MINUTES OF A COUNCIL MEETING OF LONGPARISH PARISH COUNCIL

HELD IN THE COMMITTEE ROOM OF THE VILLAGE HALL ON

13 DECEMBER 2004 AT 19.30

PRESENT  

Mr C J Barber

Mr C Dewbury

Mr R Bourne

Mr M Johnson

Mr T Cooper

Mrs J Jolliffe

Also present                   Mr P Jarrett (Clerk), Cllr J Neal, Mrs M J Darrah

04/132  APOLOGIES

Apologies were received from PC Fiona Taylor (who had been called to an incident), Mr R Bourne, Mrs J Clear, Mr M Lampard and Mr R Maloney.

04/133  MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING OF 8 NOVEMBER 2004

The Minutes were approved unanimously, and were signed by the Chairman.

04/134  MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE OF 30 NOVEMBER 2004

The Minutes were approved unanimously, and were signed by the Chairman.

04/135  MATTERS ARISING

Refuse Collection: Noted that the Clerk had sent a letter to TVBC, reflecting the Council's concern over proposed changes in collection frequency. A response is awaited.   In addition there is a growing petition in the shop.

04/136 PLANNING

04/136.1   Current Applications

TVN.00149/8 – Flood prevention works to school playing field – Longparish C of E School – Longparish – The School Trustees

DECISION: SUPPORT Clerk to add a rider that the work should, if possible, be coordinated with improvements to the drainage of the B3048 adjacent to the school.

TVN.06331/15 – Variation of condition 1 of TVN.06331/10 to allow shooting (other than Olympic Trap for training purposes from approved layout) for a further temporary period of 12 months – Use for clay pigeon shooting ground with associated clubhouse, store and car park – Owls Lodge Farm, Nun's Walk Longparish – Mr B A M Faulds

DECISION: OBJECTION – Considered that there the applicant has been given clear notice that temporary permission was previously granted to enable thorough tests to be carried out. The tests have not been done, and the application for temporary extension should therefore be refused.

TVN.05628/4 – Erection of two storey and single storey extensions to provide additional living accommodation – Owls Lodge Farm, Nun's Walk, Longparish – Mr R Stubbs

DECISION: NO OBJECTON – Whilst there is no objection to the application, concern is expressed that a planting scheme, which was a condition of the original permission to build the house, has not been undertaken. The Council therefore requests that TVBC officers ensure that this omission is rectified.

04/136.2     Change in Planning Procedures

Cllr Neal reported that TVBC Councillors had adopted a revised procedure in order to speed the processing of applications. An objection will no longer ensure that an application will be presented to Committee.   The sitting member, (Cllr Neal in our case), will now have the final say as to whether it is referred to Committee or not.   In practice, this change is unlikely to affect the way the Parish Council's representations are dealt with.

04/136.3 Local Plan – Public Local Enquiry

Mr Barber reported that, with Mr Johnson, he had prepared a letter of Proof of Evidence for the Inspector. This was read and approved unanimously. A copy is attached as Appendix 1.

04/136.4 Results of Earlier Applications

TVN.06402/3 - Red Roofs, B3400, LONGPARISH - PERMISSION   subject to conditions

TVN.04687/9 - The Coach House, LONGPARISH - PERMISSION subject to conditions

TVN.04981/2 - Forest View, Harewood Forest Industrial Estate, LONGPARISH - PERMISSION subject to conditions

TRE.CA00597/46 – River bank adjacent to Upper Mill, LONGPARISH – NO OBJECTION

TVN.LB.00845 - Little Newton, B3048, LONGPARISH - LISTED BUILDING CONSENT subject to conditions

TVN.AG.00051/1 - Testwood Trout Farm, Mill Lane, LONGPARISH - APPROVAL NOT REQUIRED

TVN.04661/4 – Tudor Cottage LONGPARISH – PERMISSION subject to conditions

TVN.09222 – The Cottage, LONGPARISH – PERMISSION subject to conditions

04/137 FINANCE

Monthly Account Summary - The summary of Income/Expenditure had been distributed in advance, and was reported by the Clerk (Appendix 2).

Auditor's Report – Noted that the annual audit has been completed successfully     

Finance bids from committees – The Chairman requested that all final bids be received in time for the January meeting of the Finance Committee.

Playground Grant – Noted that the TVBC grant has been received for the new playground equipment.

04/138 OPEN SPACES

Wheelie Bins – Noted that some wheelie bins have been replaced, but a couple of others are still missing.

Village Green (aka the Cricket Field) – Mr Barber has written to the Registrar of common land to confirm the boundaries.

Clean Up Day – Mrs Jolliffe reported that the stream was successfully cleared, and the donated skip was fully utilised.   Roads were cleared of litter and the skate ramp was cleaned ready for painting.

Skate Ramp – Mr Barber has replaced the broken rail on the skate ramp and the fencing.   The repainting of the ramp will be deferred until the weather improves.

Southside Common – Defer discussion on advice from HAPTC to next meeting.   ACTION: Clerk

04/139 ROADS & BRIDGES

Nothing to report.

04/140   FOOTPATHS

Trail Riders letter – (See Appendix 3, Item 6) -Under investigation by Mr Lampard. Defer to next meeting for his report.  ACTIONS: ML & Clerk

Reported that Mr & Mrs Tacchi was prepared to donate land to create a new footpath between Hurstbourne Priors and Whitchurch.   As part of the scheme he would like to de-classify the short stretch of path through Papermill Farm.   The informal view of those present was that overall this would be an improvement to the footpaths network.      Cllr Neal advised that it is very difficult to have an existing footpath closed or re-routed.

Noted that the bridge on footpath 3 where it leaves the Hurstbourne Priors road has been damaged by a vehicle.

04/141 COMMUNICATIONS

The minutes of the meeting of the Communications Committee of 16 th November 2004 have been issued.

Noted that another reception for new villagers will be held on 24 February 2005.

The new Village Directory will be issued shortly.

The list of Parish Councillors has been distributed, and also posted on the web site.

Mrs Cheryl Dowler has agreed to act as village correspondent with the Andover Advertiser

04/142   VILLAGE PLAN

Work is proceeding.

04/143  SCHOOL/PLAYGROUP

Mrs Darrah, as a School Governor, reported that the re-build is ‘going well', and that the school travel plan is developing.   Mrs Darrah offered to keep members informed of any developments, as there is now no formal member of the Parish Council on the school governing body.

04/144  VILLAGE HALL

Discussion on a grant for the village hall was deferred to the next meeting.  ACTION: Clerk

04/145  CORRESPONDENCE

A summary of correspondence was presented by the Clerk, and is attached as Appendix 3.

04/146  DATES OF MEETINGS AND REPORTS

Finance Committee –                              5 January 2005

Next Parish Council Meeting –                10 January 2005 at 19.30

Reception for new villagers –                   24 February 2005

04/147 ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 21.45

APPENDIX 1

13 December 2004

Kevin O'Leary
Programme Officer
Test Valley Borough Council

By E Mail : koleary@testvalley.gov.uk

Dear Mr O'Leary

TVBC Borough Plan Public Local Inquiry:

Policy ESN23: Noisy Sports -Proof of evidence of Longparish Parish Council for hearing on 20 January 2005

1.   We are not familiar with the procedures of the enquiry.   We trust that what follows (which we discussed at our meeting this evening) is sufficient as proof of evidence.   We will be pleased to provide any further information you may require and will, of course, explain our position in greater detail on the day.   We understand that TVBC will provide the Inspector with a response to what we say and would be grateful for a copy.   We will be pleased to meet with you and/or the TVBC officers if that will be of assistance.

2.   Briefly we cover

  • Background
  • What we don't like about the policy
  • Why we don't like it
  • What changes we think should be made to it

Background

3.     We claim some expertise on noisy sports as a result of our experience with the Owls Lodge Shooting Ground – TVN 0633/1-5.   This saga has lasted around 13 years, has involved two judicial reviews and has cost the applicant, an objectors group and TVBC many tens of thousands of pounds in legal fees.   It has been a source of considerable concern and disquiet in our parish and has cost the parish council and everyone else involved innumerable hours of work and anguish.   We are not seeking to revisit the past but we do urge TVBC to learn from it so that others do not suffer from the lack of clear policy.

What we don't like about the policy

4.   The policy does not provide an adequate basis for deciding whether noise will be acceptable.

5.   The policy is inconsistent with paragraph 9.1.12 about policy AME04 - noise and vibration because AME04 sets out objective tests whereas ESN23 does not.

