LIMPSFIELD PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting held on
Tuesday, 30 March 2004,
in the Millennium Room, St Peter’s
Church, Limpsfield at 7.30 pm
PRESENT: Chairman Mr C Walker (CW)
Councillors Mr B Alexander (BA), Mrs
R Harris (RH), Mrs C Heijmer (CH),
Mr J Pannett (JP), Mrs A
Williams (AW), Mrs
L Wingate (LW)
1.0 APOLOGIES
Apologies were received
from Mr Jonathan Jensen.
2.0 MINUTES
The minutes of
the previous meeting were approved and signed as a true record.
3.0 MATTERS ARISING
Minute 6.0 Chairman’s report:
Trish Bloxham has offered to attend the May meeting of the Council to
discuss taking forward the Tandridge LA21 ‘Adopt-a-Street’ scheme in
Limpsfield. Agreed.
4.0 PUBLIC SESSION
There were no questions from the floor.
5.0 COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORTS
A
written report from County Councillor Nick Skellett was received and read out
by the Chairman. The Chairman was
pleased to note that Mr Skellett would be putting a funding request to the
Local Committee for up to £2,000 towards the Limpsfield Chart playground appeal.
6.0 CHAIRMAN’S REPORT (including
correspondence)
Corrrespondence:
·
Age Concern – invitation to AGM being held on Monday, 5
April 2004 at the Social Centre in Bluehouse Lane at 2.30 pm. CW to attend. Action: CW
·
LCAS – newsletter March 2004
·
TDC – “Tomorrow’s Tandridge”. It was agreed to invite Paul Newdick to give a presentation to
the Parish Council in September about the new planning system and some of the
major issues that we may face.
·
Surrey Community Planning – Surrey in 2020. Meeting to be held on Monday, 26 April 2004,
at Bletchingley Village Hall from 7.30 – 9.30 pm. AW / BA to attend. Action: AW/BA·
TDC – “Tomorrow’s Tandridge”. It was agreed to invite Paul Newdick to give a presentation to
the Parish Council in September about the new planning system and some of the
major issues that we may face.
·
Surrey Community Planning – Surrey in 2020. Meeting to be held on Monday, 26 April 2004,
at Bletchingley Village Hall from 7.30 – 9.30 pm. AW / BA to attend. Action: AW/BA·
TDC – “Tomorrow’s Tandridge”. It was agreed to invite Paul Newdick to give a presentation to
the Parish Council in September about the new planning system and some of the
major issues that we may face.
·
Surrey Community Planning – Surrey in 2020. Meeting to be held on Monday, 26 April 2004,
at Bletchingley Village Hall from 7.30 – 9.30 pm. AW / BA to attend. Action: AW/BA
6.1
Allotments
Update
The Chairman and
LW declared an interest in the following discussion
A written reply to the Council’s letters dated 20 January
and 8 March 2004, has been received from Strutt & Parker. It points out that the offer of alternative
sites has to be made to the Allotment Holders, who are the tenants, but that
copies of the correspondence will be forwarded to the Council. It also points out that any Compulsory Purchase
Order could only be confirmed after all other alternatives had been considered,
not just land comprising part of the Titsey Estate.
The alternative site offered in Strutt & Parker’s
letter to the PAAA is an area of 4.564 acres to the rear of the properties in
Park Road at the eastern end, with access from Water Lane. The letter states that it is a level site
with good road access, the possibility of providing a small car park and can be
better fenced against vermin. In
addition, the site could be somewhat bigger than the existing site if there is
a demand for additional allotment. The
Titsey Estate would also undertake to provide fencing, car parking and water to
the site. Moreover, a transition period
would be allowed for the transfer from the old site to the new site and the
Notice to Quit on the existing site would be extended so that it expires in
December 2007. The proposal is subject
to agreeing terms with the existing agricultural tenant.
The proposed site is designated an Area of Oustanding
Natural Beauty, Area of Great Landscape Value and Green Belt. Whilst allotments are not subject to the
usual planning permission requirements, car parking is and the Planning
Department has informally indicated that there may be concerns about the extent
and visibility of this in the open AONB/AGLV and GB.
