MINUTES OF THE BRANKSOME PARK, CANFORD CLIFFS & DISTRICT RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION
EXECUTIVE & WARDENS MEETING HELD ON 11TH JUNE 2008 at 7.30pm
IN THE MAIN HALL BRANKSOME ST. ALDHELM’S PARISH CENTRE
PRESENT:
Terry Stewart President
John Sprackling Chairman
John Defty Treasurer
Michael Bond Membership Secretary
Bob Young Magazine Advertising Manager
Val Short Minutes Secretary
Cllr Mrs Carole Deas Ward Councillor
Ken Sanson, Chairman, Sandbanks Assn
20 Members/Wardens
Welcomes JS welcomed Cllr Mrs Carole Deas, Ken Sanson and all those present.
1. APOLOGIES AND ACCURACY OF MINUTES (12 MARCH 2008)
Apologies: Cllrs Neil Sorton and Mrs May Haines (Holiday) Keith Alcroft (Holiday) & Stan Alfert
Accuracy: JS said that he would sign the Minutes as a true and accurate record of the meeting held on 9th April 2008.
2. MATTERS ARISING
Poole Pottery/Quay Thistle Hotel sites exammoon.com update: JS reported that
1. Quayside (former) Dolphin Quays development – No further developments
2. Poole Pottery factory buildings in Sopers Lane – ditto
3. Former Poole Pottery & Swan Inn site –.ditto
4. Quay Thistle Hotel site – ditto
5. Old Orchard House. 39-61. High Street – ditto
Planning Enforcement, TPOs/Tree replacements – update:
JS said that was unable to attend yesterday’s Hearing at Wimborne Magistrates Court to hear the S210(1) unlawful felling summons re 19 Mornish Road and is waiting to hear the outcome.
An unauthorised two-storey building is under construction at 75 Canford Cliffs Road. The Planning Enforcement Team are aware of the development. An application has been sought and, if it is not forthcoming within 10 days from 02/06/08, the Planning Enforcement Officer is minded to issue a Temporary Stop Notice.
Alleged unauthorised tree work at 83 Canford Cliffs Road, 3 Lawrence Drive & 62 Haven Road has been reported to the Planning Enforcement Officer.
Chairman’s note: The Enforcement Officer has subsequently written to say that “a site visit to 3 Lawrence Drive confirmed that there has been no breach of planning control and the only tree work carried out on the property was the dead branches on a couple of trees along the drive.”
Poole Beaches and Coastal Defences: JS reported that he had received from from the New Forest District Council Poole & Christchurch Bays Shoreline Management Plan (SMP2) Review. JS has passed this to Peter Jackson who is the member who takes the lead on behalf of the Assn regarding Poole Beaches 700-505 dumps and Coastal Defences.
Council Tax 2008/09 & Financial Monitoring report: William Mutlow reported that the General Fund Summary 2007/08 of the Council Budget Monitoring statement shows an
underspend of £1,742m. There was a Contribution to the General Fund Reserves of £957,000 and a capital programme underspend of £4 million. Budgeted Revenue expenditure for 2008/9 is £90,902,000 – an increase of £6 million over last year. The
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Capital Programme Summary 2007 to 2011 shows that there will be significant increases in
future capital expenditure mainly due to Children’s Services (Chairman’s note: relating to the Schools for the Future programme). The ability to move money around within a portfolio enables better targeting of money towards delivery of services. Equal pay will be a big cost in future years. Overall the financial monitoring is good but there is always room for improvement.
JS reported that the new Head of Financial Services has already taken up her position on a part-time basis and will be full-time from next month.
