Minutes of Yeovilton Parish Council held on Tuesday February 9th 2021 via Zoom at 7.30pm.
Video Conferencing under Regulations L01-20 | THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND POLICE AND CRIME PANELS (CORONAVIRUS) (FLEXIBILITY OF LOCAL AUTHORITY AND POLICE AND CRIME PANEL MEETINGS) (ENGLAND AND WALES) REGULATIONS 2020.
Present: Mrs. R. S. Jones, Chairman, Mr. D. Board, Mr. B. Barlow, Mr. A. Elliott, Mr. A. Hickman, Mr. R. Luck, Mr. M. Lewis, County Councillor, Mr. A. Capozzoli, District Councillor, Mr. C. Hull, District Councillor,
Mr. R. Graydon, CRO, RNAS, Mr. A. Myers, resident and Mr. P. Horsington, Clerk.
The meeting was hosted by Mr. R. Graydon, CRO, who was thanked for all his time and effort in arranging it.
54. Apologies
Apologies were received from Mr. P. Browncey, Mr. P. Rowsell, District Councillor, Rev. B. Faulkner, PC. Stefan Edwards and PCSO Tim Russell.
55. Minutes
The Minutes of the previous meeting held on January 12th 2021, having been circulated, were signed as correct.
56. Declarations of Interest
There were no Declarations of Interest.
57. Open Session & County & District Councillors’ reports
Mr. Myers stated his concerns reference the proposals being put forward by Mr. Patrick Young regarding his plans for future development on Land north of Dragon Fly Chase. Mr. Myers, stated that having spoken to Mr. Young, he queried the use of Country Park as a concept, stating that creating a Nature Reserve would be a better title.
Mr. Myers expressed concerns at the proposed link from the B.3151 towards RNAS from his boundary, to the B.3151 exiting opposite the Norseland Cheese Factory. This would create at ‘Rat run’ and create safety problems for the residents & children in that area. A further matter raised by Mr. Myers was the issue of water run off from the site on the east of the old Fosse way in the Hainbury Farm area, which would flow towards the river Yeo, the levels are not right.
Mrs. Jones asked if the Council should form an opinion on these proposals as published, which all members had seen & had been presented by Mr. Young & Mr. D. Taylor at the previous meeting. It was noted that Ilchester residents had now received leaflets on the proposals and there is a dedicated Website up and running for public comment.
Mr. Capozzoli, District Councillor felt that the Council should make no comment until a Planning application has been submitted, but did agree that there could be traffic issues. Mr. Lewis, County Councillor supported the view that the Council should consider waiting until a Planning application has been submitted.
It was agreed to discuss this further under agenda Planning item – future development at Hainbury Farm.
Mr. C. Hull, District Councillor reported that there will be no SSDC Area Planning Committee meetings for at least two months. Mr. Hull queried whether there would be Local Elections in May, to which Mr. Lewis, County Councillor stated that elections will be going ahead, although the proposals for the Unitary Authority for Somerset, could delay the elections for a year, if these are approved by the Secretary of State.
Mr. Hull asked members to inform him if they are aware of any of land suitable for Green Energy, whether for Solar panels or Wind turbine generation.
Mr. Hull asked for the Council’s comments on improving Bus routes, and Mr. Elliott agreed to respond on behalf of the Council.
Mr. Lewis, County Councillor reported that the Covid R rate for Somerset is now between 0.7 and 0.9.
Mrs. Jones asked Mr. Lewis for comment on the decision of the Secretary of State to approve the A.303 dualling between Sparkford & Podimore, to which Mr. Lewis indicated that a member of an adjacent Parish Council is intending to seek a Judicial review of the decision.
58. RNAS matters, Police, Community & Church matters
Mr. Graydon, RNAS informed the meeting that RNAS Air day has been cancelled for this year.
In the absence of Rev. Faulkner, Mrs. Jones reported from his Email that both Churches, St. Peter’s Podimore & St. Mary’s Limington remain closed for public worship, but hope to re-open again on March 7th and thanks had also been expressed for the donation made to St. Peter’s PCC, Podimore.
