ECCLESHALL PARISH COUNCIL – PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES – September 7th 2022.

A meeting of Eccleshall Parish Council Planning Committee was held on September 7th, 2022, at Eccleshall Community Centre at 7.30pm

129/22).  Present were: –   

Councillor B. Delanchy (Chairman)     Councillor P. Jones (from 7.42pm)

Councillor A. Reid                                    Councillor C. Wilkins

Councillor J. Jones                                   Councillor R. Taylor

Councillor G. Dale                                    Councillor L. Dale

Councillor J. Leather                               Councillor S. Mifflin

Mrs Stacey Worden (Clerk)

No members of the public

130/22).  Apologies

Apologies were received from Councillors Hill, Langford, Perren and Kean.

131/22).  Public Participation

There was no public participation.

132/22).  To approve the minutes of the Planning Committee held on 17^th August 2022:

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

133/22).  Planning Decisions of Stafford Borough Council:

22/36005/OHL – Upgrade an existing 2 wire overhead network to 3 wire to include 5 replacement poles.  Elford Heath Garmelow Lane Elford Heath. Approved.

22/36305/TCA –  Eccleshall Conservation Area: 4 x Larch (T1-T4) – Fell. Willow (T5) – Remove split out bough to make safe. Eccleshall Castle Castle Street. Approved.

21/35316/HOU –   Proposed single storey side and rear extensions to existing 2 storey detached dwelling. Holly Barn Hilcote Lane Sturbridge. Approved.

134/22)   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.

22/35801/FUL  – Proposed 50 Seat Stand. Pershall Park Chester Road. There were no objections to this application.

22/35596/HOU – Retention of unauthorised increase height of existing stone wall. 47 High Street Eccleshall. There were no objections to this application.

22/35992/FUL – Proposed agricultural building to house and feed calves – Phase 1. Holding 7 Rue Barn Cash Lane Garmelow Stafford. There were no objections to this application.

The following applications are linked to the above application – all 4 phases result in the construction of a second large barn on the Rue Barn site. Therefore it was resolved that no objection will also be submitted for the following applications:

22/35993/FUL  – Proposed agricultural building to house and feed calves – Phase 2. Holding 7 Rue Barn Cash Lane Garmelow Stafford.

22/35994/FUL  – Proposed agricultural building to house and feed calves – Phase 3. Holding 7 Rue Barn Cash Lane Garmelow Stafford

22/35995/FUL  – Proposed agricultural building to house and feed calves – Phase 4. Holding 7 Rue Barn Cash Lane Garmelow Stafford.

135/22).  To consider any further applications:-

There were no further applications to consider.

136/22).  Any Other Planning Matters: –

There were no updates on a draft of the new SBC Local Plan, although it is expected to be available soon. It was noted there would be an extensive consultation process and all submissions would have to be considered by SBC as part of the legal process, which could then result in further changes to the draft Plan. Whilst any work to amend the Neighbourhood Plan would not be beneficial until the intentions of the Local Plan are finalised, the council will be proactive to ensure it is in a position to respond. Locality (https://neighbourhoodplanning.org/) and the CPRE (https://www.cpre.org.uk/) are important resources and there are planning consultants used by other parishes who have valuable local knowledge and could be of help.

A member raised the issue of Meecebrook garden village and the strong possibility that part of it may be located within the parish, and would also impact the current Neighbourhood Plan. It was noted that the proposal would have to be included in the new Local Plan and form part of the main consultation process.

137/22).  Correspondence:-

Proposed extension at HMP Drake Hall:- Following concerns raised about the loss of the garden space due to the proposed additional blocks, the planning consultant has advised that the existing farms and gardens are proposed to be relocated to the south west boundary of the site rather than removed. They are keen to arrange an online meeting with councillors to outline the proposal in full and answer any questions. It was agreed to set up a meeting with Cllrs. P. Jones, R. Langford and the Clerk, and once agreed the link will be provided to all members if they are available to attend.

Public Consultation for proposed Solar Farm at Wincote:- Councillors are invited to attend the public meeting scheduled for Monday 12^th September between 3 and 8pm at the Community Centre. Cllr. Reid has confirmed his attendance and others may also drop in. Cllr. Reid was asked to obtain confirmation that the ground beneath the panels will be used for grazing, or alternatively consider planting of wildflower seeds so the land has dual purpose. It was also noted that the land is in close proximity to listed buildings (Johnson Hall and Horsley Hall) and whether this will cause any issues.

138/22).  Accounts for payment

Authorisation was sought for payment of the following accounts:-

All were in favour and the cheques were signed.

139/22)  Date and venue for next meeting:

Wednesday 21^st  September 2022, at Eccleshall Community Centre, following a meeting of the  Parish Council.

There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 8.10 pm.