MINUTES OF THE YEOVILTON AND DISTRICT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY 12th NOVEMBER 2024, AT ST MARY’S CHURCH, LIMINGTON 7.30PM
Present: Mr S Hodgson (SH) (Chairman), Mr R Moffatt (RM), Mr A Hickman (AH), Mr P Crang (PC), Mr James Scott (JS), Mr J Gordon (JG), Mrs N Moore (NM) (Clerk).
The Chairman opened the meeting by introducing the incoming member of the parish council, Mr J Gordon who gave a brief history of his background.
- Apologies: Cllr K Messenger (KM).
- Minutes of the Previous Meeting: The minutes of the previous meeting held on 10thSeptember 2024 were signed as an accurate record.
- Declarations of Interest: There were no declarations of interest.
- Matters Arising from the Minutes: None.
- Flooding Issues: SH reported that there had been no progress regarding the clearance
of drains and ditches in Podimore. He and Cllr H Hobhouse (HH) are still pursuing. There is an official opening of the A303 bypass on Thursday 14th November and it is hoped that representatives from various agencies will attend and may engage in this discussion.
6. Open Session:
6.1 Somerset Councillor’s Reports: Regarding flooding, HH has raised the funds
for an app to be in place which has a very loud alarm.
HH was at a recent meeting of the Somerset Rivers Authority and we have been sent an email regarding the launch of a Community Flood Action Fund. Councils will need to work with contractors to put a plan in place by 10th December. This is too tight a deadline for this year but something for the future.
6.3 RNAS Matters: SH thanked Mr P Jones for organising the councillors recent visit to RNAS. It was a very enjoyable and learning experience.
Mr Jones reported that the pilots were catching up on their training competencies. The Army Air Corps are back from their deployments across Europe.
6.3 Church Matters: Rev B Faulkner did not attend the meeting. 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. Allowed subject to conditions.
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
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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 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.
24/01465/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. Approved. The resident adjacent to the church has withdrawn his consent for change proposed to his wall which is not in keeping with its grade ll listed status.
24/02434/TCA. Spring Cottage, Church Street Limington, BA22 8EQ. Fell 1 x tree in the conservation area. Awaiting decision. The council decided that they were unhappy with the proposals and comments to be fed into NM to lodge an objection. Action: Parish Councillors/NM
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24/02015/FUL. RNAS Yeovilton, BA22 8HT. Proposed drainage remediation on land to the north and south of Heathcote Road (B3151). Awaiting decision.
24/20368/FUL. Land adjoining Keepers, Bineham Lane, Yeovilton. Replacement at workshop and garage with self-catering holiday let. Awaiting decision. The council has opposed this twice before and SH asked the councillors to pass their comments to NM to enable a response to be submitted. Action: Parish Councillors/NM
24/02552/HOU. Orchard Cottage, Church Street, Limington BA22 8EQ. Erection of a replacement side and rear extension with internal alterations along with the removal of a section of hedgerow to create additional roadside access with removal of tree in rear garden. Awaiting decision. Comments to be sent to NM. Action: Parish Councillors/NM
Financial Matters:
Balances as at 12 November 2024:
Current account: – £3276.22
Business savings account – £15374.55 (of which £5373.93 is the Limington Fund).
Payments: Printer ink – £50.99, New website – £1186.80, Clerk’s salary – £907.07, PAYE – £233.24, External auditors – £252, Membership of SALC – £224.78
8.1 Limington Fund: the fingerpost and T-junction sign are to be repaired at a cost of £1150 + VAT. JS has engaged with residents and will begin the process of sourcing village gates.
9. Asset and Service Devolution: Work is ongoing preparing an up-to-date asset register.
10. Traffic Matters: Bid to Avon and Somerset Police Fund: The Podimore speed watch group have been successful in that their bid for £5000 has been granted towards the project. JS thanked them for raising a further £1500. A meeting is being held on 3rd December with members of the speed watch group being in attendance.
11. Tree Matters: The overgrown hedges have now been cut back in Bineham Lane, thanks to Cllr E Elliot. However, there is one section which is still very overgrown. SH will write to the owner reminding them of their responsibility. The parish council could arrange for this to be done at a cost to the owners. Action: SH
12. Rights of Way: AH has had a meeting about some of the damaged bridges, more discussion is needed but should be done by July 2025.
- Other Correspondence: None.
- Any other Business:14.1 Change of website provider: SH has been liaising closely with the new provider, NetWise UK. The plan is for all councillors to have their own portfolio and a parish email address. Work is continuing.
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SH has had a notification that a resident of Stockwich was in a collision with a car whilst on her horse. The meeting noted that there are no warning signs regarding horse riders on the road. The resident concerned has reported this incident. Somerset Highways have responsibility for signage and SH will be discussing this with them. Action: SH
A new resident to Limington addressed the meeting saying that her and her husband have bought one of the Lower Farm plots. She invited the meeting to look at the plans and gave assurance that nothing untoward will be taking place.
A member of the public mentioned his concerns about raw sewage flowing down Mill Lane. This has been happening for over a year and many agencies have been informed but all deny it is their responsibility. The meeting unanimously agreed that this is not acceptable and JS volunteered to take this on. Action: JS
Draycott Cottages: SH reported that work had been done on drains but there are concerns over breakages in that area.
The new owner of the Podimore Inn introduced himself to the meeting. He has a function room that could be used to hold meetings and would be very pleased to host.
15. Date of Next Meeting: Tuesday 14th January, St Bartholomew’s Church, Yeovilton at 7.30pm.
The meeting closed at 9.20pm.
Signed: