Minutes Planning Committee - Monday 19 April 2010
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 D Weekes (Town Mayor)
Councillor A Raymond (Chair, Parks)
Other Members Present:
Councillor Ms T Edwards
Councillor C Letchford
Councillor Mrs C Marsh
Councillor Mrs D Smith
Councillor P Vachon
In Attendance:
D Bent (Town Clerk)
645. Apologies for Absence - There were no apologies for absence.
646. Deferment of Business - (for comment by the public) - There were no members of the public present.
647. Members’ Questions - Councillor Mrs Marsh referred to the development at Lewis Court, East Street and the conditions attached for the installation of a bollard and the resurfacing of the public right of way; this had not been completed and it was agreed to ask the Enforcement Officer to investigate.
648. Minutes - The minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 6 April 2010 were approved and signed on the proposition of Councillor A Raymond, seconded by Councillor M Morse.
649. Matters Arising -
649.1 Speeding on Upcott Hill - The Clerk reported a nil response and it was agreed to ask Councillor Mrs Marsh to pursue the County’s policy on a 30 mph speed limit across the town relative to boundaries.
650. Plans - Members received the following plans and commented as below.
00289/2010 258920,94519
Full
Replacement of existing windows and door
Flat 1, Beechcroft, 76 Station Road, Okehampton EX20 1EH
Mr I Pike
Supported
00315/2010 258694,95286
Change of use
Change of use from A1 (shop) to A2 (office)
13 Charter Place, Market Street, Okehampton EX20 1HN
Mr C Davidson
Members were disappointed at this proposed change of use, preferred to see retail units maintain a shopping scene.
651. South West Highways - Members noted closure of North Road from Fahey’s Quarry to Knowle Bridge on Thursday 8 July 2010 for resurfacing works.
652. WDBC Local Development Framework - Core Strategy Development Plan Document/Infrastructure Delivery Plan/Summary of Representations - Members noted the receipt of these documents, acknowledged the same would be submitted to the Future Planning and Housing Committee of the Borough Council on 19 April and any changes to the Core Strategy would be made available to the public for a period of further consultation with any representations submitted to the Secretary of State in June. It was noted an examination in public would be undertaken later in the year at which an Inspector would examine the strategy to ensure it was sound and contributed to the achievement of sustainable development.
The Chair questioned the outcome at the Borough meeting from Councillor Mrs Marsh who advised that she had not been at the meeting following substitution on the Borough Council’s process of representation. Members were disappointed at this decision and it was agreed to write to the Chairman, Councillor Miss D Moyse, asking why Councillor Mrs Marsh had been substituted and who had been appointed in her stead with knowledge of Okehampton and representing the town; the letter to also ask the outcome at this meeting (copy to David Incoll).
With regard to the documentation, it was agreed the Clerk would extract relevant information on Okehampton, circulate to Members for discussion at a future meeting based on the results of the Borough Future Planning and Housing Committee decision.
653. Members’ Reports -
Ockment Centre - Concern was expressed over the removal of the children’s centre from the Centre, Councillor Mrs Marsh responded that the long-term plans for Okehampton Learning Centre were currently being discussed with the Ockment Centre. Councillor Mrs Bickley expressed concern that the Jobcentre was not functional in the Centre and clients not informed; it was agreed that the Clerk ask the Jobcentre Manager, M Maslen, for a position statement.
Senior Council - Councillor Mrs Bickley commented on a diverse agenda from this group, restructuring redundancies at nursing homes, Okehampton access group operation on suitable kerbs across the town.
654. Okehampton New Primary School - It was agreed that Christine McNeil of Devon County Council would attend the next Planning meeting to discuss this topic, due to be held on Tuesday 4 May at 6.30 pm.
Meeting closed 7.40 pm.