Paul Clayden has confirmed that the Parish Council is not
directly involved at this stage because it has no legal interest in the
land. It will become an interested
party if, or when, it takes steps to acquire an alternative site. However, the Council is entitled to comment
on the suitability of an alternative site, as are allotment holders, residents
and electors, bearing in mind that any of them might become allotment holders.
The Chairman
welcomed Mr Ted Riches and the Chairman of the PAAA to the meeting.
Mr Riches confirmed that very few existing tenants would be
prepared to move to the proposed new site on the north side of Park Road. A number of site visits to the new site have
been made at different times to assess the condition of the soil. The site is considered unsuitable for a
number of reasons: the soil does not
compare at all to the present site – it is a very heavy Gault clay making the
ground extremely difficult to work and prone to water logging; the site is
isolated compared to the existing site; it is extremely noisy; it is situated
in a frost hollow formed by the downs on one side and the Bluehouse Lane ridge
on the other. Because so few members
appear to be willing to relocate to this site, it is impossible to advise
Strutt & Parker how much land would be required. The PAAA has concluded that the site offered is not a “reasonable
alternative” and would, therefore, urge the Parish Council to compulsorily
purchase the existing site.
Members were in support of the PAAA’s decision to write a
letter of refusal of the offer made by Strutt & Parker. It was agreed that in the letter the
Association should make clear their intention to ask the Parish Council to
pursue the Compulsory Lease or Purchase of the land if a viable alternative cannot
be found.
It was further agreed, subject to Strutt & Parker’s
response to that letter, that the Parish Council would write to the agent once
again to request the withdrawal of the Notice to Quit.
6.2
Diocese
/ St Peter’s Church land swap
The Parish Council has been copied on a total of 23 letters
opposing the land swap. The Chairman
read out a list of the key points made in the letters. The Chairman also pointed out that an open
land policy, Policy BE11, to protect the open use of the land at Brook and
Glebe Fields was incorporated into the 2001 Tandridge District Local Plan.
After lengthy discussion, members were unanimous in
expressing serious concern about the possible future development of the Glebe
and Brook Fields and agreed to strenuously object to any planning permission
for the site, as and when application is made to the District Authority.
AW confirmed that the PCC would be giving a presentation
about the proposal on Tuesday, 1 June 2004, in St Peter’s Church Hall, commencing
at 8.00 pm. The format of the meeting
was unclear.
Action: Clerk
Footpath 42:
Philippa Gates has inspected this footpath and will arrange for the
vegetation to be cut back.
AW confirmed that she has walked her
rights of way. A number of them are on
Limpsfield Common and Mark Richards has agreed to deal with them. More graffiti has appeared on the fence at
the Granville Road end of footpath 78.
CW agreed to ask Tony Yates to remove this. Action: CW
Action: Clerk
Footpath 42:
Philippa Gates has inspected this footpath and will arrange for the
vegetation to be cut back.
AW confirmed that she has walked her
rights of way. A number of them are on
Limpsfield Common and Mark Richards has agreed to deal with them. More graffiti has appeared on the fence at
the Granville Road end of footpath 78.
CW agreed to ask Tony Yates to remove this. Action: CW
Action: Clerk
Footpath 42:
Philippa Gates has inspected this footpath and will arrange for the
vegetation to be cut back.
AW confirmed that she has walked her
rights of way. A number of them are on
Limpsfield Common and Mark Richards has agreed to deal with them. More graffiti has appeared on the fence at
the Granville Road end of footpath 78.
CW agreed to ask Tony Yates to remove this. Action: CW
Action: Clerk
Footpath 42:
Philippa Gates has inspected this footpath and will arrange for the
vegetation to be cut back.
AW confirmed that she has walked her
rights of way. A number of them are on
Limpsfield Common and Mark Richards has agreed to deal with them. More graffiti has appeared on the fence at
the Granville Road end of footpath 78.
