UPTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of an Extraordinary Meeting of Upton Parish Council
Held on Wednesday 20th August 2014 at 8.00 pm
PRESENT: Dr R Lott (Chairman), Mr S Fraser, Mr S Norman, Mr D Reid, Mrs A Hoy (Clerk)
1. Apologies for Absence: Mr R Traynor, Mrs L Shaw
2. Declarations of Interest
Members are asked to declare any personal interest and the nature of that interest which they may have in any items under consideration at this meeting. None declared
3. Public Forum: No members of the public were present.
4. Planning: P14/V1817/FUL – Proposed extension and conversion of former pumping station onto a dwelling with associated access, parking and garden. The application was discussed, and all agreed that there was a lot of merit in converting a disused, dilapidated industrial building on a brownfield site into a dwelling; the plans presented appeared to be well thought out and gave the building sympathetic treatment. Concern was expressed about the hazard posed by vehicles (especially large ones) exiting onto the slip road from the A417 to West Hagbourne. Additionally, there was a concern that by extending the envelope of the village a precedent would be set and could result in development of the land between West Hagbourne and Upton. Dr Lott thought this was unlikely as the land between the villages was designated agricultural and was of the opinion that the proposed development complied with the National Plan’s policy framework. However, he hoped that should the development go ahead, the building would not be brightly lit at night and disturb the local environment with light pollution. A vote was then taken which resulted in two for and two against the development; the Chairman’s vote carried the resolution of no objections with comments:
a) Upton PC have viewed this application as a one-off “brown field” site development, putting an existing industrial building to good use.
b) We would not want the development to be considered as an extension to the curtilage of either Upton nor West Hagbourne and would want the surrounding agricultural fields to be preserved as such in the future.
c) We request that a restriction is applied to any consent, to prevent any further residential development on the site in order to preserve the scale of the development and rural setting in the future.
d) Regarding access, we feel the incorporation of a lay-by at the entrance would enable refuse or delivery lorries to pull off the road, preserving the flow of traffic and improving safety.
e) If the planning authority view this application to be setting a precedent for future new developments in neighbouring agricultural fields, we request you refuse the application. Clerk to advise the Vale accordingly. Clerk
4. Briefing Session on Openness of Local Government Bodies Regulations: It was agreed that the Clerk should attend this briefing session on October 2nd at a cost of £42. Clerk to send booking form. Clerk
Appendix A – Schedule of payments
OALC Seminar, Openness of Local Government Bodies Regulations 2014: £42.00
UVHAT Hall hire Q2 2014: £60.00
TOTAL £102.00
Angela Hoy, Clerk
Tel: 01235 851726
21st August 2014