Present Irene Browning(Chairman), John Hembrow, David House, Julia Clewes,

Robert Hembrow, Trevor Williams, Chris Pitman, Ian Parker.

Councillor) and 8 members of the public.

IB declared a personal interest in planning application 36/2006/021 as the site was very close

to the position of her family business.

DH advised that as a member of Taunton Deane planning committee he had taken advice

from T.B.D.C. solicitors and that during the public question time and Council discussions on

planning application 36/2006/021 he would retire to the public gallery and take no part in

the Council’s discussions or vote on this application.

The Clerk declared a personal interest in item 8 on the agenda as he is a governor of Stoke

St. Gregory Primary School.

The minutes dated 12^th February were agreed by all to be a correct record of that meeting

and signed by the Chairman.

Footpaths PK reported on the following

The sign on footpath 25/16 has been relocated to the other side of the road.

A new footpath sign is in place on footpath 25/22. Footpath 25/21 has still not been repaired.

The Clerk reported that he had contacted the Rights of Way team re no work yet been done on footpath 25/8 although they had previously advised the Council that it would be as soon as possible because of the usage of the footpath and the dangerous condition. The Clerk was asked to follow this up.

Highways

The Clerk advised that he had reported the problem of a blocked drain in Meare Green and that this would be rectified by Highways. A discussion took place on the general poor state of the roads in the village.

Councillors also expressed concern re the condition of the grass verge adjacent to The Manse which was being used for parking during the building works being done there. The Clerk was asked to write to the owners to inform them that the Council assumed it would be returned to its original condition following completion of the work.

The Clerk was asked to report a landslip in Dark Lane following the recent heavy rain.

The Council also discussed a letter from a local resident re a problem with mud on a track.

The Clerk was asked to circulate the letter to all Councillors and put this item on the agenda for the next meeting.

Notice Board The Clerk reported that he had now received from S.C.C. 2 copies of the legal

agreement for the proposed notice board and that he would sign and return them as agreed

at minute 84 of the previous meeting.

Falcon Rural Housing The Clerk reported that he had received correspondence from Falcon

stating that the rumble strip had been put down between Willow Mead and Polkesfield and that the cycle barriers were due any day. Falcon also advised that the new Mayor who would be in place early May would be delighted to officially open both Willow Mead and the new Village Hall. We are now awaiting a date in late May/ early June.

Environment Agency The Clerk advised that he had written to the Environment Agency re the problem with work at Hook Bridge but as yet had received no reply.

At this point the Chairman adjourned the meeting at 7.55pm to allow public questions on planning application 36/2006/021 and DH retired to the public gallery.

Public question Time

The agent for planning application spoke in support of the application.

The Chairman reconvened the meeting at 8.05pm

A discussion took place on this application and it was proposed by JH, seconded by JC and

1.  The proposed site is designated in the local plan for light industrial use.

2.  In the planning inspector's report for the Taunton Deane Local Plan in Spring 2004

the following comments were made by the inspector at REC 20/5.

     "Woodhill is a quiet hamlet of Stoke St. Gregory consisting of a ribbon of detached

individual - styled houses and cottages that respect the rural character of the

settlement. Any further development would be contrary to the local policy of rural

restraint".

The inspector then deleted the Woodhill area from the settlement limits of Stoke St.

Gregory.

3. The proposed site is situated very close to a blind double bend on a narrow road that

has no pavements. This would cause safety issues eg children from the proposed

development walking to school in the village or walking to the centre of the village to

catch the school bus to secondary  school.

4. The Stoke St. Gregory Parish Plan published in November 2003 committed to looking

for more employment  opportunities for young people within the village.

36/2007/003 Erection of first floor extension, The Barton, Woodhill

A discussion took place and it was proposed by TW, seconded by RH and agreed by all that

the Council support this application but the Clerk was asked to advise T.D.B.C. that they

queried the necessity of the 2 windows facing Ivy House.

36/2006/024 Erection of first floor extension to rear of dwelling at Curload Cottage,

Curload

36/2006/016 Conversion of agricultural Buildings to unit of self contained holiday unit at

Meare Green Farm as amended by agents letter dated 1^st. December 2006 and

plan No.1001/5b

T.D.B.C. advise conditional approval of both applications

Enforcement letter – Erection of Village Hall The Clerk reported on correspondence

received from T.D.B.C. and advised the Council that all matters had been dealt with.

Town & Country Planning Act 1990 – Changes to delegated powers The Clerk reported on

correspondence received and it was agreed by all that the letter be copied to all

Councillors.

JH reported on the appeal decision for Higher House, Helland and asked for clarification of

the correct use eg residential or holiday accommodation. The Clerk was asked to write to

T.DB.C. re this.

IP left the meeting

The Clerk distributed nomination papers for the forthcoming election to Councillors who

had not already got them. The Clerk reported that he had posted the "Notices Of Election"

or both the District and Parish Council elections on the Parish Council notice board and the

notice board outside the Williams Hall.

A discussion took place and it was agreed by all that the Council did not wish to make any

representations against this proposal.

100.Feedback from Meetings None

S.C.C. Area Working Panel DH agreed to attend the meeting on 27^th March and the Clerk was asked to notify this to S.C.C..

Sale of Village shop Discussion took place on sale and future.

Short Mat Bowls JC asked what had happened re the setting up of this. DH reported that he had not found anyone to run this but he had been contacted by Emily Ruthven who would attend the next Village Hall coffee morning.

Flooding JH suggested that all members of the Council should have a look at any potential problems due to the recent heavy rain particularly on the south side of the village and report back to the next meeting. This was agreed by all.

DH reminded all Councillors re the P.C.S.O. surgeries that had been set up for the next 3 months.

 

 

 

JC offered her apologies as she was unable to attend this meeting.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.25pm.