the Parish Council
63/10 CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS
The Chairman welcomed Councillors and members of the public and thanked them for staying on after the Parish Meeting.
64/10 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
These were received and accepted from Cllr Mrs Hayward.
65/10 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr Long declared a personal interest in Item 7 (minute no. 70/10)
Cllr Mrs Swindells declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Item 4, application no.
WF/10/0180 (minute no 66/10)
ADJOURNMENT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
(Six members of the public were in attendance. Mr Lorton commented that the 30mph sign on A.456 approaching Blakedown village from Kidderminster, has not been replaced following an accident).
66/10 PLANNING APPLICATIONS
(1) It was resolved that the comments on the following applications, as detailed, be sent to Wyre Forest DC.
Applications received
10/0134 revised Two storey side extension, ground and first floor extension to rear, 22 Birmingham Road, Blakedown
No objection
10/0138 Erection of 4 detached houses with associated access and parking, Castle Ash, Birmingham Road, Blakedown
Objection to the proposal.
1. The proposed access off A.456 is considered to be inadequate to serve this proposed development, as the visibility splay, particularly to the south east, appears impossible to the required dimensions. The rumoured widening of the footway to enable an adequate
76 CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes 21.04.10
visibility splay to be provided seems to be a purely cosmetic gesture and not necessary for the pedestrian traffic flow.
2. The provision of a driveway alongside neighbouring residential property will be detrimental to the amenities of residents living nearby. This nuisance would be accentuated by the driveway being at a higher level than the adjoining properties to the south.
3. Four large 5 bedroom dwellings, each with a double garage, on this relatively restricted site represents an overdevelopment of the site.
4. Part of the site lies within a flood risk area and there is often standing water in this area. The considerable increase in the area of hardstanding, due to the houses, garages, driveways and access drive, will add to the flood risk of the area during times of heavy rainfall. No alleviation measures have been indicated to mitigate this. The applicant’s reference to the “dry” Ladies Pool is incorrect; this is currently a water filled pool, held back by a dam. Should the dam be breached the lower part of the site would be underwater.
5. The development of this site would be detrimental to the visual amenities of this “green” area when seen from the well used elevated public footpath between New Wood Lane and Ladies Pool. This would impact adversely on the Green Belt, which abuts the southern end of the site.
6. The loss of the “green” area will have an adverse effect on the wildlife in the locality. It is rumoured that bats frequent this area.
7. The development of existing garden land is contrary to the soon-to-be published Parish Plan.
8. It is known that Blakedown Primary School is currently full and unable to take additional pupils.
The Parish Council wishes that Cllr Jim Long attends and speaks at the Planning Committee in connection with the application.
10/0141 Erection of timber framed building for storage of marquees and their fixtures and fittings and other general items, Park Hall, Birmingham Road, Blakedown
Objection to the proposal. This building is considered to be unnecessarily large for its purpose and, in this prominent Green Belt location, it would be visually detrimental to the open countryside. The PC would have thought that there is an existing building within the complex of buildings that would be appropriate and suitable for this purpose.
Has permission been granted for the use of Park Hall as a wedding venue?
10/0180 Erection of new sports pavilion (demolition of existing pavilion) to provide changing facilities and ancillary accommodation for cricket, football and tennis clubs, together with social space for players and spectators. Demolition of tennis club building. Churchill and Blakedown Sports Field, Birmingham Road, Blakedown
No objection
Decision received
10/0004 Two storey and single storey extension to front and rear, 16 Brookside Way, Blakedown – REFUSED
CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes 21.04.10 77
67/10 UNAUTHORISED GYPSY SITE, ROCKY LANE, CHURCHILL
The Clerk confirmed that the Parish Council’s submissions on this appeal had been submitted to the Planning Inspectorate. The date for the Hearing is scheduled for Tuesday 13th July 2010.
68/10 DATES FOR MEETINGS IN DECEMBER 2010 AND APRIL 2011
It was agreed that the December meeting be held on 8th of that month in the Primary School and that the April meeting be held on 13th April, the venue to be arranged.
69/10 FINANCE
(1) Accounts for Payment
It was proposed by Cllr Charman, seconded by Cllr Mrs Coley, and resolved that the following accounts be approved for payment:
Blakedown Parish Rooms (hire in Oct, Nov, Jan, Feb) £60.00
Staples UK Ltd £68.97 + £7.50 VAT (2 invoices) £76.47
Worcestershire CC (hire of school, Dec 09) £22.00
N Power (Jan-March) £189.85 + £9.48 VAT £199.33
Gordon Stevens – reimbursement for Parish Plan expenses £47.79
£405.59
(2) Printing of Parish Plan
An estimate for the printing of 700 copies of the Parish Plan was received from Gordon Stevens, for £1,685 + VAT. It was agreed that this be accepted.
70/10 ANTI SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR IN THE AVENUE
Copies of emails, relating to attempted break-ins at a property in The Avenue, received by the Clerk were circulated with the agenda. After some discussion it was agreed that the Clerk replies, pointing out that, if an application for planning permission for fencing is submitted, there is likely to be an objection from the Parish Council, as The Avenue is seen as a right of way.
It was also agreed that the Clerk obtains advice from CALC regarding the purchase of The Avenue and approaches the Open Spaces Society regarding long term options for protecting The Avenue.
71/10 URGENT ITEMS
The Clerk reported that his discussions with Network Rail confirmed that the level crossing is to be automated late on 2011 and the signal box would become redundant at that time. The crossing and signaling would be controlled by CCTV from a station in the Black Country. Network Rail is proposing to remove the signal box and give it to a preservation railway.
72/10 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The Annual Meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Wednesday, 19th May 2010, in Blakedown Parish Room.
The meeting closed at 10.25 pm.
Dated this 19th day of May 2010 ………………………………............
Chairman