Whitestone Parish Council

Minutes of Council Meeting held at Whitestone Parish Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday 15th February 2024 to be ratified on 14^th March 2024

Attendance:- Chair – Councillor L Fairley
Councillors Cllrs M Belt, A Evans, M Frankum, C Lang, B Moody
District Councillor K Lake
District Councillor J Parrott
Mrs P Vaughan – Clerk to the Council

Apologies:- Cllr V Bryant, C Galton, T Baird

Cllr Fairley opened the meeting and the minutes of the Council meeting held on 11th January having been circulated were taken as read and signed by the Chair.

10 REPORTS FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR / DISTRICT COUNCILLOR

District Councillor Parrott reported that Teignbridge District Council will be discussing their budget on 27^th February prior to a meeting n March.

District Councillor Lake said that he had reported the overgrown hedges by the footpath to Teign Housing and had been assured that this would be dealt with.

11 PLANNING

11.1 23/02274/FUL Erection of roofing over existing silage pits at Upper Kingswell Farm, Longdown. Whitestone Parish Council have discussed and considered this planning application for the erection of roofing over an existing silage pit which is the first of five applications from the same applicant who is seeking permission for the erection of roofing over a total of five existing silage pits at the above named farm. Applications 23/02274/FUL, 23/02275/FUL, 23/02276/FUL, 23/02277/FUL and 23/02278/FUL need to be considered together and not as separate unrelated applications. This particular application 23/02274 refers to silage clamp A on the Location and Block Plan document provided. The roofing is to be a steel portal framed agricultural building over the existing silage pit and is to be natural grey fibre cement corrugated roof sheets with approximately 15% of the roof to be polycarbonate sheets to allow for daylight to enter. The building is to be left open along its front elevation to allow access for farm vehicles. This silage clamp A is identical to silage clamp B {23/02275/FUL} and clamp C {23/02276/FUL} as shown on the proposed Floor Plan and Elevations document provided. One question raised by Whitestone Parish Council concerns the five silage pits all having their own separate roof and whether this is necessary. Could some silage pits have a shared roof? We are seeking Teignbridge District Council’s expertise here especially if grant payments are a factor in this decision whether to have separate or shared roofs.

Whitestone Parish Council support this application in principle and agree that roofing is required to reduce water pollution/contamination by reducing rainfall seeping through and carrying contaminants from the silage. It is also encouraged by DEFRA and is aimed to make the establishment compliant with the Farming Rules for Water and the Reduction and Prevention of Agricultural Diffuse Pollution {England} Regulations 2018. If permission is granted by Teignbridge District Council, we would like to see the following conditions applied:

Strict restrictions on external and internal lighting to protect the biodiversity of the surrounding area and to keep light pollution/spillage to a minimum in an area of dark skies.
Upper Kingswell Farm is situated on the ridge where the farm buildings are very visible to many propertis in Whitestone. This is an AGLV and open countryside so consideration in minimising the visual I mpact would be greatly appreciated when considering the roofs on the silage pits. Using neutral colours may help to minimise visual impact.
Not to change the use of these silage pits once roofed and if and when they are no longer required for silage to be considered as temporary and removed.
To incorporate bird and bat boxes into the build

11.2 23/02275/FUL Erection of roofing over existing silage pits at Upper Kingswell Farm, Longdown

Whitestone Parish Council have discussed and considered this planning application 23/02275/FUL. This application for the erection of roofing over an existing silage pit is the second of five applications from the same applicant who is seeking permission for the erection of roofing over a total of five existing silage pits at the above named farm. Applications 23/02274/FUL, 23/02275/FUL, 23/02276/FUL, 23/02277/FUL and 23/02278/FUL need to be considered together and not as separate unrelated applications. This particular application 23/02275/FUL refers to silage clamp B on the Location and Block Plan document provided. The roofing is to be a steel portal framed agricultural building over the existing silage pit and is to be natural grey fibre cement corrugated roof sheets with approximately 15% of the roof to be polycarbonate sheets to allow for daylight to enter. The building is to be left open along its front elevation to allow access for farm vehicles. This silage clamp B is identical to silage clamp A {23/02274/FUL} and clamp C {23/02276/FUL} as shown on the proposed Floor Plan and Elevations document provided. One question raised by Whitestone Parish Council concerns the five silage pits all having their own separate roof and whether this is necessary. Could some silage pits have a shared roof? We are seeking Teignbridge District Council’s expertise here especially if grant payments are a factor in this decision whether to have separate or shared roofs.

