MINUTES OF LITTLEBURY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 14th FEBRUARY, 2008
AT LITTLEBURY VILLAGE HALL AT 7.30 P.M.

Councillors Present: Jean Cowell (Chair), Roger Powell, Sam Sproul, Lizzie Sanders, , Lyndie Taylor, Peter Farnsworth, Jan Menell and Michael O’Sullivan (apologies for lateness)
Clerk: Tracy Coston
Public: 2

Interests declared:

1. Apologies for Absence: Brian Lewis
   
2. Public Participation:
   Two members of the public raised concerns about the planning applications at Nunn’s Farm.
   
3. Approval of minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 10th January, 07. The previously circulated minutes were approved and signed by the Chair.
   
4. Matters Arising from the minutes:
   a) Littlebury website improvements: The PC agreed the quote from Temasi to build a new website which can be maintained by the Clerk. Lizzie Sanders and Clerk to agree the content of the website.
   b) Community Speed Watch: Cllr Menell asked for Community Speed Watch volunteers to speed check in the hamlets even if there aren’t any volunteers from the hamlets. Storage has been arranged for the speed watch equipment at a private property.
   c) School House listing: English Heritage has tried to peruse the application, but access couldn’t be arranged at present.
   e) Additional Churchyard: The fence and hardstanding has been completed. The consecution will take place on March 16th, Palm Sunday by the Bishop.
   f) Ivy Clearance: Lizzie Sanders reported that the Friends of Littlebury Churchyard were very pleased that some of the members of Littlebury Laddies cleared some ivy in the churchyard and revealed five monuments.
   
5. Highways:
   a) ECC permitted parking area in Littlebury: The PC do not have any objections to the permitted parking areas which have been advertised by ECC.
   b) Speed limit in Littlebury Green: The speed limit request has been added to the Local Determined budget list.
   c) Vas sign: Grant application to be looked into by the Clerk.
   d) Flint Cottage, Church Walk: An application has been made by the owners of the Flint Cottage for the Highway rights to be removed from the land. The Parish Council has strong objections to the rights being removed because the low fence and gate will inhibit pedestrians and the land should be retained for the benefit of the Parish.
   
   
6. Recreation Ground:
   a) Ditch at recreation ground: The ditch is the responsibility of the PC. Clerk has spoken to Tom White and his advice was that clearing the ditch would not help the drainage of the ground.
   b) Moles at recreation ground: The moles are still active at the recreation ground. Clerk to ask the mole catcher to return to the ground.
   c) Littlebury Green playhouse: Don Saggers will maintain the house asap.
   
   
7. Finance
   a) Approval of cheques

Receipts
VAT Return	£ 5 ,137.44
TOTAL	£ 5,137.44
Payments
Tracy Coston	£ 166.06
E-On Energy (D/D)	£ 25.61
Just Lamps	£ 173.90
UDC (Uncontested election)	£ 86.39
Just Lamps	£ 73.91
Meldreth Landscapes	£ 4,347.50
TOTAL	£ 4,873.37
b) Grasscutting quote to be agreed: The PC agreed the quote from Hardy Landscapes for the 2008 season. Clerk to ask the contractors to sweep up the leaves in the Churchyard.

 

8. Planning:
   a) For Discussion:
   UTT/1252/08/FUL Nunns Farm, Catmere End, Littlebury
   Change of use from agricultural land to manege
   PC Decision: The PC do not have any objections to the manege as long it is for private use and unlit, but there are major concerns about the siting of the manege because of drainage in the area. The PC has received letters of objection from a number of residents in Catmere End who are all concerned about drainage.
   There are also concerns that previous planning conditions haven’t been adhered to for the application for the stables.
   UTT/0133/08/FUL Nunns Farm, Catmre End, Littlebury
   Erection of storage barn
   PC Decision: The PC object to the planning application for the following reasons:
   There is no consideration for the neighbours and the proposed storage barn will be visible over the hedge line. The positioning should be south of the proposed stable as the current position creates a loss of amenity to neighbouring houses. The tin roof will be very noisy and unsympathetic in the surrounding area.
   
   The PC asked Cllr Menell to call the two applications at Nunns Farm into committee. Roger Powell will speak at the planning committee meeting at UDC.
   
   UTT/2241/07/CA Midsummer House, Walden Road, Littlebury
   Demolition of existing brick wall adjacent to Walden Road and replace with solid flint wall to same height with coined brick piers and copes on top
   PC Decision: No objections
   UTT/0158/08/FUL Wilderness Lodge, Cambridge Road, Littlebury
   Single storey rear conservatory
   PC Decision: No objections
   
   UTT/2170/07/FUL 14 Church Walk, Littlebury (Revised Plans)
   Single storey rear and side extension
   PC Decision: PC object to the overbearing development and the effect on the neighbours and the area of the village.
   b) UDC Decisions: None
   c) Appeals: Longacre, Catmere End – Erection of dwelling and garage.
   d) Appeal Decision: The Granary, Littlebury Green – Appeal dismissed
   
   
9. General Correspondence:
   a) Letter from Rev Lovegrove: A thank you letter has been received from the Church for the PC funding the fencing and hardstanding at the additional churchyard.
   b) Letter from Alan Haselhurst concerning meeting about extra 5,200 houses: Brian Lewis will attend the meeting at UDC.
   c) Catmere End pond: The PC have received a request for more work to be carried out at the pond. Roger Powell to contact the Environment Agency and take advice from a toad expert.
   d) North Area Panel Meeting – 25th February: Lizzie Sanders to attend
   
   
10. Area Report:
    a) Queens Head, Littlebury: Clerk to contact Greene King to ask if they would agree to meet a few Parish Councillors to discuss the running of the pub in the village. The irrigation system still hasn’t been painted as promised.
    b) Bus Meeting: Lyndie Taylor has received information that there is a Transport Forum meeting on Thursday 24th April at Committee Room, Council Offices at Dunmow. Clerk to email David Green with the information.
    c) Accidents on B184: PC to make representation to ECC, Chief Constable and SETC that the signage and speed is inadequate and near bus stops.
    d) Community Achievement Award: February 21st. Lizzie Sanders to attend with Jean Cowell.
    e) Street lamps: The street lights are still not working in Peggy’s Walk. Clerk to contact Just Lamps.
    
    
11. Date of next meeting: 13th March, 2008 at Littlebury Green
    

The meeting was closed at 9.50 p.m.


Signed: Date:
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