BPCCRA Minutes January 13th 2010

MINUTES OF THE BRANKSOME, CANFORD CLIFFS & DISTRICT RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE MEETING

HELD ON WEDNESDAY 13th JANUARY 2010 AT 7.30PM IN THE LOUNGE, BRANKSOME ST. ALDHELM’S PARISH CENTRE

PRESENT:

  • Terry Stewart – President
    John Sprackling – Chairman
    John Defty  – Treasurer
    Keith Alcroft – Planning Officer
    Bob Young  –  Magazine Advertising
    Stan Alfert – Data Protection Officer
    Val Short – Minutes Secretary
  • Cllr Neil Sorton – Ward Councillor
  • Ken Sanson – Chairman, Sandbanks Assn
  • 15 Members/Wardens

1. APOLOGIES AND ACCURACY OF MINUTES

JS welcomed NS & Ken Sanson and all those present.

Apologies: Apologies received from Cllr Mrs Carole Deas (visiting elderly relative) & Cllr Mrs May Haines (re-scheduled Environment Overview & Scrutiny meeting)

JS said that he had  ‘phoned Warren Lever, Environment and Design Team Leader, Borough of Poole, and put off his visit until the Assn’s next meeting on 10/02/10.

Accuracy: JS said that he would sign the Minutes as a true and accurate record of the meeting held on 09 December 2009.

2. MATTERS ARISING

Poole Pottery/Old Orchard/Quay Thistle Hotel sites update: JS reported…

1.   Quayside (former Dolphin Quays) development – Driftwood Brasserie on the 1st floor was opened on 12/10/09 but closed last month and is expected to re-launched sometime in 2010. .
2.    Poole Pottery factory buildings in Sopers Lane – a planning application for a Care Home is to be submitted at the end of this week.
3.    Former Poole Pottery & Swan Inn site – No new developments
4.    Quay Thistle Hotel site – Andy Taylor, Head of UK Property, Stenham Property Limited wrote to JS on 05/01/10 “Following the recent debt restructuring I have arranged a meeting with our professional team next Friday to look afresh at the various development proposals which have been prepared for the site. Following this I hope to meet Poole Borough Council before the end of January.”

TS referred to the financial reports on the Thistle Hotel site and asked if the Council were confident that the developer is viable.
NS replied that the Planning Application needed to be dealt with first, then it is implicit that before the council enters into any negotiation all public enquiries are made.  Even if the Planning Application were approved on appeal there would be no obligation on the council to sell or lease land to anyone unsuitable.

5.    Old Orchard House. 39-61. High Street

Chairman’s note: A statement in the accounts for Coltham Orchard Ltd for the year to 30/11/08 seems to contradict 3.5 of the report of former Head of Planning Control & Design presented to the Planning Committee on 11/12/08 and JS is seeking clarification from the Head of Legal & Democratic Services about this.

Planning Enforcement, TPOs/Tree replacements – update:

JS reported

15A Westminster Road – No new developments.
Bella Rosa, 37 Haven Road – ditto
2 Compton Avenue & 93 Lilliput Road – ditto

TS has suggested the inclusion of ‘Key Planning Enforcement successes’ in the Community Working Group Newsletter.  This is particularly relevant in view of yesterday’s enormous media coverage about home owners and developers in Poole who are suspected of damaging protected trees in the Sandbanks & Branksome Park to provide better sea views or enhance the development potential of their sites.

Roy Pointer felt that the Assn should make it known that it supports the Local Planning Authority in all that it is doing to address this issue. It was agreed that

  • BPCCRA does not condone this behaviour.
  • We have a system of wardens looking out for this.
  • We will report any problems to the Council.
  • We support the Council’s determination to enforce rigorously where criminal damage to trees is identified and any publicity given to this is welcome.
  • We are pleased that the media are taking interest in a topic about which we feel strongly.

NS was called to look at a tree in Haven Road 5 years ago, he also inspected the property which benefited from the damage to the tree, but nothing could be proved.
William Mutlow witnessed branches being removed from an oak tree adjoining his property by tree surgeons in the early morning, when WM contacted the council he was informed that the developer had telephoned to say that dead branches needed to be removed.
Concern was expressed that, although there is an exemption to the rules for trees that are dead, diseased or dying, no examination or investigation is made if a developer or tree surgeon telephones the council and informs them that the tree is dead, diseased or dying.
RP offered to put this on the agenda for next weeksí Community Working Group meeting, please email examples or case studies.  Items of a general nature also required for the agenda.

Community Working Group (CWG), Progress re Sir Michael Pitt’s recommendations & IDeA Report: RP reported that next CWG meeting is on 20/01/10.
RP
Poole Beaches and Coastal Defences: RP reminded members that comments on Poole & Christchurch Bays Shoreline Management Plan are required by 17/02/10. A  comment form can be downloaded from the website  www.twobays.net

Council Tax 2010/11 & Council’s Budget Monitoring report: William Mutlow commented, once again, that the Revised Budget at 30/09/09 showed significant variances to the figures shown for Original Budget. JS said that he write to the Head of Financial Services about this.
The Council’s 2010/11 Budget is due to be presented at the Cabinet meeting on 09/02/10.

Poole Partnership: JS reported that State of the Area Debate meeting scheduled for Monday (11/01/10) was cancelled and no new date has been set.

The Local Development Framework Working Group meeting scheduled for yesterday was cancelled – the next meeting is fixed for 13/04/10.

Richard Dimbleby, chairman of the Poole Partnership, a member of the South West Regional Council of the Learning and Skills Council and a governor of the Arts University College, Bournemouth.is the new chairman of the Community Foundation for Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole.

The Community Foundation helps secure and distribute funding for local community groups and helps individuals and businesses looking to put money back into the community.
JS
Canford Cliffs Village & proposal to plant trees in Haven Road: KA reported that he had been passed copies of the utilities maps for the parade by MH a couple of weeks ago. KA said that the copies are difficult to read and he plans to make arrangements to see the originals
TS pointed out the planting season will end in March but KA said that it would not be possible to progress this before then.

Public Rights of Way:

Westminster Road end of Dalkeith Road – Richard Dimbleby has been passed a letter dated 21/12/09 from Sophia O’Sullivan – Rights of Way Officer is following this up.
Buccleuch Road to Lakeside Road – No further developments
Bessborough Road – ditto

Possible Charitable Status for Assn: JS has still to set up a small Sub-Committee to look at this.

Canford Cliffs Play Area/Pinecliff Gardens (Sunken garden): A meeting with Simon Legg and Karen Elborn, Natural Habitats Supervisor, Borough of Poole has been fixed for 20/01/10 at 2.30pm.

Use of Assn’s Capital Reserve & Canford Cliffs Library Noticeboard:

TS reported that the Canford Cliffs Library noticeboard would be installed on the outside wall under the existing Library sign, which would be raised to accommodate it.  The existing sign is blue and the aluminium lockable noticeboard could be a similar colour. The cost, inclusive of VAT and installation, would be £960.  There was overwhelming support from the meeting to spend up to £1000, provided the noticeboard had toughened glass, TS to ascertain.  TS to have authority to make decisions on colour, etc.

Public Liability Insurance (PLI) –  JS is pursuing.

