Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
On Monday 11th November 2019
At Linton Village Hall at 19:30
Present: Cllr C Crumpton; Cllr J Gough; Cllr G Owen; Cllr L Watkins; Cllr A Newton; Cllr J Rudman.
In attendance: Ward Councillor William Wilding; Ashley Godfrey-Porter Grass Lengthsman; Parish Clerk Elizabeth Malcolm. 9 members of public.
1. Apologies for absence – Cllr B Clark; Cllr A Reeves.
2. Declarations of interest: None
3. Co-option of Councillors: None
4. Minutes of the Parish Council it was RESOLVED to agree and sign the minutes of the meeting of 14th October 2019 as a true and accurate record.
5. Clerk’s Report – Noted
6. Public Submissions
a. Ward Councillor – Cllr Walding advised that he had no announcements he wished to make but was keen the hear the views of Council & Parishioners on items on the agenda.
b. Public –
• A representative of VoLT sought PC support for action to stop speeding through Linton.
• Cllr Wilding asked if the 20mph scheme at Gorsley Goffs had been tried.
• It was agreed to form a working group to consider various road speeding issues around the Parish and report back as a standing item to the Parish Council. It was agreed that Kilcot & Gorsley PC should be invited to join the group. Cllr Owen undertook to sit on the group.
7. Climate Emergency – following discussion it was RESOLVED by majority (5 in favour 1 abstain) to adopt the form of words:
Parish Council declared it’s support for Herefordshire Council’s initiative in declaring a climate emergency and undertook to take into account climate considerations in all planning applications and all other decisions.
It was further agreed to form a working party to consider steps available to the Parish Council to support this policy.
8. Lengthsman
a. Grass Maintenance – Mr Godfrey-Porter confirmed that he planned a final grass maintenance day in late November to tidy areas before winter. The Councillors confirmed their agreement to this and thanked him for excellent value he has provided.
b. Roads Maintenance – A report of work undertaken around Linton was noted.
9. Footpaths – Cllr Newton provided an update on state of Linton footpaths. He will provide recommendations for improvements that could be undertaken by the Parish Council and where appropriate report defects to HCC online.
It was noted that Cllr & Mr Gough were volunteers reporting on Gorsley footpaths.
10. Locality Steward & Highways matters
a. Weekly reports – reports for half the month were online and the Clerk undertook to bring them up to date.
b. Fordings Lane drainage – following discussion it was RESOLVED to seek a meeting between residents and landowner to discuss their employment of the Roads Lengthsman, or another to undertake necessary ditch clearance. The Parish Council having been advised this is the responsibility of the landowner did not find it appropriate to undertake the work from Parish funds.
c. Other issues – None reported
d. Road safety actions – see discussion at item 6.
11. Planning
a. New applications
i. 193498 (& amendment) Land adjacent to Gorsley Bungalows, – proposed erection of 9 dwellings. Following discussion, it was RESOLVED unanimously to object to this application and submit comments:
The objections set out in our response to the earlier application no 192240 are largely still relevant and are attached herewith again.
Whilst it is accepted that this new application is for 2 less homes it remains a very large number of new homes that this developer has in mind for the village of Gorsley – amounting to 20 homes in all. This is entirely out of keeping with the character of the village. By building on this plot of orchard land, a last open green area will be lost and the character of “forest smallholdings and dwellings” will be gone. It is believed that the land is still inventory listed as Orchard Land and should be protected as such.
The layout proposed is no longer linear – further out of character with the village. Additionally these proposed homes are all the same estate design which does not reflect the range of character in the village.
Since the July response above further applications have been approved in the Parish. The number of new homes now approved for the Parish is 44% higher than the proportionate growth target of 61 houses by 2031 – already standing at 88 and still with over 11 years left to run.
Councillors noted that the traffic measuring equipment was placed near Frowens Lane – some distance from the busy junction with the B4221 which has much increased traffic flow from Community Shop, School drop-off/pick-up, and the traffic from the 11 large 4+ bedroom houses already built adjacent to this application location. To ignore the road movements at the junction area does not show the true level of traffic.
There are grave concerns about safety to drivers and pedestrians at the road junction with B4221 which have been regularly reported to the Council over a number of years. Near-miss accidents are constantly reported. This development will increase the traffic movement and increase the risks.
The village has seen no benefit or contribution towards improvements under the Section 106 scheme for the development so far or planned. An increase on this scale when taking all the development by one development company into account should be required to contribute.
ii. 193633 – Royal Cottage Linton Road Gorsley – Proposed residential dwelling. Following discussion, it was RESOLVED unanimously to object to this application and submit comments:
Core Policy RA2 – requires houses that “meet the needs of communities concerned”
This is a proposal for a 4-bedroom home, it is not what has been identified as needed for this Parish which is already well in excess of the 14% development target and now stands at 22%. We note that the applicant’s Design & Access statement does not attempt to take into account the current development approvals for the Parish, relying only on un-updated information.
Core Policy H3 – range and mix of housing
Two and three bedroom homes have been identified as needed to meet the needs of local residents. This application is not what is needed.
The Core Policy, LD 1 Development proposals should:
“demonstrate that character of the landscape and townscape has positively influenced the design, scale, nature and site selection, protection and enhancement of the setting of settlements and designated areas”;
The style of this proposed building is the same as those recently built adjacent, making no attempt to consider the style of the village which is varied and uses local materials in a variety of manners. Indeed the Design and Access statement seems too consider that the uniformity as a benefit, taking no account of the varied styles along the Linton Road which define the route.
Core Policy SD1 “ensure that distinctive features of existing buildings and their setting are safeguarded and where appropriate, restored”
The old buildings along the roadside of this property, representing historical interest and importance for the village are proposed for demolition. This causes great concern as the historical context of the village is eroded and replaced.
Core Policy MT1 – Traffic Management & Highway Safety
The additional traffic arising from a 4 bedroomed home along a very narrow unclassified road adds greatly to volume, road wear and safety issues. This road became impassable whilst building took place in the summer as there is insufficient space for parking or passing. Once completed service vehicles, delivery wagons, visitors and householders will all require access as an on-going strain on the road system. There is no footpath and the lane is used constantly by walkers.
12. Allotments – The Clerk was asked to check if the roadside hedge had been cut yet.
13. Financial Matters
a. Current Receipts and Payments together with Budget progress report – were noted
b. It was RESOLVED to pay Terry Griffiths Contracts, Winter roads maint Linton area, £398.40: HALC, Internal Audit charge, £240.00; DJN Planning Limited, NDP Consultant’s work, £360.00; Elizabeth Malcolm, Clerk salary (£275 + £48) & expenses (£18.55), £341.22; Elizabeth Malcolm, Printing costs for NDP, £258.00. It was noted that the agenda stated printing costs to Flying Colours, but reimbursement was made to the Clerk.
c. Draft Budget 2020-2021. Following discussion, it was RESOLVED unanimously to adopt the draft budget presented (dated 08/11/2019)
14. Neighbourhood Development Plan. – Cllr Watkins provided an update and reported that Regulation 14 Consultation had commenced on 11th November 2019. A Parishioner expressed unhappiness with one of the Local Green Space proposals and they were asked to provide feedback on the forms provided.
15. Councillor’s submissions –
• The Chairman expressed thanks on behalf of the Parish Council for the work of volunteer litter pickers across the Parish. He further commended the VoLT community litter pick to take place on 7th December 2019.
• Councillors noted a rave which had taken place in Dymock Woods causing noise nuisance to the village of Gorsley and further afield. It was agreed to advise Parishioners to contact Herefordshire Council Environmental Health Department and Police 101 should such an incident occur again.
• Councillors asked that the next agenda include a discussion on the Herefordshire Council’s decision on Hereford bypass.
16. Date of next meeting – Parish Council meeting on Monday 9th December 2019 at Gorsley Village Hall.
There being no further business the meeting ended at 21:55