GREAT OUSEBURN PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council held on Wednesday 16^th November 2005 at 7.30 p.m.
in the Village Hall, Great Ouseburn.

Present: Mr K Scott (Chairman), Mr M Rampling, Mr P Thompson, Mrs J Burton,
Mrs R Girdham and Mrs R Kay.

In Attendance: Mrs Z Hopps.

Also present were 3 members of the public.

1. Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Chris Lewis (HBC).

2. Declarations of Interest.

2.1. All Councillors, as Trustees of the Village Hall, declared a personal interest in items relating to the Village Hall.

3. Minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 19^th October 2005 having previously been circulated were approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

4. It was agreed to approve a request to erect a garage on land adjacent to Wayside Cottage, Carrside Road, in accordance with the terms of the covenants imposed when the land was sold.

5. Progress Reports.

5.1. Basketball Court (minute 4.1/10/05 refers). The two quotations and the letters of support required for the grant application have now been received and the application will be sent off. Further quotations for the work are being obtained.

5.2. Adoption of Moor Lane (minute 4.4/10/05 refers). The Clerk reported that following the intervention of Cllr John Savage, North Yorkshire County Council have promised a response on the matter within the next few weeks.

5.3. Village Hall car park (minute 4.5/10/05 refers). Again, the quotations required have been received and the application for the small grant from NYCC will be sent off. The work should take place in December.

5.4. Vehicle Activated Signs (minute 4.6/10/05 refers). The Clerk advised that she had been advised that no funds were immediately available for any more signs. The existing sign was designated as ‘temporary’ – i.e. it could possibly be moved after six months to the other end of the village.

5.5. Road Safety – Church Field Lane (minute 13.1/10/05 refers). The Clerk advised members that she had discussed this problem with the Highways Authority and the suggestion had been made that the lane be designated a ‘quiet lane’. This designation is a Countryside Agency initiative, with special signs to encourage drivers to be more aware of entering a different type of road, with a range of road users. The Clerk to make further enquiries about this scheme.

6. Planning decisions notified by Harrogate Borough Council. The following decisions had been notified by the Borough Council:

6.1. Church Hill, Main Street, Great Ouseburn. Erection of two-storey rear extension to replace existing extension and erection of rear conservatory (revised). Granted subject to conditions.

6.2. Church Hill, Main Street, Great Ouseburn. Listed building app for erection of two-storey rear extension to replace existing extension, etc. Granted subject to conditions.

6.3. The Pastures, Main Street, Great Ouseburn. Deletion of condition to allow the non-agricultural occupancy of the dwelling. Appeal withdrawn.

7. Planning applications.

7.1. Erection of agricultural buildings to include 2 loose boxes (revised scheme). Longfield House, Main Street, Great Ouseburn. The Parish Council objected to this application on the grounds that it would result in a loss of visual amenity for the neighbouring property. Concerns about the proposed layout and materials and the delay in the demolition of the old barn to be forwarded to the planning authority. In addition, a request should be made that should permission be granted, a planning restriction should be placed on the building to prevent its conversion to a dwelling.

7.2. Erection of single storey rear extension. Prospect Farm House, Main Street, Great Ouseburn. The Parish Council did not object to or support this application, but sought safeguards regarding materials used.

7.3. Listed Building application for the erection of a single storey rear extension, replace 2 rear windows with roof lights and various internal alterations to include installation of 1 wall. Prospect Farm House, Main Street, Great Ouseburn. The Parish Council did not object to or support this application, but sought safeguards regarding materials used.

7.4. Erection of barn containing stables, tack room and storage, log cabin to be used as a temporary dwelling, formation of outdoor arena, wildlife pond, new vehicular access and parking and installation of new package treatment plant. Land at Church Field Lane, Great Ouseburn. The Parish Council objected to this application on several grounds:
a) The lane is well used by walkers, both from the village and from outside. It was agreed that the proposal would result in a considerable loss of amenity for walkers both because of the increase in traffic along the lane and because of the activity on the site itself.
b) The increase in traffic, although directed mainly along Cross Lane, would inevitably have an impact on Main Street and Church Field Lane and there would also, because the application is supported by Queen Ethelburga’s College, be an increase of traffic along Thorpe Green Lane and across Kirby Hall Bridge – both of which are already suffering damage from the current levels.
c) The site is in completely open country with no farm buildings associated with it, and as such is not suitable for this type of development. In addition, the proposed design of the main building would detract from the landscape, as it would be prominent on the skyline. Comparisons were made with the barn on Lightmire Lane, which has been singled out for criticism in the Harrogate District Landscape Character Assessment document.
d) The proposal to include accommodation on site was considered unsuitable, and although floodlighting was not included on the current proposals, it was felt that there would be a problem with light pollution from the site.
e) The site is on the edge of the river corridor and as such is important for wildlife, particularly migrating birds. This development would result in the loss of habitat.
It was agreed that the Clerk should contact other interested groups such as the Ramblers and CPRE to ask for their support in opposing this application.

7.5. Proposed construction of road improvements at Score Ray Lane/Thorpe Green lane, Thorpe Underwood. It was agreed that the new proposal was much more acceptable, however the junction with the B6265 needs improvement and it was considered that the street lighting included on the perimeter of Queen Ethelburga’s College was not necessary and should be objected to.

8. Reports from the Clerk.

8.1. Refuse Collection Service. The Clerk reported that all the public waste bins were still not being emptied every week – it was agreed that this should be followed up by another letter if it continues.

8.2. Flytipping had been cleared from Cross Lane and Church Field Lane.

8.3. Signs at Moor Lane. The Highways Authority has been asked to inspect the signs at the junction of the B6265 as they may be restricting visibility.

8.4. Members Code of Conduct Presentation – 20^th October 2005. Several councillors had attended, along with the Clerk, and the briefing notes would be circulated for reference.

9. Village Road Safety Scheme. It was agreed that a proposal to construct rumble strips/cobbles across the road at the Branton Green end of Main Street be put forward for funding under Harrogate Borough Council’s Village Road Safety Scheme.

10. Statement of accounts for the period 1^st April 2005 – 15^th November 2005. The statement of accounts for the current year and the following payments therein were approved (copy appended to the minutes):
P26/05 PPL Ltd – supply/install merrygoround £7,623.40
P27/05 Dalton Enterprises – grasscutting £ 223.25
P28/05 Donation to Christmas party £ 250.00

11. Correspondence received.

11.1. North Yorkshire County Council – Swale and Ure Washlands Minerals Site Afteruse Strategy – consultation document. To be circulated.

11.2. Harrogate Borough Council – Waste Action Plan 2005-2010. To be circulated.

11.3. The Rural Housing Trust – Affordable Village Housing Seminar 6^th December 2005. It was agreed that no representative would attend.

12. Reports from representatives.

12.1. Village Hall Committee. No further report beyond items dealt with at 5.3 above.

12.2. Youth Forum. No report.

12.3. Police Liaison Group. No report.

13. Matters for inclusion on the next Agenda.

13.1. Football Club – application for a new light to be used at evening training sessions.

13.2. Lease of land adjacent to playing field.

14. Date and Time of next meeting. It was confirmed that the next meeting of the Council will be held on Wednesday 21^st December 2005 at 7.30 p.m. in the Village Hall, Great Ouseburn.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.25 p.m.