UPTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting of Upton Parish Council

Upton Village Hall, Wednesday 4th May 2016 at 8.00 pm

PRESENT:  Dr R Lott (Chairman), Mr S Norman, Mr R Traynor, Mrs K Fletcher, Ms K Marshall, Mrs A Hoy (Clerk) and 40 members of the public

1. Apologies for Absence – Mr S Fraser

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 received

3. Public Forum:  The meeting was closed to allow the public’s views on the planning applications under consideration to be heard. The previous planning application histories and objections were reviewed. Dwellings on this site had previously been refused, in 2002, 2003 and 2011 (withdrawn). The Chairman read out part of the applicant’s statement which mentioned that the application was in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework and Planning Policy for Traveller Sites published in August 2015, that sufficient provision for Travellers should be made by local authorities, and that there was currently a need for thirteen such plots, three required immediately, within the Vale area.  However it was pointed out that the same documents state that local planning authorities should strictly limit new traveller site development in open countryside and should make use of brownfield sites or untidy or derelict land.  It also stated that there should be adequate schools, shops and other community facilities within reasonable walking distance, and such a site should not place undue pressure on local infrastructure, or be located in an area subject to flooding.  Inaccuracies in the application were also discussed, including the claim that the site is located outside the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It was also pointed out that the application states the site had been identified by the Vale as “suitable for traveller sites”, but no evidence was supplied to support this claim.

Comments from the floor were universally against the application, citing the fact that the area in question IS inside the AONB and as such only developments that enhanced and conserved the natural beauty of the site should be approved.  Vehicular access onto the A417 was also considered to be of major concern, given the poor visibility when turning onto the Lynch Way. It was also noted that the site was within an area previously identified as at risk of flooding. Concerns were raised regarding the use of a Septic tank and where its content would end up in the event of a flood. Additionally it was pointed out that the site was outside the built up area of the village and would have no services within a practical walking distance. It was also pointed out the access to public transport was likely to disappear with the withdrawal of public subsidies.

The Chairman stated that although the applicant had stated that there was urgent need for at least 3 pitches, it was not clear at this stage whether this need had already been met by other sites and that this would be a line of enquiry.  He considered the application at odds with saved policies set out in the Local Plan 2011, proposed policies set out in the Local Plan 2031, the National Planning Policy Framework 2012, and the Planning Policy for Traveller Sites 2015. He pointed out that the NPPF took precedence over the Local Plan 2031 while it was still to be approved by central government.

Many parishioners were worried that if this application was granted, Traveller “activities” might spill out to the adjoining site behind the George & Dragon and the Lynch Way. A precedent might also be set that could see a further application for Traveller pitches on the adjoining site behind the George & Dragon. It was noted that Mr Wells had just been granted planning permission to convert this area from agricultural to equestrian use.

Much concern was voiced about the existing dangers of the A417 through Upton and the dangers that accessing this site would entail, given the very poor visibility on the bend.

Several people thought a Planning Consultant should be employed to fight the application.  The Chairman responded that it might be premature to incur such costs and that a consultant could be engaged if it looked as though the decision might go to committee. It was recommended that everyone present should make their views known on the Vale website before the closing date of 18th May.  The Chairman promised to circulate his notes on the relevant policy documents and  the editor of Upton News promised to publicise the matter and circulate to the mailing list.  The Chairman stated that were the planning officer to recommend Approval but sufficient objections were received, the matter had to go to the full Planning Committee, so it was important for everyone to voice their feelings.  Public Forum was then closed and the meeting reconvened.

4. Planning Application:
P16/V0885/FUL – Development work at Maslina, Reading Road; replacement dwelling, garaging and landscaping.  The plans were discussed and a vote to FULLY SUPPORT the application was carried.  Clerk to advise the Vale.

