LIMPSFIELD PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting held on
Tuesday, 2 March 2004,
in the school hall, Limpsfield CE
Infant School, Limpsfield at 7.30 pm
PRESENT: Chairman Mr C Walker (CW)
Councillors Mr B Alexander (BA), Mrs
C Heijmer (CH), Mr J Jensen (JJ),
Mr D Marnham (DM), Mr J
Pannett (JP),
Mrs A Williams (AW), Mrs
L Wingate (LW)
1.0 APOLOGIES
Apologies were received
from Mrs R Harris.
2.0
MINUTES
The minutes
of the previous meeting were approved and signed as a true record.
3.0 MATTERS ARISING
AW and LW reported that the recent Local Strategic Partnership Seminar
had been very interesting and informative and was extremely well attended. Paul Newdick, Head of Forward Planning at
Tandridge District Council, gave an excellent talk about the Community Strategy
and Local Development Framework (LDF).
Sufficient land has already been ear-marked to meet Government housing
requirements and it is unlikely that new development will need to take place
within the Green Belt.
It was agreed to invite Paul Newdick to speak at a future Parish Council
meeting to explain the LDF and how it might deliver the priorities put forward
in the Community Strategy.
4.0 PUBLIC SESSION
There were no questions from the floor.
5.0 COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORTS
The Chairman welcomed Colin Hall to the meeting. Colin Hall was pleased to be able to report
a lower than expected increase in the Council Tax for the coming year which has
been agreed at 4.6%.
6.0 CHAIRMAN’S REPORT (including
correspondence)
Corrrespondence:
·
Invitation to Oxted Parish Council Annual Parish Assembly
on 31 March 2004. Decline.
·
Invitation to South Tandridge Youth Forum presentation to
be held at Bletchingley Adult Education Centre on 14 April 2004, from 7 – 9 pm. CW to attend. Action: CW
·
TDC – update on issues regarding the registration of
interests and the Standards Committee.
It was agreed to put Colin Walker’s name forward for nomination on to
the Tandridge Standards Committee as “substitute representative” in the event
of Graham Saunders’ absence.
Action: Clerk
·
R Bristow – reports on the meetings of the Sussex Community
Rail Partnership and the East Surrey Area Passenger Transport Consultative
Group.
·
ODPM – reply to letter regarding the Planning &
Compulsory Purchase Bill. Colin Hall
commented that under the new Bill it will be possible to issue a temporary
‘stop’ notice which will be a useful tool for planning enforcement.
· &nbrms Allotment Association (PAAA),
District Cllr Eric Morgan and himself.
The allotment site is owned by the Trustees of Innes and the Notice to
Quit has been issued to protect the value of this asset. A verbal offer of an alternative site on Titsey
Estate Land “for the number of people who would want allotments” was made during
the meeting but a formal, written approach detailing the exact location and
detail of the offer has not been received.
Until a formal offer is received, it is inappropriate for the Parish
Council to comment on the suitability of the site in question.
Members expressed interest in developing the
scheme. Post meeting note: Trish
Bloxham is willing to attend the May meeting of the Council to discuss taking
the scheme forward in Limpsfield. Action: May agenda
LW declared an
interest in the following discussion.
In response to LW’s letter to residents of Wolf’s Row
inviting reactions to the “Notice to Quit” issued to the allotment holders, seven
letters were received. Five letters
oppose development of the site, two letters express concern but cannot give a
considered view until more information is available.
The Chairman reported on the meeting held at Titsey Place on 16 February 2004, attended by Mr David Innes, Mr Green of Strutt & Parker, Peter >
LW declared an
interest in the following discussion.
In response to LW’s letter to residents of Wolf’s Row
inviting reactions to the “Notice to Quit” issued to the allotment holders, seven
letters were received. Five letters
oppose development of the site, two letters express concern but cannot give a
considered view until more information is available.
The Chairman reported on the meeting held at Titsey Place on
16 February 2004, attended by Mr David Innes, Mr Green of Strutt & Parker, Peter
Ainsworth MP, the Chairman of the Plumber’s Arms Allotment Association (PAAA),
District Cllr Eric Morgan and himself.
The allotment site is owned by the Trustees of Innes and the Notice to
Quit has been issued to protect the value of this asset. A verbal offer of an alternative site on Titsey
Estate Land “for the number of people who would want allotments” was made during
the meeting but a formal, written approach detailing the exact location and
detail of the offer has not been received.
Until a formal offer is received, it is inappropriate for the Parish
Council to comment on the suitability of the site in question.
It was
resolved unanimously that the Parish Council would back the allotment holders
in their desire to remain in situ.
