Minutes Town Council Planning Committee - Monday 10th October 2011
Minutes Town Council Planning Committee - Monday 10th October 2011
Last Updated (Thursday, 17 November 2011 12:19) Thursday, 17 November 2011 12:17
Planning Committee Minutes
Minutes of Okehampton Town Council Planning Committee Meeting held on Monday 10 October 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 J Stockwell
Councillor Mrs M McDonald (Town Mayor)
Councillor D Weekes (Chair, Parks)
Councillor M Davies (Chair, P & R)
Councillor A Leech (Chair, Property)
Other Members Present: Councillor K Ball
Councillor T Cummings
Councillor Mrs C Marsh
In Attendance: D Bent (Town Clerk)
250. Apologies for Absence - There were no apologies for absence.
251. Deferment of Business - (for comment by the public) - There were no members of the public present.
252. Members’ Questions - Councillor Ireland referred to a complaint over cars parking in the bus stop outside Boots in Fore Street; the complaint to be forwarded to the Borough Enforcement Officers.
253. Minutes - The minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 12 September 2011 were approved and signed by the Chair on the proposition of Councillor M Ireland, seconded by Councillor A Leech.
254. Matters Arising -
254.1 Provision of On-Street Parking - Devon County Council (Traffic Regulations & Parking Places) Amendment Order 2011 - Councillor Mrs Bickley reported a meeting of the Okehampton Traffic Group was awaited to examine and assess the paper submitted by this Council; Councillor Mrs Marsh agreed to pursue.
254.2 WDBC/LDF Core Strategy Development Plan - The Chair advised he had extracted relevant policies relating to Okehampton from this plan, together with relevant sections of the former Town Action Plan and proposed to combine the two to produce a Town Plan through the Destination Okehampton working group, the work to be part of Okehampton Regeneration; noted.
254.3 London Inn, West Street Archaeological Report - Documentation from Councillor Mrs Marsh recommended an archaeological recording condition on these premises, with the requirement the developer submit a written scheme of investigation for approval and implementation. Members accepted the poor condition of the premises, their historic interest to the town and suggested the owners be invited to undertake this work prior to development. It was acknowledged this was in a conservation area with due permissions for that status. To expedite matters it was agreed the Chair and Clerk meet with the owners to discuss the production of an archaeological report.
254.4 Proposed Primary School Okehampton - Councillor Leech requested clarification on planning permission for this school and acknowledged a planning application in this agenda.
255. Plans - Members received plans as on Annex A and made the following comments.
256. Jobcentre Plus - Councillor Leech referred to a request for an increased presence of the Jobcentre Plus in Okehampton and commented the only way to effect this was to lobby the MP, as these decisions were made in London. Members noted the mechanics of signing on the unemployment register in Okehampton together with statistics, accepted the continuing need for a Jobcentre in Okehampton alongside the Pathfinder operation and it was resolved the Chair, together with the Clerk, meet the MP at his surgery to discuss this request (statistics to be obtained from the Jobcentre relating to all people from Okehampton and surrounds who travel to Exeter to sign on as unemployed).
257. Electric Cars - Councillor Mrs Bickley referred to an EV-friendly project which related to the installation of power points for electric cars across England into Cornwall and Devon. She explained the project was consistent with the aim of the government’s policies, was subject to project funding supported by a number of national bodies including the Dartmoor National Park. She commented EV-friendly was consistent with the Devon Sustainable Plan and Devon’s Transport Plan and ticked boxes relating to reducing carbon emissions. Members noted the proposal, the Chairman accepted it as a brilliant plan aimed at County and District Councils, but with the Town Council’s support. A question was tabled relating to the availability of free energy for electric car users as a social cost and noted. Councillor Bickley reported this would be submitted to the Okehampton Traffic Management Committee meeting.
258. Snow Wardens - The Committee was asked to examine the appointment of a co-ordinator plus snow wardens for Okehampton following a request from the County; the co-ordinator to be appointed from the Council or the public, to undertake training and accept responsibility of the post whilst appointing wardens to work alongside him. If the Town Council were to register with the County’s scheme, five tons of salt would be given for free with additional salt at £100 per ton. The meeting accepted that police under gold control would assume overall responsibility for any major snowfall, work alongside the Highways Committee with wardens and co-ordinators operating in their respective towns. It was concluded a meeting of the Council’s Emergency Planning Committee be called, the appointment of a co-ordinator and snow wardens part of that agenda, Clerk to arrange.
259. Road Closures - Members noted the following road closures: New Road 24-28 October 2011 and Church Street 19-21 October 2011 for drainage works.
260. Members’ Reports -
(i) Okehampton Regeneration meeting - Councillor Leech reported that S Burgess had advised of work hubs being pursued for Barnstaple and Totnes with discussion ongoing for Okehampton.
Master Planning - he reported the towns study by this group was concentrating on Okehampton and Tavistock and would include the impact on neighbouring parishes.
Superfast Broadband - he reported the tendering process was under way.
Okehampton Works Week - further reference was made to the success of this event, the follow-up meeting on 18 October and a request from that event that all vacancies should be on Councils’ websites.
Destination Okehampton - reference was made to the SWOT analysis meeting due on 17 October.
(ii) Ockment Centre - Councillor Leech reported the Ockment Centre would apply for permission to install a water turbine on these premises. He reported the job club had not closed and was operating on goodwill with funding being obtained from a new source with the option of LEAF funding the following year.
Children’s Centre - no report.
(iii) Senior Council - No report.
(iv) Dartmoor Railway Supporters’ Association - Councillor Ireland reported a new coach had been received by the organisation for restoration, the success of the Sunday Rover was noted as an ongoing earning potential for the line.
(v) Destination Okehampton - Councillor Ball reported a meeting due on 17 October would undertake a SWOT analysis of Okehampton.
Meeting closed 8.35 pm.
___________________
Councillor P Vachon
Chairman
Recommendations – Planning Committee 10 October 2011
OKEHAMPTON
01899/2011 258770,95458
Advertisement
Erection of billboard signage
Lidl Supermarket, School Way, Okehampton EX20 1EU
Lidl UK
Support
01912/2011 258623,95290
Advertisement
Non-illuminated hanging and wall mounted signage
2-4 Market Street, Okehampton EX20 1HN
Mr J Farrington
Support
01954/2011 258725,95220
Full
Erection of photovoltaic panels onto roof
Charter Hall, Market Street, Okehampton EX20 1HN
Mr D Bent
All Members of the Council declared an interest. Support
01936/2011 258751,95304
Full
Change of use of garage and forecourt to butchers/deli
Okehampton Free Fit, School Way, Okehampton EX20 1EU
Mr A J Martin
Support
01947/2011 259975,95664
Outline
Outline application for school with all matters reserved
Land adjacent to Baldwin Drive, Radford Way, Okehampton
Leander Developments
Support
Members were concerned why Leander had submitted this application and not the County Council and questioned the rationale. Members questioned the security of planning permission for the school, who would build the school subject to planning permission, but welcomed the development with the comment the Hamlets be included in discussions.