P16/V0553/FUL – Land adjacent and rear of George & Dragon; Proposed traveller site with provision for three individual plots with hard standing and individual parking, sharing amenity space and bin storage areas.  The Council voted unanimously to OBJECT to the application for the following reasons:

The application is within North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and within Flood Zone 3 contrary to paragraph 115 of the NPPF, saved policy NE6 of the Local Plan 2011, Core Policy 27 of the Local Plan 2031, and Policy B Paragraph 13, Point g) of the Planning Policy for Traveller Sites.

In addition the site does not meet all the requirement set out in saved policy H22 of the Local Plan 2011 nor Policy H of the Planning Policy for Traveller Sites. It was not clear that there was any current need.

Accessing the site would require a dangerous manoeuvre across (known to be) fast moving traffic on a blind bend.

The Clerk was requested to advise the Vale accordingly and query with Cllr Janet Shelley why the site was supposedly considered suitable for a Travellers’ site.

 

Appendix A – Schedule of payments

Description	Amount
UVHAT Hall Hire, Q2	30.00
TOTAL	30.00

Angela Hoy, Clerk
Tel:  01235 851726
7th May 2016

Many emergencies are dealt with in a co-ordinated joint response by the emergency services, local authorities and the major utilities providers. There may be occasions when communities could help themselves:

• While waiting for the arrival of emergency services.
• During widespread events such as flu pandemic, flooding, storm damage or deep snow.
• Following the loss of basic utilities for an extended period possibly combined with extreme weather conditions.

The Parish Council would like to have an effective community group that could provide immediate support to village residents impacted by such an emergency. There have been house fires, flooding and road traffic accidents.

An Emergency Management Team can be made up from anyone within the village who could offer their skills in time of a crisis. The Parish Council are looking for anyone willing to become part of the team and help devise a simple plan of action that could be put in place in times of an emergency.

For that once in a ‘blue moon’ situation it would be nice to have a group of people who could organise, communicate and address the short-term needs of individuals affected by the emergency.

If you would like to be part of this team please contact me, verbally or by email.

 

Rob Traynor

ronyart5@hotmail.com

Blewbury Post Office is considering the viability of running an outreach post office at Upton Village Hall for four hours once a week and is seeking your views on this.

We need to know whether you would use such a service, and if so, how often, as Post Office Limited will not sanction the expenditure unless they feel it is worth their while. The previous post office facility was closed through lack of demand so we need to prove the case for a new facility.

Services that could be offered include:

Cash withdrawals and deposits

Bank cheques and pay bills, including Council tax

Draw pensions

Accept letters and parcels, including Parcel Force and online returns

Sell stamps/stamp books

Sell Gift Cards

Top-up mobile telephones

Sell Health Lottery tickets

Sell pre-ordered Euros and other currencies

Change facility, withdraw and pay in

The Village Hall Management Committee is keen for the Hall to be used during the day and is supporting this idea; it could be combined with the serving of refreshments and also, taking a leaf out of the very successful “Tea with Technology” sessions at Aston Village Hall, where local residents are given help and advice on their laptops, tablets and mobile phones – for free!

Please complete the questionnaire attached to this item and email it to clerk@uptonparishcouncil.co.uk

QUESTIONNAIRE FOR OUTREACH POST OFFICE IN UPTON

1.    Which Post Office do you currently use:

Blewbury / Didcot / East Hagbourne / Other

2. How do you get there? Car Bus      Other (specify)

3. Would you use a weekly PO facility in Upton Village Hall?

4. What day and time would you prefer:

Morning                       Afternoon

Day of Week                           Don’t mind

5. Which of the following services might you use and how often?

Often               Occasionally                Never

Cash withdrawal

Pensions

Banking

Foreign Currency

Pay bills

Post and parcels

Phone top-up

Lottery

Buy stamps

Change facility

 

 

