Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 21st July 2014

Birdham Parish Council

Minutes of the

Meeting of the Parish Council

held on Monday 21^st July 2014

at 7pm in Birdham Village Hall

Present: Cllr Finch (Chairman), Cllr Barker, Cllr Hamilton, Cllr Churchill

Apologies: Cllr Ayton, Cllr Pocock, Cllr Harker (Vice Chairman), Cllr Cobbold

and Cllr Montyn (WSCC & CDC),

In attendance: The Clerk, Cllr Marshall (CDC) and 8 members of the public.

32-14 Public Question time in accordance with Standing Orders 1d -1l:

There were no questions from members of the public.

33-14 Declaration of Interests:

There were no declarations of interest.

34-14 Approve and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on the 16^th June 2014:

It was resolved to adopt and sign the minutes of the 16^th June 2014 as a true and accurate record.

35-14 Matters arising from the minutes of the 19^th November 2012:

Minute 89-12 - Land Bequest. The Clerk said he had nothing further to report at this time.

36-14 Clerks’ Report:

i) WSCC – The Clerk reported that he had received notification from WSCC Highways that work was to start on the installation of fibre optic cables in Crooked Lane and Main Road on the 9^th July with completion expected on or about the 22^nd July.

ii) CDC – The Clerk said that he had received a press release from CDC notifying that CDC intended to switch out all lights on the Monday the 4^th August between 10pm and 11pm to mark the hour that Britain entered WW1. CDC has asked that all businesses and homes in the District support them.

The Clerk went on to say that he had also received from CDC the Officer comments on Birdhams Pre-submission Neighbourhood Plan. This document had been forwarded to the NPlan Steering Group for inclusion in their deliberations.

iii) Reports from Members of WSCC/CDC – Cllr Marshall (CDC) said he had very little to report other than to say that the Councils budget had been balanced and would be submitted to Full Council this week.

iv) Other related matters – The Clerk reported he had received an email from Selsey Town Council inviting Birdham Council and residents to view and comment on the Towns Draft Neighbourhood Plan. Those who wished to comment can view the Plan and other documents at https://www.selseytowncouncil.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=21862 .The consultation would run from 17^th July to 29^th August 2014.

The Clerk went on to say that an invitation had been received from East Wittering & Bracklesham Neighbourhood Plan to become an active stakeholder. The general consensus was that Birdham should be involved as the Village is a immediate neighbour.

37-14 Finance and Corporate:

i) To receive and approve the financial report.

The Clerk presented the financial reports for the month of July (shown at annex a). The current balances for July are as follows;

Balances held at Bank

	£39995.56
Designated Funds	£29654.17
Available Funds	£10341.39

Creditors	£ 1933.86

The Clerk offered to answer any questions that Councillors may have and reminded Councillors that during the August recess a payment of £8591.04 would be made by standing order to the Public Works Loan Board.

It was resolved to adopt the Financial Report.

ii) To consider and approve updates to the Community Facility Audit.

The Community Facility Audit is a record of the community facilities and amenities within Birdham. The completed document is held by CDC and is used to help negotiate S106 agreements with developers. The document had been submitted to Councillors and a number of amendments were suggested. These would be incorporated into the document and returned to CDC for approval.

38-14 To receive an update on the Neighbourhood Plan.

The Chairman said the Pre-submission phase had ended as of today with the expected last flurry of welcome comments. She went on to say that whilst the Steering Group do not have to accept the comments they will certainly adopt quite a number of the suggested changes.

The other good piece of news that the Steering Group had received is that the Planning Advisor Liz Beth would now remain part of the group until the final submission of the plan to CDC.

39-14 To consider the applications submitted under the NHB Scheme.

The Clerk said that two applications had been suggested and both had great merit. The first was to equip the Village Hall with sound and projection equipment, whilst the second suggested improvements to the play equipment and surrounds to the recreation field.

After a short debate it was resolved that both applications were worthy of support and should be submitted by the Clerk prior to the closing date.

40-14 Planning matters including applications and CDC delegated decisions:

i) Cllr Martin – Chairman of Earnley Parish Council had been invited to brief Birdham Parish Council on the current situation arising from the outline planning application 14/00457/OUT for 160 dwellings on Clappers Lane. Earnley Parish Council felt that the application, if permitted would have a disastrous impact on the entirety of the Manhood Peninsula.

Cllr Martins brief can be found at annex b to these minutes but, in summary a request for support from Birdham Parish Council to Earnley Parish Council registering as a Rule 6 participant in the appeal that had been registered.

