Old
Buckenham Parish Council met on Thursday 7 November in the Village Hall, Old
Buckenham. Those
present were councillors Jonn Hicks (Chair), Steve Milner, Adrian Joel, Mike
Farrington, Terry Cook and Gemma Frost. Also attending were Rachel Noyes
(Clerk), County and District councillor Stephen Askew and twelve members of the
public. Andy Nicholls and Ben Devlin had both sent apologies for
non-attendance.
The
minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 3 October 2019 were approved (6 in favour).
There were no matters arising.
Public
participation relating to agenda items. Stephen Askew said there was still some
flooding on Hargham Road despite previous work. He will use his councillor’s
budget to complete more work but if that fails, they will have to dig up the
road and do full repair work. Improvement work on Church Lane has not fully
resolved the flooding problem. The local drainage is due to be upgraded in
2021/22 and he will continue to monitor the situation. He has also used his
councillor’s budget for new signs advertising the village shop.
Jonn
Hicks pointed out that shingle needs replacing outside Post Office Terrace after
the crossing work. He is meeting with D Jacklin from Highways to discuss the
frequent car crashes at Puddledock Corner, Stephen Askew was also invited to
also attend this meeting.
Adrian
Joel enquired about getting a new name plate for Fen Street .A parishioner has
noticed that “new traffic signals ahead” sign obscures the flashing speed sign
on approach from Attleborough. Also the reflector posts next to Manor Pond and
the old style black and white signpost by Manor Pond are needing attention. The
clerk to report to Highways.
A parishioner
who cuts grass on the Green near the entrance to Oaklands asked about the Village
Green Working Party – this would be discussed later. Jonn Hicks thanked this parishioner
on behalf of the Parish Council for his work as it always looked great and offered
a fuel donation for his lawn mower as a thank you.
Financial
Report. The Community account balance is £43,235.40. Income received was £450
(community car).
Payments
that were approved (6 in favour) totalled £2,198.48 which included £175.50 to
the community car drivers, £749.21 for new play area bins, £577.32 for
newsletter paper and £66 for village hall hire.
Planning
applications. All planning applications are available for viewing on the
Breckland District Council planning portal –
www.breckland.gov.uk/article/2933/Search-Planning-Applications. Parish councillors
have been asked by the chairman to view the new applications in advance of the
meeting.
Land
to the west of 22 Fen Street. Permission in principle for the erection of 4
dwellings (Town & Country Planning (Permission in Principle) (Amendment)
Order 2017 (3PL/2019/1257/PIP).
Adrian
Joel explained that there was a slight error in the Planning Statement. It
stated that Old Buckenham needed to build 37 houses for its quota. However 20 have
already been built and a further 6 have been approved leaving a
requirement of 17 houses to be built by 2036. Several councillors
expressed concern about several key factors including drainage, highways/traffic
issues and an environmentally sensitive hedge that would be removed. The developer
was present and explained that the application had just been updated which will
mean that most of the hedge would be kept and the Breckland Tree Officer would
therefore support it. Several residents of Fen Street expressed their concerns
on the same issues as well as other utilities (such as water) and questioned
whether there was actually a need for more housing. It was also felt by some
that there was no consideration about alternative forms of transport, such as
walkers or cyclists. Gemma Frost explained that the application showed that
rainwater was going to be taken to a soakaway and that passing places had been
suggested. She also felt that it was not the developer’s responsibility to fix
the existing problems on Fen Street and that it stated in the application that
the developer was willing to work with residents. It was highlighted that the Parish
Council had previously approved an application for four dwellings on Fen Street.
A proposal not to support this application was approved (4 in favour, 1
against, 1 abstain).
Land
between Willow Cottage and Priest Hill Cottage, Fen Street. Permission in
principle for the erection of one detached dwelling (3PL/2019/1258/PIP). The Parish
Council expressed similar views and concerns as for the above application. This
application is located opposite a piece of land that the Parish Council
previously supported a single dwelling with no passing place. However Breckland
rejected it. This application does include a passing place. Some councillors
highlighted the need to be consistent in their decisions. A proposal not to
support this application was approved (3 in favour, 2 against, 1 abstain).
Manor
Corner, The Green. Two-storey side extension (3PL/2019/1259/HOU). The
applicants were present and explained that this would not extend beyond the
current footprint of the property and will end up similar to neighbouring
properties. They have worked very closely with Historic Officer to ensure they
are happy the appearance of the extension and that the correct materials are
used. A proposal to accept this application was approved (7 in favour).
Old
Buckenham Airfied, Abbey Road. Various enhancements and improvements to the
Airfield. Permanent placement of a decommissioned Rockwell Twin Aero Commander
for use as Emergency Response training (no hot fire exercises). Placement of up
to two static caravans for use by key members of staff during events. Creation
of a small 'Memorial Park' at the centre of which will be a ground level scale
depiction of the wartime airfield. Addition to earthbund and fencing (3PL/2019/1231/F).
Councillors were pleased to support the airfield as it is an important asset to
the village. However there was some concern about the possibility of the static
caravans being let out in the future. A proposal to support the application was
agreed (6 in favour) on the condition that the caravans are not to be
residential.
