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Minutes of a meeting of the Town Council to consider planning applications and allied matters held in the Council Chamber, Windmill Lane, Northam on Wednesday 20th August 2003.
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, A Eastman, A Eastwood OBE, L Ford, K A Lane, P Sturges, Dr P Tamplin, P Waters, T J Williams together with 8 Parishioners
1. Minutes
The minutes of the meeting of the Town Council to consider planning applications and allied matters held 9th July 2003 were approved and signed.
2. Public Forum
The Chairman of Northam Residents Association, Mr H Brading, gave a presentation on a proposal to establish an Open Space on land to the south of Windmill Lane and east of the Burrough Farm football pitch. A number of questionnaires had been sent out to the public to ascertain their views on this proposal and there had been a substantial reply to date in favour. There had been the offer of free professional advice from the Coast and Countryside Service and three residents have booked a training course at Rosemoor. The Association were hoping that the Town Council would give support to the freehold of the land being transferred to the Council, agree to the setting up of a Management Committee and become actively involved. The Committee to consist of users, the Council and Residents Association. It was anticipated that maintenance would be undertaken on a voluntary basis. Members were generally supportive of the proposal. There were some queries with relation to dogs and children and funding for the future.
It was RESOLVED to: -
(i) support, in principle, the transfer of the land from Torridge District Council to Northam Town Council and (ii) to support the establishment of a Management Committee which would have the following Councillors:- Mrs Cox, Bell, Davies and Eastwood OBE.
As a separate matter Mr Brading reported that he had had some success with regard to the Northam Youth Group in attracting a grant of £4,500 towards the expenses for a minibus.
Cllr Eastman proposed a vote of thanks to Mr L Garland for his work in pursuing Blue Flag status for Westward Ho! beach. It was so RESOLVED.
3. Town Clerks Report
Monthly Financial Report The Town Clerk presented the monthly financial report that included payments for this month and it was RESOLVED to accept.
4. Notice of Motion
Members considered the following motion proposed by Cllr Mrs Cox That this Council supports the proposal that the South West should be free of genetically modified crops and that the District Council and County Council both be asked to support this stance. The motion was duly seconded and a recorded vote was called for.
It was RESOLVED to support the motion and the Members voted as follows:- In favour - Mrs Cox, Bradford MBE, Bell, Ford, Davies, Lane, Waters and Williams. Against Mrs Mounce, Eastwood OBE, Sturges and Tamplin,
5. Notice of Motion
Members considered the following motion proposed by Cllr Mrs Cox That the District Council be requested not to use fuel for their vehicles which is supplied from companies who deny the risk of global warming and refuse to research into alternative energy.
The motion was duly seconded and Members debated the issues but considered that more information was required. The matter was therefore deferred and Cllr Mrs Cox was asked to supply more information.
6. Heywood Road Roundabout
Cllr Mrs Cox reported on the meeting with Bideford Town Councillors regarding the proposal to improve the visual appearance of the roundabout. The idea was to erect a ships mast in the centre of the roundabout, which would be surrounded by shrubs. The extent of the planting would be limited to ensure that the visibility requirements were maintained. Early indications seem to be that the County Council will be satisfied. It was hoped to fund the project through sponsorship.
7 Planning applications
0757/03 Proposed 1st floor extension to form bedrooms over existing flats - Topsails, The Quay, Appledore Amended plans. RESOLVED Recommend refusal. Whilst it is noted that the applicant has tried to address the issues highlighted by the Inspector when dismissing the previous application, it is considered that these problems for the most part still remain. Overlooking will still be a problem as will loss of light to properties in Market Street.
1307/03 Proposed demolition of bungalow to enable residential development of possible 2 no 3 storey blocks of apartments with parking below - Surf Bay Bungalow, Golf Links Road RESOLVED - Recommend refusal. Inappropriate development. The Council would question whether an outline application is sufficient, should there not be detailed plans showing the proposals?
1317/03 Proposed erection of conservatory - 61 Atlantic Way, Westward Ho! RESOLVED Recommend approval.
1321/03 Proposed 2 bedroomed extension - 10 Scott Avenue, Appledore RESOLVED Recommend approval. 1323/03 Proposed construction of lodges for holiday use - Part land of Tealta, Cornborough Road RESOLVED - Recommend refusal for the reasons given by the District Council when refusing application 1919/02.
At this juncture Councillor Bell left the meeting.
1331/03 Proposed erection of a porch - River View, Bidna Lane, Northam RESOLVED Recommend approval.
1339/03 Proposed Listed Building application for alterations to include the removal of a partition wall, forming and opening, enlarging a room and providing a ramp - Rose Hill, Heywood Road, Northam RESOLVED - Recommend approval subject to the listed features not being adversely affected.
1360/03 Proposed conservatory on new bungalow at rear of Stymie, Chope Road, Northam - RESOLVED Recommend approval.
1361/03 Proposed 7 no 3 bed detached holiday chalets to match existing and associated drainage - Lenwood Country Club, Northam RESOLVED - The Council has some reservations about this proposal and is particularly concerned that the mature specimen trees on the site should be protected. On balance they recommended approval of the application subject to the preservation of the trees and that consent is for holiday use only, for ten months of the year.
Cllr Davies and Cllr Eastwood declared an interest in this item and took no part in the debate.
1362/03 Proposed extension to provide garage, utility and larger conservatory - 29 Benson Drive, Burrough Farm, Northam RESOLVED Recommend approval.
1363/03 Proposed erection of 2 chalet bungalows - Clover Bank, Sandymere Road RESOLVED - Recommend Refusal in the interests of highway safety. Proposal is on a bend in the road, close to the school entrance, there is a poor access from Bone Hill immediately adjacent and the speed of traffic in this locality is high.
1433/03 Proposed conservatory on rear of property - 39 Bay View Road RESOLVED Recommend approval.
1448/03 Proposed conservatory - St Vincent, Goodwood Park Road RESOLVED Recommend approval.
1451/03 Proposed rear extension and attic conversion - 39 Market Street, Appledore RESOLVED Recommend refusal too large an extension.
1453/03 Proposed demolition of existing one storey room at rear allowing for the construction of a 2-storey extension and internal alterations including attic room with dormer 39 Market Street, Appledore RESOLVED Recommend refusal too large an extension. 8. Appledore Conservation Appraisal
Members considered the above appraisal which is intended to be published as supplementary planning guidance. It was RESOLVED to advise the District Council that the document was acceptable but the Town Council would like to see a more relaxed attitude towards the use of UPVC windows and doors. The Council is of the view that homeowners should be able to take full advantage of modern materials.
9. Public Seat Fordlands Crescent
Members considered a letter from the District Council advising on the cost of a seat and suggesting a site meeting. It was RESOLVED to advise the District Council that all that was required was a simple bench and Cllr Williams would attend the site visit.
10. Grants for 2004
Members considered the recommendations of the Working Group with regard to the advertisement and application form for grants/loans for the financial year 2004/2005. It was RESOLVED to accept the recommendations of the Working Group subject to the insertion of an additional question relating to the organisation giving grants to other bodies.
11. Traffic Management in Northam Area
Cllr Eastwood OBE advised that he would be meeting with Councillors from the Newton Abbot area and he offered to report back on their view of the Community Travel Plan. It was RESOLVED to await the report of Cllr Eastwood.
12. Development of a Recycling Centre in the Bideford Area
Members considered a letter from the County Environment Director regarding this proposal. Members were disappointed that there was no breakdown of the costs and it was RESOLVED to write to the County Environment Director requesting details of the costs when these are available.
13. Reinstatement of Civic Amenity and Recycling Centre
Members considered a letter and specification from Mr Sherry, acting as consultant to Devon County Council. It was RESOLVED to advise the District Council that an urgent meeting on site was required and Cllrs Ford, Tamplin and Waters were delegated to attend. The District Council to be advised that the concerns of this Council are: -
That there is a very short timetable to discuss these proposals when the County Council have had many months in which to consult. There is no detail in the specification on what is going to happen by way of preparation on the existing surface e.g. large stones, bits of concrete etc. to be removed. The thin layer of topsoil to be chain harrowed into the ocean rough is thought to be insufficient to support the grass. The retention of the tarmac road, presumably for emergency access, is acceptable but some form of gate with appropriate ditch or posts adjacent needs to be provided to prevent the public from accessing this area with their vehicles.
14. Torridge District Council Discretionary Rate Relief
Members considered a letter from a Member of Woolsery Parish Council regarding Discretionary Rate Relief. It was RESOLVED to write to the District Council seeking clarification.
15. Postal Naming - Burrough Farm
It was RESOLVED to put forward the following names for consideration: - Hubba the Dane Close, King Alfred Close, Burrough Avenue and Burrough Crescent.
16. Public Entertainment Licences
Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 Kite Festival, Northam Burrows Country Park 12th and 13th September 2003 RESOLVED No objection.
17. Matters brought forward at Chairmans discretion
(a) Buckleigh Laundry The Town Clerk reported that Buckleigh Laundry had made an application to the Environment Agency to establish a waste water treatment works on their site. It was RESOLVED to advise the District Council that there would be no objection if the proposal were to recycle the water but a strong objection to discharging the effluent to the stream as this would aggravate the flooding of Laundry Lane and could have serious effects on the fish stocks in Kenwith Valley.
(b) High Bickington Parish Plan The Town Clerk reported that he had received a copy of the High Bickington Parish Plan which had been circulated as a good example.
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