Little Canfield Parish Council
Page 32 – 2007/2008
Minutes of a Meeting of the above Parish
Council, held on Monday, 21st January, 2008, commencing at 8p.m.
___________________________________
Present: Cllr. K. Wooding
Cllr. P. Byford
Cllr. O. Barritt
Cllr. J. Turner
Cllr. E. Scott
Cllr. J. Fulcher
In Attendance Mrs. R. Shelley (Clerk)
Mrs. J. Cheetham (U.D.C.)
Mr. D. Jones (U.D.C.)
Apologies Cllr. J. Panzetta
Prior to the meeting Ms. Rosa Clarke and Mr. Nick Wellington from Countryside Properties briefed members on the current situation at Priors Green with regard to funds available for community projects under S106 conditions. Should the proposed community hall be constructed as the planning application already submitted, this building would swallow up the whole of the £650,000 fund, though there was a further £100,000 available for sports facilities, to be divided as the local councils agreed. Ms. Clarke said that at the moment present plans could be altered. It was agreed that the way forward was for a joint meeting with Takeley Parish Council in consultation with Mr. Mike Ovenden, the officer from Uttlesford District Council overseeing the development of Priors Green. (Later Mrs. Cheetham said that she would get in touch with Mr. Ovenden to make arrangements for this).
Cllr. Byford drew to Ms. Clarke’s attention the extremely poor condition of the surface of Thornton Road in some parts and holes in the hedge where underground works had been carried out. He also said that it would be helpful to have a slowdown/speed ramp on the section where it was possible for vehicles to travel faster. Ms. Clarke gave him the name of the representative on site (Andrew Fisher), who would be responsible for any repairs necessary.
A request for Countryside to provide a notice board on site was considered possible, and Warwick Road was suggested as the best site.
Ms. Clarke agreed to look into why it was necessary for street lighting to be on all night on site.
(The Chairman of Takeley Parish Council, and Mr. J. Williams of Thornton Road were present during this meeting)
1. Minutes
The Minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed and signed.
2 Matters Arising
a. Village Hall
It was reported that it was necessary to have two members of the Parish Council on the Village Hall Committee. As Cllr. Turner was the only member at the present time, Cllr. Byford agreed to take over from Cllr. Scott, who had resigned.
The Village Hall Committee did not feel it necessary to have a survey on the lines suggested by Cllr. Byford, but they were to have an audit on the premises, which should prove useful.
b. Footpaths
Cllr. Byford said that he and Mrs. Gillman had walked the paths in the Thornton Road area, and now suggested that the path northwards to Jacks Lane across the field from the Lion and Lamb be upgraded to a bridleway and that Jacks Lane be downgraded from a byway to prevent its use by vehicular traffic. It was understood that Takeley P.C. were also in favour of the latter.
A note from Mrs. Gillman stated that the certificate covering membership of the Parish Paths Partnership had been received.
c. Flitch Way
Cllr. Byford reported that he had attended a recent meeting of the Liaison Group, from which he understood that the rabbit holes were to be filled in. Work was proceeding on the steps down from High Cross Lane West, and there was to be liaison with Crumps Farm landfill site concerning the proposed restoration scheme.
d. Emergency Planning
The Chairman said that contact names and addresses had been updated and submitted to U.D.C. A template had been downloaded from the website, and this would be completed shortly.
e. Layby in High Cross Lane East near Geest Factory
It was reported that U.D.C. were to inspect the layby to see if they could supply a waste bin.
f. Speed Sign
A communication from E.C.C. Highways stated that, when confirmation from the installers had been received that all signs erected under the scheme were working accurately, it would be possible to advise what kind of activity the Little Canfield sign was producing.
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g. Crumps Farm Liaison Meeting
Minutes of the recent meeting were circulated. It was reported that the first reinstatement could be used for recreation, and a mixture of recreation and agriculture was recommended. The operators would be working closely with E.C.C.
In the matter of the working of green waste, permission was to be given for a period of two years only because of the number of complaints received about the odour problem. During that period the operators would have to prove that their remedial ideas were working.
3. Correspondence
a. Conduct of Members of Local Government Authorities
A document was circulated.
b. U.D.C. – Dog Control Orders
These were to be introduced in April. There were none in Little Canfield.
c. West Essex Forum
It was noted that the next meeting of the Forum was on 28th January.
