LIMPSFIELD PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday, 1 November 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 S Bryant (SB), 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 received.

2.0  MINUTES 

 

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved and signed subject to noting that Mrs S Bryant had been recorded as both present at and absent from the meeting.  Mrs Bryant was not present at the meeting.


3.0  MATTERS ARISING

 

JP reported on the Surrey Waste Preferred Plan.  JP clarified that the Surrey Minerals Waste and Development Framework comprised three parts, the Surrey Minerals Structure Plan, on which he has already responded fully on the three Potential Mineral Zones (PMZs) within the parish of Limpsfield, the Surrey Waste Plan 2005 and a Statement of Community Involvement which sets out how Surrey will involve people and organisations in the preparation of the Framework.  JP confirmed that the current proposals within the Surrey Waste Plan will not directly affect the parish of Limpsfield.  The Statement of Community Involvement sets out clear guidelines for publicising planning applications in line with legal requirements dependent on the type of development.  Applicants will be encouraged to discuss proposals with the local authority and organisations such as the Environment Agency as well as the parish council before submitting a planning application.

 

JP expressed concern about the likelihood of future sand extraction from PMZ28.  RH confirmed that at a recent site visit to the Moorhouse Sandpit arranged by Strutt & Parker for local residents, the land agent had indicated that Titsey Estate would prefer to expand its operation to land surrounding Westwood Farm to the west of Moorhouse (ie PMZ28) rather than pursue Watts Hill as a potential site.

 

JP asked the Clerk to keep on file Surrey’s Good Practice Guide for Mineral Site Restoration and Enhancement (November 2002), which may prove helpful given Titsey Estate’s poor record on site restoration.

 

 

4.0  PUBLIC SESSION

 

The Chairman welcomed twelve members of the public to the meeting and established that eleven of those present had attended the meeting to object to the planning application submitted in respect of 43 Granville Road.

 

The Chairman invited CH, Member for Planning, to address the members of the public.  CH reported that an Officer Decision had just been reached to refuse this application outright by reason of its size, height and bulk which would be incongruous to the street scene.  Moreover it fails to respect the character and appearance of the locality, the garages and parking to the rear would cause noise and disturbance to the neighbours and the siting is overpowering, overbearing and overshadowing for the

 

4.0  Public session (cont’d)

 

neighbours.  It has also not shown that 10% of the energy requirements would be from renewable resources.  It contravenes policies BE1 and SE4 of the Local Plan.

 

The Chairman invited Mr Andrew Smith to address the meeting.  Mr Smith stated that this was unlikely to be the last application on this site.  Estate Agents are now recommending that home owners sell to developers and articles are appearing in the national newspapers urging people to capitalise on their assets in this way with very few counter arguments about the damage ensuing development will have on the local area.  Residents feel very strongly that approval of a development of this nature would set an unwelcome precedent for the rest of Granville Road and Limpsfield as a whole.

 

The Chairman thanked the public for attending the meeting and for the high standard of the letters that had been sent to the District Council raising valid objections to the development proposal.  A member of the public thanked the Chairman in return for the excellent letter sent by the Parish Council.

 

 

5.0    COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORTS 

CW reported that there had been some problems with the new refuse collection arrangements but that these needed to be looked at in the context of some 12000 refuse collections a day.  Members reported various problems with the service including very large refuse vehicles reversing down long driveways where previously smaller vehicles had been sent, cardboard left strewn along pavements and missed collections.  CW remarked on the cut backs to Surrey County Council’s government grant which was having a knock-on effect on local authorities’ spending budgets.

 


6.0  CHAIRMAN’S REPORT (including correspondence)


Corrrespondence:

·         Dr Spiller has declined the Parish Council’s invitation to speak at the next Annual Parish Meeting.

·         Limpsfield School – minutes of the Governors’ Meeting held on 12/07/05.

·         TDC Chief Executive – correspondence clarifying the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003 (copied to all Members).

·         East Area Passenger Transport Forum, Bletchingley Village Hall, 14 November 2005 at 10 am.  Mr R Bristow has accepted the invitation to attend.

·         SCC – The Surrey Waste Preferred Plan 2005 for consultation between 31 October and
12 December (see matters arising above).

·         Surrey Infrastructure Consortium – ‘Building the Surrey Infrastructure Development Plan’ consultation document.

