ALBRIGHTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Planning Meeting
Thursday 7th January 2010
Minutes of the planning meeting Thursday 7th January 2010.
Present: Cllrs. P Lusk (Chair), D Beechey (Vice Chair), R Balkwill, G Beechey,
N Hester, M Holden, D Johnson, R Kidson, J MacLachlan, D Murray, J Nelson, M Pate,
S Pate, S Pledger.
Public Session: The Chair welcomed Mr David Thompson, Ms Marika Thompson and Mr Michael Stirk to the meeting and seven other members of the public and thanked Mr Thompson for agreeing to make a presentation on the proposed development east of Shaw Lane.
Mr Thompson began by stating that the four landowners involved with this development were not a formal consortium but a group working together with a common interest. He also stated that the land in question was not green belt land and it had been identified for development in the 1970’s. This claim provoked some discussion but Mr. Thompson was adamant that a legal decision had made the position clear and the development was not taking place in a green belt area. He went on to claim that it was one of the most sustainable sites in the old Bridgnorth District Council with clear boundaries The four owners of the land were the Thompson family, the Guy family, the Stirk family and the National Grid. The concept, design and the promotion of the development was being led by the local families who regarded the aesthetic impact of the development on the area as very important.
The planning phase is designated for the period 2011-16 with the longer term proposed up to 2026. The major influences on the planning are the Spatial Strategy, the Shropshire Council Core Strategy and the proposed development of Cosford. The Section 106 agreement had not been settled because the county wished to conclude the work on the Taylor Wimpey site in Shifnal before beginning work on the development in Albrighton.
Cllr. M Pate asked about the position of the new medical centre and was informed that the doctors were still to reach a final decision but Cllr. Nelson was of the opinion that the preferred option was a site in Cross Road. The Chair asked that discussion on this issue be limited as it was a business decision to be agreed by the doctors and it was not a matter in which the Parish Council had a direct input.
Mr Thompson went on to say that the key features of the development was its proximity to the railway station, it was on a bus route, it avoided the High Street/Cross Road intersection, it was 2.5 miles from the M54, it was supportive of the development of DCAE Cosford and it had good access. Other opportunities that the development presented were the possibility of a new medical centre, additional parking for the railway station, new sports facilities and an improvement to the village approach from the Wolverhampton direction with the renovation of the old Smithy. The whole site was 42 acres in size.
The Current State of Play.
Mr Thompson re-iterated that the land is not green belt land and that it was a sustainable site. The recent works on drainage, gas and water supplies had not been driven by the Kingswood Road development. He also informed members that the road to St. Mary’s School is owned by one of the four landowners and Albrighton Parish Council had given support for better parking at the railway station. The previous Head Teacher of St. Mary’s School had expressed interest in off street parking and improvements to site security. Mr Thompson expressed disappointment that a whole site approach to the planning of the development had been discouraged by Shropshire Council which could lead to piecemeal development over a considerable period of time. He would welcome support from the Parish Council and other sources for the development of a coherent vision for the whole site.
The Old Smithy.
The proposal for the Smithy was based on a courtyard design surrounded by two storey cottages. Most of the cottages would have three bed rooms and the Smithy building would need to be renovated. The site is in a conservation area and will be subject to a separate planning application which would need to take note of the noise from passing traffic and the poor light resulting from large overhanging trees. Cllr. Hester urged Mr. Thompson to treat the development of the Smithy as a matter of urgency and not delay an application for the site. Mr. Thompson sympathised with this view but said he needed an economic solution and a resolution on the doctors’ surgery before this could proceed.
Key Issues.
Mr Thompson said that there were a number of key issues that needed resolution in relation to this development. The status of the village needed agreement, to which Cllr. D Beechey replied that it had been designated a key centre by Shropshire Council, and the community needed to be clear with regard to the proposed developments regarding DCAE Cosford. There were still a number of issues relating to green belt land that needed resolution and representations to Shropshire Council over their core strategy, Cosford and Network Rail were still needed.
It was noted that the council’s support for the first phase to be at the south end of the site with access from Kingswood Road, rather than the earlier preference of the north end adjacent to the railway station, had been influenced by the location of the doctors’ surgery and the view of St. Mary’s School governors. This could possibly be reviewed once the position on the surgery was resolved.
