MINUTES OF ORDINARY MEETING
MADRON PARISH COUNCIL
HELD AT TRYTHALL CP SCHOOL
THURSDAY 3rd DECEMBER 2015 AT 7.30pm
Present:
Cllr Mrs C. Roberts (chairman) Cllr Mrs A. Jenkin
Cllr S. Pritchard Cllr. M. Scoble
Cllr G. Tanner Cllr H. Eddy
Cllr S. Bates Cllr C. Bone
Cllr R. Matthews Cllr I. Phillips
Cornwall Cllr R Mann
Clerk, Mr W.E. Wilkins, no members of the public
1.Apologies
Cllrs Mrs G.Burlton and V. Peake and Cornwall Cllr W. Maddern
2. Acceptance of Minutes
The minutes of the Ordinary Parish Council Meeting held at Madron Community Rooms on 5th November 2015 were unanimously approved.
3. Declarations of Interest
Cllr Eddy – item 10 Planning – application PA15/10595 at Tremearne, Bone Valley as a neighbour.
Cllr Roberts – item 10 Planning – application PA15/10487 at land SSW of Gorselands, New Mill as a neighbour and business interest.
4. Dispensations
Cllrs Scoble, Pritchard and Matthews – item 16 Finance –payments to Landithy Hall Managers as Landithy Hall Managers.
5. Public Participation
None
6. Police Report
In the absence of police officers the clerk gave the police report for November 2015. During the month there were 4 crimes as opposed to one during November 2014.
On 6th a caravan at Badgers Cross was entered forcibly, but nothing was stolen: on 8th an adult male threatened violence to his adult male neighbour in Madron; on 18th a postman was bitten by a dog which was dangerously out of control in Madron and enquiries are ongoing; on 30th a male kicked a motorists car following a road rage incident in Gulval and again enquiries are ongoing.
7. Chairman’s Comments
Cllr Roberts reported that her chain of office was in need of re-soldering and Cllr Pritchard agreed to take the chain for repair.
8. Councillors’ Questions and Comments
Cllr Burlton has received complaints that hedge needed cutting back between Landithy and Trengwainton. The hedge has now been cut back and Highways will clear back the footpath.
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Cllr Scoble has had complaints of people late at night knocking doors to find holiday accommodation which appears to be at the rear of Tregoddick Farm and he has passed this to Cornwall Cllr Mann and the clerk (see Cornwall Councillors comments).
Cllr Scoble reported a gate next to 29 Parc Abnac is padlocked and appears to be the entrance to a new building. Cornwall Cllr Mann agreed to pass this to Planning Enforcement.
There have also been complaints about a large amount of wet leaves in Bone Valley near to Bone Farm which could be a hazard. Clerk to inform Highways.
Cllr Pritchard reported for information that funding had been requested from War Memorial Trust to cut back and reinstate the paths in the Memorial Garden.
9. Comments from Cornwall Councillors
In response to Cllr Scoble’s comments regarding the rear of Tregoddick Farm Cornwall Cllr Mann reported that a Planning Enforcement officer is looking into reports of a 45 foot long container being converted and used as a holiday accommodation at the rear of Tregoddick Farm. He was able to say that information can be found on line by looking at ‘container 45 Cornwall’ or Sea View Cottage Tregoddick’ on google which shows that this is holiday accommodation.
Clerk reported that he had been in contact with Cornwall Cllr Maddern who is in poor health and he had asked the clerk to convey Christmas Greetings to all councillors. It was agreed that the clerk should send a Christmas card to Cllr Maddern on behalf of this council.
10. Planning
Applications
PA15/09875 – variation of condition 7 (holiday occupancy) of application W1/787/P/0321 dated 22nd May 1978 for the development of 40 self-contained holiday flats from 10 months use to 12 months holiday use at 4 The Park, Kenegy Manor, Gulval – supported
PA15/10487 – proposed conversion of redundant livery stables to provide Nordic Walkers holiday retreat at land SSW of Gorselands, New Mill. (Cllr Roberts left the room and Cllr Pritchard took the chair)). Cllr Tanner has been notified of two objections from parishioners to this application and this council has concerns and objects to the application on the following grounds: –
Access – there are statements in the Design Statement, the Flood Assessment Report and the AONB Report referring to the access to the site from the west. There is no such access as a right of way, private land blocks the way in, and the owner is one of the objectors and the route is not feasible for normal vehicular access. For planning purposes the site only has access from the highway in the Trye Valley. The planned use envisages holiday makers and instructional staff means daily coming and going and would need a considerable upgrade to the existing bridge and track, impacting on the environmental aspect of this sensitive area of the AONB.
Traffic – The site is remote and as planned only has basic facilities. Although self-catering is envisaged, the reality will be significant traffic from the site visiting local pubs and restaurants increasing the noise and disturbance to neighbouring property (e.g. Gorselands) and the wear and tear on the access.
Visibility – Although the planned use of the existing barn is reasonably screened from the adjacent Trye Valley, the whole of the site is in full public view from the road running over the hill between New Mill and Bosulval. The new barn, car parking, domestic paraphernalia around the site and any upgraded trackways, will be plainly visible. We believe this must be to the detriment of the landscape character and not acceptable within an AONB
Sustainability – the site is remote and not part of a complex but there is no detail in the application of how the site will be managed on a daily basis. However 70% occupancy is envisaged, which will require support staff and instructors, and cleaning and waste to be disposed or recycled, all creating the impact of domesticity that would be detrimental to the AONB. The business model currently only envisages a small number of holidaymakers underpinning the costs of the site and staffing. If successful, the business could not grow without significantly increasing the footprint of buildings, etc. Other Nordic Walking sites we have reviewed (e.g. Trewhiddle) are larger and are complexes that allow for growth.
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We are not aware of any over-riding business lead with this facility and there is no capability for growth without serious detriment to the landscape and environment. We therefore believe that this remote site within a sensitive AONB is in the wrong place for this form of business and is therefore not sustainable and is contrary to Policy 5 of the Emerging Cornwall Local Plan.
PA15/10841 – certificate of lawfulness for the existing use of the building known at The Cart Shed as a dwelling at The Cart Shed, Resoon, Gulval – no comment
PA15/07431 – retrospective planning application for replacement of condemned old office facilities with new main offices, rest room and welfare facilities, laboratory, washing and drying rooms and weighbridges and creation of a staff and visitor car parking area adjacent to offices to avoid conflict with quarry vehicle movements at Castle an Dinas Quarry, Castle Gate, Ludgvan – supported
PA15/10595 – change of use of part non-residential land (used as a kitchen garden) to domestic land. Single storey front extension, portico in place of porch, re-siting porch as a detached orangery and a replacement roof at Tremearne, Bone Valley, Heamoor. (Cllr Eddy declared an interest and left the room). Clerk reported that this application was discussed at the November meeting but the application (PA15/09262) was subsequently withdrawn. It has now been reinstated to include change of use of part kitchen garden to domestic land. The original application was supported by this council and it was agreed to continue with the support.
Clerk reported that there are two PREAPPS being considered – no plans can be submitted concerning these items.
PA15/03429/ PREAPP – advice for demolition of existing agricultural building and construction of live/work unit development at land SSW of Carfury Farm, Carfury, New Mill.
PA15/03323/PREAPP –proposed residential development with associated infrastructure at land off Vingoes Lane, Madron
Results
PA15/05392 – construction of an annexe at Monterey, Madron – refused
PA15/08966 – proposed construction of a sand school for private use at The Barn, Access
Path from Carnequidden Farm, to Highwer Conquer Farm, New Mill – approved
PA15/09204 – first floor and side extensions, slate hanging to first floor of existing rear and part end walls at The Barn, Lower Ninnes, New Mill – approved
Other Planning Matters
Clerk reported that he had received replies from Derek Thomas MP and Brandon Lewis MP, the Minister for Housing and Planning in relation to his letter concerning 21 day turning-round time for planning recommendations and policy of advertising applications. These have been circulated to councillors. They point out that if parishes are unable to meet within turning around times the question of recommendations can be delegated to a planning committee, which in effect would have to be advertised with public access. The question of advertising applications is the responsibility of the Local Planning Authority. This was brought up at Paperless Planning Training at Penzance on 23rd November and Phil Mason, Head of Planning, agreed to consider publicising applications once again in the local press.