·         Surrey County Council – Consultation on propoals to change Surrey’s admissions criteria for September 2007 and beyond for Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools

 

7.0  PARISH COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS

7.1  Parish Plan Committee

 

CW was asked by Philip Thomas to defer the next meeting until this month.  CW will now arrange for a meeting to take place.

 

7.2  Playground Committee

DM reported that a further meeting had been held between DM/CH/BA and the National Trust.  A letter had subsequently been sent to the Trust together with a map of the revised site to which a reply was now awaited, hopefully to be received within the week.

 

 

 

7.3    Rights of Way

DM reported further on the cutting back of vegetation down Tenchleys Lane and the possibility that various rights of way might exist over this land.  DM held a constructive meeting with the owner of Tenchleys Park who was under the impression that the land belonged to the Parish Council.  DM explained that the Parish Council did not own the land and that in his opinion permission should be sought from the freeholders before any further cutting back took place.  It may be necessary for the Parish Council to do a search to establish who has right of way over the land.

 

There was lengthy discussion regarding access rights through one of the gates near the end of the lane which leads on to National Trust land and DM agreed to speak to Andy Wright in this respect.

 

The Chairman emphasised that the Parish Council should only concern itself with the issue of public right of way and not private land ownership.

 


7.4  Planning

Honeypot Farm:

 

Copy of a letter sent by a resident to Tandridge District Council asking whether United Grab Hire Ltd can formally apply for a Goods Vehicle Operator’s Licence when they are technically in breach of a condition attached to the original grant of permission given in 1985, which limits the use of the site as a topsoil and turfing contractors yard in connection with the business of D A Withers only.  As at
31 October, the resident has not received a reply.

 

Copy of a letter from Mr R C Shrimplin, Chartered Architect, to Tandridge District Council, asking for the Council’s formal assurance that the situation at Honeypot Farm will not be allowed to drift, that the new occupiers of the site will not be allowed to entrench their position and that the necessary steps will be initiated by the Council forthwith.

 

Resolved:  to seek clarification from the District Council why a breach of condition notice cannot be served immediately in respect of change of ownership and business activity taking place and to press for a response to the resident’s letter mentioned above.                                 Action:  Clerk

 

Hillview Farm:  letter from the Office of the Traffic Commissioner advising that the goods vehicle licence application at Hillview Farm has been refused under section 11 of the Goods Vehicles Act 1995.

 

43 Granville Road:  twelve letters of objection from residents to the application for a two storey block of flats with additional accommodation in the roof at 43 Granville Road.

 

Mast at Oxted Fire Station:  copy of Mr Evans reply on behalf of Mr Weigel to Mr McIntosh-Whyte.  Further letter from Mr McIntosh-Whyte expressing his dismay at the response received from the District Council.  The Chairman stated that there was little the Parish Council could do given that planning permission had already been granted and agreed to contact Mr McIntosh-Whyte to discuss.

                                                                                                                  Action:  AW

 

10 Park Road:  copy of letters of objection to the latest application at 10 Park Road from
Mr Beresford-Knox and the Park Road Residents’ Association.

 

Broomlands Farm – new allotment site:  JP remarked that the entrance to the site did not appear to be in the position specified on the plans.  Clerk to investigate.  A local resident has alerted the Parish Council to the “travellers” currently using the Westerham car park who may find the vacated allotment site a prime location to squat.  Clerk to notify the District Council of this potential risk.  Post meeting note:  the entrance to the site is as per the planning application submission documents. 

                                                                                                                  Action:  Clerk

 

Boulthurst Farm:  there were concerns about whether Creative Pastimes had specified the three dates for which it had been granted permission to open on Sundays during 2006, and whether it was

7.4  Planning (cont’d)

 

allowed to sell goods to members of the general public on those days.  Clerk to investigate.  Clerk to chase for a response to the Parish Council’s letter dated 8 September.                                                     Action:  Clerk

 

 

Planning Interactive Seminar:  AW and the Clerk attended a presentation at the Council Offices of the new online planning service about to be launched by the District Council.  This extremely comprehensive service will enable every aspect of a planning application to be studied in detail including the original submission, plans, comments submitted by third parties and progress tracking.  Planning decisions dating back to 2000 will be available for viewing on-line, with appeal Decisions dating back to 2004.  There are many other features of the system which can be accessed via the District Council website at www.tandridge.gov.uk.