Poole Partnership: JS attended the Stronger Communities Partnership meeting held on 16/05/08 and amongst the topics discussed were
- · New initiatives in Poole’s Third Sector
- · Dorset Race Equality Council
- · Safer Neighbourhoods
- · Poole’s new Local Area Agreement
Lindsay Road to Station Road Corridor/Speeding in Lindsay Road: JS said that one of the items on the Agenda for the Stronger Communities Partnership meeting mentioned above was a presentation by Jan Thurgood, Strategic Director, Borough of Poole on the Safer Neighbourhoods project. The town has been divided up into eight Safer Neighbourhoods. JS quoted an example of an issue raised by residents and communities with a successful outcome:
• Speeding and residents’ perceptions that speeding is occurring This has been an issue in both Hamworthy and Alderney/Rossmore. Additional mobile cameras have been purchased through the Safer Poole Partnership and Safer Neighbourhood Team staff trained in their use. In our exercise in Alderney, 40
drivers were stopped and verbally warned, cautioned or issued with a penalty notice. Local residents concerned about speeding have been enabled to see the cameras in action and on some occasions have recognised that they are over-estimating the speed of vehicles.
The Assn’s area is covered by the Parkstone, Penn Hill & Canford Cliffs Safer Neighbourhood Team and JS said that he would distribute their latest Newsletter with the Minutes.
Chairman’s Note: I meant to have mentioned that Dr Janet Boaler of St Alhelms Place, Lindsay Road is seeking improvements to the St Aldhelms Road/Lindsay Road junction. In a note from Transportation Services dated 11/04/07, we ere told that this junction would be reviewed “..once alterations (to Station Road through to Lindsay Road via Penn Hill to the south and Ashley Road to the north).…that are programmed to take place…are completed. Dr Boaler is contacting the Head of Transportation Services with her concerns in advance of the Transportation Advisory Group meeting on 31st July.
Canford Cliffs Village:
JS reported that the Farmers’ Market has been approved for a six month trial period starting on 4th Friday of July.
Chairman’s Note: The following item appeared in the Daily Echo dated 14/06/08…
Market shuts up shop
PENN Hill’s weekend market in Poole has been forced to close.
The weekly Green Carrot organic and Fairtrade market ran on Sunday mornings in the car park at the corner of Canford Cliffs Road and Leicester Road.
Stalls and visitors had begun to dwindle and Blue River Natural Markets, organisers of the event, want 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.
Amanda Cook, an independent financial adviser who had a stall at the market, said: “Numbers had been dwindling and the hope was by changing to one Saturday we would increase buying. But it would have cost the same as if we came every weekend.”
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Skywalk Tower, Sandbanks (Application No. 06/12765/016/F): No further developments.
Bus Service to serve Lindsay Road & Penn Hill Ave:
JS reported that he had had a number of telephone calls about the withdrawal of the No. 151 bus service.
Shirley Clegg of Fountain Court, 13 The Avenue who had taken up this matter with Wilts &
Dorset quoted from a letter recently received by a local resident from Chris Harris, their Public Relations Manager
“…The changes to the bus network introduced from 25 May were designed to more closely match the service provided with the use that people are currently making of the buses.
The new 50 route from Bournemouth to Swanage does run along The Avenue in a southerly direction between County Gates and Tower Road. Unfortunately there is no equivalent northbound service; buses coming into Bournemouth from Swanage run via Alumhurst Road and R L Stevenson Avenue to avoid traffic delays at County Gates.
Under the terms of the 1985 Transport Act bus services are required to be provided wherever possible on a commercial basis, and unfortunately the amount of use being made of the former 151 route was insufficient to justify its continuation”
The letter went on to say that the route of the No. 50 would be reviewed in the Autumn and
JS said that he hoped that some changes would be introduced.
Roy Pointer asked how a need for buses is generated and it was suggested that lobbying councillors is probably the best way to get the bus services required. JS said that the Council have a ‘Route & Branch’ Review Committee whose task is to specifically look at bus routes and negotiate with the bus companies.
Michael Bond referred to complaints from residents of The Pentagon, 52 Haven Road about the noise, litter and people sitting on walls, etc at the new bus stop opposite Loch Fyne. Mrs Heather Challenger, a resident of The Pentagon, has written to the relevant Council officer and our Ward Councillors about this.
Public Rights of Way:
Westminster Road end of Dalkeith Road – JS said that the Open Spaces Society are ‘chasing’ the newly appointed Rights of Way officer about this.
