Notes from the Parish Council October Meeting
Mr John Covill chaired the meeting with 7 Parish Councillors and 3 members of the public.
CCC Report: Councillor Williams reported to the meeting.
ECDC Report: Councillor Alderson reported to the meeting.
Correspondence Received: This was reported to the meeting.
Matters Arising - for information only
- Coopers Lane Ðbarrier: New barrier now fully installed.
- Recreation Ground: Lease agreement between BTFC and Mr Hurrell with Solicitors. It was hoped a final lease document could be agreed in the near future.
- Village Sign: The repair & renovation work was nearing completion and would soon be reinstated.
Removal of Tree on Allotments: The costs involved to remove this tree were considered by all involved to be too high and as such it was agreed that the tree would remain. It was suggested that some cutting back of branches might be carried out.
Play Area: An insurance claim is to be submitted for the replacement of the damaged climbing frame net.
The Pound - renovation works: An application is to be submitted to ECDC for a grant towards the cost of the renovation works needed.
Rogers Road - cutting of highway verges: A request was received for extra cuts for the verges on both sides of Rogers Road from the 30mph speed sign up to the "top road". This area is currently cut as part of CCC's own cutting programme but it was felt that these cuts were not sufficient. An estimate of the cost for extra cuts will be obtained from K H Services.
Confirmation of Budget/Precept 2006/07: An estimated Precept figure of £13,750 was agreed.
Planning Application: (considered at Parish Council Planning Meeting - 27/10/05)
Land at Mill Hill - outline permission for residential development including associated landscaping.
This application was discussed at length and objections were recorded with ECDC as below:
One of the main concerns was the increased volume of traffic onto an already very busy and dangerous road, the B1102. In the report submitted with the application it noted that there would be sufficient visibility splays for cars leaving the development. The meeting did not agree with this noting the brow of the hill coming into the village from Burwell and the speed of the traffic despite the 40mph interactive warning signs.
Any alteration to the access would mean the removal of the lay-by at the front of the site. This would cause problems for local residents who have no other parking facility. The school bus for Bottisham Village College picks up children opposite the lay-by in the morning and uses the lay-by each afternoon as a drop off point. This already presents a serious hazard for children and other pedestrians crossing the road. It was agreed that a road widening scheme with a pedestrian island would be needed, as well as a speed reduction to 30mph.
Any such development during its construction would cause extensive disruption to the road traffic particularly with only one access/egress point.
Any houses would seriously overlook surrounding properties particularly with this being such a high site. The physical impact would not be in keeping with the surrounding properties. Any proposed streetlighting would also have an impact. Neighbouring properties have chalk embankments on their boundary with the site. Concerns were expressed about the stability of the site noting that it was on the edge of a chalk pit.
There followed a good deal of discussion with reference to the Local Plan. In the Local Plan Swaffham Prior is noted as an infill village. It was considered that such a development would not be in keeping with this. Concerns were raised about the number of houses that might be built on the site and although opposed to any development on this site, the meeting felt that 5 units should be the maximum considered.
Accounts for Payment: These were agreed.
Any Other Business:
It was noted that overhanging hedgerows were still a problem on parts of the
footpath running from Coopers Green through to The Beeches. It was suggested
that perhaps the Probation Service could help with cutting these back.
"Passing place" signs: CCC Highways are to be chased about replacement signs.
Repair to footpath on Rogers Road: Again, CCC to be chased.
Open Question Time: No questions
The next Parish Council meeting will take place on Thursday, 8th December 2005 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.