6.   The policy does not properly take into account whether a facility is needed.   There are special reasons which make this important (see 16 below).

7.   Controlling noise may require bunds.   The policy has led to the bizarre situation where applications have bounced to and fro between borough and county because of lack of clarity on the distinction between waste dumping and engineering works.

Why we don't like it

8.   Our experience was that a policy such as ESN 23 is inadequate to decide whether noise will be acceptable.   As it does not lay down a testable measure it opens the way to long, expensive and divisive disputes.   That is what happened in Longparish and the new plan should learn from that experience.  

9.   We understand that other councils have successfully incorporated objective standards into their policies.

10.   Noisy sports may require the building of bunds to attenuate the noise.   Bunds are major and permanent changes to the landscape and are made from large quantities of waste.   And building them entails huge numbers of vehicle movements. Both are disadvantages to the local community and the effect of them should be taken into account as well as the effect of noise.

11.   The policy does not properly take into account the special circumstances of areas such as SSSIs, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Valley of the River Test Heritage Area.  

What changes we think should be made to it

12.   We consider that policy ESN 23 should lay down objective tests.   Parish councils should be informed when tests are to take place

13.   Clear standards should be developed based on the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health document, “ Clay Target Shooting: Guidance on the Control of Noise” published in January 2003 available at http://www.cieh.net/dload/policy/ClayShootingCoP.pdf

14.   It should specify a maximum level which we would recommend to be 55 decibels.

15.   It should also include a separate test that noise levels should not exceed a stated amount above background even if the absolute level is lower than 55dB.   BS4142 measures by reference to background levels.   A noise is annoying if it is significantly in excess of background levels.   And impulsive, irregular noises are more annoying than uniform continuous noises.   This is recognised in BS4142 and policy AME04 which recommends refusal at 10dB(A) above background and adds 3dB(A) to measured levels of impulsive noise.

16.   It is in the owner's interest for the bunds to be very large as permitting people to dump is profitable.   Because of this there should be no presumption that a noisy sports facility is needed merely because the applicant says so.   The policy should require clear evidence of need to prevent

  • unnecessary noise; and
  •   the unnecessary creation of dumps of waste, which would otherwise be contrary to policies on waste, under the pretext of engineering works.

17.   Noise carries.   The policy should not permit developments which interfere with the quiet enjoyment of areas such as SSSIs, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Valley of the River Test Heritage Area.  

Yours sincerely

Jeremy Barber   for Longparish Parish Council
Copies to Paul Jarrett Clerk and all councillors

Appendix A – Policy ESN 23: NOISY SPORTS

In the countryside proposals for noisy sports will be permitted provided that:

a) there would be no adverse impact on landscape character or conflict with the conservation of the countryside;

b) there would be no adverse impact on the amenity of nearby residents;

c) there would be no adverse impact on the amenity of users of public rights of way or other sites with public access;

d) noise emissions would not be unacceptable by virtue of location and/or attenuation measures;

e) the site is of sufficient size to accommodate any landscaping required to reduce the impact on the countryside;

f) conditions are imposed to restrict use of the land to outdoor recreational use and specifying a return to agriculture should the recreational use cease; and

g) any building provided is no larger than is essential to the function of the sport and is designed and located to minimise its impact on the countryside.

6.6.27 Noisy sports include the whole range of motor, gun, aerial and powered water sports. Noisy sports often require extensive areas of open land and in some cases need rural surroundings. The noise generated usually precludes sites within urban areas where excessive disturbance would be caused. A countryside location is therefore often the only option.

6.6.28 Activities which take place on 28 days or less in the year do not require planning permission; however access, buildings or car parks are likely to require consent, as are activities that take place on more than 28 days. Granting planning permission for a permanent use can have benefits by bringing the activity within the scope of planning control to ensure the use is kept within acceptable bounds. The grant of temporary permission is also feasible and may be considered where an applicant has not fully satisfied the Council that the proposal will not harm the countryside. However, this temporary permission does not imply a commitment to a permanent permission, particularly if the criteria of the policy have not been met in full. Suitable locations are likely to be those where there is an existing noise intrusion in the countryside, such as adjoining a railway line or major transport route, where additional noise is likely to be less noticeable.

APPENDIX 2

Longparish Parish Council Financial Report

Period from 13-Sep-04 to 11-Dec-04

 

Previous years

 

Year to 31 March 05

 

 

Income

Year to 31/3/03

Year to 31/3/04

Budget

Total so far

Total for period

Precept

14,000

15,000

15,000

15000.00

7500.00

Bank Interest

37

45

 

0.00

0.00

Cemetery fees

425

417

250

132.00

36.00

Handbook sales

50

0

30

0.00

0.00

Grant VDS

 

1,000

 

0.00

0.00

Grant Village Plan

 

2,300

2,300

0.00

0.00

Grant Equipment

12,383

1,850

1,600

0.00

0.00

Donations

 

980

 

398.00

398.00

Allotment rents received

36

0

36

36.00

0.00

Parish Paths Partnership

0

0

 

0.00

0.00

VAT refund

 

1,720

 

0.00

0.00

Other

5,645

285

 

0.00

0.00

TOTAL

32,575

23,597

19,216

15566.00

7934.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenditure

 

 

 

 

 

Clerks Pay/Expenses

1,626

1,516

1,800

871.24

412.21

General Admin

1,194

1,738

2,200

1726.55

245.00

Elections

 

21

0

0.00

0.00

Open spaces

4,117

4,902

5,600

5053.07

2568.80

Communications

690

911

950

250.00

125.00

Paths

 

0

300

0.00

0.00

Capital Expenditure

20,030

2,531

1,000

0.00

0.00

Village Hall

649

500

500

0.00

0.00

Village Design Statement

400

1,469

0

0.00

0.00

Village Plan

 

1,583

4,267

298.52

0.00

Transfer to Village Hall fund

5,000

5,000

5,000

5000.00

0.00

Other

890

0

700

0.00

0.00

VAT

 

974

 

400.71

208.14

TOTAL

34,596

21,145

22,317

13600.09

3559.15

 

 

 

 

 

 

Closing Bank Balance

3,597

6,049

2,948

8014.98

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Invested with HCC

 

 

 

 

 

At start

22,008

27,939

34,007

34006.53

 

Add Interest

931

1,067

1,000

745.79

745.79

Transfers

5,000

5,000

5,000

5000.00

0.00

At finish

27,939

34,007

40,007

39752.32

 

Cheques paid out in period

Who to

What for

Cheque No.

Date

Amount

VAT included

Maudesport

F'ball eqpt.

557

8th Nov

261.27

38.91

Clive Kent

Grass cutting

558

8th Nov

360.00

 

Trim & Strim

Grass cutting

559

8th Nov

17.22

 

Hill & Valley

Magazine

560

8th Nov

125.00

 

APPENDIX 3 Correspondence:   8 November – 11 December 2004

Received

 

DATED

FROM

SUBJECT

1

November 2004

HCC

Minutes of TV Transport Forum

2

1 November 2004

TVBC

Register of Electors

3

8 November 2004

HAPTC

Clerks training bursary scheme

4

16 November 2004

HCC

Minutes of TV Area Committee meeting

5

16 November 2004

GOSE

Press Release – A picture of change

6

17 November 2004

Trail Riders Fellowship

Rights of Way

7

November 2004

HAPTC

Southwater Common – Response to legal request

8

22 November 2004

Winckworth Sheerwood

Buck Filling Station Justices Licence

9

25 November 2004

HAPTC

Consultation Response to Model Code of Conduct

10

26 November 2004

HAPTC

National Agreement of Clerks Salaries etc.

11

December 2004

TVBC

The Licensing Act 2003 Draft Regulations

12

December 2004

TVBC

Hackney Carriage Licences – de-restriction

13

3 December 2004

Test & Itchen Landcare

Diffuse Pollution Reporting Initiative

14

3 December 2004

Bawden

Grass Cutting and Maintenance Works

15

December 2004

Inland Revenue

On-line filing for Tax Year 2005/6

16

December 2004

CPRE

Fieldwork magazine  

17

December 2004

Wicksteed

Safety Grass leaflet

18

December 2004

CPRE

Newsletter

19

December 2004

Highways Agency

Route Manage magazine Vol 1 Issue 1

  Sent

 

DATE

TO

FROM

SUBJECT

1

29 Nov 2004

Mrs Colquohoun

Clerk

Testwood Trout Farm Planning Application with plans.

2

1 Dec 2004

TVBC Planning

Clerk

Picket Twenty proposals

3

10 Dec 04

TVBC Environment & Health

Clerk

Refuse Collection

 

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