1) The Chairman had spent an afternoon with the NSC Development Control Team reviewing procedures, particularly the process in which information is received and posted on the planning website. Still waiting for some answers to follow up questions.

It needs to be noted that NSC’s commitment to a performance target driven system means that early responses on planning applications may be more influential. If there are any future doubts about the effectiveness of the Parish Council’s responses then there may be a need to consider more frequent meetings or possibly introducing an element of flexibility into existing procedures as there is little point in submitting comments if they are going to be too late to be influential.

2) Fencing- The Blackmoor fence mentioned in the meeting of 14th March was referred to the South Area Committee with a recommendation to approve.

Issues considered were conservation area impact, highway safety and neighbouring residents. Significantly, the report states that the new fence and hedge replaced a taller fence and hedge.

Another retrospective application referred to the same committee meeting considered a 1.85m fence in Hutton. Although NSC’s Landscape Officer recommended refusal (AONB), planning officers suggested that the fence was acceptable in design terms and for security reasons. The Committee decision is awaited.

Still waiting for definitive guidance on the retaining wall query, although it has been suggested that it is not a relevant factor. It seems that permission is required where the fence or wall height is increased, where it is over 1m high and next to a highway or over 2m high elsewhere.

Public Participation - Nil

North Somerset Planning Committee Minutes – The Clerk commented on the NSC South Area Committee minutes of 15th February.

Planning Certificates issued by North Somerset Council – [see separate table attached] as per pre-meeting list.

Planning Applications

For planning applications and comments see attached sheet.

Other Planning Issues

1) Brook House- it had been noted that the site notice now says “sold subject to planning”. Cllr Thorn indicated that the prospective purchasers would like to hold an exhibition with photos, plans etc prior to going to planning. A date of Wednesday 19th April was suggested the venue to be the Church. The Chairman mentioned that informal comment being received from NSC suggests that there are reservations about the general approach to the environmental features of the site and the Conservation area status.

2) Winford Manor-another related airport planning matter not within the Parish but with possible impact on roads within the Parish. It covers the change of use to a 40-bed Motel with car parking for in excess of 200 cars. As the response date was 4th April it was left that no comment would be forwarded/

3) BIA bye-law revisions- not a planning matter but with s deadline of 21st April for response. Copies of the proposed amendments have been obtained and it was left that it would be included in the full Council Meeting on 18th April.

4) Airport parking- Cllr. Bigg mentioned that a new sign has appeared on the A38 near the Darlington Arms advertising car parking. The Clerk said that to report to NSC as an enforcement issue would need to get more detail and would attend to this.

5) Cllr. Thorn asked about the erection of barns. The Chairman said that farmers had “prior development application” rights subject to planning approval. Cllr. Thorn maintains that a new barn has appeared on the horizon near Garretts Farm and will get photographic evidence in order that the Council can consider bringing this to the attention of NSC. The issue of the old house which was to be demolished once the new house on the site was built was also brought into question.

6) West Hay Rd- a porch on an extended property was thought to be too large but it was felt that once the property was finished that it would not appear intrusive.

There being no other business the meeting was declared closed at 19.00.

Mr. D W Glynn
Chairman