MINUTES OF THE BRANKSOME PARK, CANFORD CLIFFS & DISTRICT RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION
EXECUTIVE & WARDENS MEETING HELD ON 10TH DECEMBER 2008 at 7.30pm
IN THE LOUNGE, BRANKSOME ST. ALDHELM’S PARISH CENTRE
PRESENT: John Sprackling Chairman
John Defty Treasurer
John Gunton Magazine Editor
Bob Young Magazine Advertising Manager
Ken Sanson – Chairman, Sandbanks Assn
James Pride – Chairman, Canford Cliffs Land Society
12 Members/Wardens
Welcomes: TS welcomed our Ward Councillors, Mrs Carole Deas, Mrs May Haines & Neil Sorton and all those present.
1. APOLOGIES AND ACCURACY OF MINUTES (12 NOVEMBER 2008)
Apologies: Terry Stewart, Keith Alcroft, Michael Bond & William Mutlow
Accuracy: JS said that he would sign the Minutes as a true and accurate record of the meetings held on 12 November 2008.
2. MATTERS ARISING :
Poole Pottery/Quay Thistle Hotel sites update: JS reported that…
1. Quayside (former) Dolphin Quays development – The Driftwood Brasserie and Pitcher & Piano Licensing applications have been granted but, perversely, Driftwood Brasserie are to allowed to use the 1st floor Terrace area until 10.30pm but Pitcher & Piano can use this up to 11.00pm. Ben Hurley said that he couldn’t recall hearing the outcome of the Appeal against LPA’s refusal to grant the application to use the 1st floor open area in association with use of adjacent unit as a ‘bar/restaurant’. JS said that the appeal was dismissed (09/04/08)
2. Poole Pottery factory buildings in Sopers Lane – no further developments
3. Former Poole Pottery & Swan Inn site – ditto
4. Quay Thistle Hotel site – JS meeting with Poole Council’s Regeneration Planning Manager has still to take place.
5. Old Orchard House. 39-61. High Street – The owners have asked for the Legal Agreement to be re-worded to allow the payment of the Employment Contribution of £0.5m (plus admin fee) to be phased over a 4 year period commencing 1st January 2009 and the Recreational Contribution of £89,930.00 (plus admin fee) to be phased. 50% of the Contribution paid on the sale of the 50th Residential Unit and the balance of 50% shall be paid on disposal of the 100th Residential Unit. This request is to be considered by the Planning Committee at their meeting tomorrow.
Chairman’s Note: The amendments to the Legal Agreement dated 14/11/05 between Coltham (Orchard) Ltd and the Borough of Poole were agreed by the Planning Committee. The first Employment Contribution payment of £50,000 is due on 1 January 2009.
Planning Enforcement, TPOs/Tree replacements – update:
19 Mornish Road – JS reported that both directors of Barrington Homes had pleaded guilty and accepted caution + paying Council’s costs which include new tree – cost £6k
Fitzmor Homes Ltd sites at 49 & 49a Haven Road & 7 Balcombe Road & 18 Balcombe Road (Oversize ‘For Sale’ board) – No further developments.
75 Canford Cliffs Road – New application (Proposed alterations and extension to garage) registered on 23/10/08.
Poole Beaches and Coastal Defences: JS reported that Matt Crossman an official in DefRA’s Flood Management Programme Dept had written to Peter Jackson last week to say that “The approval for the beach control structures was conditional on the Borough of Poole committing to make information available on the need for the works and proposals for managing risk to swimmers near the rock groynes. Mr Crossman has written to John McBride clarifying this issue and requesting details of the format and timescales for public examination and confirmation that this would take place prior to completion of construction of the beach control structures.
JS said that the words ’stable doors’ and ‘bolted horses’ comes to mind.
NS said that all relevant risk assessments and safety requirements had been taken. The cost will fall on the general taxpayer and, although the cost of oil has now fallen, a contract has to be fair to both parties, costs could equally well have risen and it is not reasonable to expect to change now.
