Port Eynon Community Council
Minutes of monthly Council meeting held on Monday 18th February 2019 at Knelston Primary School.
Present Councillors: Martin Cox, Gareth Evans, Robert Fisher, and Sheila Fisher.
Apologies: Councillors Gareth Jones and Steve Young.
In attendance Mr. David Lewis of Port Eynon and Mr.Barry Stubbings – Clerk;
Chair Councillor Robert Fisher took the Chair.
- Minutes Clerk confirmed that the draft minutes of the last meeting held on 15th January 2019 had been circulated to all Councillors, displayed on the Council notice boards and posted on the web site. It was proposed by Councillor Sheila Fisher, and seconded by Councillor Gareth Evans that the minutes be accepted and agreed by all.
- Declarations of Interest None were made.
- Matters Arising
SCURLAGE GREEN – Cllr. Sheila Fisher advised that she had obtained a quotation from the suppliers of the memorial stone to engrave image of a poppy and small amount of text on the obverse side of the memorial. Total cost would be in the region of £1,000. Council considered this excessive and matter was deferred to next meeting for further consideration.
Cllr. Steve Young, via the clerk, advised that he had obtained a quotation for landscaping and planting around the memorial stone and sketches for two options were tabled. Cost would be in the region of £200. Again discussion was deferred to the next meeting whilst Councillors gave the matter further consideration.
Clerk advised that he had requested Parks Section of C&CS to again provide wild flower seeding of areas at the green.
Clerk was reminded to continue to investigate the possibility of ‘Gateway’signage for the village.
PORT EYNON FOOTPATHS – After discussion, Clerk was directed to request that the footpath from the church to Borva House be registered over its full length..
- 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 confirmed that there were adequate resources to meet these commitments.
Clerk that he had settled the invoices for:
Council insurance policy renewal – £225
Construction of footpath at Scurlage Green –£ 1200.
Web site hosting by AW Graphics – £50
Wales Audit Office services – £164
Clerk advised that he was in receipt of invoice for renewal of subscription with One Voice Wales in the sum of £133. Cllr Cox proposed payment, seconded by Cllr S Fisher and agreed by all.
Clerk further advised that he had received notification of payment dates for the three instalments of the Precept.
- 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.
Application granted on 30th January 2019. With condition that occupation should be restricted to a person solely or mainly working on a rural enterprise..
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.Decision pending.
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.
Application refused 14th February 2019. ‘The extension, by virtue of its excessive scale and inappropriate siting would represent an incongruous form of development.’
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. Application granted on 21st January 2019.
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.
Decision made on 1st February 2019 – Should an application be made it would result in refusal, as such development would be contrary to current planning guidelines and objectives.
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.
Decision pending
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.
Decision pending
NEW APPLICATIONS
2019/0009 Rylands, Overton Lane – Alterations to rear dormer, rooflights, etc..
Council noted that the application was for works at the rear of the property which would not be evident to the public or be intrusive to the neighbouring properties.Council was unanimous in recommending the application be accepted.
2019/0123 Ty Borva, Port Eynon – Provision of four ‘Glamping Pods’ in the rear gardens.
Council noted that the ‘Pods’ were mobile and the application should be viewed in the same context as an application to site four touring caravans. Council noted that the gardens of Ty Borva had been the subject of severe flooding for many years on account of a water course passing through the grounds however, this provision may result in improvements to local drainage. Council noted and took cognisance of Gower AONB policy precluding the establishment of new caravan sites, but also noted that an application to site up to five touring caravans at this location would likely be approved. Council further noted the considerable adverse comments from neighbouring properties concerning noise resulting from camping and activities at Ty Borva on weekends and holiday periods. Overall Council by majority recommended that the application be refused.
2019/0138 Smugglers Restaurant, Port Eynon – Rear extension to provide new toilet facilities.
Council considered the application and found it to be generally acceptable. Comment was made that recent works at the premises had included changes to the doors and windows which were not in this application or had been the subject of other applications.
2019/0250 OUT – Land off Trumpet Lane, Knelston.
Council noted that this was a further application for the site where permission had been granted for a single dwelling house and garage (2017/2392). Council further considered this application for a pair of semi detached dwellings with integral garages. Council noted that recent development on Trumpet Lane had largely resulted in the provision of second homes or holiday letting accommodation and thought that this development may continue that trend. Overall Council agreed by majority to support the application but to repeat previous concerns over the inadequacy of Trumpet Lane and particularly its junction with the A4118.
2019/0274 – 3 Milestone Court, Scurlage – Replacement windows and doors.
Council considered the application and noted that several adjacent properties had already found it necessary to replace the original windows and doors. Council agreed to support the application.
- Highways and Footpaths
Cllr Martin Cox advised that the lane to the Youth Hostel continued to present considerable problems concerning its surface condition and restricted width. Clerk advised that he had experienced difficulties in contacting Mr. Peter Beynon of C&CS.
- Correspondence
The Clerk provided a resume of correspondence received, none of which required consideration.
- Communications, Notice Boards, Etc
Clerk advised that he had ‘resurrected’ past financial records and confirmed that the Notice Board near to St Cattwg’s Church was purchased by the Community Council from Messrs Greenbarnes on 12th November 2010 at a cost of £929. It was delivered and installed by the clerk in December 2010. The accounts, as audited by Wales Audit Office confirm the expenditure and that no corresponding income was received in relation to the noticeboard either in 2010 or subsequent years. Further the invoice and a photograph of the installed board had been provided to the Audit Office as part of the audit procedures.
- Village Halls
Chair confirmed that he would provide a strategy document for Clerk to prepare a paper for consideration by the Llanddewi Village Hall Trustees.
- Knelston Burial Ground.
Clerk advised that there was nothing to report.
- Any Other Business
Cllr. Martin Cox enquired if there had been any feedback on the study of Port eynon by BRO Consultancy. Clerk confirmed that there had been none, and that a copy of the study had not been forthcoming.
Cllr. Martin Cox advised that the Port Eynon car park gates were being closed, although not locked, before the scheduled time of 20:30. Cllr Gareth Evans enquired as to whether there was a published emergency procedure for the public should they find their vehicle locked in the car park.
Next meeting – Monday 18th March 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)