4. Community Matters
a. Highway Problems
It was agreed to report the following to the appropriate authorities:
Quad and/or Motor Bikes using the Flitch Way
Road disintegration at the junction of High Cross Lane East and the old
A120
Large pothole on the B1256 in southern section of the Dunmow West
roundabout
Three bags of rubbish in the ditch at Devil’s Dyke, High Cross Lane
Dumped rubbish at the Bambers Green end of Jacks Lane.
b. Triangle of land at Huntingfields House
It was reported that the area was being used to store pallets, and that there was a sign on the A120 indicating that pallets were required. As this had not been subject to a planning application, it was agreed to inform U.D.C. via Dunmow Town Council, in whose parish the land was located.
d. Stortford Road Sign
It was agreed to request that the sign at present located in the cut-off section of the old A120 at the end of High Cross Lane East be moved to somewhere near Bluegates, and suggest that High Cross Lane East be extended to the junction with the B1256.
5. Planning
It was reported that no reply had been received from U.D.C. regarding alleged breaches of planning at Hales Farm Industrial Estate. Mrs. Cheetham agreed to contact the Director of Planning.
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Core Strategy
It was reported that comments had been submitted to U.D.C. as agreed at the last meeting.
Alleged Breaches of Planning Control
Notification was received from U.D.C. that the alleged breaches concerned Bluegates Farm (Pet centre and builders’ yard) and Almaro/The Nest (Garage converted to residential use)
Applications
It was agreed that comments should be made as under:-
UTT/2125/07 – Land adjoining Penarth and Gamegards, Warwick Road
The location plan is inaccurate. Access and vital services should be maintained at all times to The Nest and Gamegards Cottage. Mains drainage should be via the Priors Green development. Density of development is too high.
UTT/2204/07 – Community Hall at Priors Green
Design is uninspiring, and land available poorly used. No land for outside sports such as tennis. Hall is too small for such sports as badminton. Structures inside are dangerous obstruction. There is no provision for showers or function room. Plans need further consideration and amendment.
UTT/2207/07 – Office/Health Facilities at Priors Green
Provision for health facilities is welcome, but it is doubtful whether they would be used because of the local PCT’s apparent wish for centralisation. The appearance of building is not pleasing to the eye. Design should complement the whole estate and not consist of a drab box.
UTT/2205/07 – Shops at Priors Green
Provision of a large convenience store and five retail outlets is not necessary for an 800-house estate. Stores exist in Takeley and Dunmow, and extra use of them would retain viability. Is this application aimed at eventual increased housing in the area? Are there plans for the shops to be served by a local bus service? If so, where are the bus stops? They should be suitably close for the elderly and disabled. Would not disabled parking be better split with bays nearer the shops?
UTT/2248/07 – Conservatory at Rumbles Way
Would it not be a good idea for the District Council to stipulate that for structures of this nature the plans should show adjoining properties so that the impact on neighbours can be seen in transparency? Difficult to comment without this information.
ESS/01/07 – Noise Monitoring at Crumps Farm
No comment.
Decisions
ESS/50/06 – Dust Suppression Measures/ Warning Devices at Crumps Farm
Approved
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UTT/2019/07 – Canfield Moat Pool House Refused
UTT/2020/07 – Canfield Moat Triple Garage Refused
UTT/1881/07 – Bridge Cottage Alterations Approved
Crumps Farm
ESS/55/07 – Continuing Works,etc.
Notification was received that an environmental impact assessment would be required before the application could be considered.
ESS/02/08 – Screening Opinion
Documents were circulated.
6. Finance
S.S.E.
Thanks were received for donation given by the Council
Financial Support
A request for help was received form St. Clare Hospice. It was agreed to refer the matter to Cllr. Panzetta.
Payments
The following schedule of payments was presented, and the relevant cheques were signed:-
Cheque No. Name In Settlement of Amount
£
100764 E.ON UK Street Lighting 29.16
100765 Little Canfield Village Hall Meeting 21st January 5.00
100766 R. Shelley Petty Cash 25.62
7. Future Meetings
3rd March, 14th April, 19th May