Ash dieback has recently been confirmed at the Earth Trust’s Paradise Woods, near Long Wittenham, just 6 miles from Upton! Ash dieback, also known as Chalara, was first recorded in the UK in 2012. Since then it has spread to most areas of the UK. The latest information from the Forestry Commission shows that the disease has spread close to Upton, with records to the North, South and East of the village. Chalara is a serious disease of Ash trees and is caused by the fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus. Symptoms include leaf loss, crown dieback and bark lesions. Once a tree is infected it is usually fatal and unfortunately we have many long established trees in this parish. The spaces left are likely to be similar to those left in this parish when the Dutch Elm disease struck in the late 1970s. Please see the Forestry Commission’s website for the latest advice on management and identification forestry.gov.uk/ashdieback . The Winter Symptoms video towards  the bottom of the page is excellent, and also see chalaramap.fera.defra.gov.uk/  for the latest records of the disease.

Back by popular demand!

A Reading of another of Dickens’s Christmas Books  “The Cricket on the Hearth”

Friday 27 November at 7.30 pm in Upton Village Hall

Last year, we read “A Christmas Carol”;  this year we are attempting another of the Christmas Books, originally even more popular.  It is a story suitable for all ages, with love and pathos and magic and disguise and deception – but of course a Happy Ending.   It will go down very well with a warm drink and a mince pie or two.   Do join the readers in establishing an annual tradition, and have a very enjoyable time, too.

Tickets £5 from Malcolm Wright (850705) or Hatty Burrow (851449)

(Children under 16 free)

Ticket price includes a mulled drink and mince pies, but not the Raffle

Any profit goes to Friends of St Mary’s

The Tour of Britain cycle race will be passing through Upton on Friday 12 September. When they reach Upton they will have already cycled 117 Km. on the stage from Bath to Hemel Hempstead so it is not possible to give an arrival time but it is likely to be between 13.10 and 13. 50.

The cyclist will travel along the A417 from Wantage as far as Halfpenny Hill where they will turn down through Cholsey and on to Wallingford.

The A417 will be closed for at least 30 minutes whilst the cavalcade passes through and you will be prevented from heading along the A417 towards Wantage for some time before that.

Mike Brown

Notes of a Meeting of A417 Parish Councils
Friday 15th August 2014

Attendees:
Stewart Lilly, County Councillor – Hendreds & Harwell (Chair)
Stewart Belcher, Ardington and Lockinge
Chris Lake, Blewbury
David Marsh, Harwell
John Sharp, East Hendred
Richard Evans, West Hendred
Chris Broad, Chilton
Michael Butler, West Hagbourne
Lynda Atkins, Representing Ed Vaizey MP

Paul Fermer, Locality Manager Science Vale UK (South & Vale)
Melissa Goodacre, Infrastructure Coordinator
Odele Payne, Senior Transport Planner

Apologies:
Joseph Bennett, Steventon
Simon Glazebrook, Milton
Robert Lott, Upton

1. Purpose of Meeting

For officers to outline the draft A417 strategy and receive comments and questions from the parishes on the proposals.

2. Presentation and Discussion Draft A417 Strategy
Appendix A contains the presentation slides
Appendix B contains the Route Strategy layout as presented in the meeting.

Ardington
• Confirmed application of Rural Cross Section.
• OCC to review the 60mph limit in light of the proposed roundabout junctions at Wantage Eastern Link Road, and Ardington Road, to see if 50mph is more appropriate.
• Confirmed the speed limit to west of Wantage Eastern Link Road to be delivered by the Crab Hill development.
• Confirmed leave Grove Park Drive cross roads junction as it is and have a compact roundabout junction at Ardington Road junction.
• Confirmed signalised pedestrian crossing at Ardington Road and bus stops.
• Cllr Lilly to re-approach bus company once roundabout in place.
• Additional note that there is no footway on Ardington Road between the village and the A417 for people to access the bus stops.

West Hendred
• Confirmed application of rural cross section and 40mph speed limit.
• Confirmed Compact roundabout at The Greenway, bus stops and signalised pedestrian crossing.

