LIMPSFIELD PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday, 5 April 2005,

in the school hall, Limpsfield CE Infant School, Limpsfield at 7.30 pm

 

 

PRESENT:        Chairman          Mrs A Williams (AW)

                        Councillors        Mr B Alexander (BA), Mrs R Harris (RH),

                                                Mrs C Heijmer (CH), Mr D Marnham (DM),

                                                Mr J Pannett (JP), Mr C Walker (CW), Mrs L Wingate (LW)

 

In attendance:    Clerk                 Mrs G Cannon

 

1.0  APOLOGIES

 

There were no apologies for absence.

 

 

2.0  MINUTES 

 

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved and signed as a true record.


3.0  MATTERS ARISING

 

There were no matters arising.

 

 

4.0  PUBLIC SESSION

 

The Chairman welcomed Mr Birrell and Mrs Madgett, both residents of High Street, Limpsfield, to the meeting.

 

The residents expressed their grave concerns about the number of heavy goods vehicles using the High Street and the speed that the vehicles were travelling.  They also highlighted that parked cars were regularly being damaged by careless drivers.  In particular there appears to be a significant amount of motorway maintenance traffic, supermarket lorries and coaches.

 

AW explained that the ‘Unsuitable for HGV’ signs were advisory only as the High Street is a ‘B’ road.  It may be helpful to write to the companies concerned and request that their drivers use an alternative route.  AW agreed that the Parish Council would try to improve the situation for residents by asking the police to carry out some speed checks and by contacting Highways for some suggestions as to how matters could be improved.  JP suggested that Mr Birrell and Mrs Madgett might like to attend the next Police Action Forum to ask for the issue of speeding to be monitored as a priority in Limpsfield.

                                                                                                                  Action:  Clerk  

 

 

5.0  CO-OPTION OF PARISH COUNCILLOR

 

CW nominated Mrs Stella Bryant as candidate for the office of Parish Councillor.  Seconded by LW.  Resolved:  to invite Mrs Bryant to become a member of the Parish Council with the formal co-option to take place at the May meeting.          Action:  Clerk

 

 

6.0    COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORTS 

There were no reports received. An e-mail was received from District Councillor Colin Hall passing on his best wishes to members of the Council on his resignation from his post as District Councillor, Limpsfield Ward.

 


7.0  CHAIRMAN’S REPORT (including correspondence)


Corrrespondence:

 

·         Limpsfield School – Minutes of the Governors’ Meeting held on 8/12/04.

·         Ron Bristow – does the Parish Council want to raise any matters at the Annual Passenger Transport Assembly in June 2005?  It was agreed to ask Mr Bristow to raise the subject of trains regularly sounding their horns along the Oxted / Hurst Green stretch of the railway line which was causing a nuisance to many residents.       Action:  Clerk

·         SCC – Draft Surrey Countryside Access Strategy.  Comments by 29 April 2005.  DM gave a brief summary of the strategy.  No action required.

·         Surrey Community Action – Village of the Year Competition. Decline to enter.

·         Age Concern – invitation to AGM on Monday, 18 April 2005 at the Methodist Hall, Hurst Green, at 2.15 pm.  CW to attend.                                                                                                            Action:  CW

·         SCC – Community involvement in the preparation of the Minerals and Waste Development Framework.  JP advised that no further response was necessary at this stage.

·         Surrey Hills – leaflet providing guidance on the preparation of Design Statements for new development in the Surrey Hills.

·         The Standards Board – Consultation paper on the review of the Code of Conduct for Members.  Two copies circulated.  AW asked members to study the paper before the next meeting.                      Action:  All members

·         TDC – request for all Councillors to consider the questions raised within the consultation document on the review of the Code of Conduct.                                                                                            Action:  All members 

·         DEFRA – Quality Parishes and Parish Planning (see minute 8.2 Parish Plan).