Roy Pointer asked if the Council ever got a price variation formula in the contract to avoid the oil price hike on the groynes? Although it is 100% central funded there is an economic saving which should be banked. JS said that he would follow this up.
Council Tax 2008/09 & Financial Monitoring report: JS reported that, as at 31/01/08 the overall position for the year is a forecast net £1.78m surplus.
JS reported that some progress has been made on the Corporate Asset Management Plan. Property Services’ move from Jade Manor Court to the Civic Centre Annexe resulting in revenue savings in the order of £100,000 pa. The Cabinet are still waiting for a report on the Business Transformation Plan.
Poole Partnership: JS reported that he had attended last Thursday’s ‘State of the Area 2008 – A Future for the Town Centre’ event.
NS reported that the meeting had been very successful with a lot of networking between NHS, Voluntary Sector, Social Services, etc.
Chairman’s note: The next meeting of the Local Development Framework Working Group will take place on Tuesday 6th January 2009
Lindsay Road to Station Road Corridor/Speeding: – No further developments.
Canford Cliffs Village & proposal to plant trees in Haven Road: JS said that he had contacted the Leader of the Council for his support for this project but is currently awaiting a response. James Pride, Chairman of the Canford Cliffs Land Society has written to JS pledging the Society’s support for the proposal.
JS commented on the successful Christmas Tree lighting ceremony in the Village and congratulated the Canford Cliffs Traders’ Assn on their part in this.
Chairman’s note: I spoke to Cllr Leverett briefly at the Planning Committee meeting (11/12/08) and he is conscious that he has still to get back to me about the tree proposal.
Local Bus Services: No further developments.
Public Rights of Way:
Westminster Road end of Dalkeith Road – nothing new to report.
Buccleuch Road to Lakeside Road – ditto
Bessborough Road – ditto
Possible Charitable Status for Assn: JS said that he had still to set up a small Sub-Committee to look at this.
Action to prevent Travellers accessing Beach Road car park: There can be no height restrictions on the entrance as service vehicles need access. The car park is being locked between 10pm – 6am. As there is no alternative site available, it is not possible to move travellers on.
Canford Cliffs Chine: There is a problem with debris being washed down the very steep slope onto the path thus creating dangerous, slippery conditions. It had been cleared up prior to a visit by MH, but each time it rains the problem reoccurs.
3. NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
In the absence of KA, who was unwell, JS reported…
7 Lakeside Road (Erect 1 block of 7 flats with underground parking. (Revised Scheme) application refused on 01/12/08
62 Haven Road (Erect 3 x 4-bed houses) subject to a Planning Inquiry(APP/Q1255/A/08/2081952) fixed for February 2009. Statement of Common Ground, additional drawings and Daylight Report lodged with Planning Inspector on 08/12/08.
8 Bury Road Roy Pointer attended Tuesday’s Planning Hearing (Conservation Area application to demolish all buildings on site including foundations where appropriate / Demolish existing and erect detached house and garaging, summerhouse and tennis court and provision of parking area (Revised Scheme).
There was a debate as to whether the existing property is a Category A building, it was built in 1926, so not as old as some in the area. The new building is rather unlike others which have been built recently – it is a ‘butterfly’ design, 6,000 sq.ft. and probably not too far out of place in the conservation area. It will be set back from the road and may involve the possible felling of one tree.
The council are undertaking a review of the properties listed as worthy of retention in the Branksome Park Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan.
Victoria School, 12 Lindsay Road (Erect modular classroom building comprising 3 classrooms, entrance hall and toilet facilities) – JS reported that a resident in St Aldhelms Road had written to him as Chairman for his views on this planning application. The resident felt that this seemed to be an attempt to drive a “coach and horses” through the Branksome Park Conservation Area and went on to express the view that, whatever one might think of Livability/Victoria school the Conservation Area is there to protect everybody’s interests. The school knew about the Conservation Area status when they bought and changed the use of the site.
There was a general consensus amongst those attending that any new building should be sensitive to the fact that the site is within the Conservation Area.
Judicial Review re 1, 2 & 3 Alington Close & 2a & 2b Shore Road (Demolish existing and erect 6 x two/ three storey blocks comprising 32 flats with basement car parking, accessed off Alington Close and associated works and landscaping) (Amended scheme) granted by Planning Committee on 01/04/08.
JS said that the Judge, HHJ Bidder QC sitting as a Deputy High Court Judge has said has said that “It is arguable that the Defendants failed to sufficiently set out its reasons for the grant of permission and, thus, failed to comply with the Article 22 (1) of the Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) Order 1995.” The Southern Poole Chairmen’s Liaison Group has written to the Leader of the Council and copied to all Ward Councillors & the Chief Executive that the Group believes that believe Cllr Dr Leverett and his fellow Councillors should encourage both parties to seek an ‘out of court’ settlement.
JS said that, at the Cabinet meeting on 09/09/08, Cllr Dr Leverett had said “The current Medium Term Financial Plan is more challenging than it’s ever been,”. The Group therefore questioned if it’s a sensible use of Council Tax payers money to pursue this case, when it’s the Council fighting its own residents about a site where the Planning Committee had previously rejected two similar applications and the Planning Inspector had refused a Planning Appeal.
Chairman’s note: Mandy Loader has written to me today (12/12/08) and I set out below an extract from her note…
“As you know we are now entering the final stage of the JR, and we met this evening (that’s the Luscombe Valley Association) to discuss next steps. You may also be aware that to date, and thanks in large part to your own direct and indirect involvement, we have raised enough to pay our legal bills… we are now entering the most expensive phase
By the way, PBC has one more week to decide on their course of action.”
Wind Turbine application at Tesco, Branksome – Henry Fielden from the Poole Road Veterinary Surgery opposite the store, said that he was concerned that the proposed wind turbine was very close to the petrol station, uses up 4 car parking spaces in too small a car park and, in his opinion, not enough local residents had been notified by the Local Planning Authority.
JS said that Jennifer Hamiliton-Smith, the general manager of Melton Court in Lindsay Road, has objected on behalf of the 112 residents of the sheltered development.
CD said that she will ‘Red card’ the application as she is concerned about the noise of turbines in residential areas. It was agrred that that the Assn would send letter of objection.
Other current planning issues
16-18 Durrant Road (Demolish existing and erect 2 blocks of 6 flats (12 total) with single linked basement garage) – application granted by Planning Committee on 17/04/08 and subject to complaint by local residents to Local Government Ombudsman (LGO). The LGO’s provisional findings received on 08/11/08 were that the Council did nothing wrong but final decision is still awaited.
1 – 3 Compton Avenue (Demolish existing and erect a block of 11 flats & 1 maisonette with basement parking Revised Scheme) – application granted by Planning Committee on 17/04/08 and subject to complaint by Dorset Lake Residents’ Assn to LGO. LGO is still investigating the complaint.
Canford Cliffs, Promenade 2 (a) Construction of 18 new beach huts) – Application No: 08/24380/005/F & (b) Conservation Area application to demolish 8 beach huts (nos 99-106) adjacent to Canford Cliffs Chine. Application No: 08/24380/007/U The applications were registered as long ago as 22/01/08 &13/02/08 respectively. MH will keep the Assn advised of any further developments.
19 Sandbourne Road (Demolish existing and erect 5 apartments over 3 storeys with basement parking and associated cycle and bin store) – Letter of objection lodged on behalf of Assn on 24/06/08. Still a ‘current’ application.
5 Shore Road (Demolish existing dwelling and erect detached house with integral garage) – Application refused on 27/11/08.
5A Shore Road (Demolish existing dwelling and erect detached house with integral garage) – Application refused on 27/11/08.
1 Shore Road (Demolish existing dwelling and erect a block of 6 apartments with basement garage, bike store & associated vehicular access (revised scheme). – Application refused on 25/11/08.
8 Shore Road – BPCCRA will continue to monitor possible tree work application. An entrance has been created on the Haven Road side of this property.
