MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL PLANNING MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 15th AUGUST 2016 AT 7PM , IN THE VILLAGE HALL, VICARAGE LANE, MEARS ASHBY.

Present: Cllrs N Wookey (Vice-Chairman), C Stockdale, M O’Halloran, D Payne, Borough Councillor J Bone and A Palmberg (Clerk) + 7 residents

001/16 Opening Procedures

a) Apologies: Apologies were received and approved from Cllrs: K Payne, V Smith, T Graham and C Hallam.

b) Declarations of Interest from members: None

002/16 To receive and consider the following Planning Applications:

WP/16/00356/FUL

Construction of Affordable and Market Homes including access roads and services

Land Opposite 2A Junction with Earls Barton Road, Glebe Road, Mears Ashby, Northampton, Northamptonshire

Applicant: EMH Group

The Vice-Chairman advised the meeting that Residents of the village were welcome to voice any queries or concerns regarding the proposed development.

Mr and Mrs K and J Reid expressed their disappointment that environmental issues had not been taken into account in the planning proposal. Mrs C Napier advised Mr Reid that the proposed development was decided outside of Parish Council and resident jurisdiction as it is categorized as an exemption site.

Mrs J Reid advised the meeting that she would undertake “Lorrywatch” monitoring on a regular basis. The Vice Chairman thanked Mrs Reid but stressed that the more reports of unwanted lorries in the village, the more likely police action would be considered.

Mr A Warner expressed concerns regarding safety issues relating to traffic and the prospect of increased volumes of cars and lorries. Mrs J Callis enquired why there had been no informal meeting between the Parish Council and the village residents in order to highlight these concerns. Mrs Callis also enquired about the length of the lease of the land to the north of the site as well as its future use. Concerns relating to inconsistency and inaccuracy of plans were also raised.

The main concern however remains the two access points proposed by Highways. The general consensus is that safety is a major issue and a site visit by the planning committee has been suggested.

Mr D Callis mentioned the lack of design consistency and does not feel the development will complement existing properties.

Members RESOLVED: It was agreed that the Clerk would contact Ms Maxine Simmons and Ms Julie Thomas at WBC to arrange a site visit. Once a date has been agreed, village residents will be encouraged to attend.

WP/16/00441/FUL

Change of use of existing residential school house (C3 Planning Classification) to a new administrative area and principal entrance to the school facility (D1 planning classification) including a new link corridor to the east side of the existing school house.

Primary School, 30 & 32 North Street, Mears Ashby, Northampton, Northamptonshire NN6 0DW

Applicant: Mrs Julie Grey – Mears Ashby C of E School

The Parish Council support the planning proposal. There were however questions regarding a possible increase in the number of pupils which could lead to more traffic problems.

Planning Applications can be viewed at:

There being no further business, the meeting finished at 7:55pm.

…………………………..Signature

Chairman

…………………………..Date

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972

Please note, this is a public meeting and you may be filmed, recorded and published.

Copies of all council papers are available at:

Please note that these minutes are in draft format until formally approved and signed by the Chairman.