Minutes of the meeting of the Penrice Community Council held on ~
At Oxwich and Penrice Youth Hall at
Members Present: Councillor A Glass – Chairman
Councillor G Davies
Councillor A Oliver
Councillor B Richards
Councillor G Roberts
Councillor J Bowen
Councillor M Barnett
Guest County Councillor R Lewis
Approximately eight members of the public were also present.
122/08 Apologies for Absence
Cllr I Williams
123/08 Declaration of Personal
Interest
Cllr B Richards
declared a personal interest in some of the Planning Applications.
124/08 To confirm the minutes
of the meeting 14th January 08
The minutes were a
true and accurate record.
Proposed: Cllr B
Richards Seconded:
Cllr A Oliver
125/08 Matters arising from
the minutes.
Council considered
suspending standing orders to deal with
Item 99/07
Malcolm Ridge of the Gower Society has agreed to attend the PCC 12th
March 08 meeting.
Item 103/07 200 copies of the leaflet have been printed at a cost of £49.
Councillors to distribute. ALL
Item 109/08 There were additional places on the OVW
Planning Training 18th Feb 08.
Cllr A Glass and Cllr A Oliver to attend. Cost £25 per Cllr. SC
109/08 ‘How to Chair a Meeting’ training
- Cllr A Glass has attended and reported that the Chairman should be fully
aware of the Council’s Standing Orders.
114/08 Rubbish Bins - A response had been
received from the CCS explaining that only one of the requested three bins was
possible. The reason’s given by the CCS was queried by the PCC. Council decided that GR to formulate a
response and pass to the Clerk to respond. GR/SC
116/08 A link to the CCS Planning page
has been requested on the Gower Website.
Cllr G Davies
proposed that a proforma be used to allow local residents to make comments to
the PCC prior to decisions on planning applications. Following a short discussion, Council decided
to agenda next meeting. SC
126/08 Cllr R Lewis
County Councillor
R Lewis reported:
The Swansea
Leisure Centre has received bad reviews in recent weeks. However the Centre has
many different facilities on offer, such as the watersport park, surfing and a
climbing wall. It will open on the 8th
126/08 Cllr
R Lewis cont…
March 08. Costs were receiving much criticism, but
there will be concessions for pensioners and schools and
groups etc. Cllr Lewis is on the Board of the Trust that will
run the new centre.
Parking problems
are expected to improve when the contractors are finished, and there are
possible future plans to make a multi-storey car park for the site.
Cllr A Oliver
asked why the project went over budget from £25 million to £32 million. Cllr Lewis advised that the project did hit
budget of £32 million and was delivered on time. He advised that the Leisure Centre will
require an initial subsidy of £1 million per year, but this will tail off.
127/08 Community Councils
Cllr A Glass and
the Clerk had attended the Gower CC Website meeting and the minutes of the
previous meeting were available. Cllr
Glass reported that there were still quite a few councils not signed up to the
website.
One Voice
128/08 Correspondence
1. CCS Planning
Application 2007/2574
Caravan Rally at Bank Farm 20/6/08-22/6/08 Approved
2.
3. CCS Reply
letter re Flooding noted
4. CCS The
Community Strategy - Liberty Stadium 29th Feb 08 noted
5. Edwina Hart - Letter re: Review of
Boundaries offering assistance. Council
had previously considered whether Little Reynoldston and Perriswood would be
better served by a change of boundary.
Following a discussion Council decided that the Clerk to write letters
to both Ilston CC and Reynoldston CC for their views. SC
6. CCS Letter
of response to the request to clear gulleys prior to forecast heavy rain. Clerk had written a second letter to CCS and
supplied Cllr A Oliver’s details to contact regarding flooding problems that
had been experienced during the recent bad weather. A reply was still awaited.
Clerk to chase response. SC
7. Welsh Assembly - Section 137 expenditure
payments £5.86 per elector. noted
8. The Voice magazine - Article on the new
Planning Portal, including a website and an offer to advise Councils of new
procedures - noted.
129/08 Financial
Details chq
no amount VAT Total
Academy Print
& Design leaflets 333 49.00 0 49.00
The Ink Store –
printer ink 334 11.38 1.49 11.38
Canx chq 335 0 0 0
Clerks pay and
expenses 336 (information protected under the data
protection act.)