·         ESPLG – Minutes of meeting held on 15 March 2005.  It was agreed that the meetings will continue to be held under the present revolving system.  Apologies from Limpsfield Parish Council were not recorded for either of the last two meetings.  The Clerk for Bletchingley has confirmed that this will be reported to the Parish Council hosting the next meeting (Caterham Valley).

·         Warlingham PC – questionnaire for parish councils.  Members do not feel this information gathering will provide a useful tool for parishes and do not, therefore, wish to participate.

                                                                                                                  Action:  Clerk

 


8.0  PARISH COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS

 

8.1  Allotments Update

 

Planning permission has been granted at Broomlands Farm for an equipment store, hardstanding for parking and access off the A25 Westerham Road.   The conditions proposed by the Parish Council were taken into account by the Development Control Committee.

 

The Clerk received a telephone call from Andrew Manser of the PAAA thanking the Council for its assistance in relocating the allotments.

 

8.2  Parish Plan Update

 

DEFRA has announced a further £1 million budget for parish plans from April 2005.  The Clerk has contacted Surrey Community Action to find out more.  Post meeting note:  Vicky Stevenson has confirmed that Surrey Community Action (SCA) has been awarded £10,000 for developing Parish Plans across the whole of Surrey and no more than £1,000 will be granted to each parish.  SCA must now set up a grant panel to deal with applications which will be invited in due course.

 

CW reported that the outcome of the Gatwick Community Trust grant application was still awaited.  The date of the next meeting has not yet been set. 

 

8.3    Rights of Way

Footpath 604:  this has been added to the ROW annual cutting programme.

Footpath 75:  the fallen tree along this path has been reported to ROW.

 

Upgrading of part of footpaths 52 & 53:  David Kennington has confirmed by letter that the National Trust’s Byelaws override the revocable deed declared by Granville Charles Gresham Leveson Gower.  Byelaws 12(a) and 12(b) apply in this case.  The Trust states that the matter now appears to be a local dispute between horse riders and the residents of Caxton Lane.  Mr Kennington expressed the view that Mrs Birch of SCC ROW will be recommending to the Local Committee that the claim for Bridleway Status for Footpaths 52 and 53 should fall.  DM is drafting a response to Mr Kennington.

                                                                                                                  Action:  DM / Clerk

 

Bridleway 54:  SCC ROW has reiterated its view that the condition of Bridleway 54 is acceptable. It does not consider that any worthwhile work could be carried out for as little as £1000.  It is unlikely that this route would merit prioritisation when compared to other routes but its condition will continue to be monitored.  

 


8.4  Planning

CH reported on the Development Control Committee meeting held on 22 March, at which she put forward the Parish Council’s views on applications at Padbrook Close, 88 Bluehouse Lane and Broomlands Farm.

 

AW reported that a high breeze block wall had been erected on the corner of an access road off Uvedale Road.  CH agreed to investigate.  Post meeting note:  the wall is acceptable in policy terms because it fronts onto a private drive and not a public highway.

 

Correspondence:

·         Copy of Mr D Dunbar’s letter to TDC noting that a Tree Preservation Order has been made on trees at The Ridge, Brassey Road, Oxted.

 

 

Planning Application Lists Nos 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
 

Objections

 

TA/2005/260  27 GRANVILLE ROAD, LIMPSFIELD

ERECTION OF DETACHED GARAGE WITH ROOM OVER.

 

TA/2005/267 LIMPSFIELD CE INFANT SCHOOL, LIMPSFIELD COMMON

ERECTION OF SINGLE STOREY EXTENSION & ACCESS RAMP.  Whilst agreeing to the extension in principle, there were objections to the unsatisfactory design of the building, particularly at the front.  The extension work should blend in with the Victorian appearance of the whole building.  The flat roof is a serious weakness in the design.

