Port Eynon Community Council
Minutes of monthly Council meeting held on 15th January 2018 held at Knelston Primary School.
Present Councillors Robert Fisher, Sheila Fisher, Gareth Evans, Gareth Jones, Steven Young and Martin Cox
Apologies none
In attendance Mr.Barry Stubbings – Clerk; Mr. Peter Williams VHMC; Mr & Mrs Anthony Griffiths
Chair Councillor Robert Fisher took the Chair.
Presentation Mr. Anthony Griffiths addressed the council with respect to Planning Application 2017/2448 ‘A detached house to be sited at Field 7000, Burry’
Mr. Griffiths explained that he was a young farmer trying to establish his own family business primarily on land that was previously Burry Dairy Farm. Whilst he accepted that the application made was for a relatively large house, it was to be both a home for his young family to grow into, and premises for his farm office.
He explained that his present farm holding was disparate and spread throughout North Gower, but this was the norm for modern farm businesses and provided the benefit of varied topography and climate. The core of the business would be the 50 acre holding at Burry, he noted that the average farm size in Wales was only 55 acres. At present he found it necessary to rent agricultural buildings and yard space at Cilibion until he was able to build up the necessary facilities at Burry.
With regard to Trumpet lane which would provide the access to the proposed house and agricultural yards this was an adopted highway owned by the City Council, and any subsequent need to improve it would be a matter for the City Council.
Council members were sympathetic to the case put by Mr. Griffiths and agreed that if the applicant site was not in a rural context within the AONB then it could be supported. It was agreed that a further letter should be sent to City Planning Officer advising that Council had been addressed by Mr and Mrs Griffiths, and clarifying the points now raised.
Minutes Clerk confirmed that the minutes of the last meeting held on 17th November 2017 had been circulated, posted on the notice boards and on the web site.
Some typographical errors were corrected.
It was proposed by Councillor Stephen Young, and seconded by Councillor Sheila Fisher that the minutes be accepted and agreed by all.
Declarations of Interest – There were none stated.
Matters Arising
PORT EYNON VILLAGE GREEN: Clerk advised that there was still no action by Eaton Fencing Ltd. Council agreed that the Order should be rescinded and the proposed work incorporated with similar works to be carried out at Scurlage Green. Clerk advised that he had made arrangements with City Council to carry out a site visit and provide a quotation for these works.
WAR MEMORIAL: Chair advised that the person with whom he was liaising was presently unavailable.
Finance Clerk advised that there had been no income or expenditure in past four weeks and unallocated reserves currently stood at £7,990.
Clerk advised that he was in receipt of an invoice from wales audit Office amounting to £224.55. Council agreed that this should be paid.
Clerk advised that he had made the annual return for the precept amount of £5,500 and the precept payment dates.
Committed expenditure was presently:
Port Eynon Village Green works- £2,000
Scurlage Village Green works – £8,000
Planning Clerk provided a resume of applications recently considered.
Application 2017/0725 Gower Holiday Village. Permit for temporary use of field for the siting of 64 touring caravan pitches from the 1st of June to the 5th of September. Application refused on 31 May 2017. Appeal lodged on 25th September 2017 – 2017/0066. Appeal dismissed on 19 December 2017.
NEW APPLICATIONS
2017/2392 ‘Dinglebank’, Knelston – Detached Dwelling house and garage.
Council noted that this application supercedes a previous application at the same site for three detached dwellings and garages, which was refused. Council were of the opinion that demolition of the existing sheds and replacement with a single dwelling house sited as per this application was appropriate to the location. Concern was expressed that the detached house and detached garage were excessive for the small plot and that an integrated garage would be preferable.
2017/2408 ‘The Green’, Overton. Demolition and replacement of rear extension.
Council noted that the plans as presented were limited and did not make clear that this was a semi detached house. Council were of the opinion that the scale and siting of the extension would be overbearing on the neighbouring properties and that the application should not be supported.
2017/2448 Field 7000, Burry – New detached dwelling house.
Council noted that the application was for a relatively large house set in open fields and remote from the adjacent highway. The proposed property would be served by Trumpet Lane which was at present a rural bridleway/footpath. Council considered the planning statement and noted that the house was described as an ‘Essential Agricultural Workers Dwelling’ required to support a relatively new farm holding. Whilst sympathetic to the establishment of a new agricultural business Council were of the opinion that the size of the dwelling was not in keeping with the area and that the location represented unnecessary intrusion into the countryside.
Highways and Footpaths
Cllr. Martin Cox advised that the lane between Port Eynon Car Park and the Youth Hostel was in a very poor state, to the extent that it was unusable by pedestrians. It was continuously flooded and the potholes were so deep that they could easily result in a broken ankle. Clerk to refer to C&CS Tourism Officer.
Also noted that the end of the slipway to the lifeboat station had washed out rendering the slipway unusable.
Communications
Clerk had nothing to report.
Village Halls
Cllr. Robert Fisher advised that he had attended the January meeting of the Port Eynon Village hall Committee and that the VHMC would follow up with Highfield Caravan Park with regard to the boundary encroachment.
Mr. Peter Williams queried the wayleave payments by Western Power to the Community Council and requested clarification as to the siting of the equipment. It was also noted that some of the street lights in the vicinity of the Hall were not working.
Clerk reported that the Chair had met with the Llanddewi Village Hall Trustees and that it was agreed that the Community council would provide every assistance to secure closure of the hall and sale of the site.
Any Other Business
Cllr. Evans noted that storm water was again a problem on Port Eynon Hill and he was pressing SCC highways to clear the gullies.
Cllr. S. Fisher requested Council to give consideration to making a contribution to improve the play areas at Knelston school. Agreed that Cllr Fisher would obtain further details.
Cllr Jones again requested action on the layout of the Berry Lane junction with Port Eynon Road.
Next meeting – 19th February 2018
There being no further business to discuss the meeting adjourned at 9 00 pm.
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Barry Stubbings (Clerk) Robert Fisher (Chair)
