MINUTES OF THE BRANKSOME PARK, CANFORD CLIFFS & DISTRICT RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION
EXECUTIVE & WARDENS MEETING HELD ON 9TH JULY 2008 at 7.30pm
IN THE MAIN HALL BRANKSOME ST. ALDHELM’S PARISH CENTRE
PRESENT:
Terry Stewart President
John Sprackling Chairman
John Defty Treasurer
Keith Alcroft Planning Officer
Bob Young Magazine Advertising Manager
Val Short Minutes Secretary
Cllr Mrs May Haines Ward Councillor
Cllr Neil Sorton ditto
Cllr Peter Adams Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture
25 Members/Wardens
Welcomes JS welcomed Cllr Mrs Haines, Cllr Sorton & Cllr Adams and all those present, especially those attending for the first time.
1. Football Tournament at Branksome Chine – 16th & 17th August
JS introduced Cllr Adams and invited him to speak before the other items on the Agenda as as he had another engagement to go to.
Cllr Adams said that he was seeking the views of residents about the use of that section of the beach from the east of Branksome Chine to the west of Canford Cliffs Chine for a Beach football tournament on 16th & 17th August. This would involve some professional players and between 300 – 600 spectators are expected.
The grandstand is to be built on the seaward side of the beach. There will be some music
The England Beach Soccer Assn organise tournaments around the country, several already held in neighbouring areas. Beach soccer is a fast moving sport, strictly controlled to be suitable for family entertainment. There would be a hospitality area, but the sale of alcohol is not licensed on the beach. The proposed area is a quieter stretch of beach where there are no beach huts in front of the cliffs. The tournament would be of economic benefit to the town, car parking, hotels, restaurants, etc. and it is hoped that this would become a regular event.
Cllr Adams assured the members that there would be no cost to residents for cleaning up after the event and that a Google search on ‘beach soccer uk’ would provide more information.
2. APOLOGIES AND ACCURACY OF MINUTES (11 JUNE 2008)
Chairman’s note: I inadvertently failed to report apologies but only one was received from Chris Stracey. I will also need to seek confirmation of the accuracy of the Minutes of the Assn’s meeting held on 11th June 2008 at our next meeting.
3. MATTERS ARISING
Poole Pottery/Quay Thistle Hotel sites update: JS reported that
1. Quayside (former) Dolphin Quays development – No further developments
2. Poole Pottery factory buildings in Sopers Lane – The Inspector’s decision to dismiss the appeal is subject to a Judicial Review against the Secretary of State (acting through the Inspectorate). The Council is named as second defendents purely because it was party to the original appeal. JS said that the Hearing will be held at High Court later this year and he is hoping to find out the date of the Hearing from James Morton at the Daily Echo as he suspects that Poole’s Legal & Democratic Services will be reluctant to provide this info.
3. Former Poole Pottery & Swan Inn site –.No further developments.
4. Quay Thistle Hotel site – Application to “Demolish existing hotel and erect a mixed use development of 260 flats, a 120 bed hotel, commercial space with
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5. basement parking accessed from Ballard Road” registered on 20/06/08. The Southern Poole Chairmens’ Liaison Group are calling for a Public meeting about this proposal. JS said that a Public meeting was held regarding the Quayside (former Dolphin Quays) development but although there was 99% opposition to this development, this fell on ‘deaf ears’.
6. Old Orchard House. 39-61. High Street – No further developments.
Planning Enforcement, TPOs/Tree replacements – update:
JS said that the Hearing at Wimborne Magistrates Court to hear the S210(1) unlawful
felling summons re 19 Mornish Road was adjourned from last month until this month or next.
62 Haven Road – JS reported that this site is subject to a planning application and the arboricultural officer wrote in his report that the proposal “would have a significantly greater impact on the preserved trees on and adjacent to the site than the approved development and the proposal is unacceptable in tree terms” but it seems that there are no longer any trees on the site.
75 Canford Cliffs Road – JS said that last Friday, he received another note from one of the Planning Enforcement team “We are waiting for an application for the works to the drive and garage to be submitted and I am aware that Mr Davis has instructed a planning and an arboricultural consultant to deal with the matter. There is another 2-3 weeks before the deadline is up for the application.” JS said that he despairs.
‘Oakhurst’ 14 The Avenue (McCarthy & Stone) – John Cay of Westerham has written to Planning Design & Control Services for an up-date pointing out that the flagpole had been refused and that the hoarding was to be removed by Jan 2007….The flagpoles have been there for over four years.
Chairman’s note: John Cay writes “The advertising hoardings and flag poles have gone – after all this time!! I shall thank Ruth Charter for rattling their cage and achieving a result.”
21 Wilderton Road – It is alleged that this bungalow is in multiple occupation. Cllr Mrs Deas promised to investigate but, as far as JS is aware, there have been no further developments.
Poole Beaches and Coastal Defences: JS reported that a notice appeared in the Public
Notices section of the Daily Echo dated 19/06/08 informing the public that the Council proposed to carry out coast protection work at Branksome and Branksome Dene Chine. The work will consist of three groynes, 75m, 60m and 45m long. The estimated cost of the work is £1.3 million.
The Planning Application was registered on 04/07/08.
Council Tax 2008/09 & Financial Monitoring report: William Mutlow reported changes to year end forecasts in some portfolio areas. Budgeted Capital expenditure of over £4m not spent last year, but £11m more than last year’s total budgeted for 2008/9. Impact of Job Evaluation and added cost on final salary pension scheme is not yet known. NS said that he sits on the Dorset County Council Pension Board, which manages the Poole Scheme and, at the last Actuarial Valuation the scheme was 93% funded and the independent Actuary advised a contribution of 17.1% of pensionable pay.
Poole Partnership: JS reported he had attended two meetings on 23/06/08 in his capacity as as Poole Partnership Steering Group representative for Residents’ & Tenants’ Assns and Community Groups.
The first meeting was a Joint Poole and Bournemouth meeting and the Agenda included a number of interesting topics. The second meeting was the quarterly Poole Partnership Steering Group meeting and the Agenda included a presentation by Poole’s Chief Executive, John McBride on a new Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA). This replaces the Comprehensive Performance Assessment and is to be introduced next year and will involve input from residents. JS said that he might invite to attend next year’s AGM to explain this.
NS said that it was important that we get a good CAA, as this will affect the amount of the Central Government Grant which the Council receives.
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Chairman’s note: The other items discussed at the two meetings included
- · Bournemouth and Poole’s Local Area Agreements 2008-11
- · Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole Multi Area Agreement
- · Bournemouth & Poole Third Sector Strategies
- · Strategic Health Needs Assessment
- · Healthy Communities Challenge Fund
- · Welcome pack for Migrant Workers
- · Safer Neighbourhoods
- · Annual Review of Poole’s Sustainable Community Strategy and Local Area Agreement 2006/9
- · Poole’s Place survey
- · A Time of our Lives – Poole’s Older People’s Strategy
- · Poole’s Community Engagement Strategy
If any member requires further details of any particular topic, please let me know.
Lindsay Road to Station Road Corridor/Speeding: JS reported that Dr Janet Boaler of St Alhelms Place, Lindsay Road is seeking improvements to the St Aldhelms Road/Lindsay Road junction and more than 100 signatures were collected with an , unexpectedly, good response from the Victoria School. The petitions were delivered to Councillor Gillard at a reception at the Conservative Office on 13/06/08.
Canford Cliffs Village:
JS reported that the Farmers Market will be starting on Friday 25 July from 10am to 1pm and thereafter every 4th Friday of the month for a 6 month trail period. Providing the Market is satisfactorily run during this period the Council will extend the license.
JS said that it was reported in the Daily Echo dated 14/06/08 that the organic and Fairtrade market ran on Sunday mornings in the car park at the corner of Canford Cliffs Road and Leicester Road had closed.
Chairman’s note: Blue River Natural Markets, organisers of the event, wanted to change it to one Saturday a month, but when they discovered it would cost the same for one day a month as four, they decided to close it down instead.
MH commented on the Borough-wide initiative to upgrade bins with ‘rather enormous’ and unattractive new ones, at present there is no alternative option, but MH will speak to Cllr. Collier. Haven Road will be monitored for the number of bins and frequency of emptying. There was no consultation about the siting of the new bins, which have been placed next to the planters outside the travel shop and Mazda Motors. The traders think they would be better sited nearer the Spar shop and the bakers, as this is where litter is more likely.
Skywalk Tower, Sandbanks (Application No. 06/12765/016/F): No further developments.
Local Bus Services: No further developments.
Public Rights of Way:
Westminster Road end of Dalkeith Road – JS said that it had been reported that a new crop of large stones had recently appeared in Dalkeith Road with one either end having “Private Road” written on them
Buccleuch Road to Lakeside Road – SA reported that the council are investigating evidence that this ‘footpath’ may be a highway. If this proves to be the case, will we want it downgraded?
Bessborough Road – No further developments.
Update re ‘Branksome Park Conservation Area is at RISK’
Branksome Park Conservation Area –
31 Western Avenue (Demolish existing house (retain pool complex) and erect 1 no. detached house with integral garage) and Conservation Area application to demolish existing dwelling) JS reported that the Appeal Hearing (APP/Q1255/E/08/2067926) is likely to be held in September.
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Peter Jackson has up-dated JS following the meeting of the sub-group of Western Ave residents with John Montgomery of Tanner & Tilley on 01/07/08
At the Assn’s last meeting, Roy Pointer asked if we might pick again the proposal to invite an officer from Strategic Planning to speak to the Assn which was ‘put on ice’ at the request of Peter Jackson representing the sub-group of Western Ave residents. PJ has spoken to RP about this.
JS reported that the forthcoming retirements have recently been announced of the Head of Strategic Planning (David Ralph) in Autumn 2008 and the Head of Planning Design and Control Services (Peter Watson) in Spring 2009.
Haig Ave & Lawrence Drive – 3 Lawrence Drive (Demolish existing and erect a block of 8 apartments with underground parking (Revised Scheme) – JS said that this is subject to a ‘Written representations’ appeal (APP/Q1255/A/08/2078484) The date for Final comments is 27/08/08.
JS pointed out that it’s in the gift of the Local Planning Authority to say that they want a Hearing or a Planning Inquiry.
This will be an important test case in advance of confirmation of (iv) of PCS 6 ‘Broad locations for residential developments’ of the emerging Poole Core Strategy. JS gathers that it now seems that the local examination may be held as early as November, in which case it is even possible that the Council might get the Inspector’s binding report by the end
of the year.
Chairmen’s note: For clarification, the reason for refusal relates to the evidence base behind the Core Strategy rather than the Core Strategy itself
3. NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
KA reported that
21 Bury Road (Demolish existing dwelling and garage and erect a replacement house with integral garage) – Application registered on 16/06/08. Local concerns. Letter of objection lodged on behalf of Assn on 06/07/08.
10 Wilderton Road (Demolish existing dwelling and erect replacement dwelling) – Appeal Hearing (APP/Q1255/E/08/2061620) held on 03/07/08. Awaiting Inspector’s decision.
62 Haven Road (Erect 3 x 4-bed houses) – Application refused by Planning Committee at their meeting on 03/07/08.
17 Over Links Drive (Demolish existing and erect 2 detached houses (Revised Scheme) – Application refused on 20/06/08.
19 Sandbourne Road (Demolish existing and erect 5 apartments over 3 storeys with basement parking and associated cycle and bin store) – Application registered on 29/05/08. Local concerns. Letter of objection lodged on behalf of Assn on 24/06/08.
JS then invited Mandy Loader to address the meeting about 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.
ML said that the Luscombe Valley is a SSSI, residents have been fighting flat developments for 4 years, and various applications have been refused. The current application for six blocks of flats is even bigger than those previously refused, but this was recommended for approval. It is an enormous and inappropriate development and residents are looking for support for a Judicial Review.
John Cain of Horsey Lightly Fynn is putting the finishing touches to his report and this will be passed to Lionel Fynn for his approval. Their assessment as to whether or not there is a case for a Judicial Review will be known next week.
If the answer from Horsey Lightly Fynn is positive, JS proposed that the Assn. contribute £1500 + VAT towards the cost of obtaining Counsel’s opinion. Majority in favour. 2 abstentions.
Reg Grimston referred to the case of 12 St Clair Road (Construct 2 detached dwellings with associated parking. (Revised Scheme) where application is subject to ‘Written representations’ Appeal (APP/Q1255/A/08/2076118). (The date for Final comments is
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04/08/08) RG suggested that partial removal of the roof (the steelwork is still intact) might be an attempt to ensure the Planning Inspector does not see the full visual impact of the scheme which the LPA had refused. NB Application registered on 21/05/08 is still a ‘Current’ application.
Other current planning issues
1 – 3 Compton Avenue
(a) Demolish existing and erect a block of 11 flats & 1 maisonette with basement parking
Revised Scheme) – granted by Planning Committee on 17/04/08 which is currently subject
to a Stage 2 review with a view to challenging the conduct of the Planning Committee meeting with the Local Government Ombudsman.
