ECCLESHALL PARISH COUNCIL – PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES – November 3rd 2021

A meeting of Eccleshall Parish Council Planning Committee was held on November 3rd, 2021, at Eccleshall Community Centre following the Footpaths Committee meeting at 7.30 p.m.

146/21).      Present were: –   

Councillor B. Delanchy (Chairman)      Councillor L. Dale

Councillor R. Taylor                              Councillor P. Jones

Councillor G. Dale                                Councillor A. Reid

Councillor J. Jones                             Councillor R Langford

Councillor S. Perren                             Councillor C. Wilkins

Mrs S. Worden (Clerk)

Mrs B. Partridge (Assistant Clerk)

147/21).     Apologies

Apologies were received from Councillors Amos, Mifflin, Kean, and Leather.

148/21).     Public Participation

There was no public participation.

149/21).    To approve the minutes of the Planning Committee held on 20th October, 2021:

The minutes, which had been previously circulated, were agreed and signed.

151/21).     Planning Decisions of Stafford Borough Council:

21/34232/LBC – In conjunction with 21/34231/LBC  – Change of use of existing acupuncture clinic into residential property, including single and two storey rear extensions. 54 High Street Eccleshall Stafford ST21 6BZ. Approved.

20/33051/FUL – Proposed conversion of two barns with glazed link to one dwelling including new septic tank and ground source heating systems. Bank Farm Back Lane, Croxton Stafford ST21 6PE. Approved.

It was noted that the Committee objected to the above application and that the Borough Council has approved it with the submission now including the existing driveway. The original plans with the driveway across the fields has been changed.

153/21)     Planning Applications for consideration:-

Cllr.  P. Jones abstained from voting on planning applications to avoid any conflict of interests as a current member of the Borough Council planning committee.

  21/34721/LBC -The proposal of the replacement of nine sash windows. Brockton Hall Brockton

Lane Eccleshall. There were no objections to this application.

The Committee noted that application involves replacing the existing sashes with new double glazed heritage sashes, installing them into the existing frames, with the exception of one window which requires a full frame replacement. All new sashes will compliment the Grade II listed red brick property and surrounding area’s heritage. Many of the original sashes have significant rot and have been heavily modified.

 21/34287/HOU – Single storey extension to front of property, removal of existing sheds, new

burner to existing building & new build garage with office over. Oak Tree Views Newcastle Road,

Eccleshall. It was resolved to object to this application in line with National Planning Policy Framework relating to restrictions on extensions to barn conversions.

 21/34942/HOU Adaptation and extension to existing conservatory on the rear. 1 Kerry Lane,   Eccleshall. There were no objections to this application.

154/21).     Any further applications for consideration: –

             21/34384/HOU – Demolishment of existing stable block and rebuild with the same footprint. Extension to include an open plan Kitchen/ Dining and Snug. Pear Tree Farm, Podmore Chatcull. There were no objections to this application.

155/21).     Any Other Planning Matters: –

There were no further planning matters to consider.

156/21).     Correspondence: –

The Committee noted the recent reply received from Balfour’s to the Chairman’s enquiry as to what the solution would be if the Parish and Community did not wish for the Grade II listed Mill to be rebuilt following tree damage, and the Committee noted the following response from Balfour’s Property Agent:

• Grade II Buildings are recognised as being ‘of special interest, warranting every effort to preserve them.’  Therefore, there is a presumption set out in statute that these buildings should be retained if possible.
• If the Borough Council concluded that the Mill and Maltings was beyond preservation and had in effect been lost then this would also bring into question the designation of the Conservation area and potentially the other Listed buildings within it.
• If the Mill and Maltings were regarded as ‘lost’ then clearly it is not economic to retain them, and the structures would need to be demolished and the area made safe.  To demolish the mill and maltings would require Listed Building Consent. Balfour’s are advised that the Dam is not self-supporting without further intervention, given the historic movement which has been noted over the last twenty-years.
• If it is found that there were works required to stabilise the Dam then this would include the piling works similar to that designed as part of the scheme for the Mill and Maltings.  Investigations have found the piles are unlikely to be driven into a sufficient depth due to the construction of the Dam including large rocks and boulders, therefore the piles alone are unlikely to be self-supporting and will require additional engineering works.  There is also the unaddressed issue of the asbestos watermain in the Dam which if there was movement in the Dam the pipe is likely to fracture resulting in a catastrophic failure of the Dam.
• This all then raises the issue of how these works will be funded to stabilise the Dam and maintain the roadway across the top of the Dam and also the maintenance of the two Culverts.

157/21).    Accounts for payment

Authorisation was sought for payment of the following accounts:-

All were in favour and the cheques were duly signed.

158/21).    Date and venue for next meeting:

Wednesday November 17th, 2021, 7.30pm at Eccleshall Community Centre, pending any changes to current government advice.

There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 7.55 pm.