Whitestone Parish Council

Minutes of Council Meeting held at Whitestone Parish Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday 14^th March 2024 to be ratified on Thursday 11^th April 2024

Attendance:- Chair – Councillor L Fairley
Councillors Cllrs T Baird, M Belt, V Bryant, A Evans, M Frankum, C Lang
District Councillor K Lake
District Councillor J Parrott
Mr Philip Stott

Mrs P Vaughan – Clerk to the Council

Apologies Cllr C Galton

15. Cllr Fairley opened the meeting and the minutes of the Council meeting held on 15^th February having been circulated were taken as read and signed by the Chair.

16. REPORTS FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR / DISTRICT COUNCILLOR

District Councillor Lake confirmed that the various potholes which had been reported to him at the February meeting had all been passed to Devon Highways and he had received information that they were being dealt with.

District Councillor Parrott reported that Teignbridge District Council has now completed their budget for the coming year and confirmed that there will be a 4.7% increase for parishioner.

17 PLANNING - Applications can be viewed on line by going into the public access system at Teignbridge Planning following the directions giving the application reference. The following applications having been received from Teignbridge District Council with a request for comments were examined and responses were sent which can be viewed on Teignbridge District Council Planning site.

17.1 24/00171/FUL Proposed dwelling at Apple Orchard Barn, Styles Barton

Whitestone Parish Council have reviewed and considered this planning application for the erection of a dwelling following the demolition of an agricultural building. This barn known as Apple Orchard Barn already has permission under Class Q for the conversion into a single large dwelling 21/01452/NPA and the applicant now wishes to use the “fall back position” to seek permission for a new build in an area which would otherwise not be possible. Styles Barton Farm is situated in an AGLV and open countryside. The detailed documents provided show the new build to be an extensive proposal with four bedrooms, a study, gym, garage and big expanses of glass particularly on the south and east elevations. This dwelling it is proposed will be two storey unlike the original Class Q conversion which was completely on one level. We are told that the construction materials will be sustainable timber which we agree would help the dwelling to keep its agricultural reference however we feel that this proposal is too big in the proposed setting and that too much glass is to be used which may very well be detrimental to nocturnal animals as well as causing light pollution/spillage in an area of dark skies. We are pleased to see that the documents provided have addressed the policies EN2A, EN3 AND EN8. Styles Barton Farm was once a working farm with many farm buildings which was then divided up between the “mother farm” and what is now known as Styles Barton Meadow. Recent years has seen many planning applications for both these properties for Class Q barn conversions and then in most cases, applications utilising the “fall back position”. Whitestone Parish Council feel this area has exceeded its allocation of Class Q conversions and new builds and the cumulative number of separate dwelling houses has resulted in this site being over developed. All the dwellings that already have planning permission are substantial in size and this new application is probably the biggest. This proposal we assume is probably not actually destined for the open market but for holiday accommodation due to the close proximity to other barn conversions and existing dwellings, lack of privacy and the limiting curtilage. It will not contribute to Whitestone’s need for affordable housing or long term rental housing stock. We feel that this is not compliant with policy S22 relating to development in the countryside. The access on to the highway is just at the point where the national speed limit changes from 30mph to 60mph and where the road is relatively straight. Many exceed the 30mph as recorded on our Vehicle Activated Sign positioned on the opposite side of the road when travelling towards the village centre. It is not a safe stretch of road to walk along as there is no pavement and the bus service passing the entrance is limited so we feel that the criteria outlined in Policy S1 regarding sustainable development criteria is not met. There is likely to be an increase in traffic as the occupants of this four bedroomed new build are unlikely to have just the one car and the sites position makes it a car dependant development.

Whitestone Parish Council does not support this planning application. If Teignbridge are minded to approve this application, then we would like the following conditions applied:

1. That all the criteria included in the Design and Access Statement relating to Policies EN3, EN8, EN2A and EN12 are adhered to.
2. Strict criteria relating to reducing internal and external light spillage/pollution as this is an area of dark skies.

17.2 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 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:

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

Grant of Conditional Planning Permission

17.3 23/02114/MAJ Variation of condition 4 on planning permission 17/01786/MAJ (agricultural building) for retrospective consent for landscaping works already undertaken and amended hedge position at Upper Kingswell Farm, Longdown.