OVW Training 337 25.00 0 25.00
OVW Training 338 25.00 0 25.00
Balances as @
Cash @ bank 11149.00
Proposed to pay:
Cllr A Oliver Seconded:
Cllr J Bowen
Carried
unanimously.
Cllr B Richards
declared a personal interest in Items Application numbers 2008/0077 and
2008/0147, and withdrew from the meeting during these items.
Application number
2008/0077 Caravan Rally at Bank Farm, Horton
- No date was supplied on the application- Council decided that due to
the absence of a date then no comment could be passed. Advise the CCS that the full facts are
required. SC
Application number
2008/0147 Caravan Rally at Bank Farm, Horton 1/8/08-15/8/08– Caravan Club.
Council decided
that there were no objections to this application.
Application number
2008/0064 Renewal of temporary marquee site and overspill car park to run from
April – Sept and December 08 at the Oxwich Bay Hotel, Oxwich
Cllr B Richards
declared a personal interest in this item and did not vote or speak.
Some local
residents have raised concern that the lighting at the Oxwich Bay Hotel has
been changed and is much too bright.
Following a discussion, Council agreed Cllr Robert’s to speak with Sally
Williams in the absence of Cllr Williams on holiday, in the first instance and
that this application response would be deferred to the next meeting. GR/SC
Application number
2008/0111
One of the owners
of this property, Mrs J. Parker, presented the case for this application from
the floor, and answered the Council’s questions. It is planned to build a small cottage on the
site of the derelict property, which is to be detached and sympathetically
designed in keeping with the area.
Possible flooding was queried and the Council was assured that the
building would improve the flooding problem.
Council decided to
support this application with no objection.
Application number
2008/0192 Horton Nurseries, Horton - Council decided that there was no
objection to the application, however Cllr G Roberts would consult with local
residents in the immediate vicinity to ensure they have no objections. Cllr G Roberts to advise the Clerk of
response, prior to informing the CCS.
GR/SC
Application number
2008/0184 Ashcroft Cottage, Oxwich - Mr M Mead from the floor presented the
case for this application. The old
cottage was in need of refurbishment and the proposed development would be
larger than the original. Due to the
late receipt of this application, within the seven days prior to the meeting,
neighbours were not aware that this application was on the agenda of this
meeting. Council decided that there was
no objection, however Cllr G Davies to consult with the neighbours to once
again see if they have any objections. GD/SC
The Chair welcomed
Mr M Mead, owner of
The Mead said that
they were attending because they were disappointed by points minuted at recent
meetings, which they have picked up from the website, such as non-compliance
with the licencing requirement for a certain number of W.C.s, whereas there are adequate facilities
for the number of people on site.
The Chairman
stated that there was great local concern that Greenways had periodically had
touring caravans on site without planning permission, and CCS had not been
effective at policing these breeches, as a result of which Greenways was trying
to capitalize by seeking to prove established use rights which would make
touring caravans a permanent feature on this site. The Chairman explained that all the residents
of Oxwich were opposed to touring caravans in this area, because of the fear of
meeting them being towed once a year up or down one of the steep, narrow twisting
hills by relatively inexperienced drivers.
In addition, many residents objected to the siting of touring caravans
in an AONB.
The Chairman
explained that following a meeting that he had with Mr Mead about two years
ago, his perception from that meeting that Mr Mead contended he had planning
permission for a mixture of tents and caravans as long as the number did not
exceed 430 units. CCS have recently made
it clear that he has planning
131/08
permission for
tents only, and no caravans. Mr Mead
confirmed this fact.
Mr Mead stated
that there is no difference in law between tents and touring caravans.
He believes he has
established use for touring caravans at the site though he refused to say how
many as this is still under review by the planners.
Mr M Mead advised
that touring caravans had been on the site since the 1970’s.
The Chairman
queried that he had been informed that the camping section of the site had been
closed the peak season one year due to poor water pressure affecting Oxwich
Green.
Mr Mead said that
this was not the case and there had been tourer’s there for the last 10-years.
There is evidence
in the Licensing Dept of the CCS on two occasions when the authority wrote to
Mr Kenny advising him that he should apply for planning permission. However there is no compulsion in law to
apply for it and it could end in the magistrate’s court.
The Chairman said
that there have been complaints in the past and when investigated by CCS there
were no tourers there.
Mr Mead explained
that he was an honourable businessman, who has kept the site intensity lower
than he needed to, to maintain reasonable standards.
