THE LEIGH PARISH COUNCIL
: leighpc@hotmail.co.uk : theleighpc.org.uk
MINUTES OF THE ADDITIONAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY 10thJuly 2024 AT 7.30PM AT THE LEIGH PARISH CHURCH
Present: Cllr. J. Arkell (Chair), Cllr L. Glazebrook and Cllr K. Morton
Attendance: K. Tilling (Parish Clerk), Cllr H Mclain and 1 member of the public.
1. Apologies:
Apologies were received from Cllr Bowness, Cllr Theyer and County Cllr Mclain.
2. Declarations of interest:
There were no declarations of interest.
3. To discuss planning applications and consider responses for the following:
24/0024/CONDIS –Part parcel 0120, Tewkesbury Road, Coombe Hill. Application for approval of details subject to condition 2. (Landmark feature) of the planning application ref number 22/00194/APP. The Parish Council have received several comments from Parishioners relating to the design and implementation of a landmark feature that complies with condition 2 of the planning application for the Lapwing Meadows Estate. Permission to build was granted on 22nd June 2022 and condition 2, attached to this permission stated that no part of the development hereby permitted shall be occupied until precise details of the landmark feature as shown on approved plan 19256-1003E have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The approved landmark feature shall be installed no later than 12 months following the first occupation of the development unless an alternative timescale is approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The reasoning behind this condition was to explore the opportunity for a landmark feature on the prominent corner of the A4019 and A38 in accordance with Policy C001 of the Tewkesbury Borough Local Plan 2011-2031.
There has been no consultation with the Parish Council or local parishioners regarding this feature. The Parish Council have been handed a ‘final concept’ to comment on and one that does not meet the approval of the residents. The applicants state that consultation has been with Stonewater Housing Association, who are not a local social housing provider with their registered office being in Leicester. Looking at the critical comments made by the TBC Landscape Officer in May 2022, the officer makes a specific reference to using a local artist “Just down the main road in Uckington there is an artist blacksmith https://www.distinctiveironwork.co.uk – how about using a local craftsman to create something unique – a sculpture, seating, archway, gates?” The applicant, in response to this in an email dated May 2022 states “Details of the landmark feature to be submitted (following engagement with the Parish Council) and approved in writing by the Council. We suggest that the condition requires the feature to be installed prior to the occupation of 75% of the dwellings.” It is obvious from the planning conditions attached to this site (which were dated after this email), that TBC ignored this suggestion of 75% occupancy and instead wanted the Landmark Feature installed within 12 months of the first occupation. A search has confirmed that the first houses were occupied in October 2023 on this site and therefore, the applicant is now in breach of this condition.
The proposed location, set slightly away from the corner of the A4019 and A38 ensures that there is less driver distraction on this busy junction.
The proposed sculpture of a Lapwing is not the statement feature that local residents would like to see. It is more like a memorial to the birds that lost their habitat. Lapwings were never found at this site so if the sculpture is to contain birds, then it must be appropriate to the common species that were found on site during the Ecological surveys. Coombe Hill was an important area in the late 1700s when the canal was first opened. In 1954 the canal and certain fenland and flood meadow areas were recorded as a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest and land was initially purchased by The Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust in 1985. Much of the land is now covered by SSSI protection. The Coombe Hill hamlet would not exist if it were not for the canal, some of the houses being built from stone dredged during construction and some built to house the canal employees. The Parish Council note that one of the initial designs looked at lock gates and a brief history of the area. Something along these lines is more acceptable. It points towards the history and helps the new residents living on the estate next door understand why the hamlet was built there. It also shows the current lack of research into the proposed design.
Residents also feel that the sculpture of a Lapwing is a wooden advertisement for the applicants own estate and is therefore not acceptable.
The Parish Council suggest that the chosen material is also not the most suitable. Wood will not last long and suggest that something in metal is more durable. Either way, the sculpture must be maintained by the Developer to ensure that it is a permanent feature.
Residents would like to see something that reflects the area, not the wildlife.