As the problems with turn-around extensions being refused is still rare clerk suggests that this be referred to the annual meeting in May as there will need to be a change in Standing Orders if the authority of a planning committee is to become lawful. This was unanimously agreed.
11. Public Rights of Way
Cllr Tanner reported that damage has been caused to ‘Break-my-Neck’ lane path by a landslide and he had reported this to Cormac. He had also reported the obstruction to footpath 104/38/1. Similarly he had reported to the Land Danger Department that there is a collapsed bridge over a stream to the north side of New Mill Cottages.
12. Clerk’s Report and Correspondence
Clerk reported that all instructions from the last meeting had been completed.
He has contracts between allotment holders and Cornwall Council and also Marazion Council as examples to adapt for use by this council when the Parc Abnac allotments are transferred to this council.
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Clerk has shown these contracts to Cllrs Pritchard and Bates who agreed with the clerk that the contract from Cornwall Council was acceptable for this council. This was agreed and the clerk will adapt them in readiness for the transfer.
Clerk has also received the forms from councillors at the meeting who are happy to receive their agendas by email and their hard copies will be available for them at meetings
All other matters are included in other agenda items.
13. Paperless Planning
Cllrs Roberts and Scoble have received training at Chacewater and Cllrs Peake, Jenkin, Burlton, Tanner, Eddy, Pritchard and the clerk had attended a similar event at Penzance
Cllrs Tanner and Eddy have offered guidance to assist the clerk. They felt that this could be best managed by the clerk emailing planning application numbers to councillors to examine them on line before meetings and he should bring the council computer to meetings for referral of any items to be clarified. It was agreed that this should be used at the February meeting to ensure that it works.
14. West Cornwall Community Forum on 19th November 2015 and Meeting with Leader
and Deputy Leader of Cornwall Council on 23rd November 2015
Cllrs Scoble, Pritchard and the clerk attended the West Cornwall Community Forum. There was a speaker from ‘Cornwall Healthwatch’ and the second speaker was from Cornwall Council discussing Environmental Standards for Cornwall Council Assets. The’ Healthwatch’ speaker was interesting discussing the work of that organisation. There were large criticisms from Penzance Town Council and several parishes over the lack of work done by the Environmental Services concerning decisions on priority being decided without consultation with local councils and Cormac had license to work as they pleased.
Cllrs Tanner, Pritchard, Burlton, Peake and the clerk attended the meeting with the Leader and his Deputy for Cornwall Council. This was a question and answer session which was in many ways constructive in which several issues were brought to notice and either answered or considered.
15. Budget and Precept for 2016-2017
Clerk has prepared a budget for the income and expenditure by this council until the end of this year and a similar estimate for 2016-17. These have been circulated to all councillors. He emphasised that this were estimated for guidance when considering the precept for the next year and the figures will change as the year continues and new issues arise. The precept for last six years has been £20,000 and after discussion it was proposed by Cllr Pritchard, seconded by Cllr Scoble and unanimously agreed that the precept should be increased by 1.5%, an increase of £300 Clerk will inform Cornwall Council accordingly.
16. Finance
It was proposed by Cllr Bates, seconded by Cllr Jenkin and unanimously agreed that the following accounts be paid: – W.E. Wilkins, clerk – salary £640.41, office allowance £30.00, mileage £38.70, disbursements which included new toner cartridge for printer, new cartridge for the photocopier and visit to MCC at Crowlas for computer security issues £135.36; HMRC –PAYE and Nat. Insurance £177.40; Landithy hall Managers – 12 months room hire for meetings £80.00, 3 quarter payment s for upkeep of garden £90.00 and cutting back the hedges on The Green £150. Soc. Local Council Clerks annual subscriptions £131.00.
Clerk added that it is the normal procedure for this council to donate to the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal in lieu of the payment for the wreath provided for this council for Remembrance Sunday. Chairman informed members that £100 was donated last year and
it was proposed by Cllr Pritchard, seconded by Cllr Bates and unanimously agreed that £100 be donated.
17. Time and Date of Next Meeting
7.30pm, Thursday 7th January 2016 at Madron Community Rooms