59. Planning matters
The Council discussed the concerns raised earlier reference the future outline proposals for development on Land north of Dragon Fly Chase, arising from the presentation from Mr. P. Young at the previous meeting.
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It was strongly emphasised that there had been no indication given by the Council to support these proposals, despite what had been printed in the Local press and on their website.
Mr. Board expressed his concern at run off from the site, at far the end of the site adjacent to the A.303 is low lying and floods, also there are pumps in that area, which are maintained by the adjacent landowners. The sewage & water disposal from the Podimore Services is pumped along the old Fosse way to connect in Ilchester. There are no natural ditches on the site and the area is very dry in summer.
Mr. Barlow had concerns with another access being put between the Northover roundabout & the Yeovilton village junction on the B.3151, as there is a lot of traffic use from and to RNAS Yeovilton.
Mr. Luck stated that comments are already being put onto the Website set up by Mr. Young, and as this is still very much at the consultation stage, the Council ought to have some agreed opinion on these proposals.
After further discussion, it was agreed that Mrs. Jones with the Clerk will draft a response from this meeting, to be circulated and once agreed, this to be sent from the Chair of the Council to Mr. Young, copied by the Clerk to be sent to SSDC Policy Unit. It was noted that the housing allocation for Ilchester up to 2030 is an extra 150 dwellings, which are actually in the process of being built.
The Council noted that there was no decision for application 20/02512/OUT on Land adjoining Pilgrims, Weir Lane Outline application with all matters reserved apart from access for the erection of 2 No. detached dwellings.
The Council noted that there was no decision for application 20/03406/S73 at Stockwitch Court, Stockwich to remove planning condition No. 6 (residential annexe tie) of approval 06/04038/COU to enable annexe to be used as a
separate dwelling
The Council noted that application 20/03188/HOU at Wingfield, Bridgehampton Road for the erection of 2 No.
single storey extensions to rear of dwelling (retrospective) had been granted.
The Council noted that there was no decision for application 20/02517/FUL at West Farmhouse. Pyle Lane,
Yeovilton for extension of existing access track, demolition of old cow stalls, rebuild, alterations and repairs to allow conversion of barns to form 3 units holiday accommodation with associated parking and garden areas.
60. Financial matters
The Council noted that the balances as at 31/01/21 were in the Current A/c £293.84p and £5,006.56p in the B/P Account. Payments received – nil & Payments made – nil
61. Highway matters
The Council noted that the A.303 dualling scheme has been approved by the Secretary of State.
Mr. Luck reported that he had contacted Mr. Bushell, Ilchester Parish Councillor, who is managing the VAS device bought by their Parish Council. As the device has just been re-instated, due to issues regarding the length of battery charging life, Mr. Luck stated that he will report back to the Council with more details at the next meeting. Further details reference hiring will be discussed.
It was understood that the work on the Gullies at Bridgehampton has been carried out, although not certain.
62. Flooding issues
The Council noted that the flood signs had been used, but unfortunately an elderly resident had driven into water and the Emergency Services had to attend, due to his health issues.
63. Tree matters
There were no tree issues raised.
64. Rights of Way.
The Council noted a Notice from SCC Rights of Way, reference a bridge repair and associated closures. Mr. Luck informed the meeting, this is actually in an adjacent Parish.
65. Correspondence
The Council noted the Somerset Waste Partnership newsletter & Clerks Direct.
66. Items for report, or for the agenda of the next meeting
Mr Hickman reported that there had been a fire at Fairways, Yeovilton, which sadly had involved the loss of their dogs. Fortunately there was no loss of human life. The Emergency Fire Service had responded fairly quickly.
Mr. Hickman asked if there could have been a response from the RNAS Fire Service, as the property is adjacent to the perimeter of RNAS. Mr. Graydon stated that he would enquire, but he is certain that there a protocol in place.
It was agreed to hold the next meeting on March 9th 2021 at 7.30pm via Zoom, due to the Covid 19 rules. There being no further business, the Chairman thanked all for taking part and declared the meeting closed at 8.30pm.