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Minutes of a meeting of the Town Council held in the Council Chamber, Windmill Lane, Northam on Tuesday 27th July 2004
PRESENT: Chairman - Deputy Town Mayor – Cllr E J Davies Members - Cllrs Mrs M M Cox, Mrs S A Mounce, A Barnes, J A Bell, R D Bradford MBE, A Eastwood OBE, A Eastman, Dr P Tamplin, P Waters, T Williams together with WPC Kerry Wilson, Devon & Cornwall Constabulary and 4 Parishioners
Apologies were recorded on behalf of the Town Mayor, Cllr L Ford
1. Northam Burrows
Mr Andy Nisbet from DEFRA and Mr Matt Low from English Nature reported on the condition of Northam Burrows. Mr Nisbet was responding to a complaint that Northam Burrows was overgrazed. He advised the Council on their survey procedures and consultations with graziers and he undertook to send a copy of the report to the Council and, if necessary, come back again. Mr Low advised that from a SSSI point of view many areas of the burrows were currently seen as unfavourable with some areas apparently over-grazed and others under-grazed. He was concerned that some areas were affected by supplementary feeding and as a consequence there were signs of thistle invasion. Once the results of the survey being undertaken by Mr Nisbet were complete he too was willing to come back to the Council to further discuss what needs to be done.
The Deputy Town Mayor thanked Mr Nisbet and Mr Low for their attendance.
2. Minutes
The minutes of the Town Council meeting held on 2 9th June 2004 were approved and signed.
(Vote: Unanimous)
3. Minutes
The minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting of the Town Council held 7th July 2004 were approved and signed.
(Vote: Unanimous)
4. Matters of report to/from Community Constable
WPC Kerry Wilson reported on the crime figures for the past month. She referred to the petition received by the Council from the residents of Richmond Park in respect of parents of children attending St Margaret’s School parking their cars in dangerous situations in Sandymere Road/Richmond Park. She advised that the Police had not had a complaint but she undertook with PC Mike Tricker to discuss the matter with the Headteacher and to circulate all parents with a letter from the School, drawing attention to the problem and seeking parents’ co-operation. The Police also undertook to visit the site on occasions at the appropriate time of day in an attempt to drive home the message.
5. Liaison meeting with the District Council
Cllr Bradford MBE reported on this matter and advised that with regard to Northam Burrows the District Council undertook to come back with their proposals at a later date. There is also an offer by Andy Seaman to come and speak to the Council about the Local Plan and it was RESOLVED to invite Mr Seaman to a future meeting of the Council.
(Vote: Unanimous)
6. Town Clerk’s Report
(a) 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)
(b) Grants for 2005/2006 – It was RESOLVED to advertise the availability of grants as in previous years and it was also RESOLVED to modify the public advertisement to delete the words “It is regretted that late applications cannot be entertained” and insert the words “for deliberation at the Council meeting on 26th October.”
(Vote: 10 For, 1 Against)
(c) Grant Request – Northam Lions Football Club – Members considered a grant request from Northam Lions Football Club and RESOLVED to award a grant of £240, being 50% of the cost of the fence, the Club to be advised not to apply for a grant for the coming financial year.
(Vote: Unanimous)
7. Appledore Maritime Museum
Members considered a Notice of Motion from Cllr Waters – “That Members support the exhibition to celebrate the bi-centenary of Trafalgar Day – the exhibition to be held over 3 days – 21st, 22nd and 23rd October 2005 and consider awarding a small grant in support” – It was anticipated that the Maritime Museum would be making their usual application for grant aid for 2005/2006 and it was RESOLVED to increase the grant by a sum, yet to be determined, to allow for these celebrations.
(Vote: 10 For, 1 against)
8. Rocks Nose Outfall
Cllr Bell reported that he understood that Cornborough Sewage Treatment Works was under-sized. He understood that it was designed to accommodate up to 304 litres per second, which would receive ultra violet treatment with a maximum capacity of 600 litres per second. He was concerned that regular discharges were taking place at Rocks Nose and possibly other outfalls and that this could be a severe problem for the Blue Flag Status for Westward Ho! beach. Cllr Williams reported that the District Council were meeting with South West Water and he was sure that Town Councillors would be welcome to attend that meeting. It was RESOLVED to write to the Environment Agency to the effect that this Council is concerned that the Cornborough Sewage Treatment Works design criteria is insufficient to deal with the demand and to request the Environment Agency to advise the Council as to when the EA are to review the discharge consents.
(Vote: 8 For, 1 Against, 2 abst)
9. Northam Burrows
(a) Modification to the Conditions of Grazing 2(b) - Members considered modification to the conditions of grazing with regard to the identification of horses and RESOLVED to approve the modification.
(Vote: Unanimous)
(b) Application for horse grazing – The Town Clerk advised that a horse had died on the Burrows and that the owner had given up his allocation An application to graze one horse had been received from Mrs Barrell, of 11 Seaview Road and it was RESOLVED to approve this application.
(Vote: Unanimous)
(c) Notice of Motion from Cllr Waters – It was RESOLVED to approve the Notice of motion from Cllr Waters – “That prices be obtained for a further 13 metres of 3 rail fencing using the existing posts, for the boundary fence adjacent to the Appledore Gate”.
(Vote: Unanimous)
(d) Members items – Cllr Eastwood OBE reported that a bungalow in Eastbourne Terrace, which had received planning permission, was being advertised as a holiday let, which he understood was against the conditions attached to the planning permission. It was RESOLVED to write to the District Council asking them to take the appropriate action.
(Vote: 10 For, Cllr Williams abstained)
10. Streetworks and related matters
(a) Meeting with County Council regarding Traffic Plan for Northam - Cllr Mrs Cox advised that she thought the County Council needed more responses in writing and that she had been in contact with them with regard to the planting of the Heywood Road roundabout and she would report back at a later meeting.
(b) Torridge Road and Blackies Plantation- Members considered the response from the County Council with regard to the footway to the front of Blackies being used as a dumping ground. The County were concerned that if the trailers and fishermen’s equipment were removed the result would be that people would simply park their cars there. The County Council had not seen the proposal of the Residents’ Association to enhance Blackies Plantation and it was RESOLVED to write to both parties to see if progress can be made.
(Vote: Unanimous)
(c) Direction signs to Appledore Lifeboat Station- The Town Clerk reported that the Council were still considering this proposal but that they were concerned about the increase in traffic around the difficult junction at the bottom of Broad Lane.
11. Bridge Hall - Northam
Members considered a further letter from the Bridge Trust with regard to the future of the Bridge Hall, Northam. Members were unsure as to how to proceed as the community demand for the hall was not known. It was RESOLVED to write to the Bridge Trust to suggest that a joint meeting be held with themselves, the Northam Residents’ Association and the Town Council.
(Vote: Unanimous)
Councillor Williams left the meeting at this juncture.
12. Planning applications
0938/04 Proposed Outline application for a bungalow in the grounds of Conybeare House - 29 Bay View Road, Northam – RESOLVED – Recommend approval.
(Vote: Unanimous)
1171/04 Proposed conservatory - 15 Riverside Court – RESOLVED - Recommend approval.
(Vote: Unanimous)
1222/04 Proposed porch to front elevation and conservatory to rear elevation - 6 Pelican Close, Westward Ho! – RESOLVED - Recommend approval.
(Vote: Unanimous)
1288/04 Proposed conservatory and porch - 537 Kingsley Park, Westward Ho! – RESOLVED - Recommend approval.
(Vote: Unanimous)
1310/04 Proposed demolition of existing 5 no flats and re-development of 20 flats (2 bed), 30 car parking spaces and access improvements. Inglebrook, Atlantic Way, Westward Ho! – RESOLVED - Recommend Refusal – The Council does not believe that the applicant has overcome the many reasons for refusal as previously set out. The Council is particularly concerned that the access is onto a narrow part of Atlantic Way and that the application does nothing to improve the situation and neither does it make provision for pedestrians.
(Vote: Unanimous)
1344/04 Proposed first floor extension. - 10 North Street, Northam – RESOLVED - Recommend Approval.
(Vote: Unanimous)
1346/04 41 Bude Street, Appledore – Proposed Change of use - Residential to part residential, part commercial (gallery) - RESOLVED - Recommend Approval.
(Vote: Unanimous)
1347/04 Myrtle House, 4 Myrtle Street, Appledore – Proposed Construction of 1348/04 timber garden building (Store room and summer house) to replace 2 small sheds on same site - RESOLVED - Subject to the Conservation Officer being satisfied - Recommend Approval.
(Vote: Unanimous)
1360/04 Proposed conservatory - 19 Estuary View, Northam – RESOLVED - Recommend Approval.
(Vote: Unanimous)
1393/04 Part of Richmond Dock site, Newquay Street, Appledore – Proposed Outline application for residential development of 12 units - RESOLVED - This application raises so many questions that Council felt unable to make a specific resolution. The over-riding consideration is the presence of the Richmond Dock which needs to be retained, not just as an historic hole in the ground, but on the basis that hopefully some time in the future it can be brought back into beneficial use. Any such use will require a certain amount of land around the dock. It is unclear from the listing just how much land is included i.e. is it just the structure of the dock or does it include the surrounds? The Local Plan states that proposals have to safeguard the integrity of the structure and its setting. If one substitutes the word “entirety” for “integrity” then the case can be made that it is not just the physical structure of the dock that is important but the essence of the whole thing being a working dry dock. Other considerations which are very important are that the proposal is situated outside the current tidal defences and therefore either floor levels would have to be raised or additional defences constructed. All of this land has been reclaimed from the estuary during the time when it was operated as a shipyard. From local knowledge it is known that the filling comprises waste products from the boat building/shipyard type industry. Whether this renders it as contaminated land will need further investigation.
To conclude the Council feels that insufficient information is available to make a judgement. The application needs to be deferred until more information is to hand.
(Vote: Unanimous)
1436/04 Proposed Erection of 3 dwellings. Site adjoining 23 Tomouth Road, Appledore – RESOLVED - Recommend approval.
(Vote: Unanimous)
13. Residential development Burrough Farm
Members considered a request from the District Council to suggest a suitable name for the eight units being converted from former farm outbuildings at Burrough Farm. It was RESOLVED to suggest “Richard Bradford Close”.
(Vote: Unanimous)
14. Northam Town Twinning Association
Members considered the invitation for the 30th Anniversary and RESOLVED to nominate Cllr Bradford MBE as this Council’s representative at the celebrations in Mondeville. Cllr Bradford was authorised to purchase a suitable gift for the occasion.
(Vote: Unanimous)
15. Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 Community Premises Public Entertainment Licences
St Mary’s Church Hall, [Main Hall} Appledore – RESOLVED – No objection.
(Vote: Unanimous)
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