Meeting of Whittington Parish Council at 7:30PM on Tuesday 22nd October 2024 at Whittington Community Hall, WR5 2RQ (///wonderfully.paper.agent)
Minutes 10/2024
Present: Steve Brooker (Chair), Helena Bennett, Stuart Austin, Katie Lambeth-Mansell, Adam Hooper, Olivia Khong
In attendance: David Hunter-Miller (Clerk), Linda Robinson (County Councillor), Jayne Rayer (Whittington Church), Liz Turier (District Councillor), David Ball (Brethren Church), Susan MacLeod (Community Hall), five members of the public
1. Chairman’s welcome and announcements
Steve Brooker opened the meeting and welcomed attendees.
2. Apologies for absence: To receive apologies and to approve reasons for absence
Apologies were noted from Richard Boase and Tony Fradgley.
3. Declarations of personal and prejudicial interest
3.1. Register of Interests: With reference to items on the agenda councillors are reminded of their responsibility to declare interests and to update their register of interests as required.
Noted.
3.2. Disclosable Pecuniary Interests: To declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests in items on the agenda and their nature.
Nil declared.
3.3. Other Interests: To declare any Other Registerable Interests or Non-Registerable Interests in items on the agenda and their nature.
Steve Brooker declared an Other Registerable Interest in item 4.6 (Whittington Community Hall).
Katie Lambeth-Mansell declared an Other Registerable Interest in item 4.7 (Whittington Charities) and an Other Registerable Interest in item 4.8 (Whittington Events Group).
Helena Bennett declared an Other Registerable Interest in item 4.7 (Whittington Charities) and a Non-Registerable Interest in item 7.1.1 (Parkway new town development and South Worcestershire Development Plan).
Adam Hooper declared an Other Registerable Interest in item 4.6 (Whittington Community Hall) and an Other Registerable Interest in item 4.8 (Whittington Events Group).
3.4. Dispensations: To consider any written dispensations from councillors who have declared an interest but wish to stay in the meeting during that time to aid discussion / speak / vote.
A dispensation had previously been granted to Steve Brooker to allow participation and voting on all matters pertaining to Whittington Community Hall.
A dispensation had previously been granted to Adam Hooper to allow participation and voting on all matters pertaining to Whittington Community Hall.
A dispensation had previously been granted to Helena Bennett to allow participation, but not voting, on all matters pertaining to the Parkway new town development (part of the South Worcestershire Development Plan).
4. Open Session
The meeting was adjourned for the open session.
4.1. District Councillors
Liz Turier provided a report which would be included on the parish council’s website.
4.2. County Councillor
Linda Robinson provided a report which would be included on the parish council’s website.
4.3. Whittington C of E Primary School
The following update was noted:
• A Christmas Fayre is scheduled for December
• The Whittington Charities were looking to make donations to the school in December and July
• The parish council were assisting with advertising school governor vacancies
• A further community hall/parish/school project was under consideration for 2025
4.4. Whittington Church
It was noted that a Remembrance Service had been scheduled for 10:55AM on Sunday 10th November 2024.
4.5. Brethren Church
The parish council extended their congratulations to the Brethren Church’s RRT Charity which had delivered over 11 million meals to Ukraine.
4.6. Whittington Community Hall
The following update was noted:
• Safeguarding training had been undertaken
• The Assistant Caretaker vacancy was still under review
• The Community Hall AGM is scheduled for 7:00PM on Wednesday 6th November 2024
• The ‘Winter Warmer’ is scheduled for 10:30AM to 3:00PM on Saturday 23rd November 2024
4.7. Whittington Charities
The following update was noted:
• The bank account was still under review
• An Elizabeth Stephens and Fanny Clifton Charity Facebook page was now live
• The charity would have a stall at the Whittington ‘Winter Warmer’
• There was a vacancy for a Treasurer
4.8. Whittington Events Group
The following update was noted:
• The Santa Sleigh event was still being planned and was now due to include a snow machine
• Cinema nights had been postponed due to recent poor attendance
4.9. Public participation
A member of the public raised a number of concerns regarding planning application W/24/01833/RM (item 7.1.2.).
