Minutes of Monthly Council Meeting held on
Monday 14th April 2014 at Port Eynon Village Hall.
The meeting commenced at 7:30 pm.
Present: Mr. G.Evans, Mr. R. Fisher, Mr. S. Heard, Mrs. L. Newland and Mrs. P. Pritchard.
Apologies for Absence: Mr. G. Jones, and Mr. Tom Roderick.
In attendance: Mr. B. Stubbings (clerk),
Chair person: Cllr. Fisher chaired the meeting.
031/14. Declarations of Interest: Cllr Newland in respect of planning applications for caravan sites.
032/14 Minutes of Last Meeting (February 2014):
The minutes were proposed to be accepted as a true record by Cllr. Heard, the proposal was seconded by Cllr. Evans and agreed by all. The minutes were then signed by the chairperson.
033/14. Matters Arising:
Jubilee Commemoration Bench Seats – Cllr. Heard requested that the matter be deferred to enable him to visit Mr, Woodman and convey the Council’s requirement that the benches be installed by the end of May, at a cost of £500 per bench.
034/14. Finance:
Clerk advised that there had been no financial movements in the past month and the bank balances remained as follows:
- Current Account £868
- Savings Account £15,251
- Knelston Burial Ground Account £675
There were at present the following financial commitments:
- Bench seats (4 no.) – £2,500
035/14. Planning:
From previous applications:
2014/0091 New House Farm, Overton – New enclosed porch, rooflights and solar panels. Council considered the application together with other extensive works carried out recently and unanimously agreed that approval should be recommended. Decision pending.
2014/0207 Gower Holiday Village, Scurlage – Amendment of licensing conditions to permit all year round occupation of two holiday chalets. Council considered the application together with other recent applications for this site. It was noted that off-season repair and decoration works could be provided by local tradespersons without the need for residential accommodation, also residential accommodation had been made available for staff at both the fast food Outlet and The Countryman which did not appear to be utilised or taken into account in this application. Council was unanimously of the opinion that approval was not justified, would set a dangerous precedent for permanent occupation and recommended it should not be approved. Decision pending.
2014/0239 Frogmoor Cottage, Knelston – Extension to existing garden shed. Council noted that the existing garden shed was remote from the main dwelling, of timber construction approximately 3.2m square and 3.9m high. The proposed extension would increase the size to 3.2m by 5m and was below the eaves of the existing shed. The council saw no reason for the application to be refused.
2014/0250 Moor Corner Farm, Port Eynon – License for Touring caravans. Council noted that the license had been granted for anumber of years for the same location and saw no reason for the application to be refused.
2014/0298 South Gower Sports Club – License for Siting of up to 100 tents in July/August. Council noted that the application was four weekends from mid July to mid August. Concerns were expressed that 100 units could generate up to 1000 persons and that the reliance on the existing sports facilities, which were of a limited and communal nature, was unrealistic. Council noted that existing permanent camp site provisions had proven adequate in the past few years; also that ‘overspill’ facilities had recently been approved within a few yards of this site, to cater for the unlikely event that permanent facilties were overloaded. Further that the proposed site would be in very close proximity to the recently constructed houses. Council were of the opinion by a majority of 4:1 that approval for such a large provision should not be made.
New Applications:
2014/0417 Monksland Road, Scurlage – 14 units of new housing. Cllr. Heard noted that this site had been identified for housing for over 35 years and had been included in the draft LDP for housing, however the application was incorrect in describing the land as grassland when it was and had been for over 35 years in agricultural use. Cllr. Evans pointed out that the application does not conform with WAG – TAN14. Councillors all raised concern on the following-
The density of the development and the lack of provision of gardens.
The overlooking issues between the new units and the established properties in Salisbury Close; The reliance of soakaways for drainage which are sited below the ground water table;
The failure to acknowledge the flooding which had occurred for several years;
The extensive hard paving which would further exacerbate flooding;
The reliance on Monksland Road for access which is of substandard width and already suffers from parking and access problems;
The loss of seven existing communal car park spaces which would exacerbate current difficulties; The lack of parking spaces within the planned development;
The failure of similar developments to provide long term social housing as they had been purchased and sold on the open market, most often for holiday homes.
Council were unanimous in recommending that planning approval should not be given until these issues had been addressed.
2014/0317 South Gower Sports Club – License for touring caravans. Council considered the application, also with reference to the application recently made for license for 100 units of camping. Concerns were expressed that there was already overprovision in both the immediate area and in South Gower in general for touring caravans. Also that reliance of the sports club building for washing and toilet facilities was unrealistic and unlikely to meet the regulatory hygiene standards. Also that the extensive camping and caravan provision were in close proximity to housing and would create unacceptable disturbance to residents.
Finally there was an apparent trend for the South Gower Sports Club to become a holiday park.
Council were unanimous in that the application should be refused.
2014/ Salt Cottage, Port Eynon. Repairs to Sea Wall. Council noted that the repairs were essential following damage during the recent winter storms. They would re-establish the previous sea wall and similar materials would be used. Council were unanimous in that the application could be approved.
036/14 Footpaths.
Clerk reported that he had no feedback from C&CS.
037/14 Correspondence:
Clerk provided a resume of correspondence received from mid-January to date.
038/14 Knelston Burial Ground.
There were no matters to be considered.
039/14 Notice Boards & Web Site
Clerk advised that the initial stage of development of the web site had been completed and he was liaising with the consultant. He requested that Councillors should provide a suitable photograph (head and shoulders) that could be included in the web site detail page on the councillors.
040/14 Any Other Business:
Cllr. Pritchard provided further information on proposal to create wild flower beds within Scurlage Green. Cllrs. Pritchard and Fisher agreed to further discuss the plan sand implementation with Sketty Housing Assn. and with C&CS Parks section.
Cllr. Fisher commented on recent works and changes to the roof at The Countryman and to the solar panel installation on the roof of the medical centre, neither of which appeared to have been subject to the normal planning procedures. Clerk to advise C&CS Planning & Enforcement.
Cllr. Eans advised that he was in discussion with Ms Christine Collins of C&CS with regard to provision of seating within the Port Eynon bus shelters.
Council noted the planned beach cleaning day on 30th May to be sponsored by Marks & Spencer Stores.
Date of Next Meeting: Monday 19th May 2014 at 7:00 pm. at Port Eynon Village Hall.
Meeting closed at 9:15 pm. Chairman
B. J. Stubbings, (Clerk) R. Fisher