 

 

Planning Application Lists No 40, 41, 42 & 43

 

Objections to

 

TA/2004/1464/D  LAND AT PADBROOK CLOSE, LIMPSFIELD

ERECTION OF DETACHED HOUSE WITH ASSOCIATED ACCESS. (DETAILS PURSUANT TO OUTLINE PERMISSION APPROVED UNDER REFERENCE TA/2004/1464 DATED 22 MARCH 2005) (AMENDED DESIGN).  Continue to object on the grounds that the application contravenes policies BE1.1 and 1.2 of the Local Plan.  Request determination by the Development Control Committee.

 

TA/2005/1408  43 GRANVILLE ROAD, LIMPSFIELD

DEMOLITION OF EXISTING DWELLING. ERECTION OF 2-STOREY BUILDING WITH ADDITIONAL ACCOMODATION IN ROOF  TO PROVIDE 7 X 2-BED & 1 X 3-BED FLATS (TOTAL 8) WITH DETACHED CAR PORT. TOTAL OF 8 CAR PARKING SPACES AND ASSOCIATED BIN STORE & CYCLE STORE.  Object on the grounds of scale and size, harm to the amenity and privacy of neighbouring properties by reason of its overpowering effect and by reason of noise from car movements to the car parking spaces to the rear.  Contrary to policies BE1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 and 1.5 and BE12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4 and 12.6 of the Local Plan.

 

 

TA/2005/1437  10 PARK ROAD, LIMPSFIELD

DEMOLITION OF STABLE BLOCK, CHIMNEY AND CONSERVATORY TO 10 PARK ROAD. ERECTION OF 4 X 2-BED & 4 X 3-BED SEMI DETACHED HOUSES AND 1 X 5-BED DETACHED HOUSE WITH ASSOCIATED ACCESS ROAD. (OUTLINE).  Object on the grounds that it is even more intensive and less appropriate than the previous applications and will irreversibly harm the character of the local area.

 

No objections to

 

TA/2005/1427  24 TALLY ROAD, LIMPSFIELD CHART

ERECTION OF 2 X 2-STOREY EXTENSIONS TO NORTH ELEVATION AND SINGLE STOREY EXTENSION TO SOUTH ELEVATION.

 

TA/2005/1504/TCA  WHITE HART COTTAGE, HIGH STREET, LIMPSFIELD

FELL 1 APPLE TREE.

 

TA/2005/1515/TCA  8 STANHOPES,LIMPSFIELD

REDUCE 1 CHERRY BY 5M.  REDUCE 1 CHERRY BY 3.5M.

 

Planning Refusals

 

TA/2005/1101  Land rear of 73 Bluehouse Lane, Limpsfield

Erection of detached 3 bed dwelling with first floor studio and integral double garage served by new access to Bluehouse Lane.

Planning refusals (cont’d)

 

TA/2005/1132  Broadway Cottage, Stoneswood Road, Limpsfield

Demolition of garage and garden store.  Erection of detached double garage.

 

TA/2005/931  Stoneyshot Barn, Itchingwood Common Road, Limpsfield Chart

Erection of barn.

 

TA/2005/1135  Langshaw, Pastens Road, Limpsfield

Demolition of existing garage, stores and shed.  Erection of detached triple garage and wood store.

 

Planning Approvals

 

TA/2005/1103  Stone Ingle, Granville Road, Limpsfield

Erection of detached garage with room over.

 

TA/2005/1174  Trevereux Manor, Trevereux Hill, Limpsfield

Erection of single storey outbuilding

 

TA/2005/1205  Hare Hill Cottage, Hookwood Park, Limpsfield

Erection of single storey side extension and porch to front elevation.

 

TA/2005/1158  12 Brassey Hill, Limpsfield

Conversion of attached garage to habitable accommodation and erection of garage with bedroom over attached to house.

 

TA/2005/1267  Church Acre, 42 Titsey Road, Limpsfield

Erection of a pair of 1.17M high vehicular access gates with 1.17M high pedestrian gate and 1.27M high posts.

 

TA/2005/1270  7 Snatts Hill, Limpsfield

Widen vehicular access by 2.74M.

 

TA/225/1277  Cawte Lodge, 3 Brassey Close, Limpsfield

Erection of conservatory to rear elevation.

 

TA/2005/1282/TPO  14 Brassey Hill, Limpsfield

TPO 2 1993 (T).  Various tree works.

 

TA/2005/1302/TPO  17 Brassey Hill, Limpsfield

Various tree works.

 

TA/2005/1377/TCA  Land at Limpsfield Tennis Club, corner of Detillens Lane

Remove 1 x cupressus and 1 x multi stemmed beech.

