Little Canfield Parish Council

Public Meeting Monday, 22nd February 2010 (8pm)

 

PRESENT:

 

Clr K. Wooding (Chairman)

26 Residents

Clr. J Fulcher

 

Clr P Byford

 

Clr J Turner

 

Clr O Barritt

 

Jane Heskey - Relief Clerk

 

 

PURPOSE OF MEETING:

Since the last Parish Council meeting (25th January 2010), Land Securities has advertised for sale (via auction) the 2.9 acre plot of land that includes the village hall and car park.

Land Securities have refused to sell off any part of the land separately.

The auction will take place on Monday, 1st March 2010.

The community must decide whether LCPC should attempt to purchase the land at auction in order to safe guard the Lt. Canfield village hall.

 

Introduction:

Chairman Ken Wooding opened the meeting and welcomed PC members and residents, including representatives of the Village Hall Committee.

He explained that Land Securities are auctioning the land the village hall stands on. The village hall was built in 1933. Currently the VHC pay a peppercorn rent for the hall, car park and field (for community use).

 

Land Securities did consider a scheme to rebuild the hall and develop some housing. The application was refused by UDC as the site is outside the permitted development area.

 

Do residents want LCPC to pursue the land sale, bid for the site, and borrow the funds to purchase the site?

 

Savills (auctioneers) has indicated they require a bid for the entire site with a guide price of £50-75k

 

Questions:

§      Would the site be built on?

The site is outside the area of permitted development and is currently designated Class D1 (community use only).

Dunmow Jehovah Witness group are interested in purchasing the site to build a hall for worship, and have indicated that they would give LCPC the freehold of the village hall & car park.

 

§      Is the D1 classification likely to be changed?

Only via UDC Local Development Framework policy change.

 

§      How would funds be raised?

DC Jackie Cheetham has indicated that there may be funds available from the Priors Green S106 Community Sum.

LCPC hopes to secure a sum of money from the Priors Green S106 Community Sum (approx. £30k). The balance would be borrowed via the Govt scheme from the Public Works Loan Board (PWLB). This would be repaid over a period of years (perhaps 25yrs) through an increase in the annual precept (collected via Council Tax).

 

§      What exactly is the land in question?

Village hall site, car park & allotments (2.9 acres).

 

§      Would LCPC exploit the land as a developer or retain for community use?

LCPC would hope to retain the land for community use only.

 

 

 

§      Ken Wooding is meeting with the Dunmow Jehovah Witness group at UDC offices on Tues. 23rd Feb. to understand the options.

 

§      LCPC currently has no assets. It maybe a good idea for LCPC to acquire this land on behalf of the community.

 

§      Residents & VHC have no interest in transferring the current VH activities to the community hall on Priors Green. Residents felt that the hall on Priors Green is not appropriate, and want to retain the current hall in the centre of Lt Canfield.

 

RESOLUTIONS:

§      Do residents want to purchase the land (whole site - 2.9acres)?

Members & residents voted unanimously in favour (2 abstained)

 

§      Should LCPC purchase in partnership with Dunmow Jehovah Witness group (no contractual agreement in place currently)?

Members & residents voted against any negotiation prior to the sale.

 

§      Maximum value of bid?

Due to the sensitivity of declaring a maximum bid value, residents voted to allow LCPC discretion to bid as required in order to secure the land.

 

§      Should LCPC fail to purchase the land at auction, do residents permit LCPC to negotiate with the Dunmow Jehovah Witness group, if they buy the site, in order to secure the freehold of the village hall, car park and field?

Members & residents voted in favour.

 

Meeting closed at 21.30