LIMPSFIELD PARISH COUNCIL

   Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday, 2 November 2004,

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)

 

 

1.0  APOLOGIES

 

Apologies were received from Mr Jonathan Jensen and Mrs Lucy Wingate.

2.0    MINUTES 

 

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved and signed subject to an amendment to paragraph 1 of Minute 7.2 Rights of Way, Upgrading of footpaths 52 & 53 to bridleway status.  The wording of the second sentence “ …….. and all claim to be using the bridleway once a week” should read “……. and many people claim to be using the bridleway about 50 times a year”.

Owing to the number of public present, the Chairman requested that the Public Session should be taken before matters arising.

 

3.0  PUBLIC SESSION

 

There were ten members of the public present.  The Chairman invited a spokesperson to address the meeting.

 

Mrs Linda Thompson of Rose Oak, Grants Lane, explained that she wished to put forward the horse riders’ point of view with regards the application made by the British Horse Society to upgrade part of footpaths 52 and 53 to bridleway status.  Mrs Thompson explained that although the Society had lodged the application, this was supported by the horse riding community because the existing bridleway was unsafe.  There had been no reason to seek an upgrade until recently because in the past horse riders had not been asked to stop riding along the lane. Indeed most people assumed they were on a bridleway until a wooden footpath sign was erected about 8 months ago.  However, the horse riders are anxious to reach a peaceful solution to the problem.

 

The Chairman answered a number of questions from the floor.

 

The Chairman established that key to the problem was the provision of a safe route for riders to and from Limpsfield Chart.  The horse riders agreed that if the existing Bridleway were made safe there would be no need to upgrade the footpaths.  The Chairman explained that Surrey County Council (SCC) had a duty to ensure that the existing Bridleway was maintained to a standard suitable for the purpose for which it was classified, ie horse riders, people on foot and cyclists, and confirmed that the Parish Council would pursue SCC for its dereliction of duty.  

 

 

4.0  MATTERS ARISING

Minute 6.0 Correspondence:  Minerals Planning Meeting.  John Pannett reported on the meeting held at Godstone Baptist Church on Thursday, 7 October 2004.  SCC has been asked by the South East Regional Assembly (SERA) to carry out a survey to identify potential mineral extraction sites known as Potential Mineral Zones (PMZs) across Surrey.   SERA has imposed a target on each county within South East England, the allocation for Surrey being 2.51 million tons per annum.  Ten per cent of this total is already being produced by Moorhouse Sandpits.  Surrey has selected 107 PMZs for consideration on geological grounds only and there are severe problems associated with many of them.

 

A consultation document from the Surrey Minerals Policy and Plans Team requested the Parish Council’s views on its PMZ report by 1 November 2004.  JP studied the three PMZs within the parish of Limpsfield and forwarded detailed objections on all three of the sites to the Surrey Team on behalf of the Council.

 

The Chairman thanked JP for all his efforts.

 

 

5.0  COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORTS 

There were no reports received.

 

6.0  CHAIRMAN’S REPORT (including correspondence)

 

The Chairman was pleased to confirm that a revised letter had been received from the Standards Board for England which confirmed the finding that “there is no evidence of a failure to comply with the Limpsfield Parish Council’s Code of Conduct” in respect of the allegation into Councillor John Pannett’s conduct.  A copy of the case summary was also received.  This matter is now closed.

Corrrespondence:

·         TDC – Standards Committee joint training for District & Parish Councillors on Members’ Interests.  To be run on Saturday, 20 November at 10 am or Thursday 16 December at 7.30 pm.

·         Letter from Mrs Masters with a suggestion to install a dog litter bin in or around the High Street.  It was agreed to write to Mrs Masters explaining that Members had been unable to come up with a suitable location for the installation of a dog litter bin.                                                                                                            Action:  Clerk

·         SCC – invitation to an East Area Passenger Transport Forum at the Harlequin Theatre, Redhill on Monday, 15 November 2004 at 2.30 pm.  Summary report of forum held on 2 July 2004.

