Whitchurch Canonicorum, Wootton Fitzpaine and Stanton St. Gabriel Parishes

Present: E Fortescue (Chairman), V Diment (Vice Chairman), S Johnson, C Richards, P White, C Bailey, W Chapman, B Briscoe, R Taylor, S Creed-Castle and 8 members of the public.

4074 Apologies: R Cook, J Bridle, R Andrews, G Brierley and D Newson.

4075 Public Discussion Period: The meeting was suspended for the public discussion period. Mrs Rorstad confirmed that she has put in an official complaint regarding no record of calls on the Scythe Festival at Five Penny Farm, Wootton Fitzpaine. She has now received a letter of apology, which she has copied for the Parish Council. She reported that a large tent has been erected on Five Penny Farm on Monday and that a caravan has been parked up on site for around three weeks now. Cllr Fortescue confirmed that the Enforcement Officer at West Dorset District Council is looking into these matters. Mrs Rorstad finally reported that the roadworks in Wootton Fitzpaine taking place are very dangerous, large deep trenches being left which will cause damage to pedestrians and vehicles alike. It was agreed that the Clerk report this to Dorset County Council urgently. Mrs Dyson asked that when considering the St Richard, Loves Lane, Morcombelake planning application please take into account the proposed septic tank outflow as she has a private water supply issuing from the hillside immediately below. Mrs Barbara Collins spoke regarding the Sherborne Turf cheque. The Stonebarrow Residents Association had asked them to send the cheque to the Parish Council. She confirmed that as yet no work had been carried out to rectify the damage they caused. Miss Caddy asked if a flag pole and timetable could be erected in the bus stop near Moores Bakery at Morcombelake. Cllr Diment confirmed that he would bring this matter up at the next WATAG meeting. Action: Clerk & Cllr Diment

4076 Declarations of Interest: The meeting re-opened. Cllr White declared an interest on Hinkhams Farm, Whitchurch Canonicorum planning application and 19 Meerhay Lane, Wootton Fitzpaine planning approval. Cllr Richards declared an interest on St Christophers, Butt Lane, Ryall planning application.

4077 Resolution to Approve the Parish Council Minutes held on the 13th June 2005: The minutes were agreed as acceptable, proposed by Cllr Taylor, seconded by Cllr Bailey, all agreed and signed.

4078 Actions Following Last Meeting: The Clerk reported that she had carried out all of her actions, sent letters out and was either waiting for a reply or it will come up under correspondence. Cllr Fortescue reported that she has been in contact with Simon Thompson of Dorset Community Action regarding getting a grant for the repairs for the Well House, Whitchurch Canonicorum. Cllr Fortescue asked if Mrs Sylvia Creed-Castle could write 100 words on the Well House and she kindly agreed. Action: Mrs Creed-Castle

4079 Planning Applicants Presentation: None.

4080 Planning: Hinkhams Farm, Whitchurch Canonicorum: Cllr Richards and Cllr Andrews looked at this planning application to erect a first floor extension and carry out internal and external alterations. They could see no problems with this application and recommended approval.
St Christophers, Butt Lane, Ryall: Cllr Diment and Cllr Bailey looked at this application to demolish the garage and workshop and erect a double garage and garden room. They recommended approval, however they asked for a reduction in the overall size, removal of a gable end window and asked what the upstairs area would be used for.
Higher Abbotts Wootton Farm, Wootton Fitzpaine: Cllr Fortescue has this application to erect a slurry store. It was agreed that Cllr Fortescue, Cllr Richards and Cllr Briscoe look at this application regarding concerns of the nearby stream and the proposed felling of a mature oak tree.
Sun Ridge, Sun Lane, Morcombelake: Cllr Diment looked at this application to erect a conservatory, raise the existing roof and erect two dormer windows. Approval was recommended, however it was felt that the front gable was very imposing.
St Richard, Loves Lane, Morcombelake: Cllr Diment and Cllr Taylor looked at this application to demolish existing bungalow and erect a dwelling with detached garage. The neighbour is concerned regarding the septic tank and it was agreed that a drainage scheme should be drawn up before the dwelling is approved. There are concerns over the overall size of the building and that the design is not in keeping with the area. It was agreed that the National Trust should be involved due to a right of way they have and the Hardown Society. It was agreed to recommend refusal and ask for a site visit, 6 votes for, 3 abstentions.

Planning approvals: Greenlands Farm, Morcombelake, Frodsham Motors, Morcombelake, Belle Vue, Ryall, Kilravock, Morcombelake, Copse Gate, Whitchurch Canonicorum, 19 Meerhay Lane, Wootton Fitzpaine, Dodpen Stables, Fishpond Bottom Road and Five Penny Farm, Wootton Fitzpaine. Planning acknowledgement: Stoke Mill Farm, Broadoak. Planning Appeal Decision: Monkton Wyld Farm Caravan Park, Monkton Wyld (Approval).

4081 Report on Meeting with West Dorset District Council Planning Officers: Cllr Fortescue reported on a very successful meeting which she and Cllr Diment had with John Greenslade and Simon Ludgate at Dorchester. The items which were discussed were; extensions to homes make them bigger and making them unaffordable to local people, landscaping schemes, agricultural land use, retrospective applications, outdoor events and tiny lanes, Stonebarrow Lane mast and affordable housing.

4082 Report on Meeting about the Mast in Stonebarrow Lane, Charmouth: Cllr Fortescue reported on a meeting which took place at Charmouth Parish Council offices which involved Char Valley Parish Council, Charmouth Parish Council, Lyme Regis Town Council and the Stonebarrow Residents Association. Mrs Barbara Collins gave a presentation on the history/correspondence of this site. A deferment of the planning decision has been asked for but John Greenslade has confirmed that its too late for this and it has to go to Western Area Planning Committee this week. It was agreed that Cllr Fortescue speak on this matter at the planning meeting and try and persuade the District Councillors to defer this application pending talks with all parties involved to discuss the other alternative site.

4083 Reports: Cllr Fortescue reported that there is no stile on the footpath from Champernhayes Farm to Spence Farm at Wootton Fitzpaine. Cllr Richards reported that the James Hargreaves Community Hall held their Fair in June and raised a profit of £1,800.00. The AGM was held in July and 3 members resigned, however 3 new members have come on the committee. They are starting to tender for the next phase of the works which include ladies/disabled toilets and a new kitchen. Cllr Fortescue congratulated Trevor Chambers on the new windows. Cllr Diment gave Miss Caddy a timetable of buses that is also available to look at in the Morcombelake Post Office, the Library and Tourist Information Centres. WATAG are taking up the matter of cost of transport for patients going to Poole Hospital for cancer treatment. In 2007 over 60’s will have bus passes which are free, however it is not known what buses will be running as no bus routes are guaranteed apart from the Number 31 and X53 on the A35. Cllr Johnson reported that she has the minutes from the Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall committee meeting and she will be attending the next one. She also reported that the Pram Race/Fete is taking place on Sunday. Cllr Fortescue reported that the Chairman of the Wootton Fitzpaine Village Hall is taking an exam to be the permanent licensee, this will be advertised in the parish magazine. She also reported that the concrete patching to the car park has been carried out and the central heating system will be overhauled soon. Mrs Creed-Castle reported that the visitors centre in the Whitchurch Canonicorum Church is not going ahead due to the vicar being unwell and the signs not materialising. She also reported that she is helping out with the Symondsbury Apple Project looking at orchards in the Whitchurch Canonicorum area. Cllr Taylor reported that he, Cllr Diment, Cllr Bridle and Cllr Fortescue attended a meeting with Oliver Letwin regarding the A35 at Morcombelake. It was a very useful meeting and Oliver has since sent a letter to the Highways Agency asking for a pedestrian crossing, 20mph speed limit and speed checks, we shall wait for a few weeks to see what reply he gets. Cllr Briscoe reported that the verges need cutting around the Fishpond area and that refuse is not being collected properly every week, it was agreed that the Clerk report these two items on. It was agreed that the Clerk write to the Dorset Wildlife Trust asking them for their results on the recent surveys which were carried out on the blue posts verges to see whether the wild flowers are dying out. Councillors have expressed their concerns on this matter for many years and the situation needs addressing again.
Action: Clerk

Cllr Chapman reported that some of the verges in the Monkton Wyld area have been missed and that the drainage problem above his farm has still not been resolved. The Clerk will report these matters.
Action: Clerk
Cllr Fortescue asked if the Clerk could write to Connect Road Operators asking for them to paint/restore their milestones on the A35 in the way that Dorset County Council has on their roads. Action: Clerk
Cllr Richards reported that Dale Wright has spoken to him again about children throwing stones on the grass at the Whitchurch Canonicorum playground. It was agreed that as a temporary measure Cllr Fortescue would make up two signs to alert parents of children not to put stones on the grassed area and Cllr Richards would erect them. It was agreed that this is a temporary measure and a more permanent solution needs to be found in the future, perhaps changing the surface. Action: Cllr Fortescue & Cllr Richards Cllr Fortescue agreed with Mrs Rorstad that the trenches in the Wootton Fitzpaine area are very dangerous and the Clerk will report this to Dorset County Council. Action: Clerk

4084 Finance: Clerks Report/General Financial Matters: The Clerk reported that she has received a quote from Mr Tim Heap for putting the agendas on the web site of £15.00 per agenda (£150 p.a.). It was agreed to put this on September’s agenda. Payments: Clerks Salary & Expenses (July), £298.81 – Clerks Salary & Expenses (August, postdated), £298.81 – James Hargreaves Community Hall, £7.00 – Creeds The Printers, £53.03 – Mr Wright, £99.00 – Deane Business Solutions, £20.89 – Mr Hughes, £200.00, proposed by Cllr Johnson, unanimously agreed. Donation to Marie Curie Cancer Care: It was agreed to look at this matter at the next Finance Meeting. Cheque for £100.00 from Sherborne Turf: It was agreed to accept this cheque and the Clerk to send a thank you letter. Resolution to Purchase 10 copies of the Whitchurch Canonicorum Church book: Cllr Diment asked that when this booklet is available could 10 copies be bought and given to the members of the Lyme Regis Twinning Association, this was unanimously agreed.

4085 Correspondence: DEFRA, Clean Neighbourhood Act – Stonebarrow Residents Association, Damage to Lane – Dorset County Council, 20/30mph speed limits – Mr Combes, Closure of Woodland – Dorset County Council, Speed Limits in Stonebarrow Lane – The National Trust, St Gabriels Mouth and School Event – Dorset County Council, Signs at Charmouth Beach – Lyme Regis Twinning Association, George Somers Day – West Dorset District Council, Upcot Farm, Morcombelake – West Dorset District Council, Five Penny Farm, Wootton Fitzpaine – Oliver Letwin, A35 Morcombelake – Dorset Police, Speed on Charmouth Bypass – West Dorset District Council, New Councillor – DAPTC, Circular No 10-05 and New Councillor – West Dorset District Council, New System of Committees – James Hargreaves Community Hall, AGM Minutes – Dorset AONB, Publication – West Dorset District Council, Signs at Charmouth Beach – Stonebarrow Residents Association, Thank you for Mast Meeting – Dorset County Council, Footpath Closure – Dorset County Museum, Trafalgar Exhibition.

4086 Items for the Next Agenda: Decision on agendas on the web site and next step on repairs to the Well House, Whitchurch Canonicorum.

4087 Date of Next Meeting: 12th September 2005 at 7.30pm in the Wootton Fitzpaine Village Hall.

4088 Close of Meeting: 9.30pm.