Present:
S Johnson (Chairman), K Mansbridge (Vice Chairman), D Snook, K Tubb and 12 members of the public.
1. Apologies:
C Bailey, S Creed-Castle, C Parr, J Sandford, C Sage
2. Public Discussion Period:
Meeting suspended for Public Discussion
Period. Mrs Trott read out details of her opinions against the planning
application for Brigs Farm. She said that it must be looked at as a business,
and from the accounts it does not appear to be viable on this basis.
Neighbours were not consulted. She didn't understand the need for a 3 bedroomed dwelling for a single person. A permanent dwelling will have a much more visual impact than a temporary one. On the basis of the accounts submitted, she did not see how the applicant could afford to build a permanent dwelling on the site. There had been no notice of this extra planning meeting on the web site or the notice board. She had great concern about a precedent being set.
Cllr Mansbridge gave a brief outline as to the history of Five Penny
Farm and the fact that West Dorset District Council had turned it down
originally, but the Inspector had allowed it on appeal for a period of
4 years to see if it could become a sustainable unit. Other members of
the public expressed concern about a precedent being set, and what is
to stop a number of people buying up 10 acre parcels of land and applying
for permanent accommodation if they can prove that their agricultural
holding is a sustainable one. Mr Roberts thanked the Parish Council for
holding this extra planning meeting.
3. Declarations of Interest:
The meeting was re - opened. There were
no declarations of interest.
4. Resolution to Approve Minutes of the Planning Meeting held on the
23rd January 2006:
Cllr Johnson said she was prepared to read out these
minutes if the public and the council so wished, but it was agreed that
they were approved without her having to do so. Proposed by Cllr Tubb,
seconded by Cllr Snook.
5. Actions Following Last Meeting:
The council's comments were passed to WDDC in the usual way.
6. Planning Applicants Presentation:
Mr Chris Mewburn informed the
meeting that his proposed permanent dwelling was a modest cob and timber
framed building. He has a daughter and may chose to increase his family
in the future. His income is not yet £13,500, but he has hopes that it will rise to this in the near future. He understands the worries people have about setting a precedent, but apart from himself and Fivepenny Farm there are no others in the near vicinity. It is not an undertaking that anyone would take on lightly, it is extremely hard work, and needs a great deal of commitment. He understands that some people may take advantage in order to build a property in the country which they would then sell, but his is totally committed to organic farming, and intends to spend the rest of his life on the plot.
7. Planning Application to Consider
Brigs Farm, Champernhayes Lane, Wootton Fitzpaine, - 1/D/09/001072. Please
see notes attached. The Parish Council voted in favour of sending these
notes to WDDC with the additional words that "There is considerable local
opposition to these proposed plans".
Proposed by Cllr Tubb and seconded by Cllr Mansbridge.
Members of the public wanted to know if these comments would go before
the planning committee and not just the planning officers. Cllr Johnson
said that we had no control over these matters. There was also a query
about the structure of the house, should plans be given for this to go
ahead. Cllr Tubb said that if this were the case then properly drawn
up plans would need to be submitted to the Council and discussed at a
Parish Council Meeting, which members of the public could attend.
8. Close of Meeting: 8.10pm |
