Whitchurch Canonicorum, Wootton Fitzpaine and Stanton St. Gabriel Parishes

Present: E Fortescue (Chairman), V Diment (Vice Chairman), S Johnson, C Richards, B Andrews, C Bailey, W Chapman, B Briscoe, R Taylor, R Cook, I Gillespie, G Brierley and 8 members of the public.

4089 Apologies: J Bridle and S Creed-Castle.

4090 Public Discussion Period: The meeting was suspended for the public discussion period. Mrs Rorstad reported on Five Penny Farm at Wootton Fitzpaine. She reported that Oliver Letwin is now involved and has written to West Dorset District Council requesting a site meeting. A letter has been sent by West Dorset District Council, which gives the impression that the Scythe Festivals will become an annual event. Mrs Hill reported that a cabin has been erected, with a chimney and a man living in it, this cabin is on the boundary and hidden away from view. She also reported that two of the polytunnels are empty and that vegetables are being brought in for resale but the whole point of the owners needing to live on site was to tend their crops as a viable horticultural enterprise. The councillors could not verify any of these statements but the Clerk will write to West Dorset District Council asking them to look into the cabin and into the issue of buying in produce for resale in the context of the Appeal Inspector’s report and decision. Action: Clerk

4091 Declarations of Interest: The meeting re-opened. Cllr Andrews declared an interest on Penn Farm, Charmouth planning application and Cllr Chapman declared an interest on Penn Farm, Charmouth and Overlea, Monkton Wyld planning applications.

4092 Resolution to Approve the Parish Council Minutes held on the 18th July 2005: The minutes were agreed as acceptable, proposed by Cllr Taylor and all agreed and signed.

4093 Actions Following Last Meeting: The Clerk reported that she carried out all of her actions and they will be brought up under correspondence. Cllr Chapman reported that under item 4083 the verges still have not been cut this year at all. However, the drainage problem is to be carried out soon.

4094 Planning Applicants Presentation: None.

4095 Planning: Dodpen Cottage, Fishpond Bottom Road – Cllr Fortescue and Cllr Briscoe looked at this application to erect a replacement shed. They could see no problems with this application as it would tidy up the area and approval was recommended.

Fernhill Heights, Lyme Road – Cllr Fortescue and Cllr Chapman looked at this application to erect three grounds lights to the car park. It was agreed to recommend approval with a note that the lights should light the car park surface and no light pollution in the sky to disturb near neighbours.

Overlea, Monkton Wyld – Cllr Fortescue looked at this application to erect a two storey extension and car port. It was proposed by Cllr Richards, 8 agreed 1 against to recommend approval with a note that this is another house doubling in size.

Penn Farm, Charmouth – Erect livestock building, approval recommended. Rose Cottage, Morcombelake – Erect a single storey extension, approval recommended. Seaward, Verriotts Lane, Morcombelake – Demolish existing garage and erect a double garage, approval recommended.

Monkton Wyld Farm, Monkton Wyld – Renewal of planning application in 2000, approval recommended.

Planning Approvals received: Hinkhams Farm, Whitchurch Canonicorum, Spence Farm, Wootton Fitzpaine, Stoke Mill Farm, Broadoak, St Christopher, Butt Lane, Ryall, Windrush, Stonebarrow Lane, Charmouth, Higher Abbotts Wootton Farm, Wootton Fitzpaine, Penn Farm, Axminster Road, Charmouth, Sun Ridge, Sun Lane, Morcombelake, Seaward, Verriotts Lane, Morcombelake and Rose Cottage, Morcombelake. Planning Withdrawal received: St Richard, Loves Lane, Morcombelake. Cllr Fortescue reported that from next month onwards applicants names will appear by the planning applications on the agenda. She also reported that the proposed mast at Stonebarrow Lane, Charmouth will be discussed at the planning committee meeting this Thursday with the recommendation of approval. West Dorset District Council planners have worked very hard looking for another site for O2 airwaves but the preferred site is at Lyme Regis golf course as this would cover a wider area. Cllr Fortescue reported that she will thank the planners for their help on this matter, contact the Stonebarrow Residents Association before the meeting on Thursday and try to get to the committee meeting on Thursday. Action: Clerk

