MINUTES OF THE YEOVILTON AND DISTRICT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY 12th MARCH 2024, AT ST MARY’S CHURCH, LIMINGTON
Present: Mr J Scott (JS) (Chairman), Mr S Hodgson (SH) (Vice Chairman), Mrs S Thomas- Webb (STW), Mr P Crang (PC), Mr A Hickman (AH), Mr R Moffatt (RM), Mr A Elliot (AE), Mrs N Moore (NM) (Clerk).
- Apologies: Cllr K Messenger.
- Minutes of the Previous Meeting: The minutes of the previous meeting held on 9thJanuary 2024 were signed as an accurate record.
- Declarations of Interest: There were no declarations of interest.
- Flooding Issues:
4.1 Drainage Meeting: The Chairman explained to the meeting that the Parish Council have been trying to get a multi-agency meeting together.
SH and PC provided an update on the meeting they had both attended with Galliford Try, to discuss the drainage problems. There are issues on both sides of the A303 and the water is overwhelming and puts the watercourse at Podimore into reverse flow. PC felt that the questions that were put at the meeting were not answered and the representatives were very evasive. PC said that Podimore was being pinched on both sides and stated that in the last few years, there was definitely more water flowing since the A303 dualling began. Attenuation Pond number 1 is functioning, however 2,3 and 4 are discharging water into Podimore.
SH has met with a representative of Highways England (HE) and feels that things are moving forward as they have recognised there were issues.
4.2 A303 Dualling: Somerset Cllr Mr Henry Hobhouse (HH) passed round a drawing of the A303 drainage scheme. Senior officers from Somerset Council will be visiting HE and will be informing them that the work done to the drainage system was not good enough. There was a major problem with the drainage on both the north and south side of Podimore. HE has said they will undertake work on 2 concrete drains; however, this is likely to take time to sort out. HH and JS thanked SH for the hard work he has done.
4.3 RNAS Yeovilton Flooding Issues: Mr Phil Jones (PJ), reported that the Base was affected by the impact of the flooding last May and are awaiting the Section 19 report which is due in June 2024. The flooding put the underwater escape equipment out of action for 6 months. RNAS are looking at measuring devices for monitoring, similar to the river Cam ones and are looking to fund 3 or 4 more devices. The Captain is overseeing 2 projects:
• Looking at the issues with water overflowing to the accommodation blocks
• Development work to runways. The ditches have been cleared again and work to the runway is to increase the size of the drains. The Base will also look at attenuation tanks to hold more water back.
The Chairman has had communication with Sarah Dyke MP and she has agreed that she will flag these issues. The meeting felt that there is now a clear course of action.
5. Matters Arising:
5.1 Mingle Bin: STW provided an update. The bins have now been emptied and will continue to be on a weekly basis. The meeting agreed to reposition the mingle bin at the weir. The Chairman thanked STW for all her work on this subject.
6. Open Session:
6.1 Somerset Councillor’s Reports: HH stated that the development at Gravity was the biggest development in the county. They will be creating 4000 jobs in Bridgewater. Three large sheds are being installed and will be producing batteries in 2026.
6.2 RNAS Matters: PJ stated there had been 1 flying complaint since January. The Joint Helicopter Command has distributed a survey entitled ‘Helicopters and
Horses’.
RNAS has been negotiating with Somerset Council to try to get the number 54 bus, (Yeovil to Taunton) to have a link to Yeovilton. This would also go through Podimore. It is hoped that there will be a 6-month trial period.
6.3 Church Matters: Rev B Faulkner announced there will be a full round of services over the Easter period, starting on Maundy Thursday.
7. Planning Matters:
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.
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.
23/03182/PAMB. Barn at Limington Road, Limington, BA22 8EJ. Prior approval notification for the change of use of an agricultural building to a dwelling house – awaiting decision.
23/03067/FUL. Land adjacent to Cobham Hall, RNAS. BA22 8HW. Installation of ground mounted solar array – awaiting decision.
23/03070/FUL. Higher Farm, Higher Farm Lane, Yeovilton, 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.
23/03143/LBC. Higher Farm, Higher Farm Lane, Yeovilton. 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.
23/01011/PAMB. Higher Farm, Higher Farm Lane, Yeovilton. BA22 8JQ. An appeal has been lodged in respect of the application decision on changing agricultural buildings into 5 dwellings.
20/02512/OUT. Land adjoining Pilgrims, Weir Lane, Yeovilton, BA22 8EU – refused.
An appeal has been lodged in respect of the application decision in all matters reserved, apart from access for the erection of 2 dwellings.
The meeting discussed both of the appeals. Mr M Clarke, a neighbour to one of the proposed developments, has provided a detailed response and the Parish Council have agreed to uphold the objection. The Clerk will write to Somerset Planning Department.
Action: NM
8. Financial Matters:
Balances as at 12th March 2024:
Current account: – £2156.44
Business savings account – £15203,17 (of which £5373.93 is the Limington Fund). Payments:
PKF Auditors – £252.00, HRMC (PAYE) – £295.68, Clerk’s salary – £739.00.
9. Asset and Service Devolution: The Chairman explained to the meeting that all residents will see an increase to their council tax by 4.9%. As agreed at the January meeting, the Parish precept has increased by 10%. It is thought that the Parish Council will have £13/14000 to spend in 2024/25. A large proportion of this funding is likely to be spent on flood prevention and the councillors will work on a plan and bring to the next meeting in May.
Action: All
10. Traffic Matters:
10.1 Bid to Avon and Somerset Police Fund: The Chairman recently met the Podimore speed watch group. The Parish Council will support a joint application for the village speed gates to the Somerset and Avon Police Fund. If this is not successful, it was agreed that the Parish Council will underwrite this cost.
The Chairman also mentioned that on Somerset Council website, individuals have the ability to report potholes. Four have been reported recently and have been repaired.
10.2 Local Community Network: The Chairman attended the recent meeting but felt that it was of limited value.
- Tree Matters: Nothing to report.
- Rights of Way: There was no news on bridges. It was reported that the footpath
behind the Lamb and Lark has a 4-foot trench with members of the public having been stuck in this. The Parish Council agreed to speak to the landowner on behalf of the community.
- Other Correspondence: None.
- Any other Business: The Chairman announced that he will be standing down at the
next meeting. He will still act as a Parish Councillor.
15. Date of Next Meeting: Tuesday 14th May at St Bartholomew’s Church, Yeovilton at 7.30pm. This will be preceded by the Annual Parish meeting at 7pm.
The meeting closed at 9.00pm.
Signed: Date: