LANGFORD & ULTING PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF LANGFORD & ULTING PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 9th JUNE 2015 AT LANGFORD & ULTING VILLAGE HALL.
Present: Councillors: Vicky Anfilogoff, Irene Allen, Kathy Palmer Colin Ashby and John Clemo.
In the Chair: Councillor Vicky Anfilogoff
Clerk: Jenny Clemo
Also present: 3 members of the public
15/94. Apologies for absence
Apologies received from District Cllrs Bass and Durham.
15/95. Minutes of the previous meeting
The minutes of 12th May 2015 having been previously circulated were taken as read, agreed and signed by the Chairman.
15/96. Declarations of Interest
Cllr. Allen declared an interest in Item 15/100a) HOUSE/MAL/15/00518 (near neighbour) and Item 15/107 Path at Ulting Lane Green (property adjoins path)
15/97. Matters for information from previous meetings
15/12. Ditch adjacent to Pine View – Ecological survey had confirmed presence of breeding birds. Clearance work cannot be undertaken until September.
15/88. Emergency Planning Workshop – Cllr. Ashby to attend workshop on 17th June 2015.
15/98. District Councillor’s report
No report received.
15/99. Public Question Time
- Ditch adjacent to Pine View – A resident suggested that the Water Co. should install a wire fence inside the existing fence to stop litter blowing into the ditch.
- Postal votes – A resident had received a postal vote for the Parliamentary election but not the District or Parish Council elections. Clerk to notify Ward Cllrs.
15/100. Planning Matters
a) Planning applications received.
OUT/MAL/15/00419 - North Heybridge Garden Suburb - part outline, part detailed including:
(i) – (iv) Residential development, Residential care, “Neighbourhood” uses, Primary school and early years childcare facility.
(v) Strategic flood relief infrastructure, including the construction of retaining earthworks, connecting ditches, pipe work and syphons, water flow control measures, and outfall to the Chelmer and Blackwater river systems (Detailed element)
(vi) A relief road between Broad Street Green Road and Langford Road (Detailed element)
Councillors agreed to comment on the following: country park to maintain gap between Langford and Heybridge, noise from traffic, light and air pollution, visual impact of relief road. The clerk was asked to query timing of the construction of the relief road and flood alleviation scheme and the diversion of the existing footpath. It was also agreed that the Parish Council should request a continuation of the 30mph speed limit through Langford and the provision of streetlights on the old railway bridge. It was suggested that a car park could be built adjacent to the relief road and a park and ride scheme to Witham Railway station could be operated. This would alleviate traffic through Langford, Ulting and Hatfield Peverel.
COUPA/MAL/15/00504 - Prior approval of proposed change of use of a building from office use into a dwelling house (use Class C3). Unit 2, The Bower, Langford Hall Barn, Witham Road, Langford. It was noted that the General Permitted Development Order does not include change of use of a building from office use to a dwelling if the building is in the curtilage of a listed building.
HOUSE/MAL/15/00306 - Proposed extensions & alterations. The Owls, Crouchmans Farm Road, Ulting. The Parish Council agreed to support this application.
FUL/MAL/15/00437 – Change of use of existing barn from carpentry to storage barn. Fairwinds, Crouchmans Farm Road, Ulting. The Parish Council agreed to recommend refusal due to increased traffic to the site and intrusive machinery noise. Clerk to query whether business requires planning permission.
HOUSE/MAL/15/00518 – Single storey rear extension. Conversion of existing utility to ground floor bedroom including replacing 2no. small windows with a larger window to match no. 14. 15, Ulting Lane, Langford. The Parish Council agreed to support this application but were concerned about damage to the Parish Council owned green in front of the houses by builder’s vehicles and machinery. It was also noted that there are water and gas pipes under the green that could be damaged. (Conditions to control this required)
b) Planning decisions received.
COUPA/MAL/14/00677 – Prior notification of a proposed change of use of agricultural building to dwellings, Middlefield Barns, Ulting was dismissed at appeal.