4. Highways issues including:
A brief report from Cllr Theyer confirms that verge cutting is due on 5th and 11th August 2024.
The tree outside Woodbine cottage has now been cut down.
The drainage problems between Woodbine and Leigh Farm is still ongoing. The land opposite has cut the hedge back and there is a clean open ditch.
The Parish Council have received several complaints at various locations around Coombe Hill, regarding hedges, footpaths, and overgrown signs. These have been reported and a response will follow in due course. Agreed actions will be reported at the August Parish Council meeting.
4a. Winter update request from GCC Highways
The Parish Council have received the annual request from GCC Highways regarding winter preparations.
The Parish Council must confirm:
- Confirmation of the Snow Plough Operator and Snow Wardens – is the information correct?
- The stock of Bagged salt and a request for delivery of new bags before this coming winter – deadline for bagged salt request… 31st July 2024 – so we can arrange delivery as soon as possible.
- A Winter Actions Plan – Do you have one, when was it last updated? Please work with your Local Highways Manager to update this if required or prepare a new plan. When completed can you please send in a copy to your Local Highways Manager.
The Clerk will confirm the details of the Snow Plough and Snow Warden information. The Parish Council have recently purchased, installed, and filled several grit bins, financed by CIL money. The salt is stored in bags within the parish and therefore it was suggested that a new stock was requested in case the winter ahead is bad. The Parish has an emergency action plan which also covers the Winter. It needs an update and would benefit from Highways input.
4b. A38/A4019 Junction Improvements at Coombe Hill. Request for information by Carter Jonas.
The Parish Clerk has received paper copies of documents sent to residents at Coombe Hill that could be affected by the junction work. The assumption that this is for reference only will be confirmed. Carter Jonas have been appointed by GCC to assist in the collection of data to ensure all potentially affected parties are kept up to date with the project’s development.
5. To consider the request for an affordable housing survey received from GRCC.
The Parish Council have been contacted by the GRCC’s new Rural Housing Enabler, Tim Gwilliam. His task is to provide assistance to Parish Councils and the wider community to enable the delivery of affordable housing in the parish, with the aim of providing the appropriate number, house types and tenures of affordable housing to meet the specific needs of the parish. Mr Gwilliam has already been made aware that the parish conducted a housing needs survey during the preparation of the Leigh Neighbourhood Development Plan plus there are a number of affordable houses being built or have been built on the two estates at Coombe Hill since this survey. The Parish Council are not aware that any local residents requiring social housing were given priority for these houses. The Parish Council will invite Mr Gwilliam to the September meeting to hear what he has to offer and whether it will benefit the residents of the parish.
6. To consider a request from the GRCC Digital & Technology Navigator offering workshops and digital support for local communities.
The Parish Council have been contacted by the GRCC’s Digital & Technology Navigator (Tewkesbury Borough), Lauren Woods. Her role is to support digital inclusion, improve health outcomes and build digital literacy skills across the Borough. This includes, but is not limited to, supporting communities to access the NHS app, internet safety advice, enabling internet access and sourcing technology for those in need. To enable her to establish the area’s most in need she is currently collecting data through a 2 minute survey (https://online1.snapsurveys.com/DigitalWellbeing) and asking as many people as possible to get in touch about their needs. She is also working with community groups to deliver workshops on many different aspects of digital including password keeping and internet safety. She is now offering Parish councils workshops and digital support for the local communities.
The Parish Council will invite Ms Woods to a future Parish Council so that parishioners can take advantage of the support she is offering.
7. To consider and approve any new CIL spending
The Parish Council are still working on quotes for various CIL spending projects. The Parish Council have purchased a small printer as the last one, also purchased from grant money, has died. The Parish Council are still looking at the purchase and installation of dog bins at Coombe Hill and more needs to be done. The Swift boxes are about the be ordered. The Clerk will ask the RSPB for a proforma invoice to avoid individual finances being needed.
8. Any other business.
Accounts are now with the auditors and the relevant information has been displayed on the parish Council website.
Meeting closed 20.30