Bewerley Parish Council
Website: www.bewerleypc.org.uk
Parish Clerk : Mrs. S. Wallace
2 Riverside Cottages, Nidd Walk, Pateley Bridge. HG3 5NA
Tel: 01423 712007
Email : [email protected]
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 19th January 2015
Present: Cllr T. Whitney (Chair)
Cllr. C. Skaife
Cllr. C. Prince
Cllr. D. Marshall
County Cllr.J. Fort
Cllr. V. Hawkesworth
Cllr. J. Critchley
Cllr. G. Spooner
Cllr. J. Pickering
District Cllr. H. Flynn
In attendance: Clerk: Sophie Wallace
30 Parishioners
1
Apologies for Absence: There were no apologies for abscence
2
Parishioners’ Questions: It was agreed to bring forward Item number 6 Planning in respect of the
proposed developments at Ashfield Court Road and Low Wath Road at this point.
There was a high turnout of parishioners and a lively discussion was held, with all attending having the
opportunity to air their views. District Cllr. Flynn gave an explanation of the current planning system in
use by Harrogate Borough Council, and other information such as the possible effect of AONB status on
the site of a proposed development. A high level of concern was raised about the impact of the proposed
development.
3
Councillors’ Declarations of Interest: Cllr. Prince declared a personal interest in relation to item 5 (d)
and Cllr. Spooner declared a personal interest in relation to item 6(ii).
4
Minutes of previous meeting: The minutes of the meeting held on 15th December 2014 were approved
and signed.
5
Matters Arising:
(a)
Min 5(b) Parish Newsletter
Cllr Whitney reported that he had arranged for the newsletter to be sent out to parishioners.
(b)
Min 5 (c) Easements
Further information was still being awaited from North Yorkshire County Council regarding the
progression of this matter.
AGREED- That this be discussed at the next meeting and for the Clerk to try to progress
the matter with NYCC.
(c)
Minute 8 (d) Councillor Job Description
Cllr Whitney circulated some example job descriptions he had found.
AGREED- That this be discussed at the next meeting
(d)
6
Min 8 (e) Lime Kilns / Verges / Easements
This matter was discussed and it was
AGREED- i) That Cllrs Whitney and Spooner meet to discuss the Lime Kilns in more
detail; and
ii). That the Clerk liase with the AONB to arrange a meeting to discuss the
various matters that had previously been dealt with by Angela Barrand
Planning
a) Applications
(i)
Outline Planning Application – Major.
6.59.307 OUTMAJ 14/05104/OUTMAJ
Outline application for the erection of 60 dwellings with all matters reserved. (Site area 2.3 ha).
Land Comprising Field At 415344 466048 Low Wath Road, Pateley Bridge, North Yorkshire.
E415344 N466048. Applicant: Newby Management UK Ltd.
AGREED: Council agreed to object to the Planning Application on the following grounds:
1. If the full application for 60 dwellings were granted, this would generate much more
traffic than the junction from Low Wath Road to the B6265, already complicated by
the recent extension of Costcutter, would be capable of dealing with safely. The
road already has to deal with vehicular and cycle traffic to the High School and
Nursery and for the majority of Updale residents. This involves up to a dozen full
size coaches and minibuses from the school alone plus parents delivering children
and staff going to work. The number of houses proposed is too great for the
location. We believe that there is little or no demand locally for these dwellings and
that the estate will serve as a dormitory area for Leeds and Harrogate and
drastically increase “rush hour” traffic peaks.
2. The adjacent roads, Pateley High Street, and the Bewerley Glasshouses road which
is of very limited capacity (in places single track with passing places and very poor
visibility) would also not be able to cope with such an increase in traffic. Pateley
High Street is a particularly narrow road, with no scope to change this. It often
suffers from gridlock at present. Planning is also in progress for 40+ dwellings at
Glasshouses Mill which will further exacerbate the situation.
3. When the river floods, then the crossing points at Pateley and Glasshouses can be
lost, and all traffic must use Greenhow Hill. We have had two recent blockages of
Pateley High Street which have led to chaotic conditions of the back road which
has the potential to become a “rat run”. We are concerned that the road via
Bewerley and Glasshouses will become a “rat run”.
4. The additional hard surface, roofs, garages, drives, footpaths and roads,
engendered by sixty dwellings will drastically increase the runoff on slopes where
such events, even if they are one off events, can be overwhelming. Rainfall is much
higher here than, for example, in Harrogate and flooding is a problem. We believe
that the indicated level of the flood plain, as a future indicator, is optimistic to say
the least.
5. The scale of the development, and the resulting traffic congestion and noise, and
other factors such as light pollution would inevitably change the character of the
area.
6. Council is concerned as to the level of lead in the soil and downwash from
Greenhow Hill. There is already surface runoff and the addition of a large
area of impermeable surface will exacerbate the situation. Drainage and
runoff, despite the promised intermediate storage, remains a concern as
peak rainfall already overwhelms the present system. Downwash of
sediments into the storage and into the river is also a potential problem.
Anything which increases rapid runoff is a concern, especially as the side of
the park nearest Low Wath Road regularly floods. Downstream flooding is
also a concern especially in regard to the Sewage Treatment Works and its
ability to cope with flooding without effluent discharge direct to the River
Nidd. There is concern that the sewage system on the Bewerley side of the
River Nidd may not cope with the additional discharge and flood overflows
engendered by building on this scale.
7. The surroundings of Grassfield House, a Grade 2 listed building, which has
recently been renovated and improved will be marred by the proposed
estate. The site is also in the AONB area and deserves protection as such.
We find it horrifying that the long green corridor of the Nidd would be
restricted in such a way. Even at the lowest level of number of dwellings on
the application the estate would be an eyesore impinging on the AONB and
the visual quality of the Dale. It would effectively extend the visual boundary
of the built up area by half a mile. It would make the very popular children’s
playground, park, band stand and caravan park part of the town as opposed
to the present view of the countryside. The estate would be visible from any
elevated position round the Upper Dale for a matter of miles. Development is
in contravention of HBC’s Landscape Character Assessment Report which
said any development in this area would be detrimental to the character of
the area.
8. Development on a green field site would be a betrayal of the commitment to protect
the countryside, particularly when it is part of an Area of Outstanding Natural
Beauty. Policy EQ7 makes a statement about landscape protection: “planning
permission will be refused for major developments within the AONB other than in
exceptional circumstances where it could be demanded it would be in the public
interest”. HBC’s own policies C1 and C2 (Conservation of the AONB and Landscape
Character) should offer protection to this green field site. Similar statements on
protection of the countryside are also contained in the NPPF and Core StrategyPolicies SG3, SG2. This view may be modified since the invalidation of the Local
Plan but we feel it is important.
9. The council would like to see development of affordable housing but is concerned
that none will be provided in the range which is LOCALLY affordable. Average
salaries amongst the younger people in the Dale is low and they are being forced
out of the area because prices are inflated by second home owners and those who
want to live in the country and commute over inadequate roads to Leeds, Harrogate
and to a much lesser extent to Ripon. The additional traffic generated by this would
increase CO2 emissions, rather than decreasing it as is HBC’s current policies.
10. There are brownfield sites available but these are generally more costly to develop.
We would like to see the former NYCC depot in Pateley Bridge developed first.
11. The proposed development would change the character of the area
completely. It would have a massive impact on the views and visual amenity
of the area, which is what makes the area so popular with tourists. Pateley
Bridge is known for it’s beautiful scenery and rural character. Pateley Bridge
largely depends on tourism for it’s local economy, particularly as a legacy of
the Tour de France. Spoiling the character of the town could put local
businesses and therefore the local economy at risk by reducing it’s
attraction to tourists. The area’s economy is tourist based and anything
which detracts from the visual aspect of the area is disadvantageous.
(ii)
Outline Planning Application – Major.
6.59.308 OUTMAJ 14/05104/OUTMAJ
Outline application for the erection of 70 dwellings with access considered (Site Area 2.6ha).
Land Comