THE LEIGH PARISH COUNCIL
: leighpc@hotmail.co.uk : theleighpc.org.uk
MINUTES OF THE ADDITIONAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY 12thJune 2024 AT 7.30PM AT THE LEIGH PARISH CHURCH
Present: Cllr. J. Arkell (Chair), Cllr A. Bowness and Cllr K. Morton
Attendance: K. Tilling (Parish Clerk), and 6 members of the public.
1. Apologies:
Apologies were received from Cllr Glazebrook, 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:
24/00388/APP: Approval of Reserved Matters relating to appearance, scale, layout and landscaping and discharge of conditions 12 (Drainage (reserved matter requirement)) and condition 16 (Ecological Enhancement Plan) pursuant to outline permission 23/00293/OUT.
The Parish Council noted that all the details relating to the discharge of condition 12 – Drainage, is missing from the portal and therefore were unable to make an informed response for this part of the planning application. The applicant informed the meeting that he had been given two weeks to supply this missing information. The remainder of the planning application for the Approval of Reserved Matters relating to appearance, scale, layout and landscaping and condition 16 (Ecological Enhancement Plan) pursuant to outline permission 23/00293/OUT on land at Church Lane, The Leigh Glos Gloucestershire was discussed with parishioners at the meeting.
The application seeks the approval of reserved matters relating to appearance, scale layout and landscaping after outline permission was granted for two four bed dwellings against application number 23/00293/OUT in November 2023 with 14 conditions attached. Each plot was for a 1.5 storey dwelling with a gross footprint of 144.5 m2. To ensure this application is approved within the published timeframes, then the discharge of condition 12 – drainage, needs to be removed from this application. A new application for the discharge of condition 12 will need to be made once the applicant has submitted all the relevant information to TBC. The Parish Council and parishioners will then have the chance to study the written information to establish whether the proposals for dealing with surface water and grey water are sufficient without causing any further harm to existing properties within the vicinity. Drainage and the dealing of grey water is very important to this application as there are no public sewers within the parish, the poor operation of recently installed SuDs systems in several village dwellings together with the location to existing properties and the topography of the land that surrounds these plots. The village has been subjected to long periods of flooding during the winter of 2023/2024. The prolonged high levels of water and then the runoff from properties from higher ground in the village is causing great concern for those already living in the village plus this flooding blocks Blacksmith Lane, meaning that all traffic must use Church Lane.
Several concerns were raised including, where is the water/drainage going, access to the remaining field is no longer evident on the drawings, confirmation of access to the allotments, no references to climate change initiatives (solar, ev charging points, heating source) and general inaccuracies in the supporting documents submitted by the applicant.
The approved site plan approved under permission 23/00293/OUT on drawing 03/P1 showed access to the existing field had been retained and would be to the right of plot 2. It also stated that the existing access to the allotments was to be adjusted., In the new proposed site plan under this application on the drawing dated Jan 24 ref 795/02 Rev C, any reference to the access to the field behind this plot has been removed together with any mention of the allotments. Drawing 795/01 Rev C only shows 2 allotments whereas there are 3 and the drawing gives the appearance that there is more land separating the two areas which is not the case. The third plot is corrected in a drawing on page 2 of the design and access statement.
Page 4 of the design and access statement refers to two access points, both numbered 3 on the drawing. The one on the lower right is correct whilst the one of the left appears to be on land that belongs to someone else. It is assumed that this is an error but needs clarification and then removed if necessary. This will ensure that all the information provided is accurate and reliable. As it stands the new drawing makes no allowance for access to the field and therefore this parcel of land will become land locked. If access to the allotments is to be altered, then a minimum of 12 months’ notice must be served to the allotment users and a right of access needs to be always maintained. The Parish Council are seeking assurances that the usage of the allotments will not be reduced or removed. Access to the remaining field needs to be clarified before permission to start building is granted.
The Parish Council have recently adopted a Biodiversity Policy and have spent time looking at the submitted Ecological Enhancement Plan. The site plan refers to “new native species rich hedgerow plants will be planted along the northern boundary (H1), the eastern (H2) and the western boundary (H3) …. Existing hedgerow at the front (H4) to be retained.” These are all positive additions to the new site together with the installation of bird and bat boxes, a beehive box and insect hotels on the rear of the garages. The planting of fruit trees is also welcomed. The additional rear hedge has replaced the approved post and rail fencing which is more acceptable. Leigh Village is a ‘dark village’, meaning no outside lighting that is on permanently all night should be permitted. There is no obvious mention of outside lighting on these properties, but this needs to be raised at this stage. Any lighting must be very low key and sympathetic to its rural setting and the houses closest to them. It is understood that the developers must provide the biodiversity net gain onsite.
Parish Councillors and parishioners raised no major objections to the scale and layout of the proposed dwellings, although the introduction of western red cedar cladding is not in keeping with existing houses closest to this site. The cladding does not fit with the houses in Church Lane so they could look out of place. On the other hand, these are big houses with garages so there is a lot of red brick. The addition of wood cladding may soften the effect, but the cladding needs to be real wood and not a composite. Real wood cladding will colour down with age and blend in better. There was a short debate on whether the houses have increased in size from the original outline permission. One person felt that they were now too big for the plot and too close to the boundary in Deans Close. Parish Councillors also wanted to ensure than any introduction of equipment like air source heating will be accompanied by an appropriate noise survey for the neighbours.
4. To approve any new CIL spending
The verges in the village have been cut using CIL money. Projects are still ongoing regarding spending and will be discussed at every Parish Council meeting to ensure that new ideas are recognised at an early stage.
The ‘No Parking Passing Place’ signs are now in place.
It has been suggested that CIL money is used to fund a Parish water survey. This should look at all the ditches, drains and watercourses within the Parish, where they drain to and identify they are blocked and who is responsible for their upkeep.
The bus shelters at Coombe Hill are delayed due to the junction improvements.
The carpark upgrade at the Church will happen during the summer months.
5. Any other business.
The Parish Council insurance has been renewed for another year through GAPTC.
The Parish Council Accounts are being sent off to the Auditors this week.
The GAPTC annual subscription needs to be paid.
Meeting closed 21.30