Extraordinary meeting of Brockhampton Group Parish Council at 7:30PM on Wednesday 21st February 2024 at Bromyard & Winslow Town Council Offices, HR7 4DU
Minutes 02/2024
Present: Clive Brazier (Chair), Nigel Shaw, Pete Stoddart (Parish and Ward Councillor), Peter Lane
In attendance: David Hunter-Miller (Clerk), three members of the public
1. Chairman’s welcome and announcements
Clive Brazier opened the meeting and welcomed attendees.
2. Apologies for absence: To receive apologies and to approve reasons for absence.
Apologies were noted from Viv Burdon and Gwen Dumpleton.
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.
Nil declared.
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.
Nil received.
4. Open Session
The meeting was adjourned for the open session.
4.1. Public participation
A parishioner raised concerns regarding traffic safety issues outside Brockhampton Primary School, including:
• National speed limit being inappropriate outside a primary school
• Limited traffic calming features (only school wig-wags)
• Limited parking for drop off/pick up
• No clear crossing point between car park and school
An update was provided on previous discussions and actions relating to the above concerns. Pete Stoddart would make enquiries with Herefordshire Council to see if a school crossing patrol could be used at this location and if funding/permission could be secured for parking and pedestrian improvements. It was RESOLVED to extend a Parish Council meeting invitation to the Brockhampton Primary School Chair of Governors to discuss traffic/parking concerns raised.
A parishioner raised the following matters regarding application P240098/FH and P240099/L (item 7.1.1.), including:
• The area is rich in local wildlife and it is suggested that the proposals do not include adequate provision to minimise the risk to wildlife
• Concern was expressed that chlorinated water may end up on adjacent farmland
• It is alleged that the pool/building will be built over an existing soak-away
• A more detailed plan was requested detailing arrangements for the emptying of the pool for maintenance or emergency
• A number of mature trees/hedges are proposed for removal and this will be a loss to amenity and habitat (Tree Preservation Orders were requested)
The meeting resumed following the open session.
5. To consider and adopt the minutes from the Parish Council meeting on the 17th January 2024
It was RESOLVED to adopt the minutes as a true record and they were duly signed by the Chair.
6. Correspondence
6.1. Herefordshire Council: State of the Sector Survey
The above survey was noted and councillors were encouraged to submit a response.
6.2. Herefordshire Council: Second round of funding available for festivals and events
The above grant funding scheme was noted and details would be shared with the Bringsty Common Manorial Court.
7. Planning
7.1. To consider the following planning applications to be determined by Herefordshire Council:
7.1.1. P240098/FH and P240099/L: Clater Park Bringsty Herefordshire WR6 5TP. Construction of an outdoor swimming pool and pool building as well as the retrospective provision of an electric car charger and an air source heat pump with associated pipework.
It was RESOLVED that the Parish Council object to the application. Further information is needed on a water management plan for dealing with backwash/maintenance and emptying of the pool (for maintenance and emergencies). It is noted that vehicular (tanker) access to the site may be problematic. Robust measures will need to be in place to ensure that chlorinated water does not contaminate nearby sensitive agricultural land or watercourses.
There is concern that the proposals do not include adequate ecological provision to minimise the risk to wildlife. Consideration should be given to fencing or fully enclosing/covering the pool to protect against wildlife falling into the water and being unable to escape.
Further information is also requested on the location and purpose of the heat pump and electric car charger (retrospective) as adequate detail has not been provided in the application.
7.1.2. P240222/F: The Bannut Bromyard Road Bringsty Herefordshire. Proposed 5 new dwellinghouses and associated works and access.
It was RESOLVED that the Parish Council object to the application. The Parish Council are concerned over the density of housing proposed for this location as it is felt that it is not in keeping with nearby properties. The Parish Council would also like to promote more affordable housing in the area as this had been identified in previous NDP consultation exercises.
There are also serious concerns regarding the proposed access onto the A44, a road that has a history of injury/fatal accidents and is regularly the subject of local concern with regard to excessive vehicle speeds. It is therefore vital that any new access onto this road is carefully considered in the context of Core Strategy Policy MT1 to ensure that the safety of road users and potential future residents is not compromised.
7.1.3. P240402/L: The Down House Bromyard Herefordshire HR7 4QJ. Proposed conversion of part of the ground floor to provide a bedroom with en-suite facilities for use by a disabled-person. Refurbishment of the existing lean-to extension and roof. The addition of en-suite facilities and the installation of new windows to a first-floor bedroom. Conversion of the existing single bathroom into two bathrooms.
It was RESOLVED that the Parish Council had no objections or concerns.
7.2. To note responses made under delegated authority for the following applications:
7.2.1. P240160/PA7: Woolner Hill Farm Bringsty Worcester Herefordshire WR6 5TF. Application for prior notification of agricultural or forestry development – proposed road.
It was noted that the Parish Council had objected under the Clerk’s delegated authority as follows:
Brockhampton Group Parish Council considered application P240160/PA7 under their delegated authority arrangements and resolved to object to the prior approval application with the recommendation that a full planning application be submitted for consideration.
The Parish Council cannot see a justification for introducing an additional hard stoned agricultural access track across the adjacent green field. The existing road to Woolner Hill Farm is a hard surface tarmac through the property of Stone House Farm and is more suitable to carry farm traffic. It is noted that the pre-application is made without a Design Access Statement and without an Environmental Assessment, which should be supplied by the applicant. Guidance suggests that if a track for heavy machinery is required then a full planning application should be submitted.
Given the degree of planning development already extant in the immediate vicinity and the relatively small size of Woolner Hill Farm (33 acres on 3 fields) the Parish Council suggest that a full planning application is required. Evidence of sustainable farming activity (business records which may be kept confidential by the officer) and a more comprehensive reason for the need for a new farm track should be a part of that application. Any subsequent approval should be conditioned on the track being used by farming machinery only and not for domestic use. Additionally, it is noted that the proposed track is on the line of an existing footpath and this should be protected.
8. Highways, Public Rights of Way and Lengthsman
8.1. To receive an update on the Lengthsman Scheme and to consider any items for the Lengthsman’s work schedule
It was noted that additional funding for public rights of way and drainage maintenance would be made available in future years.
8.2. To consider an update on the parish Speed Indicating Device
It was noted that Herefordshire Council had approved one location only, on the B4203 near the access to Bromyard Town Football Club. The Clerk had liaised with Whitbourne Parish Council regarding a joint funding application for the required sign post, socket and installation.
8.3. To note the purchase of high-vis jackets (£34.90) and ‘men at work’ warning signs (£174.00) for use by the Lengthsman, made under delegated authority
It was noted that high-vis jackets (£34.90) and ‘men at work’ warning signs (£174.00) had been purchased under delegated authority for use by the Lengthsman and these would be added to the Parish Council’s asset register accordingly.
9. Finance
9.1. Invoices: To approve the following invoices for payment:
9.1.1. David Hunter-Miller (salary and expenses)
9.1.2. HMRC (PAYE)
9.1.3. Worcestershire County Council Pension Fund (pension)
9.1.4. David Hunter-Miller (Lengthsman PPE): £34.90
9.1.5. David Hunter-Miller (Lengthsman warning signs): £174.00
9.1.6. George Johnson (Lengthsman): £48.90
It was RESOLVED to settle the above invoices.
10. Councillors’ reports and items for the next agenda
A suggestion was made to use What3Words on future agendas.
11. Date of the next meeting
The next scheduled meeting is at 7:30PM on Wednesday 20th March 2024.
The meeting closed at 9:20PM.