Bidborough Parish Council

Contact the Parish Clerk, Evelyn Divall: Telephone: 01732 457541
E mail: clerk@bidborough-pc.gov.uk

Minutes of the meeting of Bidborough Parish Council held

on 27 March 2006 at 8 pm in the Village Hall

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1. PRESENT: Cllrs D Wheeler (Chairman), P Eames, C Rea, Rev. S Hills, Mrs A Parsons

2. APOLOGIES : Cllrs D Moore, Mrs D Reynolds, TWBCllr M Howell

3. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON THE 27 February 2006, having been circulated were approved and signed by the Chairman.

4. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES:

a.   Annual Meeting : Clerk to try to arrange a demonstration of the SID equipment.

b.   Bulk Refuse Service : Chairman had been advised that this service would change in future, the Sunday facility would be phased out but the Saturday one would continue. Clerk to speak with TWBC and ask that an early slot for the parish be allocated, a new permanent site to be sought as soon as possible.

PARISHIONERS' QUESTIONS:

Congratulations were recorded to the team working on the photographic exhibition, there had been a superb display which had been very well attended. The hard work of those involved was much appreciated. Clerk to write to Adrian Franklin to thank him for all his hard work in connection with the exhibition.

The pothole at the top of the village hall car park had failed after being repaired by Kent Highways, clerk had reported this again.

5. TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING:

05/01146:   Swaylands School, Penshurst Road

Resubmission of part of previous application for alterations, extension and conversion to residential use of Swaylands main building into 28 units with erection of additional garage block, demolition of outbuildings and restoration of landscaping.

Parish Council: PC supports the application and the early commencement of refurbishment of the site.     TWBC: Decision Awaited

05/01294:   Land Adjacent Fosters Oast, Hayesden Lane.

Change of use of redundant agricultural buildings to use class B2 (General Industrial) use: Repair and refurbishment of horse drawn carriages.

Parish Council: The PC have concerns with regard to possible noise problems and the number of vehicular movements and the impact on surrounding properties. The PC asks  that if the application is approved conditions are included that limit activities to those now applied for.              TWBC: GRANTED

05/02568:   OS Plot 4200, Penshurst Road

Construction of a farm workers cottage and farm building (revised proposal - TW/04/03067)

Parish Council: The PC still has concerns regarding development outside the village envelope but will be guided by the TWBC and the relevant experts dealing with the application.            

TWBC: Decision Awaited

06/00052:   2 St. Lawrence Avenue

Two storey extension, garage with bedroom/ensuite

Parish Council: No Objections       TWBC: GRANTED

06/00054:   Portree, Rectory Drive

Brick boundary wall

Parish Council: The Parish Council would object to this application, having visited site and inspected the plans it was felt that the height and design of the proposed wall would have a detrimental affect on the site and its impact, by virtue of the style and height would dominate the area.      

TWBC: Decision Awaited

06/00107:   Four Winds Farm, Penshurst Road

Treatment plant and filtration trenches

Parish Council: No Objections       TWBC: GRANTED

Cllr C Rea registered an interest.

06/00148:   2 Rectory Drive

Detached Garage

Parish Council: No Objections       TWBC: GRANTED

06/00178:   11 St Lawrence Avenue

Two storey side and rear extension

Parish Council: No Objections       TWBC: Decision Awaited

06/00133:   Judd Wood Farm, Hayesden Lane

Part retrospective - Agricultural access

Parish Council: The PC do not accept the reasons provided by the applicant for this access. The agricultural aspect of the work on this site is minimal, however, activities relating to the illegally sited paintball business generate enormous amounts of traffic and it is obvious that the access would be beneficial for this purpose. We note that the recent refusal for the retrospective application for this business states 'The development fails to provide a safely located vehicular access with adequate visibility, which, with the likely level of traffic generated, results in a form of development which is significantly detrimental to highway safety.' It should also be noted that some years ago a neighbouring agricultural development at Home Farm was subjected to strict controls with regard to access points/roads and it might be worth investigating the resultant planned routes that were required at that time. The PC requires refusal of this application.      TWBC: Decision Awaited

06/00235:   55 Bidborough Ridge

Replace existing timber garage with brick/tile garage

Parish Council: The Parish Council are of the opinion that a brick built garage would be a visual improvement on the site, however, the proposed height of the roof gives cause for concern.    