Double
Banks Farm, Old Buckenham Road, Carleton Rode. Change of use of existing waste
processing/composting facility to a household, commercial and industrial waste
processing and recycling facility to produce refuse derived fuel and solid recovered
fuel grade material (FUL/2019/0010).
While
the site is in Carleton Rode, it is near to Old Buckenham and so is passed to Old
Bukenham Parish Council for consultation. Steve Milner and Jonn Hicks have
visited the site and explained that the proposed change of use is excellent as
it will convert waste plastic into pellets which are combustible. However great
concern by lots of councillors over the lack of information about the
designated routes for lorries travelling to/from the facility. This could
affect neighbouring villages and some roads have weight limits. While very keen
to support alternatives to fossil fuels, the Parish Council decided to withhold
any decision until more information on traffic routes is made available.
Downmore
Farm, Banham Road. Prior approval for change of use of agricultural building to
a dwelling (Town and Country Planning General Permitted Development Order 2015
Schedule 2, Part 3, Class Q) (3PN/2019/0055/UC). Due to receiving notification
on the day of the meeting, a request will be made to delay the deadline and the
application will be discussed at December’s meeting.
Planning
decision by Breckland Council. College
Park Caravan Park, Doe Lane. Retrospective planning application for change of
use from agricultural land to leisure use (3PL/2019/0958/F). This application has now been considered and has been approved.
Ottomer
Pond benches. All three plinths have been assigned. The design for one bench
has been approved.
Action
Log. Gemma Frost updated councillors on progress of items on the Action Log
Standing Orders review. One amendment made to edit 3e to say ‘Any further involvement at
the discretion of the chairman’ and to remove 3g.
Neighbourhood
Plan. Jonn Hicks, Steve Milner and Adrian Joel attended a Neighbourhood
Planning course in October. The presenter of the course had written one
herself. Old Buckenham has already completed a village survey and has the area
designated. Next need is to decide which policies to focus on and then look to
hire a consultant to help write them. The presenter highlighted the need to
show that the Parish Council are actively engaging with the community throughout
the process. It is intended to start by using the village meeting on Saturday
11 January 2020 to consult on ideas (see next item on May Bank Holiday). A
Neighbourhood Plan will give Old Buckenham Parish Council more power regarding
the future planning and development of the village.
(Gemma
Frost had to leave the meeting early)
May
Bank Holiday. Jonn Hicks has suggested having a Food Festival and Craft Market
on the Green on Sunday 24 May 2020 to raise funds for the repair of the village
windmill. Live music would follow in the evening. To discuss the proposed event
and establish the level of interest, there will be a Village Meeting on
Saturday 11 January at 10am at the Village Hall. This will also be used as an
opportunity to discuss a Neighbourhood Plan.
Village
Green Working Party. A tree survey has been carried out for work that needs
doing and three quotes received from local tree surgeons. The quotes were £1560,
£2720 and £2920. There was confusion about how one quote could be significantly
lower than the other two. While two quotes were accompanied by a clear break
down of the specific work involved, one was more vague. There was also concern
about whether all three companies had the necessary safety certificates to
complete the work. The Parish Council decided that the companies should be
asked to requote for the work but they must include a clearer job specification
including the removal of all wood from site, a copy of their Public Liability
Statement and RAM Statement.
Road
Safety. Steve Milner will be collecting and receiving training on using the new
SAM 2 speed equipment on Sunday 14 November.
Play
Area. Work has been done on both the bridge and the path. An inspection is due
in February. Several matters need urgent attention to ensure the play area will
pass this inspection such as re-turfing under the swings, re-making the tractor
and replacing the surface under the climbing frame. Because of the height of
the frame and a potential falls, rubber pellets must now be used. Two quotes have
been received for removing the current chippings and membrane and then replacing
the wooden edging, installing a new membrane and filling with new rubber pellets.
The quotes were for £5,300 and £4,100.It was agreed to accept the lower quote (5
in favour).
Councillors’
reports. Steve Milner explained that new CAA regulations are coming in to force
regarding the flying drones. There should not be any drones flown on the Green
anyway because of the nearby airfield. Terry Cook reported back on Village Hall
matters. The PA system has been updated. The refurbishment of the Village Hall
means that there will be a small rise in hiring fees after being the same for
several years. The hall will be the polling station in next month’s General
Election. There was a query over who has authority over use of the Recreation
Area – the Village Hall or the Parish Council? As the Parish Council owns the
land, the Parish Council should have final say. There have been requests for
new football posts and to plant some trees on the land.
Mike
Farrington asked that people be careful driving through Puddledock. He has
witnessed an increase in road traffic accidents recently with the winter
weather causing problems. It was suggested that he should keep a detailed list
of all the accidents even if the police did not attend. Adrian Joel said that
the allotment rents are due and that the Christmas tree for the Green has been
ordered.
Items
for the next agenda would include an update on the proposed weather radar.
The
next Parish Council meeting will be held on Thursday 5 December at 7.30pm in
Old Buckenham Village Hall. The first meeting in 2020 will be on Thursday 9
January, a week later than the usual date.
No comments:
Post a Comment