Port Eynon Community Council

 

Minutes of monthly Council meeting held on Monday 15^th January 2019 at Knelston Primary School.

 

Present                  Councillors:  Gareth Evans, Robert Fisher, Sheila Fisher, and Steven Young

 

Apologies:             Councillor Martin Cox.

 

In attendance       Mr.Barry Stubbings – Clerk;

 

 

Chair                       Councillor Robert Fisher took the Chair.

 

 

1. Minutes Clerk confirmed that the draft minutes of the last meeting held on 13^th November 2018 had been circulated to all Councillors, displayed on the Council notice boards and posted on the web site. It was proposed by Councillor Gareth Evans, and seconded by Councillor Sheila Fisher that the minutes be accepted  and agreed by all.

 

2. Declarations of Interest None were made.

 

3. Matters Arising

 

SCURLAGE GREEN – Cllr. Sheila Fisher recommended that consideration be given to engraving a ‘poppy’ or similar on the reverse side of the war memorial stone in preference to the present blank face which is presented to passing cars and public. All agreed and Cllr Sheila Fisher was requested to obtain an estimate of cost from the memorial masons.

Discussion took place with regard to the provision of small area of paving and bench seating around the memorial. It was agreed that a costing be obtained for paving and that the provision of memorial benches by donation be encouraged.

Cllr. Evans enquired If we had received notification of planned wildflower planting. Clerk advised that he had nor and would make enquiry of Parks Section of C&CS.

Clerk was requested to continue to investigate the possibility of ‘Gateway’signage for the village.

 

 

PORT EYNON FOOTPATHS – Clerk advised that he had met with C&CS Countryside Access Officers who confirmed that the footpath between St Cattwg’s Church and Borva House was only partially registered, and that it was preferable for the full length to be formally registered.

 

4. Finance

 

Committed expenditure was presently:

Port Eynon Village Green works- £2,000

Scurlage Village Green works – £2,000

Scurlage Village Awareness signs – £3,000

Defibrillators – £3,000

 

 

Clerk advised that he was in receipt of invoices for:

Council insurance policy renewal – 225 pounds

Construction of footpath at Scurlage Green – 1200 pounds.

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5. Planning

Clerk provided a resume of applications recently considered and now approved or refused

 

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.

Decision pending.

                               

2018/2004 Milestone Court, Scurlage – New detached dwelling house.

Council noted that the proposed new detached house was on land previously designated for gardens and storage areas behind houses 6, 7 and 8. The application was being made in the name of Mr. Andrew Wilson living at house 5. Access would utilise the existing drive way between house 8 and the site boundary with the A4118. Councillors noted that the house size and external appearance was in keeping with the other houses of Milestone Court. Councillors expressed their continuing concern that further development would exacerbate the continuing problems of surface water drainage and foul drainage in the Scurlage area. Councillors expressed their concern that the site fell outside the current village boundaries and represented a ‘creeping’ expansion of the village which was not compatible with the Local Development Plan, Clerk was requested to clarify. Council decision was to recommend acceptance with reservations over drainage and subject to clarification of village limits.   Application granted on 30^th November 2018

 

 

2018/2010 Corner House, Scurlage. – Conversion of adjoining barn to provide living accommodation.

Council considered the application and noted that there was no objection in principle to conversion of what was the last of a series of barns at this location. Concern was however expressed over the nature of the conversion which would significantly raise the new roof ridge height above that of adjoining buildings. Council however strongly reiterated their concern over further development which would exacerbate the existing problems of drainage at this area and of the safety of the highway junction between the Port Eynon Road and Berry Lane. Council agreed to recommend approval subject to the above issues being addressed. Application refused on 10^th December 2018.

 

2018/2214 No.4 Milestone Court, Scurlage – Side and Rear extension for a garage.

Council noted that the properties in Milestone Court were built with no provision for garages or off-street parking, a policy which was considered to be flawed for such rural developments. Council noted that the extension was substantial in that it could accommodate two cars, and that it extended to the boundary of the site thus precluding future access for maintenance and to the rear garden. Council also noted that the indicated construction incorporated cavity walls. Council noted that they were sympathetic to the provision of a garage and the application could be supported but with a proviso that there could be no subsequent conversion to living accommodation. Application granted on 17^th December 2018.

 

2018/2216 Scurlage Farm, Scurlage (pre-application) – New dwelling house.

Council noted that this was a small garden site immediately on the junction of Port Eynon Road and Berry Lane that could be considered as an ‘infill development’. The site was presently occupied by a static caravan. Council noted the suggested elevational treatment and found it incompatible with surrounding buildings and with the objectives of the Gower AONB Planning Guidelines. Council also noted that although the plans indicated the provision of parking space for two cars but there was no space for vehicle turning which would result in reversing movements in very close proximity to the junction of berry lane with the main road. Council reiterated its concerns with regard to subsequent increased surface water run-off at this area which would exacerbate the risk of flooding to surrounding properties; also the increase in vehicle movements at the already dangerous junction between Port Eynon Road and Berry Lane. Council did not support the application.