A member of the public thanked the council for their response to application W/24/01527/FUL and raised additional concerns with the amended application (item 7.1.3.).
A member of the public raised concerns regarding W/24/02027/FUL (published after this agenda was posted and to be included on the next agenda).
The meeting resumed following the open session.
5. To consider and adopt the minutes from the Parish Council meeting on the 24th September 2024
It was RESOLVED to adopt the minutes as a true record and they were duly signed by the Chair.
6. Correspondence
6.1. Worcestershire County Council: Road Verge Management Survey
It was RESOLVED to seek clarification on what funding might be available for cutting the verges under this new scheme.
6.2. Worcestershire County Council: Parish Winter Newsletter
The above newsletter was noted.
6.3. Police: Community Charter Local Priorities
It was RESOLVED that future ‘Contact Contract’ priority lists would not be submitted, but that issues would be reported to the Safer Neighbourhoods Team directly as they arise.
6.4. Worcestershire CALC: Health and Wellbeing questionnaire
It was RESOLVED that Oliva Khong would review the questionnaire for discussion at the next meeting.
6.5. Wychavon District Council: Free Trees in the Landscape
The above funding scheme was noted.
7. Planning
7.1. To consider the following planning matters to be determined by Wychavon District Council:
7.1.1. South Worcestershire Development Plan / Parkway: To receive an update and to consider actions
It was noted that the next SWDP meeting was scheduled for the 11th November 2024.
7.1.2. W/24/01833/RM: Land Off, School Walk, Whittington. Removal of Condition 3 (use of roof space) attached to permission reference /21/02610/RM.
It was RESOLVED to object to the proposals as follows:
There is a lack of detail in the application as to how the roof space will be used (office space, bedrooms) and how many rooms will be created. This is essential detail before any determination can be properly considered.
The use of the roof space will result in significant overlooking of neighbouring properties and gardens, all in close proximity, resulting in an unacceptable loss of privacy and amenity. Additionally, one of the proposed windows overlooks the nearby primary school and this raises potentially serious safeguarding issues.
The site is particularly small, with the approved bungalow plans already exceeding what is suitable for such a small plot. The development of the roof space will result in an unacceptable overdevelopment of the site. Additional rooms (potentially additional bedrooms) will likely generate additional vehicle movements along the narrow access road. This access is very difficult to negotiate and because there are no footways, vehicles are in direct conflict with vulnerable pedestrians accessing the school.
The Parish Council raised objections to the previous application (21/02610/RM), citing that ‘the scale of the proposed building is too large for the site, with the ridge height particularly excessive for a two-bedroom bungalow. There is concern that provision is being made for future development of an extra floor’. It would appear that these concerns were well founded as this was clearly the intention, to have approval for additional rooms by way of incremental planning applications and scope creep. This approach is disingenuous and the Parish Council can see no reason, or change of circumstance, to justify changes to this condition which was sensibly included ‘to ensure the proposal is of an appropriate scale that would not adversely affect neighbouring amenity as required’.
7.1.3. W/24/01527/FUL (amended): The Annexe, Elms Farm, Walkers Lane, Whittington. Change of use of annexe from ancillary to main dwelling to separate independent dwelling including retrospective extension.
It was RESOLVED that the Parish Council would, in light of additional information becoming available, raise the following objections.
This property is already on the market for sale and assumptions have been made by the applicant about permission being granted for this retrospective application and previous planning applications.
There is a covenant on this land that states that the land should only be used for agriculture and not part of a dwelling/garden (with garden sheds, greenhouses, etc). Whilst the existence of this covenant may not be a material consideration for the planning authority, the Parish Council do firmly endorse the principle of safeguarding our valuable and declining green spaces and farmland.
The property in question was subject to a previous planning application. Permission was granted for the construction of the new dwelling on the condition that it will be ‘only used in support of the main dwelling’. The approach of submitting incremental planning applications and scope creep is disingenuous and the Parish Council can see no reason, or change of circumstance, to justify changes to this condition which was sensibly included in the original permission.
