ECCLESHALL PARISH COUNCIL – PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES

 November 2nd 2022

A meeting of Eccleshall Parish Council Planning Committee was held on November 2nd, 2022, at Eccleshall Community Centre at 7.30pm

160/22).  Present were: –

Councillor B. Delanchy (Chairman)          Councillor P. Jones

Councillor A. Reid                                 Councillor C. Wilkins

Councillor J. Jones                                   Councillor R. Taylor

Councillor G. Dale                                   Councillor L. Dale

Councillor J. Leather                               Councillor S. Mifflin

Councillor D. Hill (from 7.35pm)              Councillor R. Langford

Councillor S. Perren                                Councillor C. Ryan-Bloor

Mrs Stacey Worden (Clerk)

One member of the public

161/22).  Apologies

Apologies were received from Councillor Kean.

162/22).  Public Participation

The member of the public noted he was involved in Eccleshall Flood Action Group and had an interest in the discussions regarding the Local Plan consultation and the potential impact of Meecebrook on the parish.

163/22).  To approve the minutes of the Planning Committee held on 19^th October 2022:

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

(Councillor Hill joined the meeting at this point).

164/22).  Planning Decisions of Stafford Borough Council:

21/35373/FUL- Proposed general purpose agricultural building. Land Adjacent To Timber Yard Newport Road Wootton Approved.

165/22)   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.

22/36518/FUL – To replace existing windows to front elevation with new white timber sash windows and to render over existing painted brickwork with a lime-based mortar render, off white. 35A High Street Eccleshall. There were no objections to this application.

22/36551/FUL – Agricultural building to store fodder and crops grown on the holding – Phase 2. Walton Farm Stafford Road Walton. There were no objections to this application.

166/22).  To consider any further applications:-

There were no further applications to consider.

167/22).  Any Other Planning Matters: –

Members received an update from the Local Plan consultation working group:

• An initial meeting has been held, and further face to face meetings planned for November 9^th and November 29^th, aiming for a completed submission for consideration at the Planning committee meeting on the 7^th Additional Zoom meetings will be held as required.
• Chebsey and Yarnfield/ Cold Meece Parish Council representatives have been invited to the meetings and plan to attend.
• Every policy within the plan will be considered and a response provided for those of relevance to the Parish, not just those relating to the Meecebrook proposal.
• All council members were encouraged to look at the Local Plan questionnaire in full and to submit their thoughts, organised by each policy and question, to the group for consideration. Where a consensus has to be reached that may not be in line with individual members it was noted that there is still the facility to submit individual responses. The clerk will provide printed copies where required.

The Clerk will be attending a Borough Council briefing session on the 8^th November and working group members will advise of any questions to be raised.

Other dates to note are the online consultation on the 9^th November, and the public consultation at the Community Centre on the 10^th November between 4 and 8pm.

Concerns raised about the Meecebrook proposal included:

• Transport:
  • The viability of the aspirations of the proposal to reduce the need to use cars. There is no guarantee that residents will be employed locally and resident enquiries to Network Rail notes they have not been involved in any plans for a railway station at this point.
  • Wider transport network issues within neighbouring areas, in addition to the routes directly linked to Meecebrook access.
  • Lack of linked cycle routes
• Flooding concerns and feasibility of providing a suitable drainage/sewerage system
• The distance from edge to edge between Meecebrook and Eccleshall may be less than 1km with the risk that distinct identities of each settlement be lost.
• Significant changes from the earlier proposal – there is no longer a proposed link to the M6, and the location has moved. Instead of including brownfield land, it now encompasses prime grade 2/3 agricultural land.
• The short to medium term impact on local infrastructure due to the lag between the build/occupation of properties and monies available for the additional required infrastructure. Examples include road improvements and access to services such as schools, which will put pressure on existing provision in surrounding areas.

Eccleshall Monthly Market:

Cllr. P. Jones noted the success of the recently introduced monthly market that is held on the first Saturday of each month. He was approached by the organisers who advised they have lost one of their venues and are considering the feasibility of holding the event along the High Street. He was asked if the Parish Council would have an issues with this suggestion. Whilst no vote was taken, members were supportive of the market and no issues were raised. It was noted that licences would need to be obtained, either from the Borough or County Councils, and the police notified as part of the process.

168/22).  Correspondence:-

There was no correspondence to receive.

169/22).  Accounts for payment

Authorisation was sought for payment of the following accounts:-

All were in favour and the cheque was signed.

170/22)  Date and venue for next meeting:

Wednesday 16^th November 2022, at Eccleshall Community Centre, following a meeting of the  Parish Council.

There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 8.20 pm.