Minutes

Present:    

Councillors Sandra Woodhouse(Chairman); David Nott; Pat Pain; Sue Morris; Nick Stone; Emily Seldon; Chris Price; Douglas Godwin; Colin Thornton; Andrew Croot.

In attendance: 

Mr S Clee Clerk, District Councillors Anna & Roger Coleman, Mr David Hawker, Mr Clive Skidmore, Mr & Mrs Anthony Clarke & 56 members of the public.

Apologies:

Councillors Richard Williams, Sally Watkins, Christine Sankey & County Councillor Dan Morehead

2127  Confirmation of the Minutes:

The minutes of the last meeting held on 26^th July 2021 as previously circulated, were approved and signed by the Chairman for this meeting.

2128  Declaration of Interest for a) The Meeting and b) Any Changes to be notified to the Registers of Interests and Gifts & Hospitality.

• David Nott declared an interest in Planning Application No 028 21/0857/FUL at The Hill Farm the applicant being his Brother and he stated he was keeping an open mind.
• There were none.

2129  Public Participation:

Mr David Hawker addressed Council with his concerns regarding Planning Application No (026) 21/0750/HOU at Dovedale House. He referred to his letter of objections sent to the Planning Officer at Wyre Forest District Council. The Chairman thanked Mr Hawker for his contributions and stated the Council would take his points into consideration when they discussed the application shortly.

Mr Clive Skidmore addressed Council with his concerns regarding Planning Application No (028) - 21/0857/FUL at The Hill Farm. He started by presenting a petition containing 87 local residents who opposed the application. A copy of his speech delivered was provided after the meeting.

Mr Nathaniel Nott addressed regarding his Fathers Planning Application No (028) - 21/0857/FUL at The Hill Farm. A copy of his speech delivered was requested but not forthcoming.

Mr Anthony Clarkson addressed Council with his concerns regarding Planning Application No (027) - 21/0856/FUL at Far Forest Post Office & Stores. He was concerned about the Airconditioning Units and the noise they generate on the front of the stores. The Council agreed to consider this point when debating the application shortly.

2130  Planning Applications:

022 21/0720/HOU Proposed single storey rear extension, modifications of various windows and internal alterations @ Willows Acre, Bliss Gate Road.

It was RESOLVED to support this application.

023 21/0782 Change of use of agricultural land to mixed Equine/Agricultural use, together with construction of a stable block for 2 horses and tack room @ Ivy Cottage, Greenway, Rock.

It was RESOLVED to support this application and request the planning officer add a condition that the equine building is for the owners of Ivy Cottage use only and not to be used for any external business venture.

024 21/0801/Ful Erection of 4 dwellings with associated landscaping works. Development to incorporate siting of containers for storage  purposes associated with the development @ Victory Hall, Tenbury Road, Callow Hill.

It was RESOLVED to support this application.

025 21/0841/HOU Erection of two bungalows (outline all matters reserved) except for access @ Land at, Jay Meadow, Callow Hill.

It was RESOLVED to recommend refusal for the same reasons previous given namely: The Land contained within the application is for agricultural use only. The site is outside the settlement boundary with an orchard and wildlife contained within the site. Rock Parish Council believes this is backland development with no proven need.

We would point out that our Housing Needs as shown in WFDC’S Housing Needs Survey has already been exceeded with recently approved planning applications around the Parish.  In our opinion, since supplies of dwellings have far exceeded the needs identified in the plan, there is no requirement for further development in our area at this time.

Finally, Council also concurs with Worcestershire County Council Highways that access and egress onto the A456 from the narrow access road is also a major safety concern.

026 21/0750/HOU Retrospective change of use of land to glamping business to operate seasonally from April to September each year, including 5 bell tents, 5 shower/toilet hut/wagons and ancillary cooking shed. Retrospective planning permission sought for 2 x 6m bell tents with timber toilet/shower units and a timber camping kitchen/log store.  Permission sought in advance for a  further 3 bell tents with moveable toilet/shower units on trailer bases @ Dovedale House , Long Bank DY12 2UN.

It was RESOLVED to recommend refusal to this application for the following reasons:

1 The proposed development would result in an additional holiday lodge site in an area where the WFDC adopted and emerging Development Plan policies show that this type of development should be resisted. The development would add a further impact to this area of the Districts landscape that has been identified as being collectively adversely impacted by holiday development. To approve the development would be in direct conflict with Policy CP12 of the Adopted Core Strategy, Policies 23C and 28B of the emerging Wyre Forest District Local Plan and Government advice in the National Planning Policy Framework.

2 The proposed development by virtue of its scale, massing and location would be out of character with the development pattern of clustered wayside dwellings, providing a concentrated development that extends beyond the defined development form. Uncharacteristic development would be pushed into an open, agricultural landscape that is sensitive to change, which is also a non-designated heritage asset, creating harm to the character and visual amenity of this important landscape. Such harm would be contrary to Policy CP12 of the Adopted Core Strategy, Policy SAL.UP6 of the Adopted Site Allocations and Policies Local Plan, Policies 11B and 11C of the emerging Wyre Forest District Local Plan.

3 The proposed development will result in a significant detrimental impact on the amenity of occupiers of adjoining neighbouring residential property, through increased movement of vehicles and general disturbance from the large scale gatherings which the extensive facilities provided will clearly facilitate. It is therefore considered that the proposal fails to comply with the requirements of Policy SAL.UP7 of the Site Allocations and Policies Local Plan.

4 Rock Parish Council believe the proposal is therefore contrary to the requirements of policy SAL.UP6 of the Site Allocations and Policies local Plan.

027 21/0856/FUL Alterations to existing shop layout, single storey rear extension to shop, alterations to existing  elevations to form new shop entrance and new shopfronts. Alterations of pedestrian access. Part demolition of existing out buildings. Adjustment to boundary and alterations to adjacent property to form new driveway @  Forest Stores And Post Office, Cleobury Road, Far Forest.

It was RESOLVED to support this application provided the Air Conditioning Units are relocated to the rear of the premises or within the delivery compound and that no prolific external lighting is installed around the building. The developer provides additional Glasdon Vintage Bollards for installation on the footway running parallel to the hedging along the A4117 to deter vehicles parking along the Cleobury Road and blocking visibility.

028 21/0857/Ful Change of use of land for the siting of a five glamping pods, tipi for wedding events with associated parking area and new track@ The Hill Farm Cottage , Organs Hill, Rock.

It was RESOLVED to recommend refusal to this application for the following reasons:

1 The proposed development would result in an additional holiday lodge site in an area where the WFDC adopted and emerging Development Plan policies show that this type of development should be resisted. The development would add a further impact to this area of the Districts landscape that has been identified as being collectively adversely impacted by holiday development. To approve the development would be in direct conflict with Policy CP12 of the Adopted Core Strategy, Policies 23C and 28B of the emerging Wyre Forest District Local Plan and Government advice in the National Planning Policy Framework.

2 The proposed development by virtue of its scale, massing and location would be out of character with the development pattern of clustered wayside dwellings. The uncharacteristic development would be pushed into an open, agricultural landscape that is sensitive to change, which is also a non-designated heritage asset, creating harm to the character and visual amenity of this important landscape. Such harm would be contrary to Policy CP12 of the Adopted Core Strategy, Policy SAL.UP6 of the Adopted Site Allocations and Policies Local Plan, Policies 11B and 11C of the emerging Wyre Forest District Local Plan.

 3 The proposed development will result in a significant detrimental impact on the amenity of occupiers of adjoining neighbouring residential property, through increased movement of vehicles and general disturbance from the large scale gatherings which the extensive facilities provided will clearly facilitate. It is therefore considered that the proposal fails to comply with the requirements of Policy SAL.UP7 of the Site Allocations and Policies Local Plan.

4 Rock Parish Council believe the proposal is therefore contrary to the requirements of policy SAL.UP6 of the Site Allocations and Policies local Plan.

029 21/0919/HOU Single storey and two storey extensions to rear of existing dwelling and enclosed front porch to front of existing dwelling @ 11 New Road, Far Forest.

It was RESOLVED to support this application.

2131 Correspondence and Update Sheet:

Councillor Colin Thornton agreed to write tonight’s parish council report. Councillor Sandra Woodhouse would write the October report. Council considered the 3 priorities they wished West Mercia Police address over the coming months. The agreed priorities were. Speeding Traffic along the A456 at Callow Hill. Speeding Traffic along the A4117 Far Forest and a more regular attendance at our monthly meetings than has been occurring during the past two years.

2132 County & District Councillors Report:

District Councillor Roger Coleman updated Council on the current emerging local plan. He stated a long list of queries had been tabled by the Inspector and these had been addressed by the Planning Department over the summer months. It is likely that the updated Plan will be presented to a meeting at WFDC on 13^th October 2021.

2133 Colliers Arms:

Councillor Stones referred to a recent visit at Windy Willows where he experienced for himself the obnoxious smells emanating from the adjoining land at Colliers Arms. The owners of Windy Willows have still not had a satisfactory outcome from The Environmental Health Department at North Worcestershire Regulatory Services regarding the water course being polluted from land at the Colliers Arms. It was resolved to write to the  Environmental Health Officer to express our concern and request an update.

2134 Queens Platinum Jubilee 2022:

The Clerk referred to the Lord Lieutenants letter previously circulated in briefing note No 76. He also referred to discussions with the Chairman and the developers of Clows Top. A piece of land would be handed over to the Parish Council on the Corner of Worcester Road & Tenbury Road where a “village green” similar to Diamond Jubilee Corner could be planted up. Council resolved to refer the matter to the Finance Committee for further considerations.

2135 Finances:                                                      

• Income & Expenditure spreadsheets previously circulated were approved.
• Accounts amounting to £8,818.52 as detailed on the expenditure spreadsheet previously circulated to all councillors prior to the meeting were approved for payment.
• Council noted 10 applicants applied for a Community Grant but only 9 returned their completed application forms on time. The grants will be considered at the October meeting.

2136  Date of the next Meeting

There being no other business the meeting ended at 21.00pm. The next meeting will be held on Monday 25^th October 2021. The Chairman thanked everybody for their attendance tonight and wished them a safe journey home.