CW agreed to ask Tony Yates to remove this. Action: CW
7.2 Planning
·
Mr Francis Thompson of Strutt & Parker has responded to
the request for information about the Moorhouse sandpits by offering a guided
tour of the sandpits to two members of the council. Suggested dates are Friday, 23 April, 30 April or 7 May,
commencing at around 10 am. He is also
planning to invite representatives from the County and District Planning
Departments, Tatsfield Parish Council and Titsey Parish Meeting. JP / BA to attend. Action: JP / BA
·
The Limpsfield Memorial Stores committee would like to
erect a small shed adjacent to the stores.
There was no objection in principle.
No objections
TA/2004/254
45, PARK ROAD, OXTED
ERECTION OF CONSERVATORY TO REAR.
TA/2004/260 LANGSHAW COTTAGE, PASTENS
ROAD, OXTED
ERECTION OF SINGLE STOREY REAR EXTENSION.
TA/2004/225
FERNSHAW, ROCKFIELD ROAD, OXTED
ERECTION OF TWO STOREY DWELLING WITH DOUBLE GARAGE
(OUTLINE).
No objections
providing that the dwelling is of a reasonable size, in keeping with the size
of the small the plot.
TA/2004/305
18, STONELEIGH ROAD, LIMPSFIELD
ERECTION OF REAR CONSERVATORY.
TA/2004/337
ASH FARM, HONEYPOT LANE, EDENBRIDGE
ERECTION OF SINGLE STOREY EXTENSION TO NORTH-WEST
ELEVATION.
TA/2004/343
THE HAY BARN, SHINGLE BARN FARM, DWELLY LANE, LIMPSFIELD
ERECTION OF SINGLE STOREY LINK EXTENSION TO
NORTH-EAST ELEVATION INCORPORATING CONVERSION OF GARAGE TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL
ACCOMMODATION. No objections provided that a garage is not subsequently added.
TA/2004/236
CHARTWELL, BRASSEY ROAD, OXTED
ERECTION OF SINGLE STOREY REAR EXTENSION.
TA/2004/354
61, BLUEHOUSE LANE, OXTED
ERECTION OF SINGLE STOREY SIDE EXTENSION.
TA/2004/393
STAFFHURST LODGE, GRANTS LANE, LIMPSFIELD
USE OF ADJOINING LAND AS PART OF RESIDENTIAL
CURTILAGE (APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF LAWFULNESS FOR AN EXISTING USE).
TA/2004/336
ASH FARM, HONEYPOT LANE, EDENBRIDGE
RELOCATION OF EXISTING MENAGE FACILITY.
TA/2004/426
NATWEST BANK, 12 STATION ROAD EAST, OXTED
ERECTION OF ACCESS RAMP AND STEPS WITH ASSOCIATED
HANDRAILS AND LIGHT.
TA/2004/432
CHARTVIEW, WESTERHAM ROAD, OXTED
ERECTION OF SIDE CONSERVATORY.
TA/2004/433 7, STANHOPES, LIMPSFIELD
INSTALLATION OF SOLAR PANEL TO SOUTH ROOF SLOPE.
(Application for a Certificate of Lawfulness).
TA/2004/199
HAZELWOOD SCHOOL, WOLFS HILL, OXTED
ERECTION OF STEEL SHED. Subject to adequate
screening with shrubs/trees.
TA/2004/377
THE LITTLE SHEPHERDS COTTAGE, KENT HATCH ROAD, LIMPSFIELD
ERECTION OF SINGLE STOREY EXTENSION TO SOUTH
ELEVATION. Subject to the cottage remaining ancillary to the main building.
TA/2004/370
22, GRESHAM ROAD, OXTED
ERECTION OF A TWO STOREY SIDE AND REAR EXTENSION AND
CONVERSION OF RESULTANT BUILDING TO PROVIDE 5 X 2-BED AND 3 X 1-BED FLATS WITH
ASSOCIATED PARKING (10 SPACES). Subject to car parking spaces meeting the
requirements of Policy BE1.9 of the Local Plan and appropriate landscaping in
keeping with the existing streetscape.
