Minutes - Newtown, Parkstone and Penn Hill Area Committee - 2Nd June 2004

BOROUGH OF POOLE

MINUTES

NEWTOWN, PARKSTONE AND PENN HILL AREA COMMITTEE

HELD ON WEDNESDAY 2ND JUNE 2004

IN THE DORSET ROOM, THE GRASSHOPPER PUBLIC HOUSE, 141 BOURNEMOUTH ROAD, PARKSTONE.

The meeting commenced at 7.00 p.m. and concluded at 8.50 p.m.

Present:

Councillor Mrs Dion (Chairman) – Penn Hill Ward

Councillors Collier and Mrs Stribley – Parkstone Ward

Councillors Clements, Plummer and Wilson – Newtown Ward

Councillors Ms Atkinson and Parker – Penn Hill Ward

Members of the public present – 45 approximately

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Woodcock.

1. MINUTES

RESOLVED that the minutes of the last meeting of the Area Committee held on 14th April 2004 be confirmed by the Committee and signed by the Chairman subject to the following amendments:-

M1 – Apologies for Absence – add Councillor Ms Atkinson.

M5 – Review of Area Committee Boundaries – in the fourth paragraph insert “Parkstone” instead of “Newtown”.

M8 – Resurfacing of Parkstone Avenue, Poole – insert “Barker” instead of “Baker” in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3.

1. BUS STOP CLEARWAY – WHITECLIFF SHOPS, PARKSTONE

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Transportation Services on objections received to the proposed Bus Stop Clearway Order for the lay-by outside Whitecliff Post Office, Parkstone.

Mr Peter Steer, Secretary of Parkstone Bay Residents’ Association, explained that his Association requested measures to control parking in the lay-by because the unrestricted parking required delivery lorries and buses to double park directly in front of the adjacent pedestrian crossing severely restricting sightlines thereby creating a danger to pedestrians using the crossing. He acknowledged that there had been overwhelming objections to the Order, but his Association still felt that some sort of restriction to prevent the lay-by being used again for commercial purposes was necessary.

Mr Jones, a butcher for the last twenty years in the parade of shops, stated that the land for the lay-by was transferred to the Council by the owners of the shops in 1964. He was not aware of any accidents that had taken place as a result of vehicles turning in or out of the lay-by since it was constructed. He was also concerned about the way that the Parkstone Bay Residents’ Association dealt with the Christmas tree trader and remarked that if he had been asked to approach him, he was confident that he would have resolved the matter amicably without any distress to anyone.

The Parkstone Ward Councillors felt there were lessons to be learned from the way this matter was dealt with and in the future and suggested that Residents’ Associations should speak to their Ward Councillor on any local issue.

AGREED to take no further action on the proposed Bus Stop Clearway Order.

1. TRAFFIC PANEL

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Transportation Services on the minutes of the Traffic Panel held on 1st April 2004, in particular, the request for amendments to the waiting restrictions in Ringwood Road, between Dale Road and Hilton Close.

Mr Saunders, the owner of the garage next to the Pottery Public House, supported by John Barnett, for the Federation of Small Businesses, requested that a length of the yellow line south of Hilton Close be removed to enable further on-street parking. He did not consider that by allowing this minor reduction, it would cause any public hazards. He also stated he was prepared to pay for any costs involved.

Members pointed out that the scheme had been approved by the previous Area Committee and was a matter that could be resolved by Ward Councillors in consultation with local residents/businesses.

AGREED to delegate to the Newtown Ward Councillors authority to deal with Mr Saunders’s request.

Councillor Collier did not participate in the debate or vote because he was a Member of the Federation of Small Businesses.

1. PETITION – TURKS LANE, POOLE

Councillor Collier presented, on behalf of the wife of Councillor Adams, a petition signed by sixteen persons being either residents of Turks Lane or employees of Mitchells Boat Yard. The petition stated “We the undersigned request Poole Council to increase the double yellow lines in Turks Lane to prevent parking on both sides of the road. This activity blocks the access for boats and emergency services to Lathams and Mitchells Boat Yards. On the built up side of the road, the cars park two wheels on the pavement stopping wheelchair users and prams from using the footpaths. Finally, it creates difficulties for the owners to access and leave their homes by car. We would like double yellow lining to be continuous on the built up side of the road and around the turning area by the access to Mitchells Boat Yard.”

AGREED to refer the petition to the Traffic Panel.

1. PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON THE STREETSCAPE DESIGN STRATEGY AND DESIGN GUIDANCE MANUAL

Nigel Jacobs, Senior Planning Officer, Strategic Planning gave a presentation to the Committee on Streetscapes – Shaping the Future Places of Poole, which was a draft Supplementary Planning Guidance, currently subject to public consultation until 16th June 2004. He explained that it was important for the public to comment on the proposals that incorporated the views of stakeholders/landowners/developers and partner agencies such as the South West Regional Development Agency and residents from all areas of Poole on what makes Poole’s streetscapes unique and what people want to see in the new development.

Following the presentation, a question and answer session was held, and the following issues were raised:-

• Concern was expressed that there were currently four public free slipways onto the Harbour, yet the new proposal only showed two and these were not necessarily going to be free to the public. Members replied that it was likely there would be two public slipways but they could not guarantee that they would be free.
• The Access Forum had been consulted at all stages on disability issues associated with streetscapes.
• Concern was expressed about insufficient car parking in the new development areas. Members explained that the multi-storey car park being built as part of the ASDA development would serve the Poole Quay area.
• It was important that streetscapes reflected the history of Poole Town and that integrated transport was an important issue to be discussed as part of the consultation.

AGREED to note the presentation on streetscapes.

1. HASKELLS ROAD, NEWTOWN – INCIDENT

Councillor Ms Atkinson, Portfolio Holder for Social Services and Councillor Clements, Ward Councillor for Newtown referred to the incident that took place in Haskells Road, Newtown, on the morning of Sunday 2nd May and resulted in the area being cordoned off by the Police for four days, preventing residents access to their homes. Both Members thanked the residents for their patience and support during the incident and congratulated the Police and the Council Officers for the excellent way they had dealt with a difficult situation. The residents had been relocated throughout Poole, including the Rossmore Leisure Centre, which was used as a rest centre where the public were very well looked after by the staff of the Leisure Centre.

AGREED to note the report.

1. ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR – FIREWORKS DISPLAYS

A member of the public referred to what he considered was inadequate policing at the fireworks displays held in Sandbanks Road on Thursday evenings.

The Policy Director said that he would pass his comments on to the Police.

1. BU-DEL FOODS, UNIT 1-4 CHALWYN INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, NEWTOWN

Further to Minute 7 from the last meeting a member of the public enquired if the meeting mentioned in the minute had been held?

In reply, it was stated that the officer dealing with the matter had been on paternity leave. He had returned to work and it was anticipated the meeting would be held in the next two weeks. All affected persons would be invited to the meeting.

1. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

AGREED that the next meeting would be held on Wednesday 15th September 2004 at 7.00 p.m. in the Conference Room, Civic Centre, Poole, to be Chaired by Councillor Collier.

CHAIRMAN

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