Mobile ‘Phone Mast, Elgin Road: No new developments

3.  NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

KA reported…
24 Cliff Drive (Extension to existing beach hut & relocate steps (revised Scheme) – Letter of objection lodged on behalf of Assn on 08/01/10.
11 Leicester Road
(a) Outline application to erect a 59 bedroom care home (class C2) with associated parking (15 spaces), bin & cycle store (revised scheme)
(b) Conservation Area application to demolish existing dwelling & associated buildings (revised scheme) – Both applications applications, which were refused under delegated authority on 21/08/09, are now the subject of appeals (APP/Q1255/A/09/2118175 & APP/Q1255/E/09/2118176) to be determined at a Planning Inquiry. The final date for Statements & representations is 2nd February 2010.
Chairman’s note: Members might like to write to the Planning Inspectorate (using the on-line facility available via the Planning Inspectorate’s website <http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/public/planning/appeals/search/>) to show the strength of local feeling.
Land adj 1 Over Links Drive (Sever land and erect a new detached house (Revised Scheme) – Application refused by Planning Committee on 10/12/09.
St Ann’s Hospital
(a)Erect two 2-storey buildings on site to accommodate a 12 bed Psychiatric Care Unit and 48 long stay bed spaces. New combined entrance & extensions to existing 1980’s acute ward block. Demolition of 1970 block. Associated car parking, hardstanding & landscaping. Amended Plans 19/11/09) – Application refused by Planning Committee on 10/12/09.
(b) Listed Building application to replace existing metal escape staircase, alterations to reception counter & demolition of 70’s block and repair to west end of building) – Application ‘Granted with Conditions’ ‘by Planning Committee on 10/12/09.

Other current planning issues
19 Torbay Road (Demolish existing dwelling and erect 3 no. 4-bedroom detached houses with associated parking) – application granted ‘Subject to Unilateral Undertaking’ on 23/12/09.
46-48 Tower Road (Demolish existing houses and erect 14 flats with basement and surface parking)
-application granted ‘Subject to Unilateral Undertaking’ on 31/12/09.
Land adj. 2 Mornish Road (Erect a 5-bed detached house with attached garage, access from Mornish Road. (Revised Scheme) – application granted ‘Subject to Unilateral Undertaking’ on 22/12/09.
4 Lawrence Drive (Demolish existing buildings and erect 1 block of 8 apartments with assoc parking) – Letter of objection lodged by Assn on 20/11/09.  Amended plans lodged on 18/11/09 and application has been ‘Red-carded’.
75 Canford Cliffs Road (Alterations to existing entrance to form new vehicular access with gates) – Amended plans lodged on 02/12/09.
The Cottage, Kingsgate, 7 The Avenue (Demolish existing property and erect 5 replacement Townhouses) – Amended plans lodged on 30/11/09.
29 Links Road (Demolish existing dwelling and sever land to erect 2 detached town houses) – Application registered on 26/10/09 and has been ‘Red-carded’.
10 Nairn Road (Demolish the existing house and erect 2 x 4 bedroom maisonettes with associated parking) – Amended plans lodged on 27/11/09.
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) – S106 details to be submitted before determining.
4-6 Compton Avenue (Non material amendment of planning permission 06/12687/005/F to extend basement parking, an additional staircase, two roof lights, convert half gable window to full height) – Application registered on 14/10/09.  There is a technical issue regarding the minor amendment, in relation to correctly linking the amendment scheme to the section 106 agreement of permission 07/12687/006/F which the LPA are trying to sought out with the agent.
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.
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.    ACCOUNTS TO DATE – JD reported that the total funds as at 31st  December amounted to just under £33,700.    JD

5.     ANY OTHER BUSINESS

NS reported on the following two matters

1. Proposed Chester & Forest Road Conservation Area: This was one result from the Ward Walks which NS & MH had taken part in with officers.  JS said he had been told that there was positive response from residents of the roads in question and a public consultation meeting was being held shortly.

2. Closure of Branksome Dene car park: The Car Park will be closed for essential works from 25th – 29th January. The essential works will include the roots of trees and shrubs, which are making access to the car park hazardous for cyclists and pedestrians.  Transportation Services and Leisure Services Arboricultural Officer Andy Osbourne will determine which roots are causing the problem before undertaking the appropriate . The Community Centre have been consulted and agreed the dates and all beach hut tenants/owners have been notified.

Canford Cliffs & Penn Hill Area Committee meeting: JS reminded members of the meeting on 20/01/10 at 7.00pm at the Main Hall, Branksome St Aldhelm’s Parish Centre (Entrance via Lindsay Road)

The meeting closed at 8.15pm

Date of next meeting: The next meeting is Wednesday 10th February 2010 in the Main Hall at Branksome St Aldhelm’s Parish Centre (Entrance via Lindsay Road) To include presentation by Warren Lever, Environment and Design Team Leader, Borough of Poole.