Whitestone Parish Council

Minutes of Parish Council at Whitestone Parish Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday 10^th July 2025.

Attendance: Chair – Cllr T Baird

Councillors M Belt, M Frankum, C Lang, E Purser, P Stott, T Taylor, M Baxendale-Nichols

Mrs P Vaughan, Clerk to the Council.

District Councillor J Parrott

Apologies:- District Councillor K Lake, County Councllor Connett

43. Cllr Baird opened the meeting and the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 12^th June 2025 having been circulated were taken as read and signed by the Chair.

44. REPORT FROM DISTRICT COUNCILLOR

District Councillor Parrott reported on various matters and stated that there will be a Planning Forum to discuss local government reorganization being held at Tedburn St Mary Village Hall from 6pmto 8pm on 15^th July.

45. PLANNING

45.1 25/00887/AGR Agricultural building at at Redwood Grove Whitestone. The Council has discussed and considered this planning application. However, as the Council was not formally asked to provide a response we have not done so. The Council would like to note that there is a lack of information in the current application.

45.2 25/00932/NPA Application for a Prior Approval under Part 3 Class Q (a) and (c) and paragraph W of the GDPO for change of use of an agricultural building to two dwellings at Merry View Whitestone. The Council discussed and considered this planning application. However as the Council was not formally asked to provide a response we have not done so.

45.3 95/02040/AMD2 non material amendment to amend the design of the approved extension to No.2.Cleave Cottage to planning permission 95/02040 (2 storey extensions to form additional living accommodation, porches, garages and extra garden) at 2 Cleave Cottage Whitestone.. The Council reviewed this application and noted that there was no requirement for the Council to respond as the application had already been resolved by Teignbridge District Council.

45.4 24/00503/COND2 Discharge of Condition 5 (Treatment Plan) on Plannng Permission 24/00503/FUL for installation of four glamping pods for overnight guest use, associated decking footpaths, parking and turning area, storage hut, secure bicycle storage and recycling/refuse storage and associated works at Oak Tree Farm. The Parish Council discussed and considered this planning application and has noted the update regarding the drainage and have no further comments.

45.5 25/01044/FUL Construction of a new farm building and farm access at Rowhorne Farm, Nadderwater.

Following discussions and consideration of the planning application at the Whitestone Parish Council meeting the Council has the following comments. The following changes are proposed:-

- The inclusion of bat and owl boxes are encouraged to improve the environmental impact of the structure.

- We would like the usage of more environmentally friendly materials such as hempboard are utilised to reduce carbon emissions of the building.

The Council makes an effort to represent the interests of the Parish in this Planning Application response but we encourage members of the community to post individual issues or challenges with this proposed development directly on the planning forum. This document is provided to Teignbridge District Council in accordance with Section 293G of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. It is for the Teignbridge District Council Planning Officer / Planning Committee and we leave the final decision to Teignbridge District Council.

Considerations made by WPC are provided based on the following information:

National Planning Policy Framework.
Local Parish Development Plan and Parish knowledge.
Planning Material Considerations.
Non-material Considerations that contribute to Material Considerations.
Construction Considerations - while construction disruption is not a material consideration, the proposed building construction will potentially cause environmental damage that should be considered as a part of the whole-life cycle of the building.
Excavations – Owing to the site position, there is the likelihood for excavations to create a site onto which the structure will be placed. Construction must include adequate cut and fill analysis to prevent export of topsoil.
Construction Traffic – Issues of usage of local roads must be informed to users of the site during construction.

Environmental Material Considerations

Noise – There are limited noise considerations as a result of this development beyond current noise levels in the site.
Air Quality – The development is not projected to cause detriment to the air quality of the area.
Biodiversity Impacts – Included in the application is the proposal for the planting of wild flower meadows, orchards and shrubs. This is will be of benefit to the area and is encouraged by the WPC. Further schemes could include owl and bat boxes.
Light – The side panels on the structure may cause light pollution. Therefore, information could be provided to the Council on the usage of the site at night and lighting to be installed to minimise light pollution.
Land Pollution – N/A for this application.
Materials in Construction – The use of concrete for the side panels is not as environmentally sustainable as the usage of timber. A potential change of the design to minimise concrete usage or include cement substitutes (where possible) is recommended.
Biodiversity Net Gain – The overall development will not cause significant environmental damage in conclusion.

Economic Material Considerations

Local Business – This application is a proposal to expand an agricultural business and support the rural economy. This will bring an economic benefit to the local area.