The comments submitted from adjacent property owners indicate there is no alternative access to the proposed new dwelling as the applicants do not own, or have permission to use, the land. The parish council therefore remains concerned about the proposed access on A4440 Swinesherd Way, a dual carriageway with fast-moving traffic. The parish council would urge the planning authority to consider the suitability of this access to ensure that the safety of road users and residents is not compromised. A feasible, safe, legal access route is essential to make the application viable and this has not been sufficiently considered.
7.2. To note responses made under delegated authority for the following applications:
7.2.1. W/24/01758/SCO: Land At (Os 8952 4900) Abbotswood Road Kempsey. Request for EIA Scoping Opinion.
It was noted that the following objection was submitted under delegated authority:
1. This application impacts on the entire ‘Ward’, not just Stoulton Parish Council. It should, we believe, therefore have been circulated to all Parishes within the Ward and those Parishes on which the SWDP will impact, for consultation.
2. We understand that two similar scoping applications have been submitted, both within the Parish of Whittington, St Modwen and Hallam Land, neither of which Whittington Parish Council have been invited to comment.
3. Due to the end date for consultation in respect of the Wain application being 27th September, and Whittington Parish Council not been consulted combined with the detailed and comprehensive application, we have been denied the opportunity to examine the application thoroughly. I therefore suggest that this has been a breach of process.
4. Any planning applications in respect of the SWDP should be taken and considered as a whole. Impact assessments to be considered cannot be considered in isolation.
5. The Concept Plan places a large emphasis on Town Centre and infrastructure first. Re-writing the timeline for works destroys this. If all developers bring their development plans forward then the essence of the concept plan changes significantly and all assessments become invalid. The impact of building 10 thousand houses before 2041 would be eye watering.
6. Infrastructure may not be in places to deal with Phase 2, if not brought forward, e.g. sewage management, traffic management, noise and air pollution and habitat damage.
7. Undertaking to create habitat to achieve 100 biodiversity gain. Where and how will this be done?
8. The effects of laying cable for the rest of the SWDP development area if development brought forward does not appear to have been considered.
9. (8.10) Development is expected in the main to be completed by 2041, i.e. Phase 1 and not as outlined in the concept plan (8.10). First houses to be occupied by 2029.
10. (8.14) A developer enquiry has been sent to Severn Trent with regards sewage. There does not appear to be
included an assurance that sewage can be managed for such a large development.
11. (10.13) Worcestershire Parkway’s level 2 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) was published in July 2021 and contains ground water mapping for the area. The interactive mapping was not working at time of writing this scoping note. However, Environment Agency data suggests ground water flooding is unlikely in this area. The truth is that last year Hawbridge (adjacent to Abbotswood) suffered serve flooding of people’s homes and impact on travel routes.
12. (10.49.) In respect of air pollution, no surveys appear to have been done or undertaken before or during the scoping exercise for an assessment of emissions associated with the proposed development. Neither does there appear to be proposals to undertake, prior to the completion of the climate change impact assessment. Could the position be that rather ignore the negative and complex cumulative impact of emission surveys and sources?
13. (13.64) Outlines ‘critical’ transport infrastructure. There is no note of how this will be delivered or the accumulative effect of added volumes of traffic.
14. The Application Plan makes the point that there are no Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) in the area inferring that there is now no need for them. Is this misguided? It is interesting to note that Whittington Parish Council’s application for TPO has thus far been denied by Wychavon Planning Dept.
15. Whittington Parish Council fully endorses in its entirety, the consultation response submitted by Stoulton Parish Council and the Joint Parishes Committee.
16. Whittington Parish Council also makes the point that should this particular scoping application not be challenged vigorously and adequately by the Planning Authorities, then other scoping applications by developers, will only be required to meet similar standards.
8. Allotments
8.1. To receive an update from the Allotments Working Group and to consider actions
It was RESOLVED to approve up to £300.00 to repair the bark divider areas between allotment plots.
