CODSALL PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES
Planning Meeting held in the Parish Council Chamber,
Station Road, Codsall on Wednesday 28th September 2011 at 7.30 pm.
PRESENT
Parish & District Councillors M Ewart (Chair), Mrs P Campbell, J Michell, Parish
Councillors Mrs S Almond, R Etheridge, (Late), Mrs E Forster, S Jenkinson, P Kenyon,
Mrs C Millar, L Stovin, County Councillor R Marshall (Late)
1.
APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from Cllrs Fraser, Chapman, Holland and Barrow
2.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr Jenkinson – 11/00726/FUL – business associate
Cllr Almond - 11/00707/FUL - acquaintance
3.
MINUTES
The Minutes of the Planning Meeting held on the 14th September 2011 were
received, approval proposed by Cllr Campbell, seconded by Cllr Jenkinson,
unanimously approved by the meeting and immediately signed by the
Chairman.
4.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Limited to 2 minutes per speaker and 15 minutes overall.
Mrs Embrey, spoke briefly to advise she was attending to listen to the
discussion on her proposal for one way traffic on part of Oaken Lane.
The Chairman thanked Mr Embrey for her attendance advising members they
may consult her during the discussion.
5.
PLANNING DECISIONS
The following Planning Decisions from South Staffordshire Council were
received and noted:
11/00612/FUL
6.
Side conservatory
35 Princes Drive, Codsall
Approved
PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Resolved that the following recommendations be made to South Staffordshire
Council:
11/00707/FUL
Additional 300mm of height to flat-roof rear extension
(Amendment to 10/00510/FUL)
41 Suckling Green Lane, Codsall
Cllr Almond took no part in discussion or decision
Approval subject to no objection from neighbours
11/00727/FUL
11/00726/FUL
TPO Application
AL/64/2011
7.
2
Two Storey side extension
39 Birches Park Road, Codsall
Refusal proposed by Cllr Jenkinson, seconded by
Cllr Michell, on the following grounds:
Incompatible with design of existing buildings
A vote was taken:
For
4
Against
1
Abstentions 6
Single-storey side extension to form garage
Bramber, Histons Hill, Codsall
Cllr Jenkinson took no part in discussion or
decision.
Approval proposed by Cllr Kenyon, seconded by
Cllr Millar – subject to no objections from
neighbours and subject to approval of Mr S Dores,
S. Staffs Arboricultural Officer regarding no loss
now and in future of trees on this site.
A vote was taken:
For
8
Against
0
Abstentions 2
Oak at front of property to crown lift to 7 metres above
ground level – to clear footpath, overhead cables &
street lamp
Mendip, Hawthorne Lane, Codsall
No objections
To welcome Mr Gavin Williamson MP and receive a brief presentation on
his role and issues he is currently championing.
Mr Williamson thanked the Chairman & Councillors for inviting him this
evening. Since his election Mr Williamson has been visiting Parish Councils
in his constituency to meet and introduce himself to Councillors and local
residents.
As our MP he will be very willing to assist and support local issues. Whilst he
as an MP he does not have any authority, his position does carry considerable
influence and can often focus minds.
Locally he is involved with flooding problems at Oaken Park, Car Park issues
with Codsall & Bilbrook Station, where he is encouraging involvement of
Network Rail & London Midland, to help resolve the problems.
Mr Williamson was involved in the i54 negotiations with Jaguar Land Rover
which has resulted in agreement for the building of an engine factory
employing up to 750 highly skilled personnel. Mr Williamson believed that
this will be a major boost for the area, particularly Codsall & Bilbrook not
only for short term employment prospects, but long term through our schools
and in particularly Codsall Community High School with its high standards
and recruitment opportunities to highly skilled jobs.
3
Mr Williamson outlined how difficult and contentious Planning can be
and concern that national amendments could effect the Green Belt.
Mr Williamson however believes that this is a real opportunity for Local
Decision Making and providing proper and rigorous policies are adopted by
Local Authorities on Planning and Green Belt (such as South Staffordshire
Council) there will not be any major incursion in our Green Belt.