Strict restrictions on external and internal lighting to protect the biodiversity of the surrounding area and to keep light pollution/spillage to a minimum in an area of dark skies.
Upper Kingswell Farm is situated on the ridge where the farm buildings are very visible to many properties in Whitestone. This is an AGLV and open countryside so consideration in minimising the visual impact would be greatly appreciated when considering the roofs on the silage pits. Using neutral colours may help to minimise visual impact.
Not to change the use of these silage pits once roofed and if and when they are no longer required for silage to be considered as temporary and removed.
To incorporate bird and bat boxes into the build.

11.3 23/02276/FUL Erection of roofing over existing silage pits at Upper Kingswell Farm, Longdown

Whitestone Parish Council have discussed and considered this planning application 23/02276/FUL

This application for the erection of roofing over an existing silage pit is the third of five applications from the same applicant who is seeking permission for the erection of roofing over a total of five existing silage pits at the above named farm. Applications 23/02274/FUL, 23/02275/FUL, 23/02276/FUL, 23/02277/FUL and 23/02278/FUL need to be considered together and not as separate unrelated applications. This particular application 23/0226/FUL refers to silage clamp C on the Location and Block Plan document provided. The roofing is to be a steel portal framed agricultural building over the existing silage pit and is to be natural grey fibre cement corrugated roof sheets with approximately 15% of the roof to be polycarbonate sheets to allow for daylight to enter. The building is to be left open along its front elevation to allow access for farm vehicles. This silage clamp C is identical to silage clamp A {23/02274/FUL} and clamp B {23/02275/FUL} as shown on the proposed Floor Plan and Elevations document provided. One question raised by Whitestone Parish Council concerns the five silage pits all having their own separate roof and whether this is necessary. Could some silage pits have a shared roof? We are seeking Teignbridge District Council’s expertise here especially if grant payments are a factor in this decision whether to have separate or shared roofs.

Strict restrictions on external and internal lighting to protect the biodiversity of the surrounding area and to keep light pollution/spillage to a minimum in an area of dark skies.
Upper Kingswell Farm is situated on the ridge where the farm buildings are very visible to many properties in Whitestone. This is an AGLV and open countryside so consideration in minimising the visual I mpact would be greatly appreciated when considering the roofs on the silage pits. Using neutral colours may help to minimise visual impact.
Not to change the use of these silage pits once roofed and if and when they are no longer required for silage to be considered as temporary and removed.
To incorporate bird and bat boxes into the build.

11.4 23/02277/FUL Erection of roofing over existing silage pits at Upper Kingswell Farm, Longdown

Whitestone Parish Council have discussed and considered this planning application 23/02277/FUL

This application for the erection of roofing over an existing silage pit is the fourth of five applications from the same applicant who is seeking permission for the erection of roofing over a total of five existing silage pits at the above named farm. Applications 23/02274/FUL, 23/02275/FUL, 23/02276/FUL, 23/02277/FUL and 23/02278/FUL need to be considered together and not as separate unrelated applications. This particular application 23/02277/FUL refers to silage clamp D on the Location and Block Plan document provided. The roofing is to be a steel portal framed agricultural building over the existing silage pit and is to be natural grey fibre cement corrugated roof sheets with approximately 15% of the roof to be polycarbonate sheets to allow for daylight to enter. The building is to be left open along its front elevation to allow access for farm vehicles. This silage clamp D is probably identical to silage clamp A {23/02274/FUL}, clamp B {23/02275/FUL} and silage clamp C {23/02276/FUL} but does not have a proposed Floor Plan and Elevations document provided on the portal. One question raised by Whitestone Parish Council concerns the five silage pits all having their own separate roof and whether this is necessary. Could some silage pits have a shared roof? We are seeking Teignbridge District Council’s expertise here especially if grant payments are a factor in this decision whether to have separate or shared roofs.

Strict restrictions on external and internal lighting to protect the biodiversity of the surrounding area and to keep light pollution/spillage to a minimum in an area of dark skies.
Upper Kingswell Farm is situated on the ridge where the farm buildings are very visible to many properties in Whitestone. This is an AGLV and open countryside so consideration in minimising the visual impact would be greatly appreciated when considering the roofs on the silage pits. Using neutral colours may help to minimise visual impact.
Not to change the use of these silage pits once roofed and if and when they are no longer required for silage to be considered as temporary and removed.
To incorporate bird and bat boxes into the build.

