Meeting of
PAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
7.30pm 11th May 2009, Pakenham Village Hall
Present: Cllr H Painter (Chairman), Cllr N Farthing, Cllr M Sargent, Cllr R Griffin, Cllr A Kibbel, & Cllr D Dorling and Borough Cllr C Spicer. Several members of the public and Mrs M Gardiner (clerk) were also in attendance.
1 - Apologies for absence: Cllr M Bryant
2 - Public Forum:
Site to the north of the A143 - tipping is again taking place. A councillor rang the Enforcement Officer, who has passed the matter to Suffolk County Council as dumping of waste is a SCC matter (confirmed by Cllr Spicer). Parish councillors consider it a planning problem. Another councillor reported the problem to SCC a few weeks ago and was told that they would follow it up. Clerk to write to the Planning Dept.
Grimstone End signs - these were requested in June 2007and still not erected. Clerk to write to Cllr Hopfensperger.
A roadside hedge is seriously overgrown and causing a visibility problem to the neighbour when exiting her property. Councillors to check ownership of land and request that the offending hedge is cut back.
No 2 Micklemere - residents are constantly parking on the road.
Clerk to write to Enforcement Officer.
3 - Declaration of interest: none.
4 - Planning applications:
SE/09/0422 - Oak Farm, part of Mere Farm, Pakenham Road, Great Barton.
Use of land for the stationing of a temporary dwelling formed from 2 mobile units to make one unit of accommodation (re-submission).
Further discussion took place on this subject and neighbours reiterated their objections which include: Visual impact - the proposal to put a temporary building in a prominent position; Increase in traffic; Impact on conservation issues (rare 200 year old trees); Precursor to further development; Environmental issues - neighbours already battle with flies; Need - has not been proved; Several properties are available for sale or let in the area.
There was a general feeling that we have been misled by the applicant and the agent, who stated that a house would not be required, and that insufficient conditions are on the consent for the chicken farm to safeguard the environment.
The Chairman convened the meeting and Councillors agreed to send the following comments to the Planning Dept:.
Councillors unanimously object to this proposal.
In the opinion of the Parish Council we have been misled. TheApplicant was asked, during discussions with the Parish Council and members of the Public, if a house will be required on this site. We were told it would not be necessary.
We do not consider the applicant has proved an essential need, especially as to reiterate a point we were told only a short time earlier a house will not be required. We are aware that there are houses in the immediate area for sale or rent. With modern surveiliance systems and controls we consider a house nearby should be adequate. We do not consider this need has been adequately proven.
Local Plan Policy RU6 refers to essential need for someone to live permanently on the site. We do not believe this means a family house and RU6 does not refer to a worker and dependants. We see no reason why a room and a toilet would not suffice in the same way as a night watchman on a factory complex. The reality is that this is more 'chicken factory' than farm.
The chosen location is in an incredibly prominent position and totally wrong on this site.
We have not commented on the hideous looking portable building because we consider this not to be relevant as the house should not be built on this site.
A number of local residents have made clear to us their objection to this application.
SE/09/0392 - Millrise, Grimstone End
Erection of single storey front extension incorporating pitched roof over existing link
After careful consideration, Councillors agreed that they had no objection to this application.
SE/09/0456 - Walnut Tree Cottage, Fen Road.
Erection of single storey rear extension.
Councillors unanimously decided they had no objection to this application.
SE/09/0457 - Hill House, Fen Road
(i) Erection of first floor rear extension
(ii) alterations to existing conservatory
Councillors studied the plans and agreed they had to objection to this proposal.
SE/09/0466 - Bell House, The Street
Listed Building Application - Erection of front porch.
Councillors agreed they had no objection.
Granted - trees at Manor Garth
5 - Risk Assessment:
It was agreed that the PVH & PFA should be sent a copy of the risk assessment relating to them.
Councillors to have a special meeting to go through the risk assessment point by point - date to be arranged.
6 - Any other business:
The flowerbed by the noticeboard and the area around the village pump need tidying up as a group of Americans are visiting the village shortly. Cllr Sargent volunteered to do the work.
The Parish Plan Committee have asked for future Parish Council meeting dates so that their meetings do not clash for a future meeting.
7 - Date of next meeting:
Annual Parish Meeting, followed by Parish Council AGM, 7.00pm Thursday 28th May in the Village Hall.
