Little Aston Neighbourhood Plan Housing Group
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Minutes of Meeting – Monday 24th February 2014
Location – Millfield House 206 Lichfield Road
Meeting called by Chairman - Dominic Crowley
Attendance:Roy Boffy (Chairman of Transport and Leisure Group)
Derek Burton
Dominic Crowley
Mike Lorenz
Dave Morris
Jill Watts
Apologies - Darrell Tibbins
Agenda:
Item 1 The Survey Results
The overwhelming concerns were issues relating to traffic – HGVs, speeding, amount of traffic and safety.
Parish and District Councils have been made aware of these concerns.
Conclusion
Traffic problems are not within the remit of the Neighbourhood Plan. All that can be done under the Neighbourhood Plannning scheme is to pass on comments and emphasise the strength of feeling to Staffs C.C. Highway Department.
Traffic surveys have taken place and we await the results.
Item 2 Other Issues arising from the Survey and written responses to Questions 13 and 14.
Questions 1-3 and 10 are outside the direct remit of the Neighbourhood plan.
Questions 7, 8a, 8c and 9 produced 60/40 and50/50 responses.
Our Chairman, Dominic Crowley produced a usefulthematic summary of the comments.
There were approximately 200 comments/suggestions.Most of these expressed frustration with regard to traffic problems – feelings that existing speed and weight restrictions were regularly flouted and that there was little attempt at enforcement. Also, written responses reflected feelings of lack of consultation and disregard of local views on planning matters.
It was noted that there was a strong opposition to development for housing, land grabbing, encroachment of green belt and inappropriate development.
A Cycling Route was popular.
Some respondents felt that they would like Little Aston to have a more distinct boundary with clear and appropriate signposting and possibly a single postcode. There was a general feeling of living on the fringes and suffering from a lack of consideration by local authorities.
There was no conclusive opinion with regard to replacing the Community Centre.
It was thought that choices regarding this topic might benefit from being explained clearly at the next public event. Any projects of this nature would have to be funded by allowing development to go ahead and under the Community Infrastructure Levy, 25% of development money would go to the Parish Ward. One method to fund a replacement would therefore be to allow development; another might be to look at charitable sources. The alternative at present, would be to retain the existing structure. Dave Morris explained that there are complex issues regarding the lease.
Conclusion
The group discussed whether land around the present Community Centre could and should be reserved in case any windfall monies should be granted in the future and thus enable a new building to go ahead without housing development funds.
It was pointed out by Dave Morris that many people who currently use the Community Centre do not live in Little Aston.
Item 3 The Feedback Presentation
In view of the nature of responses to the survey, it was thought that a presentation in the same style as the previous one would be unnecessary and inappropriate.
Conclusion
Dave Morris will contact Navigus to report back.
The public feedback meeting to be an informal ‘Drop-In’ evening from 7.00-9.00pm on Monday 17th March at LittleAston Primary School.
Housing and Transport Group members would be available to answer questions or note comments and suggestions on the results of the survey.
Flyers would advertise this event (Cost £220)
The Lichfield Gazette will be contacted by Dave Morris.
Dave Morris will order banners (Cost £110 each)
The survey results will be presented in both written and graph form and be displayed around the room on boards organised and supplied by Derek Burton.
Item 4 The Next Stages
A timetable was distributed, showing the expected progression of the Neighbourhood Plan until final plans would be adopted in March 2015.
Conclusion
A skeleton plan will be worked on and formulated by Navigus over April and May.
There will be a public event to present an ’Emerging Neighbourhood Plan’ in July.
Next meeting:
Monday 17th March
Time - 6.30 pm
Venue – Little Aston Primary School
Meeting closed at 8.30pm
Minutes – Jill Watts 27th. February 2014