17.4 23/02274/FUL Erection of roofing over existing silage pits at Upper Kingswell Farm

17.5 23/02275/FUL Erection of roofing over existing silage pits at Upper Kingswell Farm

17.6 23/02276/FUL Erection of roofing over existing silage pits at Upper Kingswell Farm

17.7 23/02277/FUL Erection of roofing over existing silage pits at Upper Kingswell Farm

17.8 23/02278/FUL Erection of roofing over existing silage pits at Upper Kingswell Farm

Variation of Condition following Grant of Conditional Planning Permission

17.9 23/01687/VAR Variation of condition 2 on planning permission 21/01608/HOU (Two storey and single storey side extension and replacement conservatory) relating to removal of the first floor accommodation and reduction in glazing to the sunroom at Woodside, Five Mile Hill.

17.10 Cllr Bryant spoke regarding three planning applications which had been received regarding construction of agricultural building at Cricket Field Barn, Whitestone, provision of an agricultural building at Cross Park Farm and provision of a temporary agricultural workers dwelling also at Cross Park Farm and these will be investigated.

18. MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION

18.1 Notification received from Mr Bruce Moody resigning as Parish Councillor.

18.2 CCTV for carpark and play area

A meeting had been held with the Hall Committee which had proved to be inconclusive although Councillor Fairley has not received any minutes from the meeting. Dr Richard has since written that the Hall Committee has decided to arrange for installation of LED Security lighting around the outside of the Hall before considering further any plans for CCTV. It was noted that this had proved to be very much an open meeting with Mr Philip Nierop subsequently sending a letter with a proposal regarding possible arrangements regarding funding for the Hall. In view of the fact that the issue is regarding the possibility of additional CCTV coverage for the Hall and surrounding area including the play park Cllr Fairley was requested to request a meeting between just the Chair and Vice Chair for the Hall to meet with her and the Parish Council Vice Chair to discuss the matter further.

18.3 Bus Stop area and 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.

The area was discussed again and it was confirmed that a memorial of some sort should be placed in the area and quotations will be sought regarding a stone memorial which could be engraved with the names. Cllr Belt confirmed that she has obtained a free water butt which can be placed in the area for any plants/shrubs which may be planted. Nicola Oakey will be thanked for the plan which she had submitted regarding the area which had been deemed to be too much for the area concerned.

18.4 BT Boxes within Parish

Votes are in and 68% wish for shelving to remain for adhoc food donations.

18.5 STAWL updates - report from Mr Guy Fielding

On 6^th March 2024 DCC granted approval to commence the scheme specified in DCC/4101/2018. This means that DCC have given permission to GRS to start putting various bits of infrastructure in place to prepare the site to receive waste. Note however that it cannot operate as a waste dump because the necessary environmental permits have not yet been obtained indeed, they have not even been applied for. The significance of this approval is that by staring the project GRS secure the planning approval to use this site for waste disposal which is due to run out on 30^th June 2024, three years after the planning consent was issued. The conditional approval granted to planning application DCC/4101/2018 contained large number of conditions that the developers need to meet. Specifically Condition 4 stated that “The development shall be carried out in strict accordance with the details shown on approved drawings and documents.

Our initial examination of the pre-commencement documents and drawings that have been submitted by GRS for pre-commencement approval, which have now been approved by DCC’s Planners, shows that in a number of significant respects the scheme is inconsistent with the original scheme DCC/4101/2018.

In a sense, this is not surprising. You will remember that when GRS took on the landfill site they examined the scheme as approved and concluded that it would not be implemented. For instance in their introduction to their later planning application (DCC/4293/2022) they pointed out:- “Lorries delivering soils require good operational surfaces with gradients at a maximum of 1 in 10 to access and egress the working areas safely. The currently approved method of installing spur routes up through the western part of the site involved significantly steeper gradients (at about 1 in 5), and sections of the western haul road would also be too steep”

However, in the Landscape and Ecological Management Plan which has just been given approval it says “an access track will be constructed to the south of the lagoons. The track requires regrading and benching into the hillside. The track has a constant gradient of 1:10 and will be surfaced with capping. The track will be extended to the north, running adjacent to the eastern headland. This section provides access to Fields 1 and 2 in the north”

This plan for a quite different access track is not entirely new however. It appeared in the Section 73 application in which GRS sought radial changes to the original, approved scheme.

The problem is that planning application DCC/4293/2022 has not been approved by DCC. For various reasons it appears that GRS have now decided not to pursue this revised scheme but instead have decided to try to implement the original approved scheme, despite having decided that it cannot be implemented. It seems that they have tried to solve this particularly difficult logical and practical paradox by submitting parts of documents and drawings from the latter unapproved scheme for pre-commencement approval of DCC/4101/2018. It appears that DCC have not realised that it is not possible with Condition 4 “in strict accordance with the approved scheme”.

We are currently conducting a point-by-point comparison of the scheme as just approved (6^th March 2024) with the original scheme approved in June 2021. As can be appreciated, this is taking us some time to complete.

Earlier this week wrote to Ms Sue Penalunam Principal Planning Officer at DCC to state that we have identified inconsistencies between the scheme as approved in June 2021 and the scheme that has just been approved.

We understand that at this point in the planning process we do not have formal avenues of appeal against the decisions of DCC’s Planning Department. If they decide that, for instance, a track with a constant 1:10 gradient is the same as a track with gradients of 1;5 we do not appear to have a mechanism to formally to challenge their decision. However, we believe that the decision reached by DCC on 6^th March 2024 is in error and that the letter of approval should be withdrawn. We call upon our representatives at Parish, District and County level to join us in pressing DCC to recognise the mistake they have made and to rescind the pre-commencement approval that they have just issued.

18.6 Police Surgery held at Parish Hall

PCSO Paul Wilson visited Whitestone on Saturday morning, 9^th March. He answered questions from 8 parishioners in attendance and gave advice on a number of topics which was very helpful. He also said how useful it was for him to meeting parishioners as he has driven through the village on a number of occasions. He gave some interesting information on crime in the Coastal and Rural Policing sector, of which we are part. He told us of a recent drug raid, triggered by activity picked upon CCTV, they did in Exminster and talked about County-lines drug distribution. He also gave advice on signage and road paraphernalia and commented on the usefulness of our Speed signs and the Speed camera teams who have been active in the village and on the C50. He also commented positively on the outcome of recent information gained by CCTV on 2 incidents in the village which helped and are helping in Police investigations. The reporting of cars being de-iced with engines running (though not advised) and then being stolen gave the Police important information in a criminal investigation. He spoke about the usefulness of CCTV in the prevention of crime also, and commented that dummy cameras had a use but it is better to use functioning cameras as criminals are able to test whether they are actually working. He finished up by saying he would be happy to attend any further meetings we organised.

19 MATTERS RAISED BY THE CHAIRMAN

On the 14^th March we received a Police Report which stated that in the period 1^st February to 29^th February 2024 there were no offences recorded in the Whitestone Parish and no non-offence reports to the Police. Non offence reports are those made through the 101 system or some that arrive through the Devon and Cornwall Police website and same email accounts. Examples would be concern for welfare, road traffic incidents or anti-social behaviour. We are keen to hear any ideas that would help us support the local community in the future and in particular any places we could hold a Police Surgery. Surgeries give the community the chance to meet the local Police team and discuss any local policing concerns they may have. PSXO Wilson has asked me to pass on his thanks for the wonderful welcome from a group who are clearly passionate about their local community. All points raised will be reviewed and looked into with all relevant agencies.

20 FINANCE

Income

20.1 1 School Houses rental to 2^nd April £950.00 - £114.00 (includes £19.00 VAT) = £836.00

Expenditure

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

20.2 Mr L Blades £441.30 (Lengthsman £411.30 + Grass cutting £30.00) Cheque No 727

20.3 Whitestone Parish Hall £350.61 Cheque 728

20.4 SJM Tree Services £624.00 (includes £104 VAT) Cheque 729

20.5 Parish On Line £90.00 (includes £15 VAT) Cheque 730

20.6 Clerk’s salary and expenses £428.14 Cheque 731

20.7 HM Revenue and Customs £96.00 (Clerk’s income tax on salary) Cheque 732

20.8 Mr D Thom £986.00 Cheque 733

20.9 Refreshments for Police meeting on 9^th March £5.70 Cheque 734

21. CORRESPONDENCE

Mr Philip Stott was in attendance as he has applied to become a Parish Councillor and his application has been forwarded to Councillors. He was invited to attend the April meeting on the 11^th April when he will be officially co-opted to the Council.

22. REPORTS

Cllr Bryant informed the meeting that she has forwarded the P3 Footpath Reports to Devon County but was unable to inspect some of the footpath/bridleways owing to the state of the terrain due to the rainfall. Cllr Frankum volunteered to take over supervision of the footpath/bridleways when Cllr Bryant is no longer a Councillor.

The meeting closed at 9.15pm.