11.5 23/02278/FUL Erection of roofing over existing silage pits at Upper Kingswell Farm, Longdown

Whitestone Parish Council have discussed and considered this planning application 23/02278/FUL

This application for the erection of roofing over an existing silage pit is the fifth of five applications from the same applicant who is seeking permission for the erection of roofing over a total of five existing silage pits at the above named farm. Applications 23/02274/FUL, 23/02275/FUL, 23/02276/FUL, 23/02277/FUL and 23/02278/FUL need to be considered together and not as separate unrelated applications. This particular application 23/02278/FUL refers to silage clamp E on the Location and Block Plan document provided. This silage clamp E is different in shape and looks like an apron in front of the other clamps. A proposed Floor Plan and Elevations document has not been provided on the portal so it is unclear as to what exactly is to be done on clamp E. One question raised by Whitestone Parish Council concerns the five silage pits all having their own separate roof and whether this is necessary. Could some silage pits have a shared roof? We are seeking Teignbridge District Council’s expertise here especially if grant payments are a factor in this decision whether to have separate or shared roofs.

Strict restrictions on external and internal lighting to protect the biodiversity of the surrounding area and to keep light pollution/spillage to a minimum in an area of dark skies.
Upper Kingswell Farm is situated on the ridge where the farm buildings are very visible to many properties in Whitestone. This is an AGLV and open countryside so consideration in minimising the visual impact would be greatly appreciated when considering the roofs on the silage pits. Using neutral colours may help to minimise visual impact.
Not to change the use of these silage pits once roofed and if and when they are no longer required for silage to be considered as temporary and removed.
To incorporate bird and bat boxes into the build.

11.6 23/00024/FUL Construction of a field shelter at Upper Kingswell Farm, Longdown

Whitestone Parish Council have discussed and considered planning application 24/00024/FUL and support the application. This proposed field shelter is to be constructed of timber for the walls and fibre cement roof sheets. The plans provided do not mention the flooring so it is unclear whether it is to be left as natural earth or concreted. It is a big shelter but we are aware that the applicant does have a sizeable herd of cattle on the farm at Upper Kingswell. This structure is to be positioned behind a very large shed so we are assuming that the proposed field shelter won’t be too visible from at least the direction of Whitestone. There appears to be natural screening of existing hedges which again should help in reducing the visual impact. The plans show that a soakaway is to be constructed which will help to divert surface water and run off away from the field shelter. It has been noted that a new track will probably be required to get to the proposed field shelter but it is unclear whether this will be for the building stage only or if it will be needed for vehicle access once the shelter is in use. The plans provided do not mention whether there will be an electricity supply to the shelter but as the proposed structure is sited in an AGLV and open countryside, Whitestone Parish Council would like strict restrictions applied regarding internal and external lighting if indeed an electrical supply is to be installed. This is to protect the biodiversity of the surrounding area and to reduce light spillage and pollution.

Whitestone Parish Council do support this application but would like the following conditions applied if Teignbridge District Council were to grant permission:

No change in function and to be considered as a temporary structure to be removed when no longer required as a field shelter.
To provide bird and bat boxes if appropriate.

11.7 24/00006/FUL Storage building retrospective) at Heath Yard, Heath Lane.

This is a retrospective planning application for the construction of a storage building. The application form states that work commenced on 05/02/2023, and is not completed. A construction of some sort had been seen in Heath Lane Yard but in the last week {15/01/2024} it appears that the structure has now been removed . Whitestone Parish Council contacted Teignbridge Planning {FS-Case-578541029}, and has been informed that the Case Officer intends to speak to the Agent on the application to ascertain the current situation on site. Until we know the outcome, we have been advised to proceed with our response to the application. The proposed storage building can be accessed from both Heath Lane and from Five Mile Hill. The applicant has a highway construction business and Heath Lane Yard is used for outdoor storage of materials and vehicles associated with this business. The proposed storage building would enable more vehicles to be stored under cover which will protect them from the elements. The application form states that the proposed storage building’s walls are to be constructed of vertical timber cladding and blockwork of concrete kick panels and the roof to be vertical timber cladding. However, the Design Statement which only appeared on the portal on the 24th January, states that the roof is to be constructed of profiled steel sheet with an array of solar panels. The building proposed although in the style of an agricultural barn has a large footprint {approx. 300sq.m.} and stands almost 8m tall at its highest ridge. It is to be sited in a relatively open area on the east side of Pathfinder Village, visible from a number of properties. WPC have considered this application and found a number of points needing clarification or greater detail in order for us to come to a conclusion as to whether to support or to object to this application.

It is unclear what work has already commenced resulting in this being a retrospective application.
Why has it taken nearly a year to put in a (retrospective) application, for such a large structure?
Proposed roof material mentioned on the Application form is ‘vertical timber cladding’. However, the

drawings/plans and Design Statement indicate the roof to be sheet metal and an array of solar panels.

The Application Form states that opening hours of this business is not relevant to this application but

given the proposed location of this storage building being relatively close to the Heath Lane boundary and visible to many properties in Heath Lane together with potential light and noise pollution from the movement of vehicles, this perhaps should be considered

In order to meet policy EN2A Landscape Protection and Enhancement we would like to see more natural screening so that the proposed building and site are less visible from the Heath Lane boundary.
No details have been provided regarding whether lighting is to be installed. If Teignbridge District Council are minded to grant planning permission, we would like strict conditions on the lighting to be used both internally and externally to protect the dark skies and biodiversity of the surrounding area.
WPC would also like to see measures to support biodiversity such as bat boxes.

11.8 24/00007/FUL 36 ground mounted solar panels at Trillow House, Halsfordwood Lane

Whitestone Parish Council have discussed and considered this application for 36 ground mounted solar panels {3 frames of 8 panels and 2 frames of 6 panels} at the above property. These solar panels are to be sited in the applicant’s paddock behind Trillow House. The applicant wishes to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels and that the electricity produced will be used in their residential property. As Teignbridge District Council along with Whitestone Parish Council declared a climate emergency in 2020 this type of application is most welcome.

The Planning Statement provided by Solar Frames South West Ltd states that the panels will be in a “double landscape orientation to reduce the height and visual impact of the array. The maximum height of the array in the winter position will be no more than two metres.” We have been provided with a comprehensive set of documents but are unable to establish the reasoning why the applicant would like ground mounted solar panels rather than those installed on a residential roof. We are pleased that environmental consideration has been made at the actual installation stage whereby no concrete is to be used, no new track from the lane to the site is required and that all construction materials are to be carried by hand from the owner’s driveway to the installation site. The nearest neighbours living at Trillow, a listed property, are unlikely to see the panels due to the screening of mature trees and hedges. We are told that those passing by are also unlikely to see the solar panels from the lane. However, the photo provided shows clearly the properties known as Barton Cottages on the Whitestone Road /Halsfordwood Lane junction across the valley from Trillow House who may very well see the reflection from the solar panels which are facing towards that direction. Other properties up Halsfordwood Lane on that valley side that are also facing towards Trillow House and some properties further along the Whitestone Road going towards Exeter, may see reflection from the panels also, especially in the Winter when the panels are tilted at 60 degrees. This is one of WPC’s concerns about this application but we understand that there may be a way to reduce potential glare issues so would appreciate the applicant and Solar Frames South West Ltd investigating this further. The second concern we have is that of the transport to be used at the delivery stage. Halsfordwood Lane is notoriously difficult for any deliveries due to its narrowness, steepness and the bends. Access is not easy from either end of the lane and there is nowhere for large vehicles to turn around. If Teignbridge are minded to grant permission, we would like small vehicles to be used when delivering the required materials to minimise the further erosion of the Devon banks in Halsfordwood Lane. Whitestone Parish Council support this application in principle

11.9 24/00130/FUL Extension to existing agricultural building and replacement of existing roof with new

pitched roof at West Rowhorne Farm, Nadderwater

Whitestone Parish Council have discussed and considered this planning application. West Rowhorne Farm is an established family run small farm and granting permission for this application would result in an agricultural building being suitable for modern day farm machinery. The walls are to be constructed of timber weatherboard of tin sheets apart from the east elevation which is to be constructed of timber weatherboard. The roof is to be covered in fibre cement roof sheets with polycarbonate sheets to allow daylight to enter the building. We feel that the proposed changes to the existing agricultural building will neaten up the building from all sides and although it will continue to be visible from the Church Town area of the parish, will not have a detrimental impact visually. The planning application is compliant with policy EC3 and we believe it is a “genuine agricultural need”. Whitestone Parish Council support this application but if Teignbridge District Council are minded to approve this application we would like the following conditions applied:-

Strict conditions regarding potential internal and external light pollution/spillage to protect the biodiversity of the area.
To incorporate and bird boxes into the build.
To be used purely for the purpose outlined in the application.

MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION

12.1 Request for funding for Parish Pals

This request for funding for the hire of the room for this organisation was discussed in full and it was agreed that the Chair should reply that no funding will be granted at the present time but this could be reviewed in six months time.

12.2 Pot Holes

It was reported that there are pot holes in Pound Lane, Hill Lane, Church Lane, Centre Cottage and Merrymeet. District Councillor Lake agreed to report these to Devon Highways for the necessary repairs.

12.3 Crossway Park

It has been reported that there is a bramble bush to the left of the entrance gate which is in need of cutting as children are being injured. Mr Blades will be asked to look into this.

12.4 Bus Shelter

Three quotations, namely £1,125.00, £1230.00 and £968.00 were discussed by Council and a decision was made to award the contract to Mr Thom whose estimate was for £968.00. It was also requested that he should add additional guttering to the rear of the shelter.

12.5 Request for a plaque giving names of the fallen parishioners in the wars be placed on the green in the area

of the bus stop.

Details of a previous proposal made by Nicola Oakey having been distributed to Councillors it was decided that perhaps this was too much and that something a little smaller would be more appropriate for the small area concerned with a stone showing the names of those who had fallen. The matter to be discussed again.

12.6 Fir tree by the telephone box is in need of trimming and other trees

Cllr Belt informed the meeting that this will be carried out this week.

BT Boxes within Parish

This still under investigation with views being sought from parishioners.

12.8 CCTV for carpark and play area

Cllr Fairley informed the Councillors that it would not be possible for her to attend a meeting with the Parish Hall Committee next week as she will be away from Whitestone but she would liase with them with an alternative date.

12.9 STAWL updates – report from Mr Guy Fielding

Conditional approval was originally given for the landfill on 30^th June 2021. A number of those conditions have to be met before any work can take place on the sire. Our understanding is that to date those conditions have not been met. Unless those pre-commencement conditions are met and work is started within three years of the date of approval, i.e. by 30^th June 2024 then the approval will lapse.
The challenge to the ownership of the access track (from the C50 to Yonder Hare Down, the site of the proposed landfill) is unlikely to be heard before June or July 2024. (We presume that the owners of the site, and GRS the company hoping to operate the site, are also aware that there are additional conditions applying to the access track that mean it cannot be used to service a waste landfill).
No application has yet been made for an Environmental Permit to allow tipping of waste at the site. In their Section 73 application to radically revise the original approval (DCC/4293/2022) which they have now abandoned, GRS spelt out a whole series of reasons why the original scheme could not be implemented without great harm to the environment. If they ever do apply for an Environmental Permit these arguments will undoubtedly be brought to the attention of the Public Enquiry.
It appears that GRS have abandoned their attempts to obtain consents for application DCC/4293/2022 because of another legal dispute involving the ownership of (parts of) the site. We do not know any of the details of this dispute, nor do we know exactly why it has led to GRS abandoning their revised scheme. At the moment we are seeking clarification to see if there is a limit to the time that this application can remain in its current state of “approved but nor consented”.
We have consulted our legal advisors and are in the process of informing Devon County Council that, if they were ever to issue a consent to this Section 73 application, then a legal challenge would be made that the decision was ultra vires and that the approval should therefore be overturned.
It is clear that a number of relevant local and national developments that the economic argument/business case for the site is no longer viable, and particularly as it applies to the original application, which only allows the dumping of inert sub-soil from greenfield developments.
Similarly, the environmental case is becoming ever more apparent with every downpour and the ever increasing incidence of extreme weather events. As has been obvious from the very beginning the idea of tipping any kind of waste on a 30 degree slope in Devon and expecting it to stay there is simply beyond belief.

12.10 Vehicle Activated Speed Signs

Cllr Evans reported that the signs were now all up and working and it was noted that the accounts were being paid at this meeting

MATTERS RAISED BY THE CHAIRMAN

Cllr Fairley spoke regarding notices which had been placed regarding horses in the area of Nadderwater but pointed out that these had not been placed officially.

FINANCE

Income

14.1 1 School Houses rental to £950.00 - £174.00 (includes £29.00 VAT) = £776.00

14.2 2 School Houses rental £950.00 - £204.00 (includes £29 VAT) = £746.00

Expenditure

The following expenditure was proposed and seconded for payment. All in favour and the cheques were signed by Councillors Fairley and Belt

14.3 Mr L Blades - £361.65 (Lengthsman)

14.4 Fry & Son £18.00 (includes £3 VAT)

14.5 Whitestone Parish Hall £1,659.06 (Insurance Premium for Parish Hall)

14.6 TWM Traffic Control Systems Ltd Sept 23 - £2,931.40 (includes £488.57 VAT) Jan 24 - £60 (includes £10 VAT. Feb 24 - £378.60 (includes £63.10 VAT) Total £3,370.00

14.7 Moore and Franks (gutter repair) paid through Winkworth £90.00

14.8 Top 2 Bottom (smoke alarm No 1) paid through Winkworth £120 includes £20 VAT.

REPORTS

Cllr Belt reported on the death of Mr Tony Reed who had been a Parish Councillor for many years and the Clerk was instructed to send condolences to his wife Mrs Kate Reed and his family.

The next Council meeting will take place on Thursday 14th March 2023.

The meeting closed at 8.50pm