ALBRIGHTON PARISH COUNCIL
PLANNING MEETING
Thursday 7th May 2009
Minutes of the Planning Meeting held at the Red House on Thursday 7th May, 2009.
PRESENT: Cllrs. P Lusk (Chair), D Beechey (Vice Chair), R Blincoe, N Hester, P Illes,
D Johnson, R Kidson, D Murray, J Nelson, S Pledger.
PUBLIC SESSION:
Five members of the public were in attendance. Representatives of the Albrighton Allotments Association wished to object to the proposed placing of a plastic recycling skip on the allotments car park at the end of Loak Road. They felt that the car park should be retained for the use of allotment holders and they could not see why the skip needed to be relocated from Abney Avenue. The Clerk informed the Council that he had received two letters, a number of telephone messages and calls and visits to the offices all objecting to the relocation. Members of the public were also concerned about possible vandalism and dangers to children who play in the area. There was also concern about the truck collecting the skip having to manoeuvre in a confined space. Other residents were worried that their properties could be devalued and felt that the re-siting of the skip was unnecessary as Veolia were due to begin a plastic collection on a regular basis later in the year.
Personal:
None
Prejudicial:
None
Cllr. Pledger expressed concern that while people wanted to have the facility of plastic recycling no-one wanted to have the skip near their property. Cllr. D Beechey suggested that the skip be left where it was while alternative sites were investigated and perhaps Veolia could be contacted to establish the precise date when the plastic collection was due to start. Cllr. Hester supported the residents who had expressed concern at the possible relocation and pointed out that Loak Road was a cul-de-sac and children would naturally gravitate to the area to play.
Cllr. Nelson proposed that the skip should be left in Abney Avenue while alternative sites were investigated. Cllr Murray seconded the motion.
Cllr. Pledger proposed an amendment to move the skip to an alternative site away from Loak Road and this was seconded by Cllr. Kidson.
Cllr. Blincoe proposed a second amendment that the skip should be removed from the village leaving just the one facility on the Crown car park. As there was no one to second this amendment it was defeated.
The first amendment was defeated by a majority vote and the proposal was then carried.
As Cllr. M Pate was absent from the meeting this matter was deferred to the Parish Council meeting on 21st May.
The Clerk reported that PC Salt had visited him to suggest a meeting of concerned parties to discuss possible strategies for dealing with the congestion in Newhouse Lane and Cross Road at the beginning and end of the school day. The suggestion was well received and Cllrs. D Beechey, Lusk and Pledger agreed to represent the Parish Council at any such meeting. There was discussion on the possible use of the car park at the working men’s club and it was suggested that a grant to the club to help mark out the parking area might help them become involved. It was agreed that the Cross Road Safety Group, the school governors and the police should all be take part and this item would be included on the next agenda for further discussion.
Cllr Murray suggested that another objection to Shropshire Council over the planning application for the Hollies in Cross Road would be in order to remind them of the Council’s original position when the application was first lodged by Bridgnorth District Council. The Clerk agreed to send out a reminder of the Parish Council’s objections.
The play area was due to be opened on Wednesday 27th May from 2.00 – 3.00 pm and Amy Davies from Shropshire Council was making the arrangements. Council agreed that Cllr. Kidson should officially open the extended play area and Cllrs. D Beechey, Blincoe, Holden, Johnson and Murray would attend the opening.
A letter from Carolyn Healey from Shropshire Council outlined two possible management models for the playground. Ownership of the area could be transferred to the Parish Council on a freehold or leasehold basis or the present arrangement of joint management between Albrighton Parish Council and Shropshire Council could be formalised. Cllr. D Beechey expressed a preference for the continuation of the present joint management arrangement and the £3,000 grant that was available from the county could be used to help maintain the facility. Cllr. Kidson said that if the Parish Council was to take over the playground it would need to be in good order and at present some maintenance was needed to fencing and two swings. The Council agreed to invite Carolyn Healey to its meeting on June 18th so that the various alternatives could be discussed including an estimate of running costs, the costs of transfer and legal fees. The meeting should start at 7.00 pm with the public session preceding it at 6.45 pm.