Buccleuch Road to Lakeside Road – ditto
Bessborough Road – ditto
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 small sub-group of Western Ave residents had appointed John Montgomery of Tanner & Tilley to represent objectors at the Planning Hearing (APP/Q1255/E/08/2067926 & APP/Q1255/A/08/2067927which is likely to take place in August/September 2007. Mr Montgomery has quoted a fee of £1,500 and the small sub-group are looking to the Assn to meet 50% of this and they will pay the remainder.
Haig Ave & Lawrence Drive –
JS reported
3 Lawrence Drive (Demolition of existing and erection of 8 apartments with underground parking (Revised scheme) – application refused on 06/06/08.
4 Lawrence Drive (Demolish existing and erect 1 block of 5 flats and 1 x 5-bed house with associated parking) – amended plans lodged on 02/05/08.
6 Haig Avenue (Demolish existing and erect 5 apartments & 1 single detached dwelling with garages (Revised Scheme) – refused on 04/06/08. NB planning consent for Demolish existing dwelling and erect 5 flats with 1 house at rear. As amended by plans received
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06.08.07′ granted on 04/09/07.
7 Haig Avenue (a) Outline application to demolish existing dwelling & annex and erect 3 detached houses) & (b) Demolish existing and erect block of 9 flats with underground parking) – both granted with conditions on 06/06/08.
Roy Pointer asked if we might pick again the proposal to invite an officer from Strategic
Planning to speak to the Assn. This idea was ‘put on ice’ at the suggestion of the sub-group of Western Ave residents who were discussing with Strategic Planning the idea of
introduce prescriptive policies with regard to the size of buildings permitted in the
Branksome Park Conservation Area. JS said that he would follow this up with Peter Jackson.
Possible Charitable Status for Assn: JS said that we seem to have a classic ‘chicken & egg’ situation as we first need a Trust Deed before the Charity Commissioners will consider our case. Stan Alfert wrote to JS to say that he is qualified and prepared to be one of the Trustees.
After some discussion. it was agreed that we should let another Residents’ Assn take the lead and we would keep a ‘watching brief’ on the situation.
JS said our thanks must go to Michael Shaw for the investigative work he has done on this.
Speeding/Drivers using mobile ‘phones: JS said that the issue of speeding in Canford Cliffs village and surrounding area features in the recently published Parkstone, Penn Hill & Canford Cliffs Safer Neighbourhood Team Newsletter mentioned earlier.
3. NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
JS reported that…
10 Wilderton Road (Demolish existing dwelling and erect replacement dwelling) – subject
to Appeal Hearing (APP/Q1255/E/08/2061620) on 03/07/08 at 10.00am at the Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Poole. Roy Pointer explained that this is a locally listed building within a conservation area being demolished to be replaced with a large development of 12,000 sq ft of a type already seen in the area and that there is potential for 12 Wilderton Road to be developed in the same manner. RP would appreciate support at the appeal hearing and JS exhorted members to attend.
4 Nairn Road (Erect two detached houses with integral garages. (Revised Scheme) Appeal (APP/Q1255/A/07/2049008) dismissed by Inspector on 29/04/08.
1 Over Links Drive (Sever land and erect a detached house with integral garage) – application withdrawn on 27/03/08.
Roland Cunnell asked for 17 Over Links Drive (Demolish existing and erect 2 detached houses (Revised Scheme) – Application registered on 07/05/08 to be added to the list.
1, 2 & 3 Alington Close & 2a & 2b Shore Road
(a) 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) which was granted by Planning Committee on 01/04/08 may be the subject of a Judicial Review. Residents living in the immediate vicinity are seeking offers of financial support. The ‘clock is ticking’ – as a request for a Judicial Review must be lodged within three months from the time the decision was made which was 22nd May.
Ravine Investments appeal (APP/Q1255/A/08/2061709) which was to be subject to a Planning Inquiry on 01/07/08 was withdrawn on 02/06/08.
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. Dorset Lake Residents’ Assn have decided to ask for a Stage 2 review with a view to challenging the conduct of the Planning Committee meeting with the Local Government Ombudsman.