Mr Williamson did however urge Parish Councils, Councillors and residents to
be involved in the long term Strategic Policy making to ensure the policies
remain robust and servicing the local needs. Mr Williamson was currently
involved in the major Policy Consultation on Gypsies, Travellers & Showman
Sites issues to ensure that the Policy is fair to all and doesnot favour a minority
interest.
Mr Williamson invited questions:
Cllr Matt Ewart (Chairman) wonder if the changes to Planning Laws, with
focus on local needs will be as contentious as outlined by much of the media.
Mr Williamson did not feel that the Green Belt will be under major threat as
the majority of local authorities have robust policies in place to protect and
preserve. There will be, as before, sustainable development, with some
pressure on green belt, but with areas of brown field sites available these will
be utilised first.
There is a natural debate that is aimed at clarifying and reassuring on these
issues.
Cllr Stovin raised concern for traffic grid lock in the Codsall area following
take up of the i54 development.
County Councillor Robert Marshall and Mr Williamson confirmed that the
access from the M54 will happen and funding has been agreed by
Staffordshire County Council and Wolverhampton City Council. Part of the
agreement with J.L.R. was motorway access. Without it J.L.R. would not be
coming to i54.
Mr Marshall also advised that only approximately 15% of the i54 site will be
accessed from Wobaston Road. The development of the other parts of the i54
site will be only implemented when the motorway access is complete.
Cllr Michell mentioned concerns at delays at the Motorway Junction 2.
Mr Williamson advised that Staffordshire County Council and
Wolverhampton City Council are working together to resolve all of these
issues and ensure success for the i54.
4
8.
Letter from Mr & Mrs Embrey
Oaken Lanes to one way traffic.
with proposal to convert part of
The Chairman asked the Clerk to give a brief report on this proposal.
The Clerk advised that he was sure all present know this narrow lane, and the
difficulties encountered by residents with increasing volume of traffic using
this section of the lane as a short cut.
The Clerk however advised caution with the proposal as outlined as from his
experience one way traffic systems often increases the speed of traffic and
with the flow (as suggested) towards Codsall could increase its use as a rat run
and cause even more problems for residents. One way in the opposite
direction towards Histons Hill may reduce traffic flow as the junction with
Histons Hill is busier and considerably more difficult to negotiate.
The Chairman asked Mrs Embrey to comment, Mrs Embrey stated that the
residents are not set on the one way proposal, but are looking for improvement
to make this section of Oaken Lanes safe for all road users, particularly
pedestrians and residents in their front gardens. Sat. Nav. has increased
problems with larger vehicles using the lane.
County Cllr Robert Marshall advised the meeting that he had met residents
approx. 18 months and had explored the one way option with County Council
Highways, but the lane did not meet the Highways Criteria for the scheme.
Other options had been considered but judged as inappropriate.
Other members were sympathetic to the residents concerns and offered many
suggestions for consideration. Councillor Marshall offered to obtain all of the
previous information and options considered and bring them to the Parish
Council for further discussion.
Cllr Michell recommended looking at restrictions, such as weight limit, width
restrictions etc.
Members readily agreed to Cllr Marshall’s proposal and further agreed that
the Road Safety Committee should review the information and bring a
recommendation to the Parish Council.
9.
To carry out detail review and formulate response to South Staffordshire
Council Allotment Strategy (first Consultation Draft)
Please see document on line www.sstaffs.gov.uk – search allotment
consultation.
Cllr Etheridge gave a précis of the concerns with the draft document as it
stands, but would prefer other Councillors to review the document together to
formulate a response to District Council.
Cllr Etheridge is concerned that acceptance of the document in due course
could commit the Parish Council to significantly more than just the allotments.
5
This Parish is one of the few locally to provide a significant allotment
site, with many plots taken by residents of other parishes. Cllr Etheridge does
not wish to see the Parish Council penalised for its already substantial
commitment to Allotments and asked if this document could be reviewed by
the Open Spaces Committee and Allotment Committee together and a
response formulated to South Staffordshire Council.
It was agreed that the response from the joint committee be forwarded to
South Staffordshire Council without further consultation to the Parish Council,
proposed by Cllr Ewart, seconded by Councillor Etheridge and unanimously
approved by the meeting.
10.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Wednesday 12th October at 7.30pm