 

LW declared an interest in the following application:

TA/2004/1759  24 WESTERHAM ROAD, LIMPSFIELD

DEMOLITION OF EXISTING GARAGE.  ERECTION OF TWO STOREY SIDE/REAR EXTENSION, FIRST FLOOR EXTENSION AND SINGLE STOREY FRONT EXTENSION - AMENDED PLANS TO SHOW REVISED FENESTRATION DETAILS AND SITE PLAN.  Reiterate previous objections that the building will be bulky and un-neighbourly.

 

No objections

TA/2005/257  68 GRANVILLE ROAD, LIMPSFIELD

DEMOLITION OF EXISTING GARAGE.  ERECTION OF TWO STOREY SIDE EXTENSION.

 

TA/2005/279  29 GRANVILLE ROAD,LIMPSFIELD

ERECTION OF REAR CONSERVATORY.

 

TA/2005/292  WAIN HOUSE, UVEDALE ROAD, LIMPSFIELD

DEMOLITION OF EXISTING GARAGE & ERECTION OF ATTACHED DOUBLE GARAGE TO SIDE ELEVATION FRONT AND PORCH

 

TA/2005/331/TPO  WISTFUL, BRASSEY ROAD, LIMPSFIELD

TPO 192 (T) - FELL 4 BEECHES (SUBJECT TO HEAVY HEADED STANDARD REPLANTING OF 5 TREES); CROWN REDUCE/SHAPE ONE BEECH & ONE MAPLE BY APPROX. 25%

 

TA/2002/274/R 102, BLUEHOUSE LANE, LIMPSFIELD

DEMOLITION OF EXISTING GARAGE AND ERECTION OF DETACHED HOUSE WITH GARAGE  (OUTLINE). (RENEWAL)

 

TA/2005/300 9 SNATTS HILL,LIMPSFIELD  

ERECTION OF SIDE/REAR DORMER WINDOW WITH LOFT CONVERSION.

 

TA/2005/343/TCA MANOR COTTAGE, HIGH STREET, LIMPSFIELD

FELL 1 SYCAMORE TREE.

 

TA/2005/337 CHAMPIONS PLACE, KENT HATCH ROAD, LIMPSFIELD ERECTION OF DORMER WINDOW TO REAR ROOF SLOPE & LANTERN LIGHT OVER REAR LOBBY.

 

TA/2005/338 CHAMPIONS PLACE, KENT HATCH ROAD, LIMPSFIELD

RE-TILING OF EXISTING ROOF, ERECTION OF DORMER WINDOW TO REAR ROOF SLOPE & LANTERN LIGHT OVER REAR LOBBY (APPLICATION FOR LISTED BUILDING CONSENT).

 

TA/2005/348 WILDSHAW COTTAGE,WEST HEATH, LIMPSFIELD

ERECTION OF SINGLE STOREY SIDE EXTENSION.

 

TA/2005/384  84 GRANVILLE ROAD, LIMPSFIELD

FORMATION OF VEHICULAR ACCESS.

 

TA/2005/386/TCA ST PETERS HALL, HIGH STREET, LIMPSFIELD

REDUCE APPROX 70 HOLLY STEMS TO 1.8M IN HEIGHT.

 

 

Planning Application Withdrawn

 

TA/2005/97  Oxted Health Centre, 10 Gresham Road, Limpsfield

Installation of external air conditioning equipment to the roof.

 

Planning Appeals

 

TA/2004/1573  10 Park Road, Limpsfield

Demolish existing outbuilding and dwelling to allow for 2 x 5 bed detached dwellings with attached garages and 4 x 4 bed detached dwellings with integral garages.

 

TA/2004/1575  10 Park Road, Limpsfield

Demolish existing outbuilding.  Erect 4 x 4 bed detached dwellings with integral garages and 1 x 5 bed detached dwelling with attached garage.