LDP/MAL/15/00119 – Change of use of agricultural building to dwelling as permitted development under Class MB of the GPDO, Drylands Nursery, Ulting was refused.
HOUSE/MAL/15/00190 and LBC/MAL/15/00191 – Alteration and extension of house, including demolition of non-curtilage listed structures, Church Cottages, Ulting was approved.
c) Planning application received after agenda deadline.
HOUSE/MAL/15/00488 and LBC/MAL/15/00489 – Replacement windows, removal of fireplace & chimney & refurbishment of roof & external walls of barn. Home Farm, Maypole Road, Langford. It was agreed that the clerk would respond using delegated powers. (See Standing Order 74(2))
15/101. Correspondence
a) Rural Crime Survey 2015 – Link had been emailed to councillors for completion individually.
b) Maldon District Local Development Plan: Interim Findings had been emailed to councillors prior to the meeting. It was noted that the Inspector had stated that the plan was unsound as the policy on traveller site provision was not based on up to date evidence.
c) Essex Statement of Community Involvement – Update 2015 – Public consultation 14th May – 25th June. See proposed updates at: www.essex.gov.uk/SCI The Parish Council agreed that no comment was required.
d) Priti Patel – It was noted that an offer of assistance regarding any concerns in the parish had been received.
e) Coach House – Notification of annual inspection had been received.
f) General correspondence to note:
- Superfast Essex Programme Update – May 2015 (circulated to councillors by email)
- Maldon Festival – 27th June – 11th July
15/102. Finance
a) The following payments were authorised:
Mr. N. Spooner £75.00 Internal audit
Mrs. J. Clemo £500.00 Clerk’s salary
b) Bank Mandate:
(i)The addition of Cllrs. Ashby and John Clemo as bank signatories was authorised.
(ii) The removal of Andrew Tween and Richard Perry as bank signatories was authorised.
c) Receipt of Neighbourhood Plan grant, £3375.00, from Groundwork UK was noted.
d) The following cheques were raised and will be ratified at the next meeting:
Alphaprint £338.00 Newsletter
Northumbrian Water Ltd £50.00 Coach House rent
15/103. Neighbourhood Plan
a) Cllr. Anfilogoff reported that the responses to the Regulation 14 consultation had been analysed and addressed. A meeting with Maldon District Council planning officers had resulted in a tightening of the wording of some policies. The Screening Opinion to determine whether the plan requires a Strategic Environmental Assessment is currently out to consultation.
15/104. Streetlight by old railway bridge
A&J Lighting Ltd had notified the clerk that when the lamp was moved onto the new telegraph pole the old box had been discarded and the electricity supply cut off. A new box at a cost of £120 and the provision of an electricity supply, £500-£700 (estimate by A&J Lighting Ltd) are required. It was agreed that the clerk would ask Andy to remove the streetlight when the annual maintenance is carried out.
15/105. Public Footpath Diversion at Ulting
Essex County Council has made an Order to divert Footpath 12. It was agreed that no comment was required.
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15/106. Tree Preservation Order
Tree Preservation Order No. 6/14, Willow Barn and land to the rear, Witham Road, Langford was noted.
15/107. Path at Ulting Lane Green
Cllr. Allen had checked her property’s deeds and it is not clear who is responsible for the path. Cllrs. discussed the situation with regard to residents driving across the grass. It was agreed that Cllr. Anfilogoff would email the Water Co. to find out who owns the path and whether vehicles could damage the underground pipes. It was agreed that the clerk would write to residents once a reply had been received.
15/108. Risk Assessment
a) The Draft Risk Assessment, previously circulated to councillors, was reviewed and minor amendments agreed.
b) The draft management plan for trees on council owned land, previously circulated to councillors was agreed.
15/109. Items from the councillors (NEXT AGENDA ITEMS ONLY)
Councillors to inform clerk by 5th July 2015.
15/110. Date of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 14th July 2015 at Langford & Ulting Village Hall.
Signed: (Chairman) Date: