MINUTES OF THE BRANKSOME, CANFORD CLIFFS & DISTRICT RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE MEETING
HELD ON WEDNESDAY 9th DECEMBER 2009 AT 7.30PM
IN THE LOUNGE, BRANKSOME ST. ALDHELM’S PARISH CENTRE
PRESENT:
Terry Stewart President
John Sprackling Chairman
Keith Alcroft Planning Officer
Bob Young Magazine Advertising
Val Short Minutes Secretary
Cllr Mrs May Haines Ward Councillor
Cllr Neil Sorton ditto
Ken Sanson Chairman, Sandbanks Assn
15 Members/Wardens
1. APOLOGIES AND ACCURACY OF MINUTES
JS welcomed NS & MH and all those present.
Apologies: Apologies received from Cllr Mrs Carole Deas, John Defty, Michael Bond & Chris Stracey.
Accuracy: JS said that he had omitted to include Bob Young from the list of attendees but, subject to this amendment he would sign the Minutes as a true and accurate record of the meeting held on 11 November 2009.
2. MATTERS ARISING
Poole Pottery/Old Orchard/Quay Thistle Hotel sites update: JS reported that…
1. Quayside (former) Dolphin Quays development – Skelton Group Investments Ltd are in negotiations with Tesco to open a Tesco Express on the ground floor.
2. Poole Pottery factory buildings in Sopers Lane – No new developments
3. Former Poole Pottery & Swan Inn site – ditto
4. Quay Thistle Hotel site – The re-development of the Thistle Hotel is to be treated as a standard Planning Application at a Planning Committee soon
5. Old Orchard House. 39-61. High Street – No new developments
Planning Enforcement, TPOs/Tree replacements – update:
JS reported
15A Westminster Road – No new developments.
Bella Rosa, 37 Haven Road – Retrospective application to erect glass screens to front and side of decking at front of property was refused on 03/07/09. The Enforcement appeal (APP/Q1255/C/09/2112004) is the lead appeal and this appeal and the ‘Written representations’ appeal (APP/Q1255/A/09/2108355 will be dealt with by the same Inspector at the same time. Final comments were due on 16/11/09.
2 Compton Avenue & 93 Lilliput Road – No new developments.
51 Chaddesley Glen – The garage has been built in accordance with the Approved Plan 07/07351/008/F dated 27/12/07, therefore a new planning application is not required
Community Working Group, Progress re Sir Michael Pitt’s recommendations & IDeA Report: RP reported on the Community Working Group meeting which he had attended on behalf of the Assn on 25/11/09.
RP said that the Local Planning Authority had produced a useful Permitted Development Summary and JS said that this would be distributed with the Minutes. This is also available on the BoP website.
Thistle Hotel – At this time it is not seen as necessary for a special Committee for the Thistle Hotel application, it should be covered under normal business; depending on numbers wishing to attend.
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Stephen Thorne agreed to look into speeding up the process of the pre-application advice appearing on the website.
Residents’ Associations database – Still under construction. It was suggested that as the Poole Partnership website already provides a channel to feedback through to an association rather than individuals, a separate RA website was not necessary.
Ward Walk – This looked at general issues only – report not in public domain.
First Council/Planning Newsletter – This is available on the BoP website. RP suggested it needs more detail to be useful.
Preservation and enhancement of conservation areas – Warren Lever has been invited to attend a meeting in Jan/Feb – NS will follow this up.
Section 106 Agreements – new system is being developed for up-front payments which should speed things up. Audit trail to be provided to identify where money gets spent.
Lack of levels on plans – RP had questioned this. It was generally agreed that levels need to be put on drawings, particularly on applications for sloping sites – RP will follow up.
Reinstatements after Developer work is carried out – it was suggested that a letter go out with every approval stating what is expected, ‘Considerate Constructors Guide’. NS suggested reporting any debris or mess on the BoP website
Sea Defences and Flooding – Stephen Thorne is actively looking into this. Possibility of addressing a future meeting.
JS said he would distribute the full Minutes of the CWG meeting with the Assn’s Minutes.
Poole Beaches and Coastal Defences: RP reported on the Poole & Christchurch Bays Shoreline Management Plan Review – Key Stakeholder Group meeting which he had attended on behalf of the Assn on 26/11/09
What is it? This is the latest report on Policy for protecting the coastline and preventing flooding along the area of the coast from Durlston Head, south of Swanage to Hurst Spit, east of Milford on Sea.
Who is doing it? It is a combination of Defra, Environment Agency, Hampshire and Dorset CCs and the Local Authorities along the strip.
Why now? It is 10 years since the last study was published and this version updates the Policy in the light of earlier consultation and study work by the authorities and consultants Royal Haskoning who are doing the study work.
How is the Policy described? It gives recommendations for the coast divided up into locations (stretches of coast) and compares what was said at SMP1 with the current recommendations. Three timescales are used to describe future approach to planning; the next 25, 50 and 100 years respectively. One of four approaches is used in each timeframe to describe the way in which protection should be carried out. These approaches are ‘Hold the Line’, ‘No Active Intervention’, ‘Managed Realignment’ and ‘Advance the Line’. One of each of these strategies is selected for each stretch for each of the three timeframes.
Where can I see the proposals for the stretches that I am interested in? The Policy Summary map is shown on page 6.17 of the SMP which can be found at www.twobays.net. Chapter 6 also contains definitions and summary tables showing more detail for each stretch of coastline.
What does it suggest for the stretch covered by BPCCRA? For the first 50 years the idea is to hold the line; thereafter there is considered an opportunity to advance the line seawards to improve and enhance the amenity area in front of the cliffs to the aesthetic and economic benefit of the area. Advancing the line is rare in the UK and the idea is seen as a radical alternative to more traditional coastal treatments. As for Poole harbour, the north side would be a ‘hold the line’ strategy, whereas harbour south would get no active intervention. There is no question of a barrier being placed across the harbour entrance at Sandbanks; this would lead to such a radical change in the environment in the harbour that it is rejected. More detail is shown on the plan.
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What are the detailed construction ideas? There are none at this stage in the process; this is the policy stage; ‘what outcomes do we want’. The ‘how do we achieve it’ and ‘who pays what’ stages come later.
How can I comment? Download a comment form from the web site and return it by 17/02/10. It is hoped that BPCCRA will submit a response on behalf of its members and this might offer feedback on the whole report not just the portion relating to its area.
Ben Hurley pointed out that the whole of the bay used to depend on sand eroding from Canford Cliffs and being deposited in Bournemouth. In the future, Poole Old Town will be flooded as sea levels rise.
Council Tax 2010/11 & Council’s Budget Monitoring report: William Mutlow reported that as at 30/09/09 the Council’s year-end forecast surplus is currently estimated to be £367,000. NS said that the year-end forecast at 31/10/09 was very similar but it should be borne in mind that that the overall budget is £100m.
WM commented that, once again, that the Revised Budget at 30/09/09 showed significant variances to the figures shown for Original Budget.
Chairman’s note: I think that the following paragraph from the Council Budget Monitoring (1 April 2009 – 31 October 2009) presented at the Cabinet meeting held the previous day may clarify the position.
3.3 It may aid understanding of Appendix A1 to this Council Budget Monitoring Report to establish that £3,794,000 of the variance reported at the cost of portfolio controlled services level relates to the use of specific earmarked reserves for the purposes they were intended for. Detailed analysis of how earmarked reserves are being drawn down is highlighted within Appendix A3 to Appendix A8.
Poole Partnership: JS reported that he had attended a meeting of the Poole Partnership on 12/11/09 to discuss the present Sustainable Community Strategy which covers 2006 to 2012. This is to be reviewed to cover the longer term and is to be the subject for the State of the Area debate on 11/01/10 17.30-21.00
JS was unable to attend the Poole Partnership Steering Group meeting on 02/12/09 as he was attending a funeral in Croydon. Agenda items include…
1. Draft revised terms of reference and membership for Poole Partnership Steering Group and Performance Management Group.
It is proposed that the Steering Group is to be renamed the “Poole Partnership Vision Group” and its role redefined to clarify its responsibility of maintaining a strategic overview of the work of the Partnership, with a more inclusive membership more representative of Poole’s partners and community.
The Performance Management Group is to be renamed the “Poole Partnership Management Board” and its role redefined to clarify its role as the executive board which is responsible for the overall management of the Partnership, ensuring delivery of the Partnership’s priorities.
2. ‘One Place’ Chairman’s Note: the results of the Comprehensive Area Assessments were published on the Internet earlier in the day. Poole has a green flag for Housing and no red flags have been identified for Poole
JS said that he was due to attend a Stronger Communities Partnership meeting this afternoon. The Agenda included a presentation by Safer Poole Partnership on Community Cohesion and updates on
- Bourne Valley Neighbourhood Management Project
Migrant Impacts Fund - the Environment for the third sector
Sustainable Community Strategy
Canford Cliffs Village & proposal to plant trees in Haven Road: KA reported that Urban Planning had produced a sketch. MH & KA had met with Planning & Transport and had put forward some alternatives. Some progress had been made.
The Christmas Lights in the Village were switched on by the Mayor on 13/11/09. JS congratulated all
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those involved with this very happy occasion.
Ravine Road car park – JS said that a number of residents had raised concerns that, two weeks ago, the hedges along Western Road have been cut back substantially. NS said that he had contacted the Head of Leisure Services who had apologised that this was not notified to Ward Councillors in advance.
JS said that he would include the full text of the reply from the Head of Leisure Services in the Minutes.
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Works has been carried out with the aim of creating a more effective and significantly tidier hedge – an issue that has been raised a number of times. The plan was to level the hedge at 4 – 5ft to help encourage uniform regrowth and add additional plants to thicken it up.
In carrying out the works however it became clear that many parts of the hedge were failing and quite a lot of the rhododendron appeared to be diseased – an issue being increasingly reported across the UK (e.g., http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pramorum). The original plan therefore would not have solved the problem of an untidy hedge in ultimate decline.
A rather more ambitious and long term approach was therefore adopted. The hedge has been cut back to around 3ft to encourage branching and thickening of the hedge. Cutting back to this height will allow the grounds team access to add significant new plants – we’re looking at around 150 additional plants along the length of the hedge which will help reinvigorate and restoring it to a standard in keeping with the area.
The Council expect the rhododendron to put on around 1ft of height during the next 12 months and while it will need to annual prune the hedge, to keep it tidy and encourage branching regrowth, its height will be managed to eventually return to the 5ft – 6ft height previously agreed.
It should be stressed that without these works the hedge would have continued its slow decline which, given the site’s importance both to local residents and tourism, would not have been ideal.
Public Rights of Way:
Westminster Road end of Dalkeith Road – No further developments
Buccleuch Road to Lakeside Road – ditto
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: No further developments
Use of Assn’s Capital Reserve & Canford Cliffs Library Noticeboard:
TS reported that the officer involved with the procurement of the Canford Cliffs Library Noticeboard has requested quotes from the BoP’s appointed suppliers for signs and noticeboards and has yet to receive these. TS commented that this seems to be taking an extraordinarily long time to resolve.
From time to time, the Assn is approached for financial support where residents engage professional help in opposing planning applications. It has been suggested that the Assn should agree criteria for financially supporting neighbour objections, so as not to establish an open precedent. JS suggested that this is discussed at the Assn’s next meeting.
Public Liability Insurance (PLI) – JS is pursuing.
Mobile ‘Phone Mast, Elgin Road: Prior Approval application (To remove existing 12 metre telegraph pole mounting 1.7 metre shrouded antennas and deployment of 1no. 15 metre high telegraph pole & 1no. additional cabinet at ground level) registered on 26/11/09.
JS has informed Chris Stracey that, as this is a ‘Prior Approval application’, this will be deemed as ‘Granted’, if this is not refused within the 56 day period from the date of registration. If the officer is minded to recommend approval of this application, there may be a case for calling for one of the ‘emergency’ Planning Committee meetings set up for this purpose.
3. NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
KA reported…
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’.
Land adj 1 Over Links Drive (Sever land and erect a new detached house (Revised Scheme) – Application to be determined by Planning Committee tomorrow (10/12/09). The officer’s recommendation is to refuse.
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 to be determined by Planning Committee tomorrow (10/12/09). The officer’s recommendation is to refuse.
(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 to be determined by Planning Committee tomorrow (10/12/09). The officer’s recommendation is to ‘Grant with Conditions’
11 Westminster Road (a) Demolish existing and erect a block of five flats with basement parking &
(b) Demolish existing and erect three detached two storey dwellings with integral double garages – Applications refused on 24/11/09.
KA reported…
20 Balcombe Road (Demolish existing and erect 3 detached houses (Revised Scheme) – Application refused on 27/05/09. Appeal allowed by Planning Inspector on 02/12/09 and partial costs were awarded relating to the second reason for refusing planning permission based on the Council’s concerns about adverse effects on trees.
RP suggested that the Assn should write to the Council to congratulate it on its efforts to defend its decision to refuse this application.
Other current planning issues
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’.
19 Torbay Road (Demolish existing dwelling and erect 3 no. 4-bedroom detached houses with associated parking) Application registered on 05/11/09. Local concerns.
10 Nairn Road (Demolish the existing house and erect 2 x 4 bedroom maisonettes with associated parking) – Amended plans lodged on 27/11/09.
46-48 Tower Road (Demolish existing houses and erect 14 flats with basement and surface parking)
Application registered on 02/10/09. Affordable Housing Report lodged on 23/11/09.
Land adj. 2 Mornish Road
(a) Conservation area application to erect a 5-bed detached house with integral garage, access from Mornish Road (Revised scheme) – Appeal allowed on 24/07/09.
(b) Erect a 5-bed detached house with attached garage, access from Mornish Road. (Revised Scheme) – S106 details to be submitted before determining.
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. The current situation is as follows…
- · All relevant required contributions were paid upfront on the original application on the site 06/12687/005/F.
- · A subsequent revised scheme was submitted on application no.07/12687/006/F, this application has an incomplete section 106 agreement, hence the failure to issue a consent thus far.
- · Linking the plans submitted in respect of a minor amendment to the yet unresolved planning application no.07/12687/006/F is the issue which is currently being discussed with the agent.
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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 – In the absence of JD, JS reported that the total funds as at 30th November amounted to just over £33,462. As and when all advertising bills have been settled the cost will have been 3p per copy! This, of course, is all down to Bob Young`s increase in advertising revenue.
5. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Chester Road/Forest Road Conservation Area (Under consideration) – JS has invited Warren Lever to speak at the Assn’s next meeting to be held on 08/01/10. NS will follow this up.
JS said that, out of the 23 Conservation areas in Poole, 9 fall within the area covered by the Assn.
6 St Osmonds Road – Rose Rogers thanked JS for the information which he had supplied about the change of use at this site.
There being no other AOB, the meeting closed at 8.15pm and was concluded with mulled wine and mince pies.
Date of next meeting: The next meeting is Wednesday 13th January 2010 in the Main Hall at Branksome St Aldhelm’s Parish Centre (Entrance via Lindsay Road)