 

TA/2004/2014  10 Park Road, Limpsfield

Demolition of existing dwelling and outbuilding.  Erection of 1 x 5 bed detached dwelling, 2 x 4 bed detached dwellings (1 with integral garage and 1 with attached garage).  2 x 3 bed detached dwellings and 2 x 2 bed semi detached dwellings (total 7 dwellings).

 

Planning Refusals

TA/2004/2005  The Ridge, Brassey Road, Limpsfield

Demolition of existing shed and erection of detached 5-bed dwelling with detached garage.

 

 

 

 

TA/2004/2014  10 Park Road, Limpsfield

Demolition of existing dwelling and outbuilding.  Erection of 1 x 5 bed detached dwelling, 2 x 4 bed detached dwellings (1 with integral garage and 1 with attached garage).  2 x 3 bed detached dwellings and 2 x 2 bed semi detached dwellings (total 7 dwellings).

 

Planning Approvals

TA/2004/1762  Creative Pastimes, Pains Hill, Limpsfield

Retention of freestanding non-illuminated sign

 

TA/2004/1989 & 1990 The Sheiling, Grub Street, Limpsfield

Demolition of existing bay window & erection of single storey side/rear extension (amendment to consents TA/2004/563 & 564)

 

TA/2005/34  The Coach House, Rowlands, Westerham Road, Limpsfield

Demolition of existing single storey addition.  Erection of single storey extension.  Change of use of coach house to independent two bed dwelling.

 

TA/2005/83  11 Detillens Lane, Limpsfield, Oxted

Erection of part single storey and part two storey extension to rear.  Single storey side extension.  Conversion of outbuilding to study and cloakroom.

 

TA/2005/85  5 Sylvan Close, Limpsfield

Erection of first floor front extension.

 

TA/2005/25  Flytes Field, Swaynesland Road, Itchingwood Common

Formation of 40M x 20M sand school with 1.4M high post and rail fencing.

 

TA/2004/2017  Broomlands Farm, Broomlands Lane, Limpsfield

Erection of equipment store, formation of hardstanding for parking and new access onto A25 Westerham Road.

 

TA/2004/1464  Land at Padbrook Close, Limpsfield

Erection of detached house with associated access (outline).

 

TA/2005/228  88 Bluehouse Lane, Limpsfield

Demolition of existing nursing home.  Erectin of 8 x 2 bed flats with car parking (10 spaces).

 

 

 

8.5  Highways

 

Correspondence:

·         E-mail from Mr H Birrell drawing the Council’s attention to the problem of speeding in Limpsfield High Street and the use of the High Street by HGVs as a ‘rat-run’.  (See minute 4.0 Public Session.)

·         SCC Highways – notification of intention to install a new sign on the A25 near the junction with Wolfs Hill, Limpsfield High Street, to advise motorists of the telephone number of the Contact Centre for highway defects.  RH organised a site visit but was unable to prevent the sign being installed.  Clerk to write again to Nick Skellett to object in the strongest terms to this unsightly installation.                                                                             Action:  Clerk

·         The Clerk received a telephone call from a resident concerned about rainwater running down the Kent Hatch Road into the slip road leading to Thornbury, Broadside and Little Shepherds.  The rainwater completely bypasses the drain into which it should run.  RH visited the site and reported that the problem was a consequence of verge erosion.

DM declared an interest in the following discussion:

·         The Clerk received a telephone call from a motorist involved in a near head on collision with a lorry in Wolf’s Hill.  The lorry was forced to drive in the middle of the road because of cars parked outside Hazelwood School.  The Clerk alerted Highways and received a response from Stuart Eastmond explaining that previous site meetings at the school had resulted in an agreement to extend the School Keep Clear markings.  He also expressed the view that the school should be encouraged to manage the amount and movement of traffic at school times.  Clerk to arrange a further site visit with representatives from the School, Highways, the Police and the Parish Council.                                    Action:  Clerk  

 

M25 Widening Scheme:

·         Park Road Residents Association:  copy of their letter to the Highways Agency setting out questions regarding the proposed widening of the M25 and motorway noise. 