·         ODPM – new ethical framework regulations have been passed to provide for local authority monitoring officers to carry out investigations into alleged breaches by members of their code of conduct which have been referred to them by an ethical standards officer prior to his or her having carried out or concluded an investigation.   The regulations also enable local authority standards committees to make determinations following monitoring officers’ reports on the investigation of such breaches.  The order clarifies that the Standards Board may issue advice to monitoring officers and local standards committees.

·         TDC - Draft Statement of Licensing Policy – request for comments by 5 November 2004.  AW e-mailed comments direct to TDC on 2 November.

 

 

7.0  PARISH COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS

7.1  Parish Plan Committee

JP reported that it was unlikely that the questionnaire would be ready in time to be distributed with the Limpsfield Annual Report.  The next meeting of the Committee is being held on Monday, 8 November, at AW’s home.

 

7.2  Rights of Way

Upgrading of footpaths 52 & 53 to bridleway status:  The Clerk reported that Mrs Birch from Surrey Rights of Way Group had spent some time going through the 1894-1923 minute books.

·         Copy of Mr Grantham’s correspondence with Philippa Gates, Rights of Way Officer.

·         Letter from a parishioner regarding the Parish Council’s opposition to the change in status of footpaths 52 & 53 to bridleways.

 

Further to the discussions held earlier in the meeting, it was resolved that the Clerk should i) write to Philippa Gates, SCC Rights of Way Officer, to request that Bridleway 54 be reinstated to a proper standard;  ii) write to Mr Grantham, a resident of Caxton Lane, to ask his forbearance towards the horse riding community whilst the Bridleway is brought up to scratch.                                                                                                                   Action:  Clerk 

 

7.3  Planning

Correspondence:

·         Response from Mr J Lawrence, Deputy Director of Environmental Protection, to the Parish Council’s letter requesting clarification of when personal circumstances will be taken into account where planning regulations have been flouted.  Mr Lawrence points out in his letter that Planning Policy Guidance Note 1 (PPG1) “General Policies and Principles” acknowledges that the personal circumstances of an applicant or occupier may, exceptionally, be a material consideration in determining a planning application or appeal but they will seldom outweigh the more general planning considerations.

·         Three letters of objection from residents regarding application TA/2004/1549, erection of 5 bedroom house with garage on land at the rear of The Ridge, Brassey Road, Limpsfield.

·         Resident’s letter of objection to the proposed H3G base station at EDF Energy Compound, Oxted Fire Station, Westerham Road, Limpsfield.

 

 

Planning Application List No 40, 41, 42, 43

 

No objections

TA/2004/1563/TCA  24 STANHOPES, LIMPSFIELD

2 X SILVER BIRCH. T1 TO BE REDUCED BY 33% IN HEIGHT AND T2 TO BE REDUCED BY 2 - 3M IN HEIGHT.

 

TA/2004/1591/TPO  3 BLUEHOUSE GARDENS, LIMPSFIELD

TPO 117 (T) & 126 (T) - FELL ONE SYCAMORE AND ONE CUPRESSUS.   REDUCE A BIRCH, YEW, OAK, MAPLE, HOLLY & CUPRESSUS BY 20%.

 

TA/2004/1608 ST MICHAELS, WOLFS ROW, LIMPSFIELD

REMOVE 4 STAINED GLASS WINDOWS TO SECOND FLOOR.  OVERHAUL AND REFURBISH STAINED GLASS ELEMENTS AND FIT TO TRIPLE GLAZED UNITS.  INCREASE WIDTH OF REBATE AND REFIT. (APPLICATION FOR LISTED BUILDING CONSENT).

 

TA/2004/1618  1, CHAMPIONS PLACE COTTAGES, KENT HATCH ROAD, LIMPSFIELD CHART

DEMOLITION OF EXISTING REAR ADDITION AND ERECTION OF SINGLE STOREY REAR EXTENSION.

 

TA/2004/1428 LITTLE BATCHELLORS, RED LANE, LIMPSFIELD

DEMOLITION OF EXISTING CAR PORT, GARAGE, STUDY & UTILITY ROOM. ERECTION OF SINGLE STOREY SIDE/FRONT/REAR EXTENSIONS WITH FIRST FLOOR OVER EXISTING DWELLING.