Application refused on 10^th December 2018.

 

NEW APPLICATIONS

 

        2018/2529 Adjacent to ‘Murmur Y Llanw”Overton Lane – Revised landscaping

Council noted that this was an amendment to recently approved plans and they had no comments on the proposals.

 

2018/2712 ‘Oddington, Overton Lane’, Overton – Addition of Conservatory on front of house

Council noted that the description of location as front of the existing house was odd, the front of the huse being generally perceived as the elevation facing to Overton Lane. Council noted that the proposed conservatory extended the full length of the existing house and incorporated full height end walls of solid cavity construction. Council were of the opinion that the application should be considered as a permanent rear extension. Council were of the opinion that the size and nature of such an extension was not consistent with the objectives of the AONB planning guidelines and the application should be refused.

 

2018/2728 Agricultural Building at Field 7000, Burry – New large agricultural barn.

Council noted that the application was made on the basis of an agricultural building and did not require full planning consent. Council further noted that the siting of the barn appeared to conflict with the application 2017/2448 for a large detached house at this location. Council expressed concern at the development of this

site which appeared to be leading to the establishment by incremental growth of a substantial new farm holding.

 

2018/2521 PRE Land Adjacent to Scurlage Court Farm, Scurlage – Development of 37 new Dwelling Houses.

Council noted the location and scale of this planned privately owned development, particularly as it was on land not included within the Draft Local development Plan and was not within what can be considered as the natural village boundary of Scurlage. The resulting ribbon development along the A4118 was considered unacceptable.  The resulting change to the nature of the present hamlet was considered unacceptable and contrary to AONB and general planning guidelines for Gower. The attached planning statement was examined and considered flawed in that this was a proposed private development of dwellings of varying sizes and no guarantees could be made or control exercised to prevent resale as second homes. Council considered that the scale of the development would require substantial increase in capacity of surface water disposal and would drainage disposal in an already critical area. Council considered that the single point of vehicle access opposite to the Bank Farm vehicle access would be unsatisfactory. Overall council unanimously considered the application should be refused.

 

2018/2646 Lesliedale Farm, Scurlage. New Dwelling House.

Council noted that there had been a static caravan at this location for considerable time and the new dwelling house was to replace this static caravan. Council were of the opinion that the principal of a new dwelling could be supported at this location on the proviso that the static caravan and associated temporary structures be removed and the land returned to agricultural usage. Council expressed concern as to the size of the planned new dwelling house which would not be compatible with the intentions of the Gower AONB planning guidelines. Overall Council recommended approval.

 

2019/0020 Land Adjacent to Hawthorn House, Scurlage – New Dwelling House and detached Annexe.

Council considered the scale of the planned development in comparison to the relatively small site and were of the opinion that it represented overdevelopment of the site. Council noted that the main house was indicated as four storeys. Council were of the opinion that the resulting main house should be sympathetic in scale to the surrounding properties and should meet the general planning objectives of the Gower AONB for respecting the ‘Gower Vernacular’.  Council expressed concern that the resulting roof ridge level should be consistent with adjacent properties. Council noted that no indication was given as to overall size and usage of the indicated annexe building other than reference in the text to a ‘granny annexe’. Council noted that a new access was indicated off the A4118 Port Eynon Road and expressed their opinion that this would further compromise road safety in this critical area, a strong preference was made for access to be obtained on the other side of the site, off Monksland Road. Council expressed continued concern as to the ability of the local infrastructure to accommodate further development at this location without improvements to surface water and foul water disposal.  Council recommended the application be refused.

 

6. Highways and Footpaths

 

 

7. Correspondence

The Clerk provided a resume of correspondence received, none of which required consideration.

 

8. Communications

Clerk had nothing further to report.

 

9. Village Halls

Cllr. Robert Fisher advised that he had attended the last monthly Meeting of the Port Eynon Village Hall Committee, and information had again been requested concerning ownership of the Notice Board at st Cattwg’s church and registration of the footpath from St Cattwg’s to Borva House.

 

Chair advised that he would prepare a strategy document for consideration by the Llanddewi Village Hall Trustees.

 

10. Knelston Burial Ground.

 

Clerk advised that there was nothing to report.

 

11. Any Other Business

 

Cllr Evans advised that the toilets at Port Eynon Car Park were in need of serious cleaning.

Cllr. Evans sought confirmation to proceed with the annual bramble clearance in the dune area fronting the shops at Port Eynon – agreed.

 

Next meeting – Monday 18^th February at 7 pm.

 

There being no further business to discuss the Chair thanked all in attendance and the meeting adjourned at 9: 15 pm.

 

 

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Barry Stubbings (Clerk)                                                                                                       Robert Fisher (Chair)