It was further resolved:
that
the Clerk should write to Mr Innes i) to request a reply to its letter of 20
January 2004; ii) to request a response
to the suggestion made by District Cllr Morgan at the meeting to defer the
Notice to Quit by a period of 3 years;
iii) to list the criteria that would need to be met by an alternative
site; iv) to confirm that the PAAA has
the full support of the Parish Council in its desire to remain in situ; v)
to reiterate that the Parish Council may ultimately have no alternative but
to exercise its powers of compulsory purchase. Action: Clerk
In view of the likelihood that the Parish
Council would judge the alternative site put forward at the recent meeting to not
be a “reasonable alternative”, it was agreed that the Clerk would ask the
Parish Council’s legal advisor, Paul Clayden, if there was a correct procedure
to follow should the parties disagree on the suitability of the site. Action: Clerk
6.2 Parish Plan
A meeting has been arranged at JP’s house
on Monday, 22 March 2004, at 8.00 pm to discuss the preparation of a Parish
Plan. Mark Richards, Ann Hollywood and
Jenny Williams have expressed an interest in becoming involved. The Clerk will send out information packs to
all interested parties prior to the meeting on 22 March. Action: Clerk
7.0 PARISH COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS
7.1 Rights of Way
SCC has a new legal duty to prepare a
Rights of Way Improvement Plan setting out a strategic vision of how the rights
of way network might be changed over the next ten years to reflect modern
needs. Questionnaire to be returned by
2 April 2004. Action: CW / Clerk
The Chairman reminded members again to
please walk their rights of way if they had not already done so.
7.2 Planning
Correspondence:
· Copy of a Tree Safety Inspection
Report carried out at Hazelwood School, together with confirmation from TDC that
work detailed in the report may be carried out immediately.
· Information Sheet issued by the PCC,
Rector and Churchwardens of St Peter’s Church, Limpsfield, regarding the future
of St Peter’s Church Hall and the Rectory Barn. AW stated that an open meeting was being held for all those on
the Church electoral roll to discuss the proposed ‘land swap’. It was agreed that AW would present to the
meeting the opinion of the Parish Council as minuted at its meeting on 3
February 2004, namely that it would object to any planning permission sought
for a new hall on the grounds, inter alia, of its proximity to a very fine
Grade II listed building and the lack of parking facilities to serve a new
church hall.
No objections to
CH declared an interest in the following application:
TA/2004/125
4, STONELEIGH ROAD, LIMPSFIELD CHART, LIMPSFIELD
USE OF DETACHED OUTBUILDING AS HOME OFFICE
(APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF LAWFULNESS FOR PROPOSED USE).
Objections to
CW declared an interest in the following application:
TA/2002/1379/D
40, PARK ROAD, LIMPSFIELD
DEMOLITION OF EXISTING GARAGE AND ERECTION OF 4 - BED
DETACHED DWELLING WITH INTEGRAL GARAGE. (DETAILS PURSUANT TO OUTLINE PERMISSION
TA/2002/1379). Contravenes Policy BE1.3
of the Local Plan by reason of its scale, height and closeness to the site
boundaries. East facing dormer window
is un-neighbourly. Design is out of
keeping with other properties in Park Road.
TA/2004/239Objections to
CW declared an interest in the following application:
TA/2002/1379/D
40, PARK ROAD, LIMPSFIELD
DEMOLITION OF EXISTING GARAGE AND ERECTION OF 4 - BED
DETACHED DWELLING WITH INTEGRAL GARAGE. (DETAILS PURSUANT TO OUTLINE PERMISSION
TA/2002/1379). Contravenes Policy BE1.3
of the Local Plan by reason of its scale, height and closeness to the site
boundaries. East facing dormer window
is un-neighbourly. Design is out of
keeping with other properties in Park Road.
ERECTION OF DETACHED >Objections to
CW declared an interest in the following application:
TA/2002/1379/D
40, PARK ROAD, LIMPSFIELD
DEMOLITION OF EXISTING GARAGE AND ERECTION OF 4 - BED
DETACHED DWELLING WITH INTEGRAL GARAGE. (DETAILS PURSUANT TO OUTLINE PERMISSION
TA/2002/1379). Contravenes Policy BE1.3
of the Local Plan by reason of its scale, height and closeness to the site
boundaries. East facing dormer window
is un-neighbourly. Design is out of
keeping with other properties in Park Road.
Objections to
CW declared an interest in the following application:
TA/2002/1379/D
40, PARK ROAD, LIMPSFIELD
DEMOLITION OF EXISTING GARAGE AND ERECTION OF 4 - BED
DETACHED DWELLING WITH INTEGRAL GARAGE. (DETAILS PURSUANT TO OUTLINE PERMISSION
TA/2002/1379). Contravenes Policy BE1.3
of the Local Plan by reason of its scale, height and closeness to the site
boundaries. East facing dormer window
is un-neighbourly. Design is out of
keeping with other properties in Park Road.
TA/2004/169
THE GATE HOUSE, BALLARDS LANE, LIMPSFIELD
ERECTION OF 2M HIGH FRONT BOUNDARY WALL WITH 2.6M
HIGH BRICK PIERS AND 2.1M HIGH ENTRANCE GATE.
Contrary to Policy BE14.2 of the Local Plan. The wall will radically change the character of the Listed
Building and is out of keeping with neighbouring properties.
TA/2004/170 TA/2004/170
THE GATE HOUSE, BALLARDS LANE, LIMPSFIELD
ERECTION OF 2M HIGH FRONT BOUNDARY WALL WITH 2.6M
HIGH BRICK PIERS AND 2.1M HIGH ENTRANCE GATE. (APPLICATION FOR LISTED BUILDING
CONSENT). (As above.)
Planning refusals
TA/2003/1769 2 Whitegates Cottages, Grants Lane,
Limpsfield
Demolition of rear addition and
side conservatory. Erection of part
single/part two storey side extension.
TA/2003/1830 Ballards House, Ballards Lane, Limpsfield
Demolition of rear garden room and erection of rear
conservatory.
TA/2004/30 Boulthurst Farmhouse, Pains Hill, Limpsfield
Erection of detached single storey building to
provide garden room & fitness suite.
Planning Appeal
against Enforcement Notice dismissed
APP/M3645/C/03/1128617 Chartcroft Lodge, Pastens Road, Limpsfield
7.3 Highways
Work will commence on improvements
to the school pedestrian rail on the A25 Westerham Road outside Limpsfield CE
Infant School mid March.
Work will commence on a crossing
point on the B269 Kent Hatch Road mid March.
The Clerk has chased Highways for
a reply to the Parish Council’s letter about parking in Wolf’s Row.
7.4 Publicity
BA has given the Limpsfield Annual
Report to members for distribution. The
Chairman thanked BA for once again producing an excellent report.
An article on crime prevention
entitled ‘Forty Ways to Stop a Thief’ has been forwarded to the parish
newsletters.
An Administrator Website
start-up manual has been received from the Local Channel. JJ has agreed to set up the Parish Council’s
website using the information supplied. Action: JJ
JJ asked Mark if the National
Trust had any plans to resurface the car park next to Limpsfield School. Mark responded that part of the car park had
recently been dug up for essential services and the school needed to get this
properly re-instated before the National Trust would carry out maintenance work. In the longer term, arrangements need to be
made for the school to contribute towards the upkeep of the car park on an
ongoing basis because the school is its main user.
8.2 Limpsfield
School
There was nothing to report.
8.3 Police Community Partnership Group
8.2 Limpsfield
School
There was nothing to report.
8.3 Police Community Partnership Group
JJ asked Mark if the National
Trust had any plans to resurface the car park next to Limpsfield School. Mark responded that part of the car park had
recently been dug up for essential services and the school needed to get this
properly re-instated before the National Trust would carry out maintenance work. In the longer term, arrangements need to be
made for the school to contribute towards the upkeep of the car park on an
ongoing basis because the school is its main user.
8.2 Limpsfield
School
There was nothing to report.
8.3 Police Community Partnership Group
AW attended a meeting with
Inspector Schurr at which it was announced that the Chief Constable of Surrey
would be launching a new “reassurance” project which would consist of setting
up neighbourhood police panels in some areas.
These will be similar to the PCPG but ward based rather than district
based.
Further tree inspections have been
carried out which have revealed more trees suffering from Dutch elm disease
near the Limpsfield High Street traffic lights. There are signs of bluebells growing where dead birch was removed
from Ridlands Grove.
JJ asked Mark if the National
Trust had any plans to resurface the car park next to Limpsfield School. Mark responded that part of the car park had
recently been dug up for essential services and the school needed to get this
properly re-instated before the National Trust would carry out maintenance work. In the longer term, arrangements need to be
made for the school to contribute towards the upkeep of the car park on an
ongoing basis because the school is its main user.
8.2 Limpsfield
School
There was nothing to report.
8.3 Police Community Partnership Group
AW attended a meeting with
Inspector Schurr at which it was announced that the Chief Constable of Surrey
would be launching a new “reassurance” project which would consist of setting
up neighbourhood police panels in some areas.
These will be similar to the PCPG but ward based rather than district
based.
CW attended the recent Crime
Prevention meeting at which it was agreed to look into the question of advising
area Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinators about reported crimes.
9.0 FINANCE
9.1 Grants – East Surrey Museum. Resolved:
to grant the sum of £100 under s137 of the LGA to support the expanded
services at the East Surrey Museum.
9.2 Accounts for Payment
· Clerk’s salary (SO 26 February 2004) £380.66
· G Cannon (broadband & expenses)(chq
217) £26.71
· Mr C Walker (Chairman’s allowance)(chq
218) £70.00
· Tangent Printers (A4 paper)(chq 219) £11.16
· East Surrey Museum (s137 grant) (chq
220) £100.00
* Seeboard has credited
£110.73 to the Parish Council account as requested and minuted at the January
meeting of the council.
10.0 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Members
agreed to accept the kind offer of help from David Claridge, resident of Wolf’s
Row, to sort and prepare an inventory of all the old maps in the Parish
Office. The Clerk also suggested
renovating the very old tithe map contained within a purpose built wooden map
box that was in a poor condition. CH
agreed to make some enquiries. Action: CH
11.0 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting
will be held on Tuesday, 30 March 2004. Please note
this is one week earlier than usual.
The meeting closed at 10.15 pm.