Summary.
At the end of the presentation Mr Thompson summarised the main points relating to the development east of Shaw Lane. He reminded all those present that there was a planning phase covering the years 2011-16 and a longer term development schedule lasting to 2026. The development of the Old Smithy site still needed agreement and Section 106 had still not been produced.
Mr Thompson again urged that a long term plan for the whole of the white land should be developed in order to maximise the opportunities that the site presented and there was discussion regarding the need for Shropshire Council to work on the section 106 for Shifnal and Albrighton in parallel instead of consecutively. Cllr. Pate would look into this.
The Chair summed up the debate at the end of the discussion and thanked Mr Thompson and his colleagues for preparing an interesting and informative presentation that had provoked constructive and helpful comment. Cllr. Hester added his thanks to those of the Chair and stressed that he was not hostile to the work proposed for the Smithy in Kingswood Road but anxious for the site to be prioritised so that an obvious eyesore at a key entrance to the village could be removed. Mr Thompson in return acknowledged the points made regarding the Smithy and thanked members of the Parish Council for giving him the opportunity to make the presentation and he felt that the discussions had been useful and informative.
The Chair invited a member of the public to make a statement on the planning application 09/03696/FUL The Hollies, 18 Cross Road, Albrighton. The gentleman concerned reported that he lived opposite The Hollies and he reminded members of the history of planning applications relating to this property and the objections that had been made to the proposals. He was principally concerned over the safety of schoolchildren attending the primary school in Newhouse Lane and the proposed frontage of the site on to the road. He reported that already some trees had been removed contrary to the approved plans and he was concerned that the present application, which related to one house only, could lead to a series of piecemeal alterations which would undermine the approved appearance of the whole development. He and other residents would like to meet with the chair of the planning committee prior to the meeting and it was agreed that he should make this request at the Local Joint Committee meeting to be held on 14th January.
The Chair thanked him for making his views known to the council which would be considering the application later in the agenda
1. Apologies:
Cllr. P Illes
2. Declarations of Interest:
Personal:
Cllr Pledger declared a personal interest in agenda item 7
Cllr. M Pate declared a personal interest in agenda item 7
Prejudicial:
Cllr. Nelson declared a prejudicial interest in agenda item 4
The Chair outlined to members a proposal from Veolia following the LJC meeting to site a temporary plastic recycling skip in Albrighton. The only possible site seemed to be at the Newport Road end of Worthington Drive where Barhale had stored their pipes during the recent flood alleviation works in the village. He asked the clerk to provide more details and the council were informed of a telephone call with Severn Trent Water in which it was suggested that a meeting be arranged with the manager of the nearby sewage works who would represent Severn Trent Water, Veolia and the Parish Council in order to investigate the proposal in detail. Severn Trent Water as the landowner would have to agree the proposal before it could be introduced in April 2010 for a period of a. fifteen months before a kerb side plastics collection was introduced in the village.
The clerk promised to keep the council informed once the meeting had been arranged.
4, Location of the Parish Office:
The Chair informed members with regard to a meeting with officers of Shropshire Council regarding a joint office accommodating the Shropshire Council Access Point and the Parish Council. He felt that the meeting was somewhat disappointing and little progress had been made although a decision regarding the location of the Access Point had been promised by the end of January, 2010. It had been suggested that the Access Point could use the office for two days a week with the Parish Council needing three days a week although there was a need for flexibility with regard to which days would be needed.
