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Minutes of a meeting of the Town Council held in the Council Chamber, Windmill Lane, Northam on Tuesday 30th March 2004
PRESENT: Chairman - Town Mayor – Cllr A Barnes Members - Cllrs Mrs M M Cox, Mrs S A Mounce, J A Bell, R D Bradford MBE, E J Davies, L Ford, K A Lane together with PC M Tricker, Devon & Cornwall Constabulary and 5 Parishioners
Apologies were recorded on behalf of Cllrs A Eastman, A Eastwood OBE, Dr P Tamplin and P Waters, all being unwell.
1. Minutes
The minutes of the Town Council meeting held on 25th February 2004 were approved and signed.
(Vote: Unanimous)
2. Matters arising
Min 8 – Sewerage at Westward Ho!
Cllr Bell advised that he would like to see the Council pursuing this matter. The Town Mayor reported a note from Cllr Waters suggesting that the Council write to South West Water pointing out the apparent discrepancies between figures supplied by the Environment Agency on the discharges from Rocks Nose outfall and the consent to discharge of 3 times per bathing season as previously advised by South West Water. It was RESOLVED to write to South West Water asking them to clarify the situation with regard to the discharges at Rocks Nose and asking Mr Gough to attend a future meeting of the Council to give a full explanation.
(Vote: Unanimous)
3. Matters of report to/from Community Constable
PC Tricker reported on the various crimes in the area over the past month. He advised that a “Horse Watch” scheme was being set up similar to “Marine Watch”. With regard to his surgery at the Blue Lights Hall, Appledore, for the past few weeks nobody had turned up which he thought may be partly due to the fact that there is very little in the way of privacy. He had been offered a room at Griggs Close, which did offer privacy, and he would be investigating. Instead of offering the surgery on Wednesday evenings at Appledore he intended to patrol the area.
The Town Clerk reported a letter of complaint regarding an articulated lorry negotiating Irsha Street and Councillors from the area confirmed the problem. PC Tricker advised that he would notify the Police Officer responsible for these issues.
4. Town Clerk’s Report
Monthly Financial Report – The Town Clerk presented the monthly financial report that included payments for this month and it was RESOLVED to accept.
(Vote: Unanimous)
5. Northam Burrows
(a) Applications to Graze
The Town Clerk reported on two applications to graze sheep and horses on the burrows. Mrs Bissell wished to graze one horse and Mrs Gibson, eight sheep and two horses. It was RESOLVED to approve the application of Mrs Bissell and to grant Mrs Gibson grazing for eight sheep and one horse. This would then make the allocation for horses fully subscribed.
(Vote: Unanimous)
(b) Countryside and Rights of Way Act
The Town Clerk reported that following public consultation the Countryside Agency had now produced the provisional map of Registered Common Land and Open Country. The Town Council had made representations to the effect that the land around the dump area needed to be amended in view of the works that had taken place in this area and that the land immediately inside of Appledore Gate and before Appledore Bridge needed to be shown as common land. Following investigation the Agency have advised that they accept the Town Council’s comments with regard to the Greysand Hill area tip site but have rejected the suggestion that the land at Appledore Gate is part of the common. It was RESOLVED to write to Torridge District Council to clarify the ownership of this piece of land which forms part of the Country Park.
(Vote: Unanimous)
(c) Over grazing appraisal of Northam Burrows
Members considered a letter from DEFRA to the effect that they were to undertake a survey as a result of complaints that the Burrows were being over-grazed. It was RESOLVED to write to DEFRA to inform them that the Council has noticed no signs of over-grazing.
(Vote: Unanimous)
6. Streetworks and related matters
(a) Bone Hill car park
Members considered a letter from the Residents’ Association regarding Bone Hill car park. It was RESOLVED to write to the Association to the effect that the Council had pursued this matter with the District Council with no success and that the proposal to have a number of spaces available for a limited time free of charge would be impossible to police.
(Vote: Unanimous)
(b) Members’ items
Cllr Bradford MBE reported that many road direction signs and street nameplates were in need of cleaning. It was RESOLVED to write to Devon County Council and Torridge District Council requesting action and suggesting that the Probation Service may be able to offer the necessary labour to undertake this work.
(Vote: Unanimous)
Cllr Davies reported that the District Council had approved the steps for Windmill Lane car park. He also advised that the District Council had considered a report which sought to obtain planning permission for building flats and a day centre on the Westward Ho! main car park site. It was RESOLVED to write to Torridge District Council expressing concern that the Town Council had not been consulted over such an important proposal.
(Vote: Unanimous)
Cllr Bell proposed that a speed restriction sign be erected at the end of Irsha Street. He was of the view that many years ago there used to be such a sign by Fords’ Boatyard. It was RESOLVED to write to the Devon County Council as Highway Authority.