Community Impact Material Considerations

Appearance and Design – The proposed barn structure is a traditional agricultural building and is in-keeping with surrounding structures and the agricultural character of the area.
Visual Impact – It should be noted the new building will cause a limited amount of loss of existing farmland as a result. This has been considered in the application and mitigated against. Owing to the position of the site at the top of a hill, this will cause a visual impact.
Loss of Privacy – The building is unlikely to cause issues of loss of privacy of existing buildings in the area.
Heritage Assets – There is to be no impact on heritage structures in the Parish as seen in the application.
Flood Risk / Drainage – Site is not in a flood risk area. The implementation of rain water collection systems in the planning application is to be a positive for preventing run-off issues on the site. This is encouraged by the WPC.
Highways – The proposed access point to the site will involve a double galvanised steel gate. This is deemed to provide adequate access to the site and is in-keeping with the area.
Transport – The proposal to link education and tourism to farming will likely generate a small amount of traffic as a result. This can be managed effectively by the applicant and the WPC welcome their appearance at the Parish Council Meetings to discuss their proposal.

Site History

Previous Applications – The application is fairly small compared to the work that has been previously carried out.

National Planning Policy Framework - The key goal of the National planning policy framework is to achieve ‘sustainable development’. This is centred around United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) which is centred around the following three points:

Economic Sustainability – In general, the proposal supports the existing agricultural economy and is proportional to the existing economy of the area.
Social Sustainability – We encourage members of the Parish to submit their responses to all planning applications. The proposed scheme acting to maintain the agricultural character of the area and provide education on rural issues is welcomed by the WPC.
Environmental Sustainability – Environmental issues have been highlighted in this response and further mitigations and recommendations are made in the introduction section. However, the WPC appreciates the applicants concern for maintaining the environment.

45.6 Grant of Request for Prior Approval

25/00612/NPA Application for Prior Approval under Part 3 Class Q (a) and (b) paragraph W of the GPDO change of use of an agricultural building to one larger dwelling house at Devon View.

46. MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION

46.1 Cleaning of outside toilet at Hall

Cllr Baird reported that Mr Tom Woodley has been taken on on a self employed basis to clean the outside toilet (3 visits a week) at a cost of £15.00 per hour commencing at once..

46.2 Improvements at bus stop area

A new noticeboard has been installed at a cost of £780.00. Painting of the area has been arranged.

46.3 Parish Online

Cllr Purser will be updating.

46.4 Potholes & Highways

It was agreed that Cllr Frankum should undertake training regarding potholes within the Parish and parishioners were asked to report any defects directly to Highways using the link on the Parish website. If anybody would like to do this training to assist Cllr Frankum please email the Parish Clerk.

46.5 Planning process

Discussion took place regarding the planning process.

46.6 Crossway Park

Cllr Taylor was thanked for all her help in the organization of the work at the Park. There is some dispute regarding the costing from Sovereign Design Systems which is being investigated. Park users are requested not to have BBQs within the area and signs have been out up. .

46.7 Community Garden

It was decided that improvements would be discussed in the new year and Cllr Belt will investigate the trimming of the walnut tree in this area.

46.8 Reports on School House

Satisfactory reports had been received from the Letting Agents regarding the properties.

47. MATTERS RAISED BY THE CHAIR

Cllr Baird reported that the road from St Peters Mount to the new development just after Barley Lane would be closed from the 2^nd September to 10^th December to allow installation of services to the site. No bus services will be running but there will be a taxi service provided. More information to follow.

48. FINANCE

48.1 Bank balances at Nat West Bank as at 1st July 2025

Current Account	£200.00
Business Reserve Account 1	£21508.18
Business Reserve Account 2	£3537.50
	£25,245.68

Income

48.2 2 School Houses rental to 7^th July 2025 £1,050.00 - £126.00 (includes £21.00 VAT) = £924.00

48.3 1 School Houses rental to 2^nd August £950.00 - £174 (includes £29 VAT) = £776.00

Expenditure

48.4 Sovereign Design and Play Systems Ltd £7,476.85

48.5 Mr L Blades £441.40 (Lengthsman £221.40 Grass cutting £220.00).

48.6 Clerk’s quarterly salary and expenses £464.55

48.7 HM Revenue and Customs (Clerk’s income tax on salary) £101.40

48.8 The Play Inspection Co £108.30 (includes £18.05 VAT)

48.9 Devon Association of Local Councils £42.00 (includes £7.00 VAT)

48.10 Krystal Hosting Ltd (for whitestone-devon Domain) £84.00 (includes £14.00 VAT)

48.11 J J Taylor (for work at Playpark) £250.00

48.12 A Charlton (noticeboard at bus shelter) £780.00

49. REPORTS

Speeding through Nadderwater was mentioned as there is a 30mph speed limit.

The meeting closed at 9.45pm.