 

TA/2005/787  St Peters Church, High Street, Limpsfield

Restoration of ‘green’ table tomb.

 

 

7.5  Highways

 

Surrey Highways contact sign should be removed week commencing 7 November 2005.  Post meeting note:  the sign has gone but the posts remain!

 

Limpsfield Village Sign:  Highways has agreed to inspect and repair the sign although the parish council is still applying pressure for a new sign.  Post meeting note:  Highways has agreed to install a new sign and is looking into the possibility of re-positioning it.

 

 

 

7.5  Highways (cont’d)

 

Titsey Road speeding:  RH reported that 30 mph speed roundels can only be painted on the road where it enters a reduced speed limit zone, it cannot be used on the exit road.  Stuart Eastmond agreed to look into other measures that could be taken.  Clerk to notify Mr & Mrs Walden.

                                                                                                                  Action:  Clerk

 

B269 Kent Hatch Road crossing:  BA reminded members that the additional slow down warning sign had still not been installed on the Kent Hatch Road.   Clerk to follow up with Highways.                           

                                                                                                                  Action:  Clerk

 

HGVs using Limpsfield High Street:  RH expressed concern about D A Withers’ heavy goods vehicles using Limpsfield High Street.

 

 

7.6  Publicity

 

An article has been submitted for the next editions of the St Peter’s News and Chart News.  It was agreed to avoid specifying exact addresses when referring to planning or other contentious issues in the parish.

7.7  Trees  & Parish Property

 

The Chairman thanked RH for planting the yew hedging in the area next to the Memorial Stores.

 

 

8.0  REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES

 

8.1  Limpsfield Common

Mark Richards asked the Clerk to report that Limpsfield Common had secured a generous grant towards the bat shelter community project.  He also confirmed that he had checked that the path on Pebble Hill was cleared of overhanging vegetation as reported at the last meeting by Mr Bristow.  The National Trust is still in discussion with Surrey Highways regarding improvements to Bridleway 64 and Mark is in the process of obtaining a new estimate for works.

 

8.2  Limpsfield School

 

There was nothing to report.

 

8.3  Police Community Partnership Group

8.3.1  To discuss the Tandridge Community Speed Watch Scheme

 

AW reported that the formal launch of the Community Speed Watch Scheme had been deferred until January 2006.  LW remarked that at the recent ESPLG meeting Cllr Sally Marks had raised concerns about the project.

 

9.0  FINANCE

 

9.1   To approve 2nd quarter internal audit

 

The Clerk asked for this to be deferred to the December meeting.


9.2   To discuss the Clerk’s overtime hours

 

DM reported on behalf of the Finance Committee.  It was unanimously resolved to pay the Clerk for the hours worked in excess of her contractual hours including a deduction for holiday hours (calculated on an annual pro rata basis) for the six months just ended, April to September 2005.  This amounted to £139.53.   

 

Finance (cont’d)

 

9.3  To arrange a meeting of the Finance Committee to prepare the budget and precept requirement for 2006/07

 

AW / DM / JP to agree a date and notify the Clerk.

 

9.4  Accounts for Payment

 

Resolved: to the pay the following accounts:

·         Clerk’s salary                                                                                      £410.42

·         Clerk’s broadband expenses (chq 323)                                                    £14.00

·         Old Oxted Landscapers (grass cutting) (chq 324)                                    £112.00

·         Clerk’s overtime payment (chq 325)                                                       £139.53

 

 

10.0    ANNUAL PARISH MEETING PREPARATION

 

The date for the Annual Parish Meeting is Wednesday, 15 March 2006.  It was agreed to invite Peter Ainsworth MP in his capacity both as local MP and Chairman of the Parliamentary Environmental Audit Committee to speak at the meeting.                                                                                                                  Action:  Clerk

 

11.0  ANY OTHER BUSINESS

RH and JP reported continued noise nuisance from train horns and requested that a further letter be sent to Southern Rail.                                                                                                                  Action:  Clerk

 

LW reported the intimidating behaviour of youths riding motorised scooters in the Oxted station car park.  The Chairman suggested informing PC Dan Hazel about the problem in the first instance.

 


12.0  DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 6 December 2005, in the Glebe Room, St Peter’s Hall, High Street, Limpsfield.

 

Please note that the January meeting will be held one week later than usual on Tuesday, 10 January 2006, in the Glebe Room, St Peter’s Hall.

 

The meeting closed at 9.50 pm.

 

 

 

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