1 Over Links Drive (Sever land and erect a detached house with integral garage) – application withdrawn on 27/03/08. Awaiting revised application.
60A Kings Avenue (Tree Replacement Notices to replant 3 Scots Pines) – Confirmation awaited that the Council’s Arboriculturist visited both 60 and 60a to check tree issues and that letters sent to the owners requesting planting under Treework/Planning conditions.
4. REPORT re SOUTHERN POOLE CHAIRMENS’ LIAISON GROUP MEETING (24/11/08)
Chairman’s Note: As time was pressing, I promised to include a note in the Minutes. The subjects discussed included…
TS reported the Secretary of State has delayed her response to the South West Regional Spacial Strategy until Easter 2009.
Dorset Lake Residents’ Assn – Lilliput School being enlarged by 200 pupils. Problems with road safety, parents parking too close to school
Branksome Park, Canford Cliffs & Sandbanks Neighbourhood Watch – Discussion by members of the problems of cyclists on the pavement, even when there is a markedcycle lane on the road. The Safer Neighbourhood team will be out at Courthill School and Baden Powell Schools in the first week in December. Dangerous parking outside building sites was also discussed.
CPRE – The application for a loan for the Poole Bridge to be decided on 5th December but there would still be problems regarding access roads. Widening of the A31 is not scheduled till 2016.
Parkstone Bay Assn – Possibility that the Route 1 bus will be re-routed down the lower High Street.
Concerns regarding the plans for changing traffic lights in Commercial Road junctions with Springfield Road and Parr Street and re-routing traffic through Church Road. Also difficulties for pedestrians crossing Commercial Road to get to the bus stop. Building in flood plains was mentioned particularly regarding Turks Lane and Poole Quay (Thistle Hotel) proposed sites.
Canford Cliffs Land Society – Improvements to Bessborough Road, bulbs planted. Posts installed to prevent traffic using it as a through road. Thanks expressed by the group to the Land Society for the Christmas lights in the village and improvements to the Village Hall.
Sandbanks Assn – Pointed out that the ferry had started operating again after two months out of action. Proposed cycle lanes from Evening Hill to the Ferry to be considered at the T. A.G. meeting on 27th November. Sandbanks Yacht Company site still empty. There is to be a party on the Beach, 5th and 6th December, 4500 expected, 500 cars which the car park can accommodate.
Open Spaces Society – Still problems with Footpath 82 (Panorama Road to Davis Boatyard) Suggestion that the RMYC intends to extend the Marina with a new channel and a swinging pontoon. Dalkeith Road has a sign up ‘Private Road’ but the road is adopted so the sign needs re-wording as it may deter walkers and cyclists.
4. ACCOUNTS TO DATE – JD reported that total funds this month we £30,500. This is down £3,800 on last month due to various legal costs, including Luscombe Valley.
JD said he had paid out the following sums this year..
50% of Consultant’s fee re 31 Western Ave Appeal Hearing £709.82
Legal advice from Blake Lapthorn, Oxford £840.71
Luscombe Valley Assn £6,000
JS said that, at the October meeting, John Defty asked for the names of Key Drummond and CountryWide Property Management to be minuted as non-payers from the Spring issue of our magazine. This was voted on and it was carried but it did not appear in the minutes. JS agreed to wrote a letter to the two firms involved.
4. ANY OTHER BUSINESS –
Sand on Promenade – JS said that the Chairman of the Environment Overview & Scrutiny Committee had written to him yesterday to say that “Cllr Moore did raise your concerns. I have to tell you it wasn’t seen as a practicable solution. The Cttee voted unanimously to recommend that the clearance is done, and kept as a Poole operation. In terms of the costs, the £25,000 figure isn’t a direct cost figure but the calculated additional budgetary pressure as a result of taking up the option.”
JS closed the meeting at 8.20pm, which was concluded with mulled wine and mince pies.
Date of next Meeting: The next meeting is on Wednesday 14th January 2009 in the Main Hall at Branksome St Aldhelm’s Parish Centre (Entrance via Lindsay Road)