4096 Decide Next Step on Oliver Letwin/Highways Agency Letter Regarding A35 Morcombelake: Cllr Taylor reported that a resident of Morcombelake had had very many close accidents on the A35 at Morcombelake and the situation is getting worse year after year. Cllr Brierley reported that he is to attend a meeting with Symondsbury and Chideock regarding the A35 and reported that the Hyder Report has been out for four years now and nothing has been done along the stretch of road from the Crown roundabout right through to Hunters Lodge and something needs to be done. He suggested that all three Parish Councils involved should get together to put more weight behind the cause. It was unanimously agreed to reply back to Oliver Letwin thanking him for his help and asking for meeting at the James Hargreaves Community Hall with all interested parties asking for a permanent SID, a crossing and 30mph limit through the village. Cllr Chapman reported that at the DAPTC meeting the Police raised concerns about the A35 so they might be interested in attending a meeting too. It was agreed that the Clerk write to Oliver Letwin. Action: Clerk

4097 West Dorset District Councils Statement of Community Involvement Consultation Document: Cllr Fortescue read out a letter received from West Dorset District Council which explains the preparation of a new planning policy on which they are seeking Parish Council comments. It was agreed that we have no comments at the moment other than we would like to be consulted at every stage. It was agreed that the Clerk e-mail them with that information. Action: Clerk

4098 To Report Possible Sites for Affordable Housing in Whitchurch Canonicorum: Cllr Fortescue reported that the steering group have looked at around seven or eight sites which have been offered for the housing and the most acceptable site is Church Field just off Gassons Lane, Whitchurch Canonicorum which belongs to the Church. The Johnsons have kindly offered access to the site from their fields if access is a problem. West Dorset District Council planners are not keen on the site due AONB status and Conservation Area, however Hastoe Housing are willing to put in a planning application to ‘test the water’ and see what response is received. Cllr Fortescue suggested that the Parish Council needs to hold a public meeting for the residents of Whitchurch Canonicorum to explain what is happening and listen to their views.

4099 To Decide on Next Step for Repairs to the Well House, Whitchurch Canonicorum: Cllr Fortescue reported that Sylvia Creed Castle had kindly taken photos, measurements and a write up on the Well House which is going to be published in the next Char Chat. The next stage will be to remove the ivy off of the roof which could possibly be done by members of the community, Cllr Richards offered to supervise this. Cllr Fortescue reported that there are grants available from the Dorset Community Action if it is a community project. The next stage after that is to design and make a new door to replace the rotten one, lime wash the interior, lay a new floor (perhaps cobbles) and finally to put a new grille over the well. It was agreed to ask for quotes from David Brooks, David Joyce and Nick Shannon and get them to liaise with Cllr Richards for more details on the project. Action: Clerk

4100 Report from Cllr Diment Regarding Attending WATAG Meetings: Cllr Diment reported that there is a WATAG meeting on Thursday but he will not be attending. He is finding that the meetings are a waste of his time as the items discussed are often irrelevant to our Parish Council. He reported that he will attend meetings if anyone wants any items raised or there is anything relevant on the agenda. He can send items to the Committee to put on the agenda.

4101 Decide on Next Step on Emergency Planning Document and Community Vaccination Centres Information: Cllr Fortescue reported on these two documents which have been received and although not compulsory would be a good idea to complete and run in conjunction with Village Hall committees and community groups. It was agreed that the Clerk send the vaccination form to the Chairmen of the Village Halls with an accompanying letter asking them to kindly fill in the information. It was also agreed that Cllr Fortescue will give each Village Hall representative a copy of the Emergency Planning document for them to take to the Village Hall committee, again the Clerk will write to the Chairman of the Village Halls explaining and asking for their help. Cllr Richards to arrange meeting for Stanton St Gabriel and Whitchurch South in the James Hargreaves Community Hall, Cllr Fortescue to arrange a meeting for Wootton Fitzpaine in Wootton Fitzpaine Village Hall and Cllrs Andrews and Johnson to arrange a meeting for Whitchurch North in Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall and then the meeting dates could be put in the next edition of the Char Chat. Cllr Fortescue reported that the Emergency Planning document would be a good time to bring up Cllr Brierleys suggestion of signs in the area if an accident happens on the A35 to stop traffic congestion in the Marshwood Vale. Action: Clerk, Cllrs Fortescue, Richards, Andrews and Johnson