It was resolved that the Clerk be authorised to write to Earnley Parish Council expressing the support of Birdham Parish Council.

ii) Planning Applications to be Decided:

BI/14/02025/DOM - Mr A Cole The Boat House Lock Lane Birdham

Extension to north elevation of property. Upgrading of car port to form ancillary accommodation.

It was resolved that No Objection should be raised to this application.

iii) Delegated Decisions to be noted.

BI/13/00316/FUL Birdham Pool Marina Birdham Pool The Causeway Birdham

Conversion of building to 4 no. dwellings, replacement workshop building, re-arrangement of existing boatyard. Installation of replacement modern crane. Re-arrangement of existing marina layout. Relocation of marina office. REFUSE

BI/14/00632/DOM Mr & Mrs Lawrence Pirie The Old Bird And Ham Main Road Birdham

Proposed replacement garden room, new tiled roof to store/utility. Refurbishment works to existing single storey tile roofs and 2 no. replacement windows to south-east elevation. PERMIT

BI/14/00633/LBC Mr & Mrs Lawrence Pirie The Old Bird And Ham Main Road Birdham

Proposed replacement garden room, new tiled roof to store/utility, refurbishment works to existing single storey tile roofs and 2 no. replacement windows to south-east elevation. PERMIT

BI/14/01236/DOM Mr & Mrs N Von Schimding Hammonds Farm Westland’s Lane Birdham

New single storey rear extension, and demolition of existing single storey extension. 2 no. dormer windows in connection with loft conversion, and alterations to ground levels. WITHDRAWN

BI/14/01237/LBC Mr & Mrs N Von Schimding Hammonds Farm Westlands Lane Birdham

New single storey rear extension and demolition of existing single storey extension. 2 no. dormer windows in connection with loft conversion. WITHDRAWN

BI/14/01757/DOM Mrs Laura Davies 11 Longmeadow Gardens Birdham

Extensions and alterations. PERMIT

BI/14/01824/TPA Mr S Apted Pict Fenn Court Barn Lane Birdham

Fell 1 no. Holm Oak tree (T6) (twin at base) subject to BI/01/00040/TPO. PERMIT

The delegated decisions were noted.

41-14 Correspondence – Not previously circulated:

i) A document from Genesis Town Planning in response to the Draft Neighborhood Plan.

ii) A letter had been received from The Oil Club reference the syndicate purchasing of heating oil. More information is available from their web site www.oil-club.co.uk

iii) A copy of the Chichester Ship Canal Trust Newsletter and balance sheet.

42-14 Reports:

i) Play Area and Playing Field. – The Clerk said that he had received the inspection report on the Children’s Play Area which, whilst giving a clean bill of health, did outline some work that was required most of which was due to vandalism of the fencing and gates and other areas of minor maintenance.

ii) Village Green and Pond – The Clerk confirmed that a letter had been written to the owners of the field adjacent to the pond but had yet to receive a response.

iii) Condition of Village Ditch/Drain Network. – The Clerk reported that Mr Barrington had contacted him to say that he would probably not be at the meeting and to say that he had nothing to add at this date.

The Clerk reported that he had now received one quotation for ditch work to be carried out on ditches owned by the Council and suggested that this should be accepted at the September meeting of the Council if no others were forthcoming. He went on to say that he had now received the final report document on the condition of the ditches within the parish compiled by Mr Burnand the WCEPO.

iv) Police and Neighbourhood Watch – There was nothing to report.

v) Communication Working Groups – The Chairman said that the latest Newsletter was now out with delivery virtually completed.

vi) Other -

a) To consider providing a water butt at the Bird & Ham bus stop. Whilst this was considered to be a good idea it was deferred to the September meeting in order for pricing to be obtained.

b) To consider moving the Ware Memorial from the Churchyard to the Village Green. It appeared that a potential alternative position had been found as the Village Green was already occupied with a number of memorial trees.

43-14 Reports of meetings attended by Councillors;

Cllr Churchill said that he was due to attend a meeting on the future of the NHS.

Cllr Finch said that both she and Mr Drew had attended a meeting with CDC concerning the responses they had made to the Draft Neighbourhood Plan.

44-14 Items for inclusion on the next agenda:

Water Butt at the bus stop by the old Bird & Ham.