Planning Appeals
TA/2003/977 Chardleigh
cottage, Pains Hill, Limpsfield
Erection of
two storey side extension & front porch.
Planning Refusals
TA/2004/73 Three
Gables, Ballards Lane, Oxted
Erection of 1.8M
high wall with gates to front boundary.
TA/2004/80 Comforts Orchard, Grants
Lane, Limpsfield
Erection of
detached triple open-fronted garage (amendment to previously approved scheme
TA/2003/693).
TA/2004/88 47 Westerham Road,
Limpsfield
Erection of
single storey rear extension with raised decking and room under for storage.
TA/2004/22 Pitchfont
Farm, Water Lane, Oxted
Demolition of existing cattle
building and outbuildings; erection of two cattle buildings, with attached
garage and workshop; erection of barn.
TA/2003/1620 Clementsdene, 88
Bluehouse Lane, Oxted
Demolition of existing building and erection of 7 x 2
bed flats with associated landscaping and car parking (9 spaces).
Planning Appeal
Dismissed
TA/2003/P/621 Thornhill School,
Westerham Road, Limpsfield
Erection of detached double garage.
7.3 Highways
RH reported on the following
issues:
·
Wolfs Row parking:
a reply has been received from Highways stating that no action will be taken
to deter parking near the corner by the traffic lights. RH expressed concern that the Highways Assistant
was not fully acquainted with the facts and requested that a site meeting be
set up to discuss a solution the problem. Action: Clerk
·
Copy of Highways’ e-mail to Nick Skellett. Highways is endeavouring to co-ordinate the reparations
to the footpath in Limpsfield High Street with two vehicle crossovers which are
within the area to be re-laid. These
crossovers are currently in the planning stage which is causing a short term
delay to the necessary works.
·
The Parish Council confirmed its support for the
installation of a vehicle activated warning sign on the eastern approach to
Snatts Hill, which was being put forward for approval at the Tandridge Local
Committee meeting on 26 March 2004.
·
A complaint has been received about the large ‘valley’ in
the Titsey road surface, just after the left hand bend going north. Action: Clerk
·
Parking outside Hazelwood School: a meeting to discuss parking arrangements has been arranged for
Monday, 17 May 2004, at 3.45 pm. Action: CW / RH
The clerk agreed to ask Highways
to replace the old style street light near Sylvan Close.
7.4 Publicity
There was nothing to report.
7.5 Trees, Village
Green & Parish Office
The Chairman confirmed that Mr
Wright of Sandstones was very happy with the Parish Council’s plans for the
area adjacent to the Memorial Stores.
AW reported that a number of
shingles were missing from the roof of the bus shelter outside the Council Offices
in Station Road East.
8.0 REPORTS FROM
REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES
8.1 Limpsfield
Common
Apologies were received from Mark
Richards.
8.2 Limpsfield
School
The minutes of the Governors’
meeting held on 11/02/04 have been received.
There was nothing further to report.
8.3 Police Community
Partnership Group
There was nothing to report.
9.0 FINANCE
9.1 Grants – Age Concern
Resolved: having inspected the Annual
Accounts, it was resolved to grant the sum of £150 to Age Concern under s137 of
the LGA1972.
9.2 Accounts for Payment
·
G Cannon salary (26 March 2004) £380.66
·
Tandridge District Council (first half rates)(chq
221) £96.80
·
Tangent Printers (Annual Parish Report)(chq 222) £398.66
·
Glasdon UK Ltd (two jubilee bollards)(chq 223) £321.26
·
G Cannon expenses & broadband (chq 224) £38.08
·
Age Concern (s137 grant)(chq 225) £100.00
10.0 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Dr J Nathan, as Chairman of Master Park Management Committee, has
requested that an appeal be made at the Annual Parish Meeting on 31
March 2004, for financial support to maintain the park. Agreed.
11.0 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting
will be held on Tuesday, 4 May 2004.
The meeting closed at 10.30 pm.