MINUTES of MEETING OF THE BERINSFIELD NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND ORDER(s) STEERING GROUP held on Monday 9th March, 2015 at 7 p.m. in the School Hall, Abbey Woods Academy, Berinsfield.
PRESENT :- Councillor Stuart Scott-Ely, Chairman of Berinsfield NDP Steering Group
Councillor Edwin Croft Berinsfield Parish Council
Councillor Ken Hall Berinsfield Parish Council
Councillor F. Denyer Berinsfield Parish Council
Councillor D. Eldridge Berinsfield Parish Council
Councillor Ms. J. Garvey Berinsfield Parish Council
Councillor Ms. A. Jones Berinsfield Parish Council
Councillor MrsR.Stockford Berinsfield Parish Council
Councillor F. Workman Berinsfield Parish Council
Mr. K. Chrisp Resident
Mr. G. Farrant Land owner
Dr. M. Hinnells Oxford City Futsal Club/Susenco
Mr. A. Leadbitter Land owner
Mrs. J. Logan SOHA Housing
Mr. R. Pullen EAG
Mr. A Strey Resident
1. Apologies for absence were received from Reverend P Cawthorne, Mrs. S. Croft, Mr. G Denslow, Mrs. J. Eldridge and Dr Melanie Mendonca.
2. Declarations of Interest. The Chairman asked everyone present to introduce themselves for the benefit of new Members of the Steering Group. Councillor Scott-Ely, Mr. Farrant and Mr. Leadbitter declared their interest as owners of land in Berinsfield.
3. To approve the Minutes of the Berinsfield Neighbourhood Development Plan Steering Group meeting held on 9th February, 2015. The Minutes of the meeting of the Berinsfield Neighbourhood Development Plan Steering Group held on 9th February, 2015 were APPROVED by the Steering Group.
4. Chairman’s Report.
a) Green Belt Review. The Chairman, Councillor Scott-Ely informed the meeting that Consultants acting on behalf of South Oxfordshire District Council had commenced the Green Belt Review in the District as per the SODC Core Strategy para 7.21 & 7.22. Councillor Denyer asked if it would be possible for the Consultants to be invited to attend a Steering Group meeting to inform Members about the review. The Chairman, Councillor Scott-Ely informed the meeting that the Consultants could be invited, but may decline to attend now, as they are at the evidence gathering stage only involving the whole district and no final decisions will probably be made until after the elections in May.
South Oxfordshire District Council is working with the Vale of White Horse District Council with regard to Science Vale Oxford which includes Harwell, Milton Park and Culham Science Centre. The Vale of White Horse District Council has already completed its Green Belt review and used the same Consultants now appointed by South Oxfordshire District Council.
b) South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2031 Refined Options consultation. The Chairman informed the meeting that following the first round of consultation last summer, SODC has now refined its options and is consulting again now on its revised strategy. The refined strategy in a nutshell is “to focus change and development in Science Vale, and elsewhere plan for some smaller-scale change to make sure that our towns and villages remain vibrant” Berinsfield still features in the refined options as part of Science Vale Culham. It is one of the larger villages and remains identified as a potential housing location. The consultation runs until 2nd April 2015.
Councillor Eldridge referred to a letter that had been circulated to Parish Councillors on behalf of the Council for the Protection for Rural England and asked if it would be possible to invite a representative from the CPRE to speak to the Steering Group. The Chairman pointed out that the letter from CPRE included an invitation to a public meeting to discuss development in Oxfordshire to be held on Friday 27th March, 2015 from 8 – 10 p.m. in the Cholsey Pavilion, Station Road, Cholsey. It was suggested that Members of the Steering Group should attend this meeting if they wished to receive further information from the CPRE.
c) Science Vale Area Action Plan issues and scope. The Steering Group noted that South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse District Councils were bringing forward a joint area action plan for Science Vale Oxford and launched a consultation on 27th February. South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse District Councils have issued a Science Vale Area Action Plan, Issues and Scope Document, February 2015, which is available in public libraries and on the websites www.southoxon.gov.uk/sciencevale and www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/sciencevale . Public consultation events will be held on :-
· Didcot Railway Station, main entrance, 5 March, 4pm to 7pm;
· Didcot Cornerstone, 6 March, 10am to 1pm;
· Wantage Market Place, 14 March, 10am to 3pm;
· Harwell Village Hall, 16 March, 10am to 1pm;
· Culham Science Centre Gatehouse, 17 March, 3.30pm to 7pm;
· Harwell Village Hall, 18 March, 4pm to 7pm;
· Milton Park Innovation Centre, 19 March, 4pm to 7pm;
· The Beacon, Wantage, 26 March, 2pm to 8pm; and
· Didcot Orchard Centre, 4 April, 10am to 3pm.
d) Oxfordshire County Council Local Transport Plan 4 (LTP4) Consultation. The Chairman, Councillor Scott-Ely informed the meeting that representations have been made to Oxfordshire County Council for consideration to be given to including the provision of a hard surfaced cycleway via the old Roman Road from Berinsfield to Oxford in the LTP4. There is already a cycle route from Abingdon to Oxford and the current proposal in LTP4 is to construct a link from Culham to Abingdon and then use the existing cycle route from Abingdon to Oxford.
5. Draft Neighbourhood Development Plan policies. Copies of draft No. 1 of the Neighbourhood Development Plan for Berinsfield 2015 had been circulated to Members of the Steering Group by email prior to the meeting and hard copies were available for consideration at the meeting. Members made the following comments on the draft plan:-
a) Page 6, paragraph 3.4 and paragraph 3.5. Councillor Denyer pointed out that paragraph 3.4 stated that there was a lack of facilities for key groups and 3.5 referred to there being over 40 clubs and societies. It was agreed that paragraphs 3.4 and 3.5 should be re-drafted.
b) Page 13, H4. The word “significant” should replace the word “straight in the penultimate line of the paragraph.
c) Page 13, H6. The second sentence should read, “Schemes will be expected to incorporate innovative energy-saving technologies, designs and sustainable materials and when located next to existing housing settlements should conform to design guides and related policies contained within the NDP, local and national policy guidance.”
d) Page 15, 7.21. Dr. Hinnells stated that Berinsfield could have 100% of its energy demand from renewable and he agreed to re-draft the statement.
e) Page 15, 7.22. Dr. Hinnells suggested that this section should be a “vision” but should not necessarily be in an “H” box.
f) Page 15, 7.24. There was a discussion about the methane from the sealed landfill site. The Chairman, Councillor Scott-Ely informed the meeting that a representative from Stratus Environmental would be attending the Parish Council meeting on 13th April and it should allow an opportunity to ask questions about the methane.
g) Page 15. It was agreed that the words “electric car charging meter” should be includes with the photograph.
h) Page 17. ENV 4. Delete the word” biodiversity” and substitute “aesthetic”. Add new sentence, “There may be provision for adding innovative designs suitable for a rural village.”
i) Page 18. 9.3. Councillor Denyer queried whether the proposal for a new roundabout /access off the A 4074 to make use of the old Drayton Road had been agreed. A vote was taken, the majority of the Steering Group were in favour of the proposal that OCC should create a new roundabout/access off the A4074 close to the concrete bridge and bus stops. Three Members of the Steering Group were against the proposal.
j) Page 19. 9.9. Mr. K. Chrisp proposed that the words “or any other junction” be added to the end of the paragraph.
k) Page 19. Add T.10. Developers of commercial property, including shops to provide adequate parking.
l) Page 23 11.6. Berinsfield F.C. and Reserves play in the North Berks Football League
m) Page 26 EM2. Delete the last word in the sentence “approved” and insert “supported”.
n) Page 29 13.8 The first line should be amended to read “13.8 Berinsfield Adult Learning and Berinsfield Voluntary Day Centre are located in a purpose-built block...... ”
o) Page 34, L4 The Chairman, Councillor Scott-Ely explained the reason for including this paragraph relating to possibly obtaining land in a suitable location away from residential areas for a radio mast which could provide some form of annuity income for the village.
p) Page 38 BER3. Members of the Steering Group were unsure about this site being identified as a possible park and ride hub. A short discussion took place about the pros and cons of a park and ride hub on the outskirts of the village and it was AGREED that the paragraph should be left in the draft Neighbourhood Development Plan at the present time and that the proposal should be discussed again in the future.
q) Page 44 BER 17 It was agreed that the paragraph should remain in the draft Neighbourhood Development Plan and that the Steering Group should speak to the Head teacher and Governors of Abbey Woods Academy to obtain their views.
r) Page 47 BER25 Dr. Mark Hinnells informed the meeting that he works for Susenco a renewable energy company which is involved with solar farms and wind turbines. Another company, Stratus Environmental has come forward with a plan for the former landfill site at Wally Corner and hope to submit a planning application for a solar farm on the site in the near future. Susenco will be working with Stratus Environmental with regard to having a community-led scheme with a share issue so that the village can benefit from the proposed solar farm. The village might also like to see an education project included in the site. Following a discussion about this item, it was agreed that Dr. Mark Hinnells would prepare a new draft policy for site BER25 for inclusion in the draft Neighbourhood Development Plan.
s) Front page of the Draft Neighbourhood Development Plan for Berinsfield reads 2015-2027. Councillor Hall asked why the date shown was 2027 and not 2031 as per the emerging Local Plan. The Chairman, Councillor Stuart Scott-Ely explained that the current South Oxfordshire District Council Core Strategy runs to 2027 and the Neighbourhood Development Plan has to comply with the policies and housing allocation set out in the current Strategy. The policies in the Neighbourhood Development Plan for Berinsfield, when approved, will be incorporated into the SODC Local Plan that runs to 2031 but then may need to be revised if or when a new housing allocation for Berinsfield is known.
The Chairman, Councillor Scott-Ely informed the meeting that the proposed amendments would be incorporated into the draft Neighbourhood Development Plan for Berinsfield and the document would be passed to Dr. Riki Therivel, the Consultant engaged by the Parish Council and Hannah Guest – Senior Planning Policy Officer at South Oxfordshire District Council for their expert opinion. Once the plan has been checked for compliance it must go out for statutory consultation for a minimum of 6 weeks to allow comments to be made before being examined by an independent inspector ahead of the village referendum.
Councillor Denyer and members of the Steering Group thanked Councillor Stuart Scott-Ely for all his hard work in collating the views of the village and steering group into the draft Neighbourhood Development Plan for Berinsfield.
6. Date of next meeting. Monday 20th April, 2015 at 7pm in the School Hall, Abbey Woods Academy, Berinsfield.