Cllr. D Beechey submitted a report on proposals to refurbish the railway station during the current financial year. The railway companies were proposing to repaint the station including the footbridge and the railway bridge over Station Road, install a new information system, investigate a drop-off zone for disabled users of the platform to Wolverhampton and beyond and revise the parking arrangements in the station approach. The station building was due to be auctioned on 21st May. In the next financial year a similar refurbishment would take place at Cosford station. Councillors welcomed these initiatives, particularly those relating to the parking arrangements and the new information system. Cllr. Pledger said that the station would still need increased security and Cllr Beechey promised to raise the possibility of a CCTV system at the station at the next meeting.
Cllr. Nelson said that there was nothing further to report.
The costs of the refurbishment of the Den had been referred to the Joint Liaison Committee. Cllr. Pledger asked for an explanation of the joint funding between the Parish Council and Donington Parish Council and was told that it was based on the tax base for the two councils.
Cllr. Nelson explained that he had been in touch with Mr Joseland and he would be making a formal submission to both Councils to consider funding requests. Cllr. Nelson had made it clear that Albrighton Parish Council had agreed to give £10,000 and up to £20,000 to help fund the lift. He would continue the discussions with Mr Joseland and he hoped that the funding situation could be resolved with the two Councils in the near future.
The Clerk was asked to write to Sarah Williams asking for clarification of the grant they were supposed to have recently given and making it clear that any grant would be dependant on the surrender of the lease on the Old School.
Cllr. Nelson reported that he had seen the new bench which was of an original design and entirely suitable for the location. It was suggested that the bench would need to be fixed to a concrete base on the green outside the hotel and Cllr. Nelson agreed to hold further discussions with the landlord so that the bench could be in place as soon as possible.
09/00200/FUL Erection of extension and alterations to dwelling 57 Loak Road, Albrighton, Wolverhampton WV7 3HR
No objections.
09/00210/FUL Erection of extension to dwelling 20 Grange Park, Albrighton, Wolverhampton WV7 3EN
No objections.
09/00264/LBC Conversion of redundant farm building to dwelling High House Farm, High House Lane, Albrighton, Wolverhampton
No objections.
09/00037/LBC Provision of en-suite shower room. Formation of new internal door opening, stair lift installation, external handrail 73 High Street, Albrighton, Wolverhampton WV7 3JA
No objections.
09/00254/TPO To crown reduce by 20% crown lift on southern side to app. 2.75 m and crown thin by 10% 1 No. Oak protected by BDC TPO 161 Albrighton Mid West 2009 Beggars Roost, Cross Roads, Albrighton, Wolverhampton
Received and noted.
The Clerk was asked to reply to the letter from Arriva expressing dissatisfaction with their refusal to re-route one of their buses down Station Road.
The Clerk was also asked to reply to the letter from the swimming club informing them that Cllrs. D Beechey, Illes and Lusk would attend their open afternoon on 30th May and write to the Clerk of Donington Parish Council agreeing the £3,000 donation to the summer playscheme.
It was agreed that the NALC conference should be an agenda item at the next meeting together with an item on the state of the house at the bottom of Newhouse Lane. The Clerk was asked to write to Ted Pearce, copied to Mark Kane, reiterating the Council’s desire to purchase Clock Mills but stating that they would be unable to participate in a public auction.
The Council extended the warmest congratulations to Cllr. Nelson for organising the supper on behalf of Barhale and Severn Trent Water which was judged to be a huge success and a credit to the village. Cllr. Balkwill was also thanked for making the Church available for the event which provided a splendid venue for the evening.
The Chair informed members that he was having a meeting with the drivers of the Parish Flyer on 8th May to go over the arrangements for free transport and the Clerk was asked to contact Brian Bennett at Shropshire Council regarding a thorn hedge at the Hollies which could be dangerous to children on their way to, or leaving, the primary school.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.03 pm.
Signed……………………………………….Date………………………………….
Chairman