Minutes of the Environment and Planning meeting held at 7pm on Wednesday 9th May 2007
in the Town Hall, Hungerford
Present: Cllrs Scorey, Harries, Bullock, Wilson, Liddiard, Hudson & Thompson
Following the Full Council meeting of the 8th May nominations were taken for the position of Chairman:
Proposed: Cllr Thompson ‘to elect Cllr Scorey’. Seconded: Cllr Wilson. Vote: All in favour.
Cllr Scorey was duly elected as Chair.
Following the Full Council meeting of the 8th May nominations were taken for the position of Deputy Chairman:
Proposed: Cllr Bullock ‘to elect Cllr Thompson’. Seconded: Cllr Harries. Vote: All in favour.
Cllr Thompson was duly elected as Deputy Chair.
1) Apologies for absence
Cllr Acworth
2) Declaration of Interests
None
3) Minutes of 23rd April 2007
Proposed: Cllr Harries, Seconded: Cllr Wilson. Vote: All in favour. The minutes were signed as a true and accurate record by Cllr Scorey.
4) Kennet Housing Society
Presentation by Ms McCluskey (Managing Director) and Mr Paul Waghorn (Development Project Manager) re: potential to work together
Also Present for Discussion: Kennet Housing Society, Community Council for Berkshire (CCB) and 2010+ Housing & Population Group.
Proposed: Cllr Scorey ‘to suspend standing orders’. Seconded: Cllr Bullock. Vote: All in favour. Standing orders were suspended to allow all parties to speak.
Overview of Presentation:
Kennet Housing Society (KHS) is in partnership with the Guinness Trust (to provide affordable housing in the local area for all needs e.g. starter homes, bungalows, special needs accommodation etc.). It currently has 400 units and manages some 1200 units from general to special needs. It found out 2 years ago that they could not offer so much with a local ethos , therefore began to work closely with the Guinness Trust. Together they specialise in quality rural housing (locally examples can be seen in Baydon and Aldbourne). They work with local people, Parishes etc. With offices based in Marlborough they are very local.
They have provided several types of schemes in the past; including shared ownership, rented and ‘low cost housing’. Dwellings are designed by architects to higher than market standard and actively promote environmental sustainability.
Additional Info: KHS is not on the ‘suppliers list’ for West Berkshire Council (WBC). WBC has recently taken the Housing Register ‘in house’ which may affect the people who are selected for Hungerford dwellings. "Choice based lettings" is a nationwide policy; WBC implements this.
KHS has asked HTC to consider it to be involved in providing affordable housing for local people through a Rural Exception Site (something they have vast experience in). They offer guidance and funding on a design, build and management basis.
Proposed: Cllr Scorey ‘to reinstate standing orders’. Seconded: Cllr Thompson. Vote: All in favour. Standing orders were reinstated.
7:35pm Cllrs Liddiard & Wilson left the meeting.
5) Planning Applications
07/00678/HOUSE 26 Kennedy Meadow, Hungerford – Ms C Hall No Objections
Two storey side extension
Proposed: Cllr Bullock. Seconded: Cllr Harries. Vote: 4 in favour / 1 abstention
Reasons: None. Do not wish to speak.
07/00428/FUL Hungerford Nursery School, 22 The Croft – Hungerford Nursery School No Objections
Construction of pitched roof canopy to front extension
Proposed: Cllr Hudson. Seconded: Cllr Bullock. Vote: All in favour.
Reason: None. Do not wish to speak.
07/00743/HOUSE 11 Atherton Crescent, Hungerford – Mr J Richings No Objections
Relocate bathroom from ground floor. Convert roofspace to bedroom.
Proposed: Cllr Hudson. Seconded: Cllr Bullock. Vote: 4 in favour / 1 abstention
Reason: None. Do not wish to speak.
07/00791/HOUSE 22 Ramsbury Drive, Hungerford – Mr & Mrs P Sanchez Support
Two storey extension to provide enlarged kitchen and en suite facility to master bedroom
Proposed: Cllr Harries. Seconded: Cllr Thompson. Vote: 4 in favour / 1 abstention
Reason: None. Do not wish to speak.
6) Decision Reports
07/00401/HOUSE Old Hayward Farm, Old Hayward Granted
Alterations to single storey cottage, linking to main house by extending the existing timber framed structure and introducing frameless glass panels. Minor alterations to existing house on all levels
07/00402/LBC Old Hayward Farm, Old Hayward Granted
Alterations to single storey cottage, linking to main house by extending the existing timber framed structure and introducing frameless glass panels. Minor alterations to existing house on all levels
07/00378/LBC2 2 Faulknor Square, Charnham Street – Satellite Dish Granted
7) North Wessex Downs Forum
Report from Cllrs Acworth & Bullock
Cllr Bullock (in view of the time) kindly offered to write a summary outlining her findings from the day. Please see attached.
Meeting closed: 9:00pm
Date of next meeting: Monday 21st May 2007
Signed………………………………….
Chairman, Environment and Planning Committee
21st May 2007
North Wessex Downs AONB Conference 9th May 2007
Report by Cllr Bullock who attended on behalf of the Environment & Planning Committee
It has taken 15,000 years to increase Britain's temperature by 5%. It has taken 100 years to increase by 6%. Where are we going?
DEFRA is publishing its guidelines on 22/5/07
1. End of Cheap Food Era
2. Weather affecting world's supply of wheat and rice will impact on our agriculture
3. End of Fossil Fuel
4. Erosion
5. Huge Global Traders e.g. 5 Grain Traders, 3 Tractors manufacturers,4 Fertiliser manufacturers, 5 Sprayer manufacturers.
6. Need Fairer World Trade - Supermarkets monopolistic
7. Farmers are paying for own research into pests/ diseases
8. Need to manage peatlands
9. Need woodlands to take up CO2 emissions
10. Review SSSI clarification, AONB's National Parks
11. Look to flying controls
12. Bureaucracy - Single Farm Payment needs public validation
13. Reduce fragmentation of landscape
LEADER Funding (from Europe)
Move UK to low carbon emissions, Set legally binding limits, empowering farmers to respond to changes, Health of diversity
BECAUSE OF HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION REASONS CHINA IS RESPONSIVE TO BRITISH LEADERSHIP
Local Village initiative BLEWBURY ENERGY INITIATIVE www.blewbury.co.uk/energy out of Parish Plan