An appeal against earlier application which was due to be the subject of a Hearing yesterday was withdrawn..
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. A number of residents plan to pursue the conduct of the Planning Committee meeting with the Local Government Ombudsman.
Other current planning issues
4 Brudenell Avenue (Outline application to demolish existing dwelling and erect two 3/4
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storey houses) – Application withdrawn on 10/03/08
40 Lakeside Road (Demolish existing and erect 1 x 5-bed house and convert garage to office & storage) was granted by Planning Committee on 20/05/08.
57 Haven Road (Demolish existing and erect a block of 14 flats with basement parking and bin store to be accessed from Haven Road. (as amended by plans received
28/11/06) – this development was not constructed in accordance with the approved plans and elevations but a retrospective application was granted on 18/04/08.
1A-3 Chaddesley Glen
(a) Outline application to demolish nos. 1A & 3 Chaddesley Glen and construct 14
apartments with basement parking. Accessed from Chaddesley Glen) – Appeal
(APP/Q1255/A/07/2056180) dismissed on 10/04/08
(b) 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.
3 Westminster Road (Demolition of existing dwelling and erect 3 storey block of 8 flats
with basement parking to be accessed from Westminster Road) – Appeal (APP/Q1255/A/07/2047001) allowed on 18/03/08.
Canford Cliffs, Promenades 1 & 2 (Construction of 40 new beach huts) – application registered on 22/01/08 but this is still a ‘Current’ application.
142-144 Canford Cliffs Road (Demolition of existing houses and garages. Construction of 14 No. flats with underground parking) – ‘Written representations’ Appeal
(APP/Q1255/A/07/2060701) dismissed on 25/03/08.
146-148 Canford Cliffs Road (Demolish existing and erect a three storey block of ten flats with basement parking. (Revised) – Application registered on 12/03/08 and still a ‘current’
application. An appeal against the LPA’s refusal to grant an earlier application for 12 flats was dismissed on 15/01/08.
12 St Clair Road (Construct 2 detached dwellings with associated parking. (Revised Scheme – application registered on 21/05/08. The steel framework for the roof of one of the two properties remains and, in the case of the other property, it looks as though the wood is in the course of being removed.
103 Lilliput Road (Demolition of existing dwelling and its redevelopment with a 2½ storey flatted block comprising 7 dwelling units, associated access and parking (revised scheme) – Application granted with conditions on 17/03/08.
Ravine Investments appeal (APP/Q1255/A/07/2058028) was due to be the subject of a Planning Inquiry on 21/05/08 but, as this didn’t appear on the list of Planning Appeal Hearings/Inquiries to be held internally/externally during May 2008, it is assumed that this was withdrawn.
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 be determined by the Planning Committee on 19/06/08 and officer’s recommendation is to ‘Grant with conditions)
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.
5 Durrant Road
(a) Erect 5 storey block of 8 flats) – Appeal dismissed on 20/12/07
(b) Demolish existing and erect a 4 storey block of 8 flats with basement garage accessed
from Durrant Road. As amended by information received 02/10/07 and plans received 28/06/07, 11/07/07 and 17/09/07 – Appeal dismissed on 17/04/08.
60A Kings Avenue (Tree Replacement Notices to replant 3 Scots Pines) – subject to Written Representation appeal (GOSW Ref SW/THM/8147/1038)
4. REPORT ON CANFORD CLIFFS/PENN HILL AREA COMMITTEE MEETING (28/05/08)
WM reported that there were calls for the proposed changes for the Bournemouth Road-Richmond Road interchange which includes a banned right turn from Bournemouth Road into Richmond Road to be rejected.
Mr Ian Walker of Excelsior Road asked a question on general policy following the Local Government Ombudsman’s Report on 7 Excelsior Road but Cllr. Parker tried to rule IW out of order.
CD commented that IW has a valid reason for wanting this discussed and that she and IW were meeting with the Chief Executive.
