Minutes of Woolfardisworthy Parish Council Planning Committee held on the
26th January 2010 at 8.00pm at Woolsery Community & Sports Hall

Attendance
Cllrs:   David Bonnefin, Roger Heywood, Loye Medd, Martin Hill and Robin Edmonds.
Members of the Public were also present

2.0 Apologies
Cllr Turner

3.0 Declarations of Interest
3.1       There were no declarations of interest.

4.0 Minutes of the previous meeting to be agreed as a true and accurate record.
4.1       The minutes were previously agreed as a true and accurate record and were signed by the Chairman.


5.0       Public Session
5.1       Comments below were from the public regarding the planning application for Marshall Farm:

1)         Previous applications for 25 and 9 holiday lodges were refused by Torridge District                          Council.  The Local Planning Authority considered that the proposed developments constituted a large scale tourist development of over 100 bed spaces.  This development was contrary to policies TO1 and TO2 of the Devon Structure Plan.
It was stated that the previous two planning applications are now be appealed against,                              therefore should the new development by granted, bed spaces will remain over 100.

2)         There has been a response from the Archaeological Society, who state that the sites                                  has Archaeological importance.

3)         There were concerns regarding the business plan.  It was felt that the numbers of jobs                              created are not realistic and that the business would not be sustainable.

4)         There are major issues regarding the sewage treatment at Marshall Farm.

5)         There is no mains water at Marshall Farm.

6)         The infrastructure has never been in place, and it was felt that if the new development for Marshall Farm is granted, it would cause further problems.

6.0       Planning Applications for comments

a)         1/1228/2009/FUL.  Erection of 5 holiday lodges, art studio and maintenance shed.  Marshall Farm, Woolsery.  Woolsery Parish Council objected to the planning application for the   following reasons:

1)         The proposed development of an additional five holiday lodges, will take the bed spaces over 100, which as stated by Torridge District Council is contrary to the provision of  policies TO1 and TO2 of the Devon Structure Plan.

2)         The proposed development as it is will bring increased pressure to bear upon the                             inadequate and fragile road system, which surrounds this area.  The road between Gorrell and Marshall Farm is already collapsing and becoming very dangerous, the  increase in traffic will exacerbate this problem.

3)         It was felt that the Business Plan was not creditable and would not stand up to a scrutiny                   committee.

4)         There is no mains water at Marshall Farm, and sewage is a major problem, in that there is currently no system in place, which means that sewage is running into the river.  This issue should be looked into by Torridge District Council, Environmental Health.  If the proposed development is granted by Torridge District Council, the environmental problems will be a lot greater.

5)         The infrastructure has never been put into place for Marshall Farm, for example: refuse has to be left at one central point for collection.  There are concerns that if the proposed development was granted by Torridge District Council, the infrastructure would remain  the same and further problems occur.

Torridge District Council decisions
None


7.0       Reports by Councillors on any planning matters

7.1       57 Manor Park.  Cllr Edmonds informed those present of the material changes with reference to previous planning application.

 


The original plan 1/1323/2007/FUL, for stables was refused by Torridge District Council, on the basis of flies and smell.  The plans were then amended (1/0189/2008/FUL) for a store, with a bigger footprint.  This was granted by Torridge District Council, on the understanding that there  would be no livestock or horses.

 


The planning application 1/1218/2009/FUL, as presented, is now exactly the same at the original plan 1/1323/2007/FUL. Stable block as a store.

 


Cllr Bonnefin raised the issue regarding the complaint with Torridge District Council. He asked  those present to confirm what Cllr’s want as the end. Those present stated the following:

 


1)         Clear transparency (chronological order), regarding their decision making process and how decisions are justified.

2)         For the Parish Council views to be taken on board.  It was questioned whether a Cllr should attend Planning Meetings, when relevant.