A further meeting had taken place at the Red House regarding possible council use of the office adjacent to the CCTV facility. The trustees would require rent for the room and an earlier proposal had been modified in a letter to the Chair. There were currently no forms of agreement for long term office occupation but another meeting had been arranged for February when Shropshire Council’s position had been clarified. Cllr. Hester expressed concern at the attitude displayed by Shropshire Council towards their Access Point. The proposed two day occupancy seemed to indicate an expectation of there being little business. Cllr. Murray asked for details of the rental figures being asked by the Red House trustees and consequently Cllrs. G Beechey, N Hester, M Pate, S Pate and
J Nelson left the meeting. The Chair informed remaining members that the revised rental figure quoted was £1,500 pa. Cllr D Beechey said that the Parish Council did not need a room in the Red House in addition to a public office which should be at street level. He proposed that discussion on the offer of a second floor office adjacent to the CCTV facility should be discontinued which was seconded by Cllr. Balkwill. The motion was carried. Absent members returned to the meeting and were informed of the decision by the Chair. Cllr. M Pate agreed to investigate whether the suggested two day Access Point occupancy was adequate for the village and report back to the council
The Chair informed the council that the next meeting of the Local Joint Committee was scheduled for Thursday 14th January at 7.00 pm at the Donington Church Centre. There would be presentations on youth provision locally and budgets. The supporting papers were available on the web site. The committee had already considered grant applications one of which was from the Allotments Association for improved access to the allotments. Because the Parish Council was the landlord it had been agreed that it would be more appropriate for this request to be made to them rather than the LJC. The cricket club had not yet costed their refurbishment scheme and it will not be fully prepared before March and completed before October. The matches could proceed without hindrance during the summer of 2010 under the present arrangements. An application from the fishing club had had to be rejected because it was their second application of the financial year.
Cllr. Balkwill expressed disappointment over the attendance at the meetings from members of the community which he felt was poor. He stressed the need for good publicity well ahead of the meeting to encourage as many members of the village to attend as possible.
Cllr. Kidson tabled his report and informed members that currently there are only four members on the committee instead of the required six. One more is due to resign shortly and he explained that different practice between the two councils had caused problems leading to resignations. Members discussed the difficulties that had been experienced but it was agreed that Albrighton Parish Council would persevere and try to make the leisure committee work well. Cllr. Kidson agreed to write to the Chair of Donington Parish Council in an effort to resolve the present difficulties. Cllr Balkwill suggested that the Liaison Committee of the two councils should also meet and discuss the matter and the Chair agreed to ask for a meeting in the near future.
The Chair summarised the position regarding the swimming pool at the primary school in Newhouse Lane. The tiles were coming off the walls and the pool was urgently in need of attention. No funding had been secured from Shropshire Council and Cllr. M Pate agreed to follow up this matter and report back to the council. Cllr. Kidson had been given a paper from the Swimming Club which he agreed to pass on the clerk that indicated that there would need to be a 70% increase in subscriptions which could have a pronounced adverse effect on membership.
It was agreed to place this matter on the agenda of the meeting on 21st January when further investigations had been carried out.
Planning applications:
09/03696/FUL Erection of a dwelling and associated access The Hollies, 18 Cross Road, Albrighton
Cllr. Kidson was thanked for his report on the planning application and one other to be considered by the meeting. He went through his report in detail which recommended that the council should raise objections to the application on the grounds of road safety and the appearance of the development. He informed members that he had consulted local residents and the owner had made improvements to the design of the property in the latest application. Cllr. M Pate seconded the proposal to object to the application which was carried by the council
09/03644/FUL Change of use from Hotel, including part demolition, to provide two residential properties Lea Manor Hotel, Holyhead Road, Albrighton.
Cllr. Kidson reminded Councillors that the key consideration with regard to this application was that the present building is in the green belt. He stated that the present owners of the hotel had been trying to find a buyer for the business for more than two years without success and were now trying to resolve the matter by converting the building into two residential properties. Cllr. M Pate was worried about setting a precedent which could have implications for future development in the area and Cllr. D Beechey said he could see no special circumstances that might allow it to be considered an exceptional case. He was also concerned that it would reflect badly on the council which had been arguing for a local hotel to support tourist initiatives if it then supported an application to remove a hotel app. two miles from the village.
Cllr. M Pate proposed that the application should be rejected on green belt grounds which was seconded by Cllr. Holden and carried by the council.
Items of correspondence were received and noted. Cllr. Nelson thanked the clerk for his very good letter to Barclays Bank regarding the closure of the Albrighton branch and deplored the initial reply received.
Cllr. Pledger asked for the agreed meeting with residents regarding the skateboard park to be placed on the agenda for 21st January.
There being no more business the meeting closed at 9.15 pm
Signed……………………………………………Date………………………… Chair