8.2. To receive an update and to consider next steps for developing proposals for expansion of the allotment site with a community garden
It was noted that discussions were ongoing with various stakeholders regarding developing this project.
9. Highways, Transportation and Public Rights of Way
9.1. To receive an update on the Lengthsman Scheme and to consider any items for the work schedule
It was RESOLVED to ask the Lengthsman to clear the drain tops through the village, paying particular attention to the drain at the junction of Berkeley Close.
It was RESOLVED to ask the Lengthsman to cut the vegetation obstructing the 30MPH signage by The Swan and from any other signs that might be obscured.
9.2. To receive a progress report on previously reported highway issues
It was noted that there had been no update from Worcestershire County Council Highways on previously reported issues.
It was RESOLVED to press for an update on the following priorities:
• Faded slip lane markings near Whittington Walk
• Inoperative lighting columns on Swinesherd Way
• Update on highway safety signs for Wildmore
9.3. To receive an update on the proposed meeting with senior Worcestershire County Council Officers and Cabinet Member regarding the lack of progress on highway matters
It was RESOLVED that the Chairman would write to Marc Bayliss, Cabinet Member for Highways, to arrange a meeting.
10. Parish matters for consideration and progress reports
10.1. High Park & Pershore Road
10.1.1. To receive a progress report on previously raised items
It was noted that there had been damage to, and theft from, vehicles at Whittington Walk and Pershore Road residential properties; it was RESOLVED to ask the Police for an update.
10.2. St Peter’s
10.2.1. To receive a progress report on previously raised items
No matters were reported.
10.3. Whittington Village
10.3.1. To receive a progress report on previously raised items
No matters were reported.
10.4. Whittington Walk & Swinesherd
10.4.1. To receive a progress report on previously raised items
It was RESOLVED to report uncompleted roadworks at the entrance to Swinesherd/Whittington Walk to Worcestershire County Council.
10.4.2. To receive an update on the proposed community orchard
No update was available.
10.5. Wildmore, Walkers Lane and Whittington Road
10.5.1. To receive a progress report on previously raised items
It was noted that one of the Smart Water signs had been damaged and the Police had been contacted for a replacement.
It was hoped that a pizza takeaway van would be able to visit Wildmore regularly in future.
10.5.2. To receive an update on the proposed community orchard
No update was available.
10.6. Whole parish
10.6.1. To receive an update on the councillor vacancy
It was noted that there was one vacancy on the parish council and enquiries from parishioners were welcomed.
10.6.2. To receive an update on the tree warden vacancy
It was RESOLVED to readvertise the vacancy for a parish tree warden.
10.6.3. To receive an update and to consider next steps in acquiring land for future parish use
It was noted that draft proposals were being prepared for review at a future meeting.
10.6.4. To receive an update on air quality monitoring discrepancies
Liz Turier provided an update on air quality monitoring and provided assurance that it would be scrutinised more closely in future.
10.6.5. Review of Delegation Policies (recommended defer to next meeting)
It was RESOLVED to defer discussions until the next meeting.
11. Finance
11.1. To consider and approve the budget expenditure
It was RESOLVED to approve the budget expenditure.
11.2. To consider and approve the bank reconciliation
It was RESOLVED to approve the bank reconciliation.
11.3. To approve the following invoices for payment:
11.3.1. David Hunter-Miller (salary and expenses)
11.3.2. HMRC (PAYE)
11.3.3. Worcestershire County Council Pension Fund (pension)
11.3.4. SCJ Gardening (Lengthsman): £165.00
11.3.5. NSALG (allotments society membership): £55.00
11.3.6. Whittington Community Hall (room hire): £20.00
It was RESOLVED to settle the above invoices.
12. Councillors’ reports and items for the next agenda
It was RESOLVED to add the following items to the next agenda:
• Budget and precept setting
• Health and Wellbeing questionnaire
• Review of Delegation Policies
13. Date of the next meeting
The next scheduled meeting is at 7:30PM on Tuesday 26th November 2024.
The meeting closed at 9:15PM.