TWBC: WITHDRAWN

06/00360:   The Lodge, Old Farmhouse, Penshurst Road

Lawful Development Certificate (Existing) - Use of land for parking of cars

(Cllr Wheeler registered a personal interest in this application)

Parish Council: No Objections       TWBC: Decision Awaited

06/00374:   21 Bidborough Ridge

Proposed detached double garage to front of dwelling

Parish Council: No Objections       TWBC: REFUSED

06/00463:   Land rear of 5-10 Spring Lane:

Garden shed for tools and equipment

Parish Council: No Objections       TWBC: Decision Awaited

06/00564:   55 Bidborough Ridge

Variation of condition 5/05/03103: Change minimum cill height of 1.7 metres to obscured glass glazing

Parish Council: No Objections       TWBC: Decision Awaited

06/00103:   Field Fares, Spring Lane

Retrospective: Amended rear extension and rear terrace. Proposed first floor front extension with pitched roof extension over existing flat roof

Parish Council: No Objections       TWBC: Decision Awaited

06/00643:   Four Winds Windmill and Lane, Penshurst Road

Variation of Condition 9 - alteration to wall and railings fronting Penshurst Road

Parish Council: No Objections       TWBC: Decision Awaited

06/00642:   Four Winds Windmill and Land

Building for use as bin store and garaging for units

Parish Council: Decision Awaited       TWBC: Decision Awaited

06/00792:   55 Bidborough Ridge

Replace existing timber garage with brick/tile garage

Parish Council: Decision Awaited       TWBC: Decision Awaited

6 FINANCE:

a. Speed Indicator Device : Clerk was meeting with the police officer handling the project during the week to finalise details.

b. Childrens' Trail Equipment : Order had been placed for the equipment, no firm date for installation had been received. Clerk to check with Cllr Moore regarding removal of the existing netball stanchion and with TWBC regarding provision and future emptying of a litter bin near the entrance. Sign to be prepared indicating suitable age of children from eight upwards, Chairman to approach Simon Pierson regarding provision of seating to act as barrier near the new swings.

7. REPORTS:

a. VILLAGE CARE/RECREATION GROUND/GROUNDS MAINTENANCE:

i. Bidborough in Bloom: Chairman advised members that the contractor used re-cycled water supplies for the greenhouse areas on site to water the hanging baskets provided in the parish. Installation of a water butt at the village hall to be considered. It was agreed that drought hardy plants such as geraniums would be used and that the parish would continue with the hanging basked project and planting around the village. All watering to be done using re-cycled water.

ii. Spring Lane Footpath: Members were advised that the approach to Brookhurst Field had been altered, the ditch at the side having been partially filled. This provided vehicular access, clerk to contact the footpaths officer to ask for posts to be installed at the top of the path to prevent this. Clerk to write to parishioner thanking him for all his work tidying the footpath area and advising of the approach to the Rights of Way officer for assistance with the installation of the posts.

iii. Public Toilets: Chairman had attended a meeting at the borough offices when he was advised that TWBC were considering relinquishing responsibility for the provision and maintenance of public toilets, the existing contract would run until 2008. Mr Marsh offered to attend any meetings in connection with this with the Chairman if available.

iv. BT Trench: Clerk to report sunken trench as a result of BT contractors' work at the top of Gatehouse Farm Road and the junction with Bidborough Ridge.

v. Dog Waste: Cllr Rev. Hills reported on dog waste bags having been placed in the brown bins in the churchyard, parishioners are reminded to dispose of these in the bins provided specifically for the purpose.

b. NEWSLETTER: Cllr Eames confirmed this was with the printers and would be ready for distribution in approximately two weeks.

c. COMMUNITY COUNCIL: Mr Marsh advised that quotes were awaited after provision of technical drawings for the alterations to the entrance area, it was hoped the work could be done during August. A new cleaner had been appointed which was proving successful.

d. BIRCH WOOD: Clerk confirmed she had received no further information from the borough with regard to the work being carried out.

e. ALLOTMENTS & f. SPORTS ASSOCIATION: No report

g. PRIMARY SCHOOL: Cllr Mrs Parsons had delivered the Stewardship Scheme forms for completion to the Headteacher, six were required for the PC to comply with the rules in the scheme.

h. CEMETERY: No report

i. BROOKHURST FIELD: The hedge had been cut, the bracken would need to be checked during the year. 

8. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

i. Oil Spillage: Clerk to report oil spillage in the High Street

ii. Affordable Housing : Chairman was disappointed at the apparent sale of housing association houses, thereby increasing the problems for those wishing to find affordable housing. The lack of input by Parish Councils to decisions on those being allocated accommodation in parishes was a concern due to the fact that it was felt local families, or those with local connections, were not given preference. It appeared that the Rural Housing Trust were not a favoured organisation with the borough.