East Hendred
• Confirmed Allin’s Lane to remain as it is.
• OCC to review the speed limit from west of Allin’s Lane to east of White Road from 40mph to 30mph thus applying the transition zones where the speed limit changes from 40mph to 30mph.
• Confirmed compact roundabout at White Road, bus stops and signalised pedestrian crossing.
• Note – that should it be possible to reduce the speed limit to 30mph, in the A417 Strategy principles, an informal pedestrian crossing (refuge/zebra crossing) is the recommended crossing in 30mph zones. Therefore provision of a signalised crossing is a departure.

Rowstock
• Confirmed transition zone west of Rowstock where speed limit changes from 40mph to 30mph.
• Noted Rowstock junction is subject of a separate scheme.

Harwell
• OCC to review the 40mph zone between Rowstock and Harwell. Noted the number of dwellings over this stretch is relatively few which is likely to be why the 40mph speed limit applies. Should the speed limit be reduced from 40mph to 30mph, this would mean there would be a transition zone west of Rowstock and 30mph from there to east of Harwell. There is a risk that due to the lack of frontage between Rowstock and Harwell vehicles will increase their speed from 30mph, and there will be no transition zone to inform drivers they are entering Harwell village. This may lead to increased speeding in Harwell village. This would produce a 30mph stretch of 2.5km/1.5miles.
• Confirmed roundabout and informal pedestrian crossing to be delivered as part of The Winnaway cycle scheme.
• Confirmed informal pedestrian crossing point at The Holloway.

West Hagbourne
• Confirmed rural cross section and 50mph.
• Confirmed the Hagbourne Hill scheme would implement a roundabout at the Hagbourne Hill junction.
• Confirmed an additional ban on right turn movements from the A417 into the lane (leading to The Horse & Harrow public house) resulting in this junction being left exit only.

Upton

• Confirmed transition zone where speed limit changes from 50mph to 30mph west of Upton.
• Confirmed informal pedestrian crossing at Chilton Road/Station Road.
• Discussed the options for a one way system in the village including if contraflow cycling would be possible, and if vehicles would speed in the village as free from on-coming traffic.
• *As the Upton parish representative was unable to attend the meeting further discussion with the Parish is required to confirm the approach.
• Noted it is difficult to turn right at Prospect Road.
• Additional crossing point suggested across the A417 from the Stream Lane byway to Lynch Lane and the footpath along the disused railway toward Chilton and The Ridgeway.
• Confirmed transition zone east of Upton where speed limit changes from 30mph to 50mph.

Blewbury
• Confirmed transition zone west of Blewbury where speed limit changes from 50mph to 30mph.
• Confirmed informal pedestrian crossing between Westbrook and Boham’s Road with preference for a zebra (despite the belisha beacons).
• Confirmed parish do not want street lighting.

3. Next Steps/Actions
• OCC to update the Route Strategy layout with the elements confirmed at the meeting.
• OCC to investigate speed limit changes for Ardington, East Hendred and between Rowstock and Harwell.
• OCC to discuss the A417 Strategy at Upton, including the possible one way system with Upton parish.

• The A417 Strategy forms part of the Science Vale Transport Strategy within Local Transport Plan 2030.
• The A417 Strategy will be adopted under Local Transport Plan 4. This is currently being drafted and likely to be consulted on in January 2015. Local Transport Plan 4 will replace the existing Local Transport Plan 2030.
• A417 Strategy is not fully funded for delivery. Elements are likely to be delivered piece meal as development comes forward, and funding is identified.

Attached to these Notes
Appendix A contains the presentation slides
Appendix B contains the three Route Strategy layouts as presented in the meeting.

OHP 02/09/2014

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The Brownie group which meets at Upton Village Hall on Tuesday evenings is celebrating 100 years of Brownies.

Towards the celebration they have been doing a challenge badge, and part of this covers helping the community. On 1st July they will be conducting a litter pick around Upton village including the Recreation Ground.