Minutes Town Council Planning Committee - Monday 7th November 2011
Minutes Town Council Planning Committee - Monday 7th November 2011
Last Updated (Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00) Monday, 05 December 2011 10:20
Planning Committee Minutes
Minutes of Okehampton Town Council Planning Committee Meeting held on Monday 7 November 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 Mrs C Marsh
Councillor M Morse
In Attendance: D Bent (Town Clerk)
294. Apologies for Absence - There were no apologies for absence.
295. Deferment of Business - (for comment by the public) - There were no members of the public present.
296. Members’ Questions - Councillor Ireland reported the bus service 118 from Tavistock to Barnstaple did not appear on Sunday 6 November, nor the return service. He questioned amended services by Beacon Bus and it was agreed that company be consulted.
297. Minutes - The minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 10 October 2011 were approved and signed by the Chair on the proposition of Councillor M Ireland, seconded by Councillor M Davies.
298. Matters Arising -
298.1 Provision of On-Street Parking - Devon County Council (Traffic Regulations & Parking Places) Amendment Order 2011 - Councillor Mrs Bickley reported a meeting had been held on 1st November with officers of the Borough and County Council plus other partners who examined this Council’s paper relating to an integrated traffic management plan for the town. The County officers questioned specific information Okehampton required in the composition of this plan with such information to be forwarded to the Clerk; Members noted ongoing progress by the working party.
298.2 Core Strategy/Town Plan - The Clerk referenced the MCTI Action Plan of 2005 embracing Concept Plan, Town Design Statement plus a series of projects and acknowledged the role of Destination Okehampton to produce a new plan incorporating the above documents, but with a relative new beginning commencing with the SWOT exercise undertaken by this group in October. He concluded all ideas would be developed and embraced in the new Town Plan.
Core Strategy/Master Plan - the Clerk reported he had met with J Perry (Borough Planning Officer) and discussed the Core Strategy, community consultation, Okehampton Town Plan and the above work through Destination Okehampton. The Clerk said the Town Council was keen to meet and discuss the Core Strategy in conjunction with the Town Plan as part of the Master Plan whilst noting extensive objections to the Borough-adopted Core Strategy document. He concluded he was meeting J Perry and M Playle of the Borough in November to determine a working basis and would report back to this Council with the Borough Members to progress this documentation.
The Clerk further reported on the receipt of documentation from the Borough advising the Strategic Planning team were starting two new projects for the Core Strategy: a) Okehampton and Tavistock town centre shopping and leisure study and b) Okehampton and Tavistock design briefs. Consultation draft documents had been received and the consultants appointed by the Borough Council would contact the Town Council to discuss these topics. Finally, the Clerk advised an invitation to a Community Design Workshop had been received for Members to attend on Saturday 26 November 2011 in the Ockment Centre between 10 am and 1 pm.
Councillor Bickley referred to discussion with the Borough Director over the question of joint working on the shopping study in conjunction with the BID process. She reported she had the brief for the retail study and would forward a copy to the Chairman and Clerk. It was concluded all parties were focusing on the advancement and improvement of Okehampton with reports submitted to subsequent meetings of the Committee.
298.3 London Inn, West Street Archaeological Report - The Clerk advised he had visited this site with former Councillor Mrs D Smith who advised that Hayrish Ltd held an archaeological report on the condition of the structure and would forward a copy to the Council. Mrs Smith said the wall would be retained with the possible inclusion of garden fronting the ruins; noted.
298.4 Jobcentre Plus - A letter forwarded to the MP from Jobcentre Plus explained the mechanics of the Jobcentre Plus operation in Okehampton; the letter stated the outreach centre had been open to customers for a reduced service, subject to where they lived. The letter explained it was reasonable for Jobcentre customers in Okehampton area to visit Exeter and to keep in touch with the labour market. Reference to travelling expenses was mentioned and noted. The Chair advised he would visit the MP on 19 November with a series of questions including the above plus research on apprenticeships.
298.5 Okehampton BID - Councillor Mrs Bickley advised of funding from a series of sources including Lottery, West Devon Borough Council, LEAF Greater Dartmoor Funding and commented that the Chamber of Trade had not yet supported it and the Okehampton Charity wished to see public benefit. She concluded the BID process was proceeding and consultation would commence soon.
298.6 Snow Wardens - The Clerk invited Members to a meeting of the Emergency Planning Committee to be held on Monday 14 November 2011 at 7.00 pm; agreed.
299. Plans - Members received the following plans and commented as below.
Okehampton Hamlets
01977/2011 259975,95664
Outline
Outline application for residential development with access to be considered
Land adjacent to Baldwin Drive, Radford Way, Okehampton
Leander Developments
Members were concerned that this parcel of land had been allocated for school use with the neighbouring parcel of land for school expansion purposes and that an application to construct a school had been received recently. Councillor Marsh advised the Devon County Council would recommend refusal on the planning application as it was allocated as school use land. On the proposition of Councillor Leech, seconded by Councillor Davies, it was resolved to object to the proposal on the grounds that this was allocated school land use.
01988/2011 260162,95653
Reserved matters
Application for 20 dwellings and associated works (submission of reserved matters of appearance, landscaping, layout and scale)
Land adjacent to 33 Baldwin Drive, Okehampton
Linden Homes SW
Members supported this application.
Okehampton
02009/2011 258819,94664
Works to trees in conservation area
Works to trees in a conservation area: beech tree at 58 Station Road adjoining the rear garden of 56 Station Road - i) remove the large lowest primary branch overhanging the garden (cut of 8" diameter approx) ii) shorten back 3-4 of the longest lateral secondary and tertiary branches by 3-5' (cuts of 2" diameter approx) branches overhanging 56 Station Road.
58a Station Road, Okehampton EX20 1ED
Mr Vick
Members supported this application.
300. Road Closures - Members noted the following road closures: Simmons Way 6-7 December, Ranelagh Road 8-9 December for highway resurfacing works.
301. Dartmoor National Park Authority Appointment of Parish Link Members - Members noted Councillor Mrs Marsh is the Park’s appointed Parish Link Member for Okehampton.
302. Destination Okehampton/Chamber of Trade - Councillor Marsh requested representatives from Destination Okehampton attend a Chamber of Trade meeting to explain the role of this group, the purpose of the SWOT exercise and the benefits to the business community of the town. The Chairman acknowledged a previous visit to the Chamber and agreed to attend with Councillor Ireland with a request a response be sought from the Chamber in an endeavour to work with that organisation.
303. Members’ Reports -
(i) Okehampton Regeneration meeting - Councillor Leech reported that a survey conducted by this group had failed to secure sufficient replies, which group was currently pursuing micro businesses in the area. He referred to the regeneration meeting promoted by Councillor Mumford of Devon County with an assurance from that Councillor the group would stay together, but with a request for an Okehampton lead.
(ii) Ockment Centre - Councillor Leech reported on continuing work of the centre.
Children’s Centre - Councillor Marsh reported this operation was happy at the College.
(iii) Senior Council - no report.
(iv) Dartmoor Railway Supporters’ Association - Councillor Ireland reported this Association had bought five carriages for use on Dartmoor Railway, subject to restoration. Councillor Ireland questioned information from BARS about the future of the Railway and Councillor Marsh responded that delicate negotiations were ongoing with a request that the questions be delayed.
(v) Destination Okehampton - A report of a meeting held on 17 October was circulated and noted, Councillor Ball advised the next stage in this SWOT analysis process would be to examine leisure and tourism plus infrastructure to tease out goals.
Meeting closed 8.10 pm.
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Councillor P Vachon
Chairman