CD went on to say that what we are doing in Poole is not in line with Conservative Party
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policy/guidelines. The Chief Executive has to acknowledge what happened at the meeting. CD alleged that, although two councillors could recall what was said at the Planning Committee meeting on 31/05/07, officers could not remember. CD feels it was quite a disgrace and will fight and stand up against it. She is speaking out openly on behalf of concerned residents. The Planning Department is guilty of inadequate minutes and recording of votes. Residents have raised a lot of questions that were not answered properly. The Planning Committee Chairman is alleged to have told the committee that
there were already three-storey houses in the street.- giving the impression that the new
development would fit in and that it would lose on appeal. CD therefore voted to approve – that one vote made the difference – actually all other properties were 2 storeys and, if that had been said at the meeting, CD would have voted to refuse. CD has since been taken
off the Planning Committee.
5. ACCOUNTS TO DATE JD reported that funds to end of May amounted to £35,600. There is a further £700 still to come from advertising and subscriptions are quite brisk.
JD had been notified by Nationwide that we have to close our account and take up a Treasurer’s Trust Account at a lesser rate of interest by the 25th July. JD will therefore investigate a better rate elsewhere.
6. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
21 Wilderton Road: It is alleged that this bungalow is in multiple occupation. Cllr Mrs Deas promised to investigate.
Chairman’s Note: contrary to Policy BE23 Conservation areas – low density development) of the Poole Local Plan which states that “Within The Avenue, Branksome Park, Brunstead Road, Canford Cliffs and Evening Hill Conservation Areas, residential development should take the form of single household (My emphasis) detached dwellings on sites of a size consistent with that existing in the area”.
House on land at rear of 14 Torbay Road (Access via Wynford Road): Mrs Roger’s complained that the new building overlooked neighbouring properties and that she had tried, unsuccessfully, to contact Cllr. Parker about this.
JS said that planning consent to ‘Construct new house including increase height of ridge by 700mm. (Revised Scheme) was granted with conditions on 29/05/08.
TS commented that Peter Watson had promised to change the notification procedures so that houses opposite new developments will also be notified in future.
Friday’s meeting with Robert Syms MP for Poole: TS reported on this meeting (attended by
Cllr Dr Brian Leverett, Leader of the Council, John McBride, Chief Executive, Jim Bright, Strategic Director, David Ralph, Head of Strategic Planning, Peter Watson, Head of Planning Design & Control Services & Janet Biles, Business Support Manager/PA to Chief Executive and representatives of 14 Residents’ Association plus a number of local residents with particular grievances about specific planning applications)
TS said that positive outcomes included
- Database of Residents’ Associations held by Strategic Planning, the Local Planning Authority and Legal & Democratic Services will be merged.
- All Residents’ Associations on the database will be sent details of new policies etc.
- Peter Watson handed out copies of the LPAs Validation Checklist which residents have been asking for 2 years.
- John McBride will consider how to improve communication to Residents’ Associations, including an e-mail newsletter including website links to new Council policies or plans.
- A separate meeting will be held on Friday with John McBride & Robert Syms with ‘aggrieved’ residents who are unhappy with planning applications relating to Lawrence Drive, Alington Close and Whitecliff Recreation Ground.
- Notification letters re new planning applications will be sent to the houses opposite the site to be developed.
Serious concerns were expressed on CDs sacking from the Planning Committee.
WM asked if there was anything in the emerging Core Strategy about un-minuted pre-planning application meetings between planners and developers. JS said questions about this had been raised at the meeting and he would circulate the Minutes when these had been agreed.
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WM said that the Audit Commision’s Corporate Assessment Report and Improvement Plan
recommended that no Cabinet members should sit on the Planning and Licensing Committees. TS said that there had already been a reduction to two Cabinet Members, Cllr Stribley and Cllr White who now sit on the Planning committee but Cllr Leverett had promised that this would be zero by the end of the year.
CD thanked the Residents’ Association for all their support.
JS closed the meeting at 8.40pm.
Date of next Meeting: The next meeting is on Wednesday 9th July 2008 in the Main Hall at Branksome St Aldhelm’s Parish Centre (Entrance via Lindsay Road)
NB Wine & ‘nibbles’ to be served in the Centre garden at conclusion of meeting