Minutes Planning Committee - Monday 18 May 2009
Committee Members Present:
Councillor Mrs M McDonald (Chair)
Councillor A Leech (Vice Chair)
Councillor Mrs K Bickley
Councillor Dr M Ireland
Councillor M Morse
Councillor H A Pirwany
Councillor A Raymond (Chair, Parks)
Other Members Present:
Councillor Mrs C Marsh
In Attendance:
R Richards (Deputy Town Clerk)
9. Apologies for Absence - Apologies for absence were received from the Mayor, Councillor D Weekes, as he had a Civic Dinner to attend in Barnstaple.
10. Deferment of Business - (for comment by the public) - There were no members of the public present.
11. Members’ Questions - There were no Members’ questions.
12. Minutes - Minutes of the Planning meeting held on 5 May 2009 were approved and signed by the Chairman, Councillor Mrs M McDonald, as a true record of the proceedings.
13. Matters Arising -
13.1 Proposed Development - Link Road Covenant - The Chairman reported that the Town Clerk had written to Mr Chapman, Overview and Scrutiny Committee, but to date no reply had been received.
13.2 Traffic Congestion Okehampton - The Chairman reported that the Town Clerk had written to Mr J Deasy, but no reply had been received to date.
14. Plans - See Annex A.
The Chairman informed Councillors that a special meeting was being held with Okehampton Hamlets on Wednesday 27 May 2009 to discuss the planning application from Persimmon Developments. Councillors will receive an agenda in due course.
15. Mill Road 20 mph Speed Limit - Councillor Leech requested this agenda item as he is concerned about the speeding restriction notices approaching the College. There is a sign showing 20 mph speed limit, but he felt it would be safer to have a 20 mph sign actually painted on the road. It was proposed by Councillor Leech and seconded by Councillor Bickley that the Town Clerk writes to Devon Highways with this suggestion from OTC.
16. Dartmoor Railway - Councillor Dr M Ireland requested this agenda item as he wanted to keep the public informed of the progress and position relating to the development of the Railway. He reported that First Great Western will run a Sunday Rover Service from 7 June 2009. There is a financial issue for the Railway as the stone contract had been lost, however the Railway is trying to obtain a further contract to raise money. Councillor Ireland asked Councillor Marsh DCC position regarding funding to which she replied all funding is allocated through grants. The Chairman thanked Councillor Ireland for his report.
17. Okehampton Bridleways 15 and 14 Okehampton, Okehampton Hamlets - The Chairman reported that this information was available in the Clerk’s office.
18. Dartmoor - The Loop Road - Councillors noted a letter from the Duchy of Cornwall that had been circulated with the agenda. Councillor Bickley stressed that this was the Duchy of Cornwall’s final decision to only allow permitted civilian motor vehicles access as far as OP22 on the East side and the barrier at grid reference 597921 on the West. Councillor Ireland was concerned that Dartmoor Rescue vehicles were unable to negotiate the ground in an emergency, therefore was it possible to ask the Duchy for the tarmac to be broken down and a rubble road made for Dartmoor Rescue vehicles and ambulances to drive over.
It was agreed to write to the Duchy of Cornwall with the above suggestion and to ask if one side of the Loop be accessible.
19. Members’ Reports -
(i) Councillor Leech reported that following a meeting with Councillor Bickley and the Hamlets, parish plans are progressing and the Hamlets will be sending a questionnaire to OTC for completion. Councillor Leech also suggested that Okehampton Town Council update our Town Plan.
(ii) Councillor Bickley asked the Chair if she could give the Committee an update on the progress of Food bank. The Chairman agreed. Councillor Bickley informed Councillors that during the past week alone 7 parcels had been given out and that the CAB had used all their vouchers. The charity was being utilised to the full. Councillor Bickley suggested that she could be the official OTC representative (agenda item required).
Meeting closed 7.45 pm.
Recommendations - Planning Committee 18 May 2009
OKEHAMPTON
12845/2009/OKE SX58908,95090Full
Conversion of outbuilding to create a dwelling
13 Kempley Road, Okehampton EX20 1DS
Mr M Wigley
Observation - loss in parking spaces. Access onto Park Road.
12854/2009/OKE SX59315,95700
Tree application
Application to carry out works under tree preservation order for the felling of one beech, one oak, the removal of minor stems from a rowan and the removal of one limb from an oak
64 Fern Meadow, Okehampton EX20 1PB
Mr R Randall
Observation - tree preservation order on it.
12861/2009/OKE SX58741,95147
Listed building
Proposed alterations to provide office space for hotel
White Hart Hotel, Fore Street, Okehampton EX20 1HD
Five Star Caterers Ltd
Observation - planning consent required for listed building.
12864/2009/OKE SX58973,94876
County matter - mineral/waste
Installation of 114 photovoltaic (solar) panels on south facing roof
Okehampton Community College, Mill Road, Okehampton EX20 1PW
Mr D Chapman
Supported
12872/2009/OKE SX58943,95358
Full
Erection of extensions
30 Northfield Road, Okehampton EX20 1BA
Mr M Hutton
Supported