 

TA/2004/1519 LIMPSFIELD GRANGE SPECIAL SCHOOL, BLUEHOUSE LANE, OXTED

STATIONING OF SINGLE STOREY PORTACABIN BUILDING TO BE USED AS LIBRARY/RESOURCE BUILDING.

 

AW declared an interest in the following application

TA/2004/1644 26, GRANVILLE ROAD, OXTED

WIDEN EXISTING DROPPED KERB BY 1.8M.

 

TA/2004/1661 2A, PARK ROAD, OXTED

ERECTION OF EXTENSION TO ROOF INCORPORATING FIVE DORMER WINDOWS.

 

 

Objections

 

TA/2004/1549 LAND REAR OF THE RIDGE, BRASSEY ROAD, OXTED DEMOLITION OF GARDEN SHED.  ERECTION OF 2 STOREY 5 BEDROOM DWELLING WITH ATTACHED GARAGE.  Object on the grounds that the dwelling will appear too cramped within the plot and will dominate neighbouring properties resulting in an invasion of privacy.

 

CW declared a prejudicial interest in the following application and withdrew from the meeting

TA/2004/1573  10, PARK ROAD, OXTED

DEMOLITION OF EXISTING DWELLING AND OUTBUILDING. ERECTION OF 3 X 5-BED DETACHED DWELLINGS WITH ATTACHED GARAGES AND 3 X 4-BED DETACHED DWELLINGS WITH INTEGRAL GARAGES (TOTAL 6 DWELLINGS).  Object on the grounds of overdevelopment of the site.

 

TA/2004/1574 LAND REAR OF, 10 PARK ROAD, OXTED

DEMOLITION OF EXISTING OUTBUILDING. ERECTION OF 3 X 5-BED DETACHED DWELLINGS WITH ATTACHED GARAGES.  Object on the grounds of overdevelopment of the site.

 

TA/2004/1575  LAND REAR OF, 10 PARK ROAD, OXTED

DEMOLITION OF EXISTING OUTBUILDING. ERECTION OF 4 X 4-BED DETACHED DWELLINGS WITH INTEGRAL GARAGES & 1 X 5-BED DETACHED DWELLING WITH ATTACHED GARAGE (TOTAL 5 DWELLINGS).  Object on the grounds of overdevelopment of the site.

 

 

TA/2004/1679 42,TITSEY ROAD, LIMPSFIELD

ERECTION OF 2.54M HIGH GATES WITH 2.28M HIGH PILLARS AND 2.16M HIGH RAILINGS TO FRONT ENTRANCE.  Object on the grounds that the design and scale of the proposal is totally inappropriate in a Conservation Area, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and in close proximity to an important Listed Building.

 

 

Planning Refusals

 

TA/2004/1282  2A Park Road

Erection of extension to roof incorporating 8 dormer windows to provide first floor accommodation.

 

TA/2004/1318  73 Park Road, Limpsfield

Erection of two storey side extension.

 

 

Planning Approvals

 

TA/2004/1204  Essington Cottage, Pains Hill, Limpsfield

Demolition of existing conservatory and erection of single storey rear extension, first floor rear extension and 2 front dormer windows.

 

TA/2004/1220/TPO  West House, High Street, Limpsfield

Crown thin sweet chestnut by 25% and crown lift canopy by approx 3M.

 

TA/2004/1250  Claremont Dower, Pollards Wood Hill, Limpsfield

Demolition of part side extension.  Erection of 2 storey extension to north/east elevations.

 

TA/2004/1285  Tanglewood, Uvedale Road, Limpsfield

Erection of single storey side extension.

 

TA/2004/1306  Vellan, 35 Park Road, Limpsfield

Erection of single storey side/rear extension incorporating conservatory.

 

TA/2004/1327  54 Bluehouse Lane, Limpsfield

Erection of detached garage.

 

TA/2004/995  Wansbeck, Uvedale Road, Limpsfield

Erection of single storey front and rear extensions; extension to garage block with first floor over providing self-contained accommodation and single storey side extension to provide swimming pool with plant room under.

 

TA/2004/1376  The Stables, Crabbett Wood Farm, Itchingwood Common

Conversion of existing milking parlour to provide 4-bed dwelling.

 

 

7.4  Highways

 

Hazelwood School:  Megan Packard, Safe Routes to School Officer for Surrey County Council, has observed the traffic outside Hazelwood School and has made arrangements for the yellow zig zag road markings outside the school to be extended to the maximum length possible which it is hoped will improve visibility for parents using the school’s large car park and also improve the flow of traffic.  Double yellow lines have not proved effective elsewhere and passing bays are likely to move parking further up and down the road causing more problems.

 

Kent Hatch Road:  drawing from SCC Highways showing proposed signs and road markings for the crossing point in Kent Hatch Road.  There were no objections to the proposals.

 

Bluehouse Lane Banks:  e-mail from Mr Stone confirming that Surrey Highways has cut back the banks on both sides of the lane from Limpsfield Grange to Granville Road and thanking the Parish Council for its efforts.

 

Overhanging foliage in Detillens Lane and High Street Limpsfield:  it was agreed that CH and AW would speak to Limpsfield Lawn Tennis Club and the owner of Detillens respectively to request them to cut back the foliage overhanging the footpaths adjoining their properties.

 

 

7.5  Publicity

BA reported that CH had written a very good article about the local planning system for publication in the next village newsletters.

 

 

7.6  Trees  & Parish Property

 

Landscaping adjacent to the Memorial Stores:  SCC’s Tandridge Community Support Team has granted the sum of £800 towards environmental improvements in Limpsfield.  It was agreed to carry out a land registry search on the land before work commences.                                                                                               Action:  Clerk

 

Tree on Tidy’s Green:  TDC has written to residents whose homes adjoin Tidy’s Green to seek their views on replacing the existing tree on the green with a lime tree.  RH reported on a meeting with two of the residents adjoining the green who did not wish to have a tree on the green at all.  It was agreed to write to TDC requesting that the existing tree be removed.    Action:  Clerk

 

Notice board adjacent to the Memorial Stores:  the Clerk reported that the notice board required rubbing down and oiling.                                                                                                                  Action:  CW

 

Notice board on Limpsfield Chart:  BA reported that he did not consider the bus shelter to be a suitable location for a notice board.  He agreed to discuss the matter with Lady Critchett.

                                                                                                                  Action:  BA

 

8.0  REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES

 

8.1  Limpsfield Common

Mark Richards reported that a meeting had been held with the local police to discuss behavioural problems in the car parks on the Chart.  Mark agreed to inspect the Greensand Way which AW reported was deteriorating in some places.

 

8.2  Limpsfield School

 

There was nothing to report.

8.3  Police Community Partnership Group

 

AW reported that some areas would benefit from the introduction of a Neighbourhood Panel whilst others already work well with the existing PCPG.  Limpsfield, Oxted and Hurst Green are happy to continue working within the existing framework but should the need arise would form a Neighbourhood Panel to deal with specific problems.

 

9.0  FINANCE

 

9.1  Approve 2^nd quarter internal audit.  This was deferred to the December meeting.

9.2  To arrange a meeting of the Finance Committee to prepare the budget and precept requirement for 2005/04.  Meeting to be held at JP’s house on Monday, 15 November 2004, at 8 pm.

9.3  Accounts for Payment

 

·         Clerk’s salary (SO 26 October 2004)                                                      £393.75

·         Clerk’s expenses, broadband & OS map (Chq 266)                                   £30.45

·         Post Office Counters (100 x 2^nd class stamps)(Chq 267)                            £21.00

 

 

10.0  ANNUAL PARISH MEETING PREPARATION.  This was deferred to the December meeting.

Part II  Owing to the confidential nature of the business to be transacted, the public will be requested to leave the meeting during consideration of agenda item 11.0.

11.0  ALLOTMENTS COMMITTEE

 

See appendix I.

 

 

12.0  ANY OTHER BUSINESS

There was no other business.

 

13.0  DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 7 December 2004, in the Glebe Room, St Peter’s Hall, High Street, Limpsfield.

 

 

 

The meeting closed at 10.25 pm.