Cllr A Oliver felt
that in the past Mr Mead has tried to barter in order to get a planning
permission and that one meeting become quite heated. The Council is only acting in the best
interest of the community. The Council
and residents had been informed by the CCS that there was a deadline to apply
for a certificate of lawfulness that had passed. The Council just require the facts and to
ensure that actions taken are lawful.
Cllr A Oliver was
concerned that Cllr B Richards and Cllr G Davies had a conflict of interest in
this issue.
Mr Mead stated
that Cllr A Oliver had caravans on his land and asked what is the difference
between himself and Cllr A Oliver.
Cllr A Oliver
stated that a caravan on his land was being used by a relative who was not
paying him, and that he just wanted lawfulness and the same for all. There is concern that the intensity of the
site has grown whilst the changeover of the caravans and replanting was under
taken.
Mr Mead informed
the meeting that over 4000 shrubs and trees had been planted already.
The Chairman
acknowledged that the site had improved under Mr Mead’s ownership, but that
there was great concern in the community over expansion of the site.
Cllr G Davies
stated that normally individuals have to apply for planning permission and that
the Council wants fairness for all. A
reasonable balance needs to be found that will only be achieved through
communication. When rumours are
circulated, everyone thinks the worst.
The Council and residents need to know the truth. Misinformation causes concern.
The question was
raised of how many tourer’s are being stated under the established use
permission.
Mr Mead stated
that Greenways is currently making an application for established use of
touring caravans, but the number cannot be disclosed.
Cllr G Davies said
that as a neighbour of the site, the impact on his property is far less than if
there were 430 tents.
Cllr M Barnett was
not familiar with the site and requested if a site visit could be
arranged. County Councillor Richard
Lewis thought this would be a good social policy. Cllr Lewis would also like to see the
site.
Mr M Mead stated
that the touring caravans remain all season.
The Chairman
queried whether this would not make them seasonal static caravans.
Mr Mead said that
they are still classed as a touring caravans.
9.20pm Cllr B
Richards and County Councillor R Lewis left the meeting.
131/08 Greenways Holiday
Park cont…
The requested stop
sign was discussed. Mr Mead had not
received the letter from the Council even though one had been sent. Following the discussion, Council decided to
send a letter to the CCS Highways Dept to express safety concerns and advising
that the site owners will co-operate,
asking for a stop sign to be situated at the junction of the entrance to
Greenways Caravan Park. SC
Cllr G Davies thought that it was very positive
that Mr Mead had attended the meeting and that the only way to make progress
was two way communication.
Mr Mead was
invited to discuss any concerns in an attempt to stop the rumours.
Mr Mead requested
that if invited to future meetings, he would appreciate the Council specifying
what is to be discussed, so that information can be researched and properly
prepared..
Mr Mead stated
that there is specific planning law regarding caravan sites and Cllr B Richards is a very knowledgeable
person in this field.
Mr Jeremy Bowen
from the floor said that it was good to finally meet Mr Mead, but explained
that information from the CCS Planning Dept and information provided by Mr Mead
bears no relation.
Mr Mead stated
that the CCS Planning Department does not have a planning officer that
specializes in caravan and camping law and that he is advised by a planning
consultant.
Mr Jeremy Bowen
responded that smaller operators could follow suit if Greenways is allowed to
get away with this established use permission.
Mr Mead said he
had not done anything at the site that was not there before.
Mr Jeremy Bowen
advised that if the site was to remain as it is then he personally would not
have a problem, but he would have a
problem if it were to expand.
Mr Mead stated
that he could change the business, without changing the size.
Mr Mead said that
there are 125 static caravans on the site.
Council decided,
in agreement with Mr Mead to have a site visit for the Easter weekend – 22nd
March 08 11am for anyone interested to
meet at the entrance. If heavy rain is
forecast then it will move to 1st
bank holiday in May. ALL
Cllr G Roberts had investigated the costs and estimated between £400-£500 for an aluminium board 2m x 1m to replace the Horton Village Hall Board, that is now beyond repair. GR
Cllr J Bowen proposed that Cllr G Roberts to order the board, seconded Cllr M Barnett. Carried unanimously.
133/08 The
possible sale of an area of land adjoining Shore Cottage, Horton, currently
owned
by the Penrice Community Council.
Council decided to hold this part of the meeting in camera, due to the personal nature of the information to be discussed.
134/08 Matters Outstanding.
135/08 Date of next meeting.
12th
March 2008 at Horton Village Hall
Meeting ended 10.30pm