(Vote: Unanimous)
7. Planning applications
0392/04 1 Kimberley Terrace, Northam –Proposed Outline application for a new dwelling – RESOLVED – Recommend approval.
(Vote: Unanimous)
0393/04 Proposed sunroom and bedroom extension - 4 Cornborough Road, Westward Ho! – RESOLVED – Recommend approval.
(Vote: Unanimous)
0395/04 Proposed listed building application to carry out alterations to install extraction system to comply with Corgi requirements - The Quay Gallery, The Quay, Appledore – RESOLVED – Recommend refusal. This extraction system has already been installed and is causing problems of smells and odours in the narrow confines of Factory Ope. The extraction system should be vented through a proper chimney so as to be properly released to the open air.
(Vote: Unanimous)
0404/04 Proposed construction of new house and garage to replace existing following total fire loss - Site of Melbury, Orchard Hill – RESOLVED – Recommend approval.
(Vote: Unanimous)
0416/04 Proposed garage with studio/snooker room over. Audross, Adrian Close, Orchard Hill – RESOLVED – Recommend approval.
(Vote: Unanimous)
0417/04 Proposed extension to provide additional bedrooms and bathroom - 22 Atlantic Way, Westward Ho! – RESOLVED – Recommend approval
(Vote: Unanimous)
0418/04 Proposed bedroom extension. Audross, Adrian Close, Orchard Hill – RESOLVED – Recommend approval.
(Vote: Unanimous)
0419/04 Proposed alterations to existing dwelling to provide bedroom - The Hermitage, 24 Fordlands Crescent – RESOLVED – Recommend approval
(Vote: Unanimous)
0426/04 Proposed extension over existing kitchen to rear including removal, 0427/04 replacement and extension of existing flat roof - 13 Bude Street, Appledore – RESOLVED – Recommend approval subject to Conservation Officer being satisfied and there being no overlooking
(Vote: Unanimous)
0438/04 Proposed extension to enlarge bedrooms and kitchen/dining room - 5 Norman Terrace, Northam – RESOLVED – Recommend approval.
(Vote: Unanimous)
0449/04 Proposed extension to provide new bedroom and conversion of existing bedroom into en-suite shower room - 24 Armada Way, Westward Ho! – RESOLVED – Recommend approval.
(Vote: Unanimous)
0450/04 Proposed outline application for a bungalow - Greenacres, Hilltop Road, Raleigh – RESOLVED – Recommend approval
(Vote: Unanimous)
0453/04 Proposed outline application for a dwelling to be used for residential use as owners’ accommodation - Watertown Garage, Long Lane, Appledore – RESOLVED – Recommend approval.
(Vote: 5 For, 1 Against, 1 Abstention)
0466/04 Outline application for residential development - Land at Tomouth Road, Appledore – RESOLVED – Recommend approval.
(Vote: Unanimous)
0473/04 Proposed detailed application for the construction of 3 apartments, garages and associated works - Land at the junction of Sandy Way and Atlantic Way, Westward Ho! – RESOLVED – Recommend Refusal – It seems unbelievable that there is sufficient room on this site. Site visit is recommended.
(Vote: Unanimous)
0488/04 Proposed window replaced by door - 5 The Fairways, Westward Ho! – RESOLVED – Recommend approval.
(Vote: Unanimous)
0495/04 Proposed first floor lounge extension to existing living accommodation over restaurant - Potwallopers Restaurant, Golf Links Road, Westward Ho! – RESOLVED – Recommend approval.
(Vote: Unanimous)
0503/04 Proposed Outline application for a building site adjoining 31 Fordlands Crescent, Raleigh – RESOLVED – Recommend approval.
(Vote: Unanimous)
0525/04 Proposed erection of 3 no semi-detached 2 storey houses, gardens and car parking - Former Seagate Hotel car park, Appledore – RESOLVED – Recommend Refusal – Visual impacts on the Conservation Area and over-crowding
(Vote: Unanimous)
8. Community Renewable Energy Projects
Cllr Mrs Cox reported on a seminar she had attended which was aimed at local communities doing their bit to help to deal with the global warming problem and make best use of renewable energy sources. It was particularly aimed at empowering local communities to do it themselves. She asked if Councillors would complete an energy survey for her and it was RESOLVED to support this survey and send copies to the Residents Associations asking them to respond.
(Vote: Unanimous)
9. Transfer of Justices’ Licences
Transfer of Licence – The Golden Lion, 36 Cross Street, Northam – RESOLVED – No objection.
(Vote: Unanimous)
10. Matters brought forward at Chairman’s discretion
(a) The Town Mayor reported that the Parish Planning Working Group report for Westward Ho! ward had been completed and would be sent to the District Council.
(b) The Town Mayor reported a letter from a resident of Hanson Park complaining of a school bus pick up point that had been started at the entrance to Hanson Park. Local Members were unaware of this but undertook to report back at the next meeting.
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