45-14 Date of Next Meeting:

15^th September 2014 at 7pm in Birdham Village Hall

There being no further business to discuss the meeting was declared closed at 8.20pm

Signed ___________________________ Dated ____________________

Chairman

Annex a

Birdham Parish Council

Financial Statement as at 21st July 2014

Bank Accounts as at 31st March 2014

21689.56

Receipts to date

25704.01

Expenditure to date

7398.01

Balance

39995.56

Represented by;

Current Account (Barclays Community A/c)

22529.73

Deposit Account (Barclays Premium Business A/c)

10705.72

National Savings

6760.11

Total

39995.56

Less

Reserve @ 50% of Precept

21063.13

Loan Reserve for half year

8591.04

Outstanding Cheque/s -

Total

29654.17

Available Funds

10341.39

Signed

Clerk to the Council

21st July 2014

Payments to be considered

B Geary (Litter Picking)

70.00

Clerks Expenses (Telephone & Postage)

48.80

A Dover (Grass/Bus Stops)

140.00

M H Kennedy & Son (Grass)

432.24

Instantprint (Flyers & Leaflets)

89.00

Southern Electric (Street Lighting)

209.00

Playsafety Limited (RoSPA play area inspection)

85.20

CAB S137 Grant

100.00

4Sight S137 Grant

100.00

St James Churchyard Maint Grant

325.00

Design & Digital (Copies of NP)

334.62

Total

1933.86

Annex b

Planning Application for 160 dwellings on Clappers Lane, Earnley (14/00457/OUT) – Briefing Note

This application has gone to appeal, which will consist of a formal Inquiry held by a Planning Inspector, due to commence on Wednesday 29^th October 2014 and to last for 3 days.

Chichester District Council is prepared to contest the appeal by Wates the developer on three substantive grounds: dwelling density, traffic congestion and general sustainability. The first objection was raised by planning officers, the second by the Local Highways Authority (LHA) & the Highways Agency (HA) and the third by the elected councillors of the Planning Committee. The issue of dwelling density, although valid and welcome, will not overturn the proposal to build on this site; at best it will reduce the numbers to around the 100 to 110 mark.

On the issue of traffic congestion and sustainability, the Council are constrained by the acceptance by the LHA & HA of the developer’s Transport Assessment report, which both agree is “robust”.

The LHA & HA accept the developer’s conclusion that the proposed development will result in just over 30 vehicles per hour approaching the A286 roundabout with the B2201 and the Stockbridge Road roundabout during the peak morning and evening hour. They differ as to what this means: the developer claims the residual effect of this extra traffic will be minimal, the LHA & HA believe it will be “severe”. If the Inspector finds that the impact of the extra traffic is not “severe” (per National Planning Policy Framework para 32), then the developer could well win the appeal.

We however believe there is a stronger case to be made, which involves claiming that the developer’s Transport Assessment (TA) is not “robust”. There are two major objections that can be made:

1. The traffic distribution assumptions in the TA are flawed, in particular the claim that over 40% of residents on the proposed development will get jobs on the Manhood (some 80 jobs), with over 50 jobs in the village of East Wittering alone, marginally more than Chichester. The developer also claims that 71% of all non-commuting journeys – shopping, leisure, schools – will be within the Manhood. The results is that only a third of all journeys will involve approaching the critical A286/A27 roundabouts referred to above.

2. The developer believes that little or no traffic from the proposed site will use the country lanes to the east: through Earnley Conservation Area and either up Bookers Lane or through Almodington and Sidlesham and then joining the B2145. Our local knowledge shows that residents will use these routes to go to the eastern side of Chichester, to Bognor, Littlehampton and beyond and also to Selsey. Many residents prefer these quieter routes, with many more using them during the busy summer tourist months when the main roads are often blocked. All the developer’s traffic counts were taken in the period from November to April.

By presenting this case to the Inspector, we could show that the impact on the A286 roundabouts will be significantly greater than just over 30 vehicles per peak hour. We could also demonstrate damage to the quiet rural environment to the east of the site and the safety implications of increased traffic for walkers, cyclist and horse riders. We are not at all convinced that the developer’s proposal for a “No Right Turn” (out) and “No Left Turn” (in) arrangement on Clappers Lane will be effective.

We are awaiting a report from an independent Transport Consultant. If that reports concludes we have a case, then the proposal is that a consortium of parish councils on the Manhood is formed to apply for Rule 6 Third Party status at the Inquiry. This means that we have equal status with the appellant (Wates) and the Council and can, therefore, present evidence, call witnesses (such as the Transport Consultant) and cross examine. We would also seek legal advice. To fund this work we look to raise money from residents, a campaign which has already successfully commenced. It would not be our intention to get into debt; expenditure will only be committed if the funds are in place.

It is clear that these 160 new dwellings could just be the beginning, as the same developer has lodged a formal objection to the District Council’s Local Plan, proposing that 500 new dwellings should be allocated to the ward of East Wittering alone, as against the Local Plan figure of 100.

If we lose this case it could be a green light for further development in the whole area.

Earnley Parish Council