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NORTON ST PHILIP PARISH COUNCIL
MENDIP DISTRICT OF THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET
MINUTES OF THE MEETING
held at 7.45 p.m. on Thursday 12 July 2012
at the Palairet Hall, Norton St Philip
Present: Councillors J. Davidson, M. Lutterloch (Vice-chairman), L. Oliver,
C. Shellard (Chairman), A. Tollworthy
In attendance: R. Campbell (Clerk), 17 members of the public
6938.
Apologies
The following apologies were received and accepted.
Cllr B. Graham, unwell
Cllr N. Jefferson, on holiday
6939.
Declarations of interest
None
PUBLIC The chairman adjourned the meeting and declared a public forum. Mr Hugo Haig of
FORUM Lochailort Investments answered parishioners’ questions and made the following
points about the Fortescue Fields development:
 Application 2012/1317 sought a further two sheltered units in the ‘Mill House’
building, though the footprint was unaltered. Application 2012/1029 for two new
sheltered housing units and car port was within the development limit.
 In response to assertions to the contrary, he maintained these units were properly
called sheltered, as they were for over-55s and had an alarm system.
 He expressed concern at the council’s objection to the vision splays at the entrance
to the allotments.
 Asked by a bewildered parishioner why he wanted to move the offered youth play
area, he said he now thought it would be better next to the allotments than near
the ponds. The proposed five-year lease, being widely viewed as insufficient to
raise funds to equip and run the site, Mr Haig agreed to be flexible over the term.
He noting that his offer was in addition to the unilateral agreement and to Section
106 requirements, He accepted that the first (withdrawn) application had been for
approximately 48 homes; the applications noted above, if granted would increase
the number to 55.
 Asked about rumours of more houses, he answered that application 2012/1029
was the only one submitted.
 He agreed that the sheltered housing, including the four additional units for which
permission was sought, were on the market as a package.
 He demurred at a suggestion that the Section 106 play money contribution be
increased if permission for the extra units was granted.
 No change of use resulted from approval of the allotment site.
 Mr Haig would provide up-to-date plans so that a new display showing types of
house on the site could be made by the parish council.
The chairman reconvened the parish council meeting.
6940.
Minutes
The minutes of the PC meeting held on 14 June 2012 were agreed to be a true record
and were signed by the chairman.
Norton St Philip Parish Council
Minutes of the meeting of 12 July 2012
6941.
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Councillors
RESOLVED Councillors will lead on the following areas:
Affordable Housing – Cllr Oliver
School and youth – Cllr Tollworthy
6942.
County and District Councillor’s report
None
6943.
Code of Conduct
(i) RESOLVED (proposed Cllr Oliver, 2nd Cllr Davidson) to adopt the new Members Code
of Conduct provided by the National Association of Local Councils, without amendment
(ii) RESOLVED (proposed Cllr Lutterloch, 2nd Cllr Tollworthy) to adopt amendments to
Standing Orders resulting from the new code of conduct
(iii) Six councillors and the clerk will attend training on the new code on 7 August.
6944.
Planning
(i) Applications.
The following applications were considered. The PC’s recommendation is in bold,
followed by its observations (if any).
 2012/1268 Plots 26 Fortescue Street Norton St Philip BA2 7PE (former chicken
processing factory, Norton St Philip). Proposed felling and replacement of two trees
subject to Tree Preservation Order M 214. Approval
 2012/1317 Numbers 57, 59, 61 and 63 Fortescue Street, Norton St. Philip, Bath BA2
7PE. Erection of 4 two bedroom and 2 one bedroom sheltered housing apartments
within the approved 'Mill House' Building granted under planning permission
2010/0493 with minor external changes.
Leave to the officer. General Observations. Though within the footprint of a
building for which permission has been given, this application for an additional two
units would increase the density of housing on this considerable site. Parking?
 2012/1029 Land Adjoining 67 Fortescue Street, Norton St. Philip, Bath, Somerset
BA2 7PE. Erection of two semi-detached cottages for sheltered accommodation
together with car port.
Leave to the officer. General Observations: despite being within the development
limit, this application would further increase the density of housing on this
considerable and as yet largely uncompleted site. It would take the number of new
permissions in Norton St Philip for the period 2006-2026 into the mid-eighties, far
in excess of the quota of 40 set by Mendip. The parish council is concerned about
creeping development.
 2012/1213 Brown Shutters Farm off A36 Norton St Philip. Steel portal frame
building, with Yorkshire boarding and concrete panels below. Noted Mendip’s
advice: prior approval not required
(ii) The following approvals by Mendip District Council were noted:
 2012/1139 (full planning) and 1194 (listed building) Park Lodge, Farleigh House,
Farleigh Hungerford. Replacement extension, internal and external works
 2012/0406 Former Chicken Processing Factory, High Street, Town End, Norton St
Philip, Somerset BA2 7LH. Variation of condition 2 ) to introduce steps to the
market building, change some roof materials and boundary treatments, additional
rooflights, etc.
 2011/1099 2 and 3 Fair Close, Norton St Philip, Bath BA2 7LD. Proposed works to
five trees in a Conservation Area.
Norton St Philip Parish Council
Minutes of the meeting of 12 July 2012

page 3 of 4
2011/3315 Former chicken processing factory, Norton St Philip. Approval of details
reserved by various conditions.
6945.
Fortescue Fields
(i) Drainage ponds are the responsibility of Bloor Homes, who have provided some
lifebelts and will provide more. When the ponds are finished, the water level in each
will be low, the council has been advised.
(ii) Update. Not covered.
(iii) Alternative youth play area. Cllr Lutterloch thought it a sensible move; Cllr Oliver
approved if the lease was altered. Cllr Tollworthy, declaring an interest as her parents’
land adjoins it, suggested the field next to the Mead as a better site.
6946.
Consultation on future development in Norton St Philip
The working group had developed a questionnaire drafted by the clerk. After
discussion, it was decided not to include questions about the youth land, which would
be considered separately. A final draft to be presented at the August meeting.
6947.
Tree planting
The working group presented an illustrated proposal which was welcomed. The
proposal to be costed, including possible licence fees to Somerset Highways.
6948.
Highways
(i) RESOLVED (proposed Cllr Oliver, 2nd Cllr Davidson) to submit to Somerset Highways
in the parish council’s name a proposal initiated by a parishioner and edited by Cllr
Davidson for a 30mph limit on the A366 at Farleigh Hungerford.
(ii) Cllr Shellard had spoken to a parishioner who will contact a neighbour directly about
overhanging vegetation said to be obscuring visibility at the junction of Ringwell and
Ringwell Lane.
(iii) RESOLVED not to take part in the Mendip Strimmer project.
(iv) No updates
6949.
Church Mead
A parishioner had offered to draw up plans for a patio at the pavilion. Cllr Oliver
reported that some new play equipment had arrived and more was on order. Soggy
ground had meant mowing was partly delayed. A permitted development certificate
may be required for hard standing for cricket nets at the side of the pavilion.
6950.
Finance
(i) RESOLVED to pay the following items (proposed Cllr Lutterloch, 2nd Cllr Davidson):
Palairet Hall Management Committee – partial drawdown of agreed funding (minute
6893 ii) £800.00
D. Poole – village cleaning labour since June PC meeting £210.00
SALC – fees for training in new code of conduct – held over
R. Campbell – refund for lock and chain Shepherd’s Mead gate £33.54
Staff salaries for June
(ii) Financial figures for the quarter to 31.06.12 were noted.
6951.
Correspondence and reports
(i) Correspondence.
Councillors reviewed the following correspondence received since the last parish
council meeting.
Mendip District Council (MDC) – Parishes Information Bulletin July 2012 – available
online at http://www.mendip.gov.uk/Article.asp?id=SX9452-A7805520&cat=94
Norton St Philip Parish Council
Minutes of the meeting of 12 July 2012
Clerks and Councils Direct July 2012
(ii) There were no reports from local organisations.
(iii) There were no miscellaneous reports or information.
6952.
Future meetings
Meetings were confirmed as follows:
Thursday 9 August 2012, 7.45pm, Palairet Hall, Norton St Philip
Thursday 13 September 2012, 7.45pm, Palairet Hall, Norton St Philip
The Chairman closed the meeting at 10.18 pm.
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