·         TDC – copy of letter sent by Bob Evans to Hyder Consulting in respect of the M25 widening – Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Scoping Report.  This letter refers to a proposal by Hyder Consulting to hold an M25 Environmental Workshop.  TDC has written to Hyder Consulting to request that the Parish Council is also represented on this workshop. 

·         P Ainsworth MP – letter acknowledging receipt of a copy of the Parish Council’s letter to the Highways Agency regarding the M25 widening scheme.

·         Highways Agency – comprehensive reply to PC’s letter about the widening scheme.  It is possible that the public information exhibition for Section 2 of the Scheme (junctions 5 to 7) will take place in 2007.  Construction would be unlikely to start before 2010.

 

B269 Kent Hatch Road crossing:  the Clerk was asked to contact Highways for a progress report.

                                                                                                                  Action:  Clerk

 

8.6  Publicity

 

There was nothing to report.

 

8.7  Trees  & Parish Property

 

Mr Hayward has carried out the landscaping work adjacent to the Memorial Stores.  Members agreed to plant a yew hedge between the car parking space and the landscaped area.  RH to source shrubs for planting as soon as possible.

 

The Clerk received a call from SCC Highways advising that it was a legal requirement to seek planning permission for driveway access across a footway.  CW agreed to discuss this issue with the Post Mistress at the Stores.    Action:  CW

 

CW reported that the filing cabinets at the Parish Office were all full and suggested obtaining an additional one.

 

 

9.0  REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES

 

9.1  Limpsfield Common

Mark Richards sent his apologies for being unable to attend the meeting.  There was nothing to report.

 

9.2  Police Community Partnership Group

 

The next meeting will be held at the Master Park Pavilion, Oxted, at 8.00 pm on 20 April 2005.

 

 

10.0  TO DISCUSS AN AMENDMENT TO THE REQUIREMENT FOR GRANT APPLICATIONS IN THE PARISH COUNCIL’S STANDING ORDERS

Resolved:  to delete three occurrences of the word ‘audited’ and the words ‘together with the unaudited accounts for the immediate past year’ from Standing Order 12.3.1.  The Order will now read as follows:  Provide accounts.  If no accounts for the immediate past year are available then the previous year’s accounts must accompany the application.

 

 

 

11.0  FINANCE

 

11.1  Subscription renewal

 

Tandridge Voluntary Service Council annual subscription £10.

 

11.2  Accounts for Payment

 

·         Clerk’s salary (SO 26 March 2005)                                                        £393.75

·         Clerk’s expenses & broadband (chq 282)                                                 £23.88

·         Seeboard (DD 8 March 2005)                                                                    £6.70

·         Tangent Printers (Annual Report) (chq 283)                                            £417.82

·         TDC Parish Office Rates (first half) (chq 284)                                            £51.75

·         Post Office Counters (100 x 2nd class stamps) (chq 285)                           £21.00

·         TVSC (annual subscription) (chq 286)                                                      £10.00

·         Old Oxted Landscapers (landscaping work as per estimate of £300
plus £15 for extra piece of work adjacent to Memorial Stores
as directed by RH) (chq 287)                                                                 £315.00

·         St Peter’s Hall (hall hire for APM 16/3/05) (chq 288)                                  £50.00

·         William Way Ltd (building materials for landscaping) (chq 289)                 £320.42
                                                                                                                

 

12.0    ANY OTHER BUSINESS

The Clerk reported that the Chairman had authorised the supply of £100 worth of emergency taxi vouchers to a Limpsfield Chart resident whose health problems required frequent visits to Edenbridge Hospital for treatment.

 

The Chairman asked if anyone would be willing to represent the Parish Council on the

‘Limpsfield in Bloom’ working party being set up by Ann Osborne.  LW agreed.



13.0  DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 3 May 2005.

 

The meeting closed at 10.15 pm.

 

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