16-18 Durrant Road (Demolish existing and erect 2 blocks of 6 flats (12 total) with single linked basement garage.– granted by Planning Committee on 17/04/08 which is currently subject to a Stage 2 review with a view to challenging the conduct of the Planning Committee meeting with the Local Government Ombudsman.
5 Shore Road (Demolish existing dwelling and erect detached house with integral garage) – Application registered on 09/06/08. Local concerns. Application has been ‘red-carded’.
5A Shore Road (Demolish existing dwelling and erect detached house with integral garage) – Application registered on 09/06/08. Local concerns. Application has been ‘red-carded’.
1 Over Links Drive (Sever land and erect a detached house with integral garage) – application withdrawn on 27/03/08. Awaiting revised application.
1 Shore Road (Demolish existing and erect 7 apartments on 4 floors with basement parking) – Application registered on 10/06/08
1A-3 Chaddesley Glen (Demolish existing dwellings and erect 2 No blocks of 6 x 2 bed apartments (12 in total) on three floors with new vehicular access) – amended plans lodged
on 01/05/08.
Canford Cliffs, Promenade 2
(a) Construction of 18 new beach huts) – application registered on 22/01/08 but this is still a ‘Current’ application.
(b) Conservation Area application to demolish 8 beach huts (nos 99-106) adjacent to Canford Cliffs Chine. – application registered on 13/02/08 but this is still a ‘Current’ application.
146-148 Canford Cliffs Road (Demolish existing and erect a three storey block of ten flats with basement parking. (Revised) – Application withdrawn on 02/06/08. An appeal against the LPA’s refusal to grant an earlier application for 12 flats was dismissed on 15/01/08.
5 Westminster Road (Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of a part two, part three
storey building comprising six flats with additional basement parking and integral cycle storage area and detached bin store) – application granted by the Planning Committee on
19/06/08.
8 Shore Road – BPCCRA will continue to monitor possible tree work application. Anentrance has been created on the Haven Road side of this property.
60A Kings Avenue (Tree Replacement Notices to replant 3 Scots Pines) – subject to Written Representation appeal (GOSW Ref SW/THM/8147/1038)
4. ACCOUNTS TO DATE JD reported that the funds at end of June amounted to £36,500. Nationwide require the Assn. to close its savings account and open a Trustees Trust Account, instead the Executive have accepted to open an Association Account with Barclays at a better rate of 3.2%. This was approved by a show of hands.
5. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Lakeside Road: JS reported that the the Council have introduced a temporary Order to prevent parking in Lakeside Road between The Avenue and 12 Lakeside Road. This is very unusual but the reason is that delivery vehicles find it difficult to get to the sites because there’s such demand from beach users etc.
Charitable Status: JS proposed that this matter be deferred for the time being, owing to the length of the Agenda, as he was anxious to leave time at the end of the meeting for refreshments.
Request from Church of Transfiguration Gardening Group: Bob Milligan addressed the meeting on behalf of the Church of the Transfiguration Gardening Group. He said that he had spoken to JS after the Residents’ Association AGM about the possibility of the
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Association making a donation towards the work of his Group.
BM was asked, several years ago, by the PCC to set up a group to enhance the appearance of the grounds around the church, which is situated in the lower part of Chaddesley Glen and forms a part of the Harbour Heights Conservation Area. Every Tuesday morning up to 10 of men meet, weather permitting, to undertake jobs such as planting, pruning, weeding, clearance etc, and they feel they have achieved a lot. The Group enter each year in the Dorset Wildlife Association’s Living Churchyard competition, and they have been very highly commended for the last few years.
The Group try to avoid drawing on the Church’s resources to fund our activities, relying rather on an occasional plant sales and infrequent small donations. Currently the Group are looking to engage a contractor to remove some troublesome tree roots, which will cost about £200. The Group would be most grateful if the Association could help us to raise this sum.
Although the garden is part of the Church’s territory it is open to everyone and the Group see their work as a kind of community service.
TS proposed donating the £200, majority in favour with 1 abstention. It was also suggested that John Butterworth of FJB Hotels be approached.
Travellers in Beach Road car park – MH reported that the travellers have told the Council that they plan to move on on Saturday but, if this doesn’t happen, the Council will take legal action to remove them.
It was also suggested that the Council should instal height barriers at the entrances to the car park to prevent this happening again.
JS closed the meeting at 8.30pm and invited members to stay for refreshments.
Date of next Meeting: The next meeting is on Wednesday 13th August 2008 in the Main Hall at Branksome St Aldhelm’s Parish Centre (Entrance via Lindsay Road)