MINUTES OF THE YEOVILTON AND DISTRICT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY 10th SEPTEMBER 2024, AT ST BARTHOLOMEW’S CHURCH, YEOVILTON
Present: Mr S Hodgson (SH) (Chairman), Mr R Moffatt (RM), Mr A Hickman (AH), Mr P Crang (PC), Mrs N Moore (Clerk).
Before the meeting started, Rev B Faulkner (BF) said a few words regarding the sad accident of the Merlin helicopter which happened last week. The gathered community’s thoughts and prayers were for the pilot who lost his life and for his family and friends.
- Apologies: Mr J Scott (JS), Mr A Elliot (AE), Cllr K Messenger (KM).
- Minutes of the Previous Meeting: The minutes of the previous meeting held on 9thJuly 2024 were signed as an accurate record.
- Declarations of Interest: There were no declarations of interest.
- Matters Arising from the Minutes: Dealt with in the meeting.
- Flooding Issues: Drainage Meeting: SH provided an update on the meeting he and PC
had attended on the 23 July. There are now platforms in place for measuring the height of the water in the Cam and the Yeo. this is being tested online and is currently looking good. This is predominately for around Yeovilton and Limington. The last attenuation pond is not yet complete. The outstanding issues, i.e. the clearance of ditches is still a problem. Cllr H Hobhouse (HH) gave his report later on in the meeting.
The meeting was informed of the fields that were flooded earlier in the year behind Draycott Cottages, there has been damage found to the drains but repairs are yet to start.
SH has drafted a flood plan which he proposes to put onto the new website. 6. Open Session:
6.1 Somerset Councillor’s Reports: HH and John Nicolson have met the Highways England (HE) representative regarding the flooding issues and all agreed that everything is running well up to Podimore. HE has not yet looked at the roundabout but will be returning in the near future.
HH has raised the funds for an app to enable everyone to have this on their mobile phones. Not everyone will have a phone and therefore we need to be able to warn them if there is a problem.
Regarding the phosphates issue, legal advice is being sought by the Somerset Council and hopefully there will be an agreement on how this will be resolved shortly.
6.2 RNAS Matters: PJ thanked BF for his kind words at the start of the meeting and will pass them back to those concerned.
Units are deployed at the present time waiting to be able to provide humanitarian support to Gaza. Due to the recent tragedy, the Merlin’s are grounded, however
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larger aircraft are flying at the moment which is generating some complaints. They are due to finish training shortly.
The meeting was informed that there is a problem with some of the crews coming past the community speed watch in Podimore. PJ replied that he has pushed the fact that the speed watch is there and will continue to do so.
There has been a complaint regarding the lighting at the western end of RNAS. These are high intensity lights with new LED bulbs. These are on a sensor and should be on from dusk to dawn. The lights need repositioning and the company are due resolve this to towards the end of the week.
SH asked how the trial for the number 54 bus, (Yeovil to Taunton) had worked out. Unfortunately, the first two buses do not use the spur meaning that the first bus to camp arrives at 9.25am and the last leaves at 5.15pm. The trial is running until Jan but it is not looking cost effective. There are a number of stakeholders involved and lots of avenues are being explored.
6.3 Church Matters: BF announced that the Harvest Festival will take place on Sunday 15th September at Podimore and the 20th October at Limington.
The Cider and Sizzle event at Limington went well despite the weather and raised much needed funds for the church repairs. On the 25th Sept, the go ahead was given to make minor alterations to the back of the church.
7. Planning Matters:
20/02512/OUT. Land adjoining Pilgrims, Weir Lane, Yeovilton, BA22 8EU. Appeal in respect of application decision in all matters reserved apart from access for the erection of 2 x dwellings. Appeal allowed subject to preliminary matters and main issues, waiting for the appeal decision.
22/00962/REM land adjoining Pilgrim’s, Weir Lane. Reserved Matters for appearance, landscape, layout and scale. Following outline approval 19/01996/OUT for the erection of a dwelling – awaiting decision. Comments and images have been submitted to the planning department, and are now awaiting a response from the council.
23/01879/OUT. Moonwinds Quarantine and Boarding Kennels, Limington Road, Illchester. Outline application with all matters reserved save for access for the demolition of existing buildings, erection of 5 dwellings, creation of a new access and provision of associated infrastructure – awaiting decision. 19 Jan 24, response from Vice Chair of South Planning responding to HH comment. Happy for the decision to be made by delegated authority.
23/03070/FUL. Higher Farm, Higher Farm Lane, Podimore, BA22 8JQ. Proposed renovation and sub division of existing listed farmhouse, demolition of outbuildings, conversion of barns into dwellings and erection of 2 new buildings (8 dwellings on site in total), alterations to access, creation of new garden curtilages and other ancillary works – awaiting decision. 24 May 24, comments have been submitted, specifically regarding the access via a single-track
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lane with a blind summit on the approach from both sides of the bridge. The current load of HGV traffic is breaking up the tarmac surface on both sides of the bridge.
23/03143/LBC. Higher Farm, Higher Farm Lane, Podimore. BA22 8JQ. Proposed renovation and sub division of existing listed farmhouse into 2 dwellings and the conversion of the coach house to the rear – awaiting decision. HH has submitted an objection on the grounds that it will make a hamlet in the open countryside.
23/01011/PAMB. Higher Farm, Higher Farm Lane, Podimore. BA22 8JQ. An appeal has been lodged in respect of the application decision on changing agricultural buildings into 5 dwellings. HH has submitted an objection on the grounds of the narrow bridge over the A303. This is only a single carriageway with no facilities for passing.
23/03182/PAMB. Barn at Limington Road, Limington BA22 8El. Prior approval notification for the change of use of an agricultural building to a dwelling house – awaiting decision. This is linked to prior application 23/01497/PAMB which was refused on 04 Aug 24.
24/00557/FUL. Three Acres, Limington Rd, BA22 8XL. Change of use of the existing buildings to provide overnight dog boarding accommodation, along with staff accommodation above, in association with day care facility. External alterations to the existing building (retrospective) – Objection lodged. It was noted by the committee that the proposed escape route was into an area which floods regularly. Therefore, this would be inappropriate evacuation route. HH has raised an objection on the fact that the neutrality rules have been ignored and staff are now sleeping on site.
24/01619/HOU. Orchard Cottage, Church Street, Limington, BA22 8EQ. Erection of a part two storey and part single storey extension to side, including replacement of garage. Awaiting decision. Application withdrawn 13 Sep 24.
24/01465/LBC. St Bartholomew’s Church, Yeovilton, BA22 8EX. Stabilisation works to existing free standing boundary stonewall showing signs of excessive lateral movement leading to instability issues. Awaiting decision. This is an unusual site. Normally churches fall within their own planning system but this church serves the Fleet Arm Air and therefore falls within the secular planning system BF added that the churchyard is consecrated ground and is subject to the faculty system jurisdiction.
24/01985/PIP. Land adjacent to Tremayne, Limington Rd, BA22 8EQ. Permission in principle for the erection of a minimum of 1 dwelling and a maximum of 1 dwelling. Awaiting decision.
In their absence, Mr and Mrs Dible of Orchard Cottage, Yeovilton have asked that their comments be recorded. Given the previous history of planning applications on the plot of land opposite their house which have been consistently denied, they are most surprised and needless to say hugely disappointed that having initially been refused, the planning application for 4 x self builds has now been approved. They have no faith left in the ‘system’, and would like their sentiments known at the meeting.
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8. Financial Matters:
Balances as at 03 September 2024:
Current account: – £5906.32
Business savings account – £15374.55 (of which £5373.93 is the Limington Fund). Payments: SALC – £100
Receipts:
Bank Interest – £57.28
- Asset and Service Devolution: Nothing to report
- Traffic Matters:
10.1 Bid to Avon and Somerset Police Fund: The Podimore speed watch group have been successful in their £5000 has been granted towards the project. JS will be meeting with them and Somerset Highways to agree the final costs. NM will liaise with the trust for funds to be transferred. Action: NM
11. Tree Matters: There was a discussion regarding certain paths and also bridleways being overgrown.
12. Rights of Way: There are problems with overgrown hedges, mainly along Bineham Way. AE is going to speak to the landowner to see if they can be cut right back. If he has no joy it was suggested that we could get a hedge trimmer in.
- Other Correspondence: None.
- Any other Business:
14.1 Change of website provider. SH has done a lot of research on updating the current website and making sure we are compliant. He has received 4 quotes and has identified NetWise UK as the one most suitable for our purpose. The set-up cost is £599 and £330 per annum. The committee agreed to this proposal.
14.2 Addressed in 6.2
14.3 Somerset Bin Project. The meeting discussed the ownership of the bins in the villages due to Somerset Council’s proposal to charge for the emptying of bins next year, All the bins are council owned.
14.4 Limington Fund. JS has engaged with residents and 3 representatives have joined him to determine which schemes to look at funding. These were: Refurbish the finger post at the T junction with Weir Lane and to install one or two village gate signs with the 30mph roundel. JS will identify who might carry out the required work.
14.5 Noise weekend of Sept 24. This was raised by a parishioner who complained of the loud music from 3-day party at the weekend. The council have looked into this and as it was a private party, it is outside of their jurisdiction.
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15. Date of Next Meeting: Tuesday 12th November at St Mary’s Church, Limington at 7.30pm.
The meeting closed at 9.10pm.