2019/11/30
Minutes of the Special Planning Meeting of the Parish Council held on Monday 25th November 2019.
Minutes
of the Special Planning Meeting of the Parish Council, held on Monday
25th November 2019 in the Village Hall at 7.30pm.
1. Present: Cllrs. Marion Dethier, Brian Gale, Nick Griffiths, Pat Lennard, John Paige and Rodney Young.
In attendance: The clerk (Chris Fry) and 10 members of the public.
Apologies: Cllr Simon Howes (Chairman).
2. Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (As Amended)
Reference: 18/19/00006/EC.
Type: Full Planning Permission.
Applicant: Mr Chandler.
Location: On land to the rear of Quantock View, Higher Road, Chedzoy, Bridgwater.
Proposal: Erection of 3 dwellings and 1 flat, formation of new vehicular access, associated parking and garden.
Cllr Marion Dethier took the chair and opened the meeting to public discussion at 7.30 pm, and invited contributions.
The problem of increased on-street parking was discussed. Even with an allocated parking space for each of the starter homes it was felt this would be an inevitable issue which is very relevant to the high volume of large farm vehicles passing the proposed site. The narrowness of Manor Road outside it was brought up and the applicant said it would be somewhat wider following the completion.
The Manor Road junction with Higher Road came up and it was felt that the zero visibility for vehicles emerging made this junction very hazardous, although there is the alternative at Manor Drive with Higher Road. One or two thought the proposal represented over development. The applicant said the total build area was less than with previous proposals.
The homes are as close as possible to the road, thereby minimising the privacy issue with immediate neighbours.
It was agreed that there is a desperate need for more affordable homes in the village and the applicant indicated his hope that these would be marketed substantially below 200 K.
The added strain on village infrastructure, especially the water pressure issue was discussed, although Wessex Water are trying to improve matters.
It was generally accepted that the re-classification of the parish from “unsustainable” to “tier 4 settlement” status would inevitably lead to more development.
Marion (chair) ensured everyone who wished to speak had done so, then she closed the meeting to the public at 8.05 pm, and the councillors continued the discussion. Rodney Young said that there appeared to be no valid grounds for opposing the plan, and the only issue seems to be that of on-street parking, which really is a separate and existing issue. Brian Gale said there was certainly a need for starter homes in the village.
A vote was called and the result was as follows:-
In favour 6 against 0.
The clerk was asked to draft a suitable text to submit to Sedgemoor planners and to include the misgivings about access and parking issues.
(The agreed comments are attached to these minutes).
There being no other business the meeting was declared closed at 8.20 pm.
The following comments were sent to the Sedgemoor planning department:-
'The parish council of Chedzoy supports this application.
There is broad support for the application on the basis that the provision of starter homes, at the proposed levels, would be beneficial to the community. The alternative to housing might well be a return to commercial use which is far less favourable for the village. The existing site is an eyesore. Loss of privacy of neighbouring properties has been kept to a minimum.'.
1. Present: Cllrs. Marion Dethier, Brian Gale, Nick Griffiths, Pat Lennard, John Paige and Rodney Young.
In attendance: The clerk (Chris Fry) and 10 members of the public.
Apologies: Cllr Simon Howes (Chairman).
2. Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (As Amended)
Reference: 18/19/00006/EC.
Type: Full Planning Permission.
Applicant: Mr Chandler.
Location: On land to the rear of Quantock View, Higher Road, Chedzoy, Bridgwater.
Proposal: Erection of 3 dwellings and 1 flat, formation of new vehicular access, associated parking and garden.
Cllr Marion Dethier took the chair and opened the meeting to public discussion at 7.30 pm, and invited contributions.
The problem of increased on-street parking was discussed. Even with an allocated parking space for each of the starter homes it was felt this would be an inevitable issue which is very relevant to the high volume of large farm vehicles passing the proposed site. The narrowness of Manor Road outside it was brought up and the applicant said it would be somewhat wider following the completion.
The Manor Road junction with Higher Road came up and it was felt that the zero visibility for vehicles emerging made this junction very hazardous, although there is the alternative at Manor Drive with Higher Road. One or two thought the proposal represented over development. The applicant said the total build area was less than with previous proposals.
The homes are as close as possible to the road, thereby minimising the privacy issue with immediate neighbours.
It was agreed that there is a desperate need for more affordable homes in the village and the applicant indicated his hope that these would be marketed substantially below 200 K.
The added strain on village infrastructure, especially the water pressure issue was discussed, although Wessex Water are trying to improve matters.
It was generally accepted that the re-classification of the parish from “unsustainable” to “tier 4 settlement” status would inevitably lead to more development.
Marion (chair) ensured everyone who wished to speak had done so, then she closed the meeting to the public at 8.05 pm, and the councillors continued the discussion. Rodney Young said that there appeared to be no valid grounds for opposing the plan, and the only issue seems to be that of on-street parking, which really is a separate and existing issue. Brian Gale said there was certainly a need for starter homes in the village.
A vote was called and the result was as follows:-
In favour 6 against 0.
The clerk was asked to draft a suitable text to submit to Sedgemoor planners and to include the misgivings about access and parking issues.
(The agreed comments are attached to these minutes).
There being no other business the meeting was declared closed at 8.20 pm.
The following comments were sent to the Sedgemoor planning department:-
'The parish council of Chedzoy supports this application.
There is broad support for the application on the basis that the provision of starter homes, at the proposed levels, would be beneficial to the community. The alternative to housing might well be a return to commercial use which is far less favourable for the village. The existing site is an eyesore. Loss of privacy of neighbouring properties has been kept to a minimum.'.
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