Minutes Town Council Planning Committee - Monday 12th September 2011
Minutes Town Council Planning Committee - Monday 12th September 2011
Last Updated (Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00) Saturday, 22 October 2011 16:02
Planning Committee Minutes
Minutes of Okehampton Town Council Planning Committee Meeting held on
Monday 12 September 2011 in the Council Chamber, Town Hall,
Fore Street, Okehampton at 7.00 pm
Committee Members Present: Councillor P Vachon (Chair)
Councillor Mrs K Bickley (Vice Chair)
Councillor Dr M Ireland
Councillor Mrs M McDonald (Town Mayor)
Councillor M Davies (Chair, P & R)
Councillor A Leech (Chair, Property)
Other Members Present: Councillor T Cummings
Councillor Mrs C Marsh
In Attendance: D Bent (Town Clerk)
206. Apologies for Absence - Apologies for absence were presented on behalf of Councillors J Stockwell and M Morse.
207. Deferment of Business - (for comment by the public) - There were no members of the public present.
208. Members’ Questions - There were no questions from Members regarding the workings of the Committee.
209. Minutes - The minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 15 August 2011 were approved and signed by the Chair on the proposition of Councillor A Leech, seconded by Councillor Mrs M McDonald.
210. Matters Arising -
210.1 Provision of On-Street Parking - Devon County Council (Traffic Regulations & Parking Places) Amendment Order 2011 - The Clerk reported the paper prepared by this Council’s working group, as part of the car parking and integrated traffic plan for Okehampton, had been submitted to Devon County Highways which had been acknowledged and agreed by the County to be submitted to the Okehampton Traffic Group meeting. Councillor Mrs Bickley would attend on behalf of the Council. Councillor Bickley commented that all aspects of parking in the town would be discussed at that meeting and further reported the Car Parking Strategy Group meeting of the Borough Council would be held on 18 October at which this would be discussed. It was noted that Councillor Oxborough, Chair of the Borough Council Development Committee, would attend.
210.2 WDBC LDF Core Strategy Development Plan - Members were informed of a press release by the Borough Council which advised that that authority would be working alongside its partners, including the Town Councils, Devon County and other interested organisations to provide an opportunity for all to get involved and ensure the potential new developments in the town are built to a high quality; noted.
210.3 Concept/Parish Plan - The Chair advised of his research, specifically relating to Okehampton Concept/Town Plan with a proposal to submit his findings to a subsequent meeting.
211. Plans - Members received plans as below and made the following comments.
01844/2011
Full
Change of use of existing garage/store to one bedroom
Endacotts Garage, North Street, Okehampton EX20 1AR
M Finucane
Council supported this application
01846/2011
Full
Application for erection of single storey rear extension and enclosure of porch
7 Holley Park, Okehampton EX20 1PL
R Sheppard
Council supported this application
01847/2011
Advertisement
Erection of free-standing information sign for Simmons Park
Okehampton Community College, Mill Road, Okehampton EX20 1PW
Okehampton Town Council
Council supported this application
01851/2011
Full
Installation of ground mounted solar PV panels
Upcott House, Upcott Hill, Okehampton EX20 1SQ
Eco Concepts, South Brent
Councillor Mrs K Bickley declared an interest. Members supported the application.
212. Members’ Reports -
(i) Okehampton Regeneration meeting - The Chairman referred to his attendance at a number of Heartlands regeneration working group meetings, referenced a survey which Destination Okehampton had responded to with some questions over the validity of such information and advised the minutes of the meetings held in August were available in the Clerk’s office. Members questioned the redevelopment of the site ‘Opportunity Okehampton’ and requested feedback; Councillor Marsh advised she would undertake this.
(ii) Ockment Centre - Councillor Leech advised the centre had been used during Jobs Fair week and had proved very successful as a good venue for this type of activity.
Children’s Centre - Councillor Marsh reported this had moved from the Ockment Centre to the College for economic reasons.
(iii) Dartmoor Railway Supporters’ Association - Councillor Ireland reported on a successful visit of a charter steam railway on 6 September which was a boost to tourism for the town and reported on two further charter visits in October. It was noted the synergy between local trains and the Heritage Railway was buoyant.
(iv) Destination Okehampton - The Chair reported this meeting had been designed to construct a SWOT analysis of the town which was deferred. The meeting addressed the previous town survey and results and examined and debated value of a vague survey produced by Heartlands, but nevertheless completed the document subject to amendment. A question was tabled relating to transitional town status and what this would mean for Okehampton, the topic to be discussed by this group. With regard to employment land, as referenced above, Members questioned a layout of the site including the railway station. Councillor Marsh advised she would bring this document to a subsequent meeting.
(v) Town Estates - Councillor Leech referred to maintenance of miscellaneous parcels of land on the housing estates around the town following adoption of highways and footpaths of the same. He explained the process where management companies operated within the sites to maintain these parcels of land whilst charging residents. It was established directors were appointed from the residents whose role was to manage this land; Members noted and awaited developments.
(vi) WDBC Services - Councillor Leech reported the Borough Council would write to town and parish councils with a model and method of options to devolve certain services to those councils, developments were awaited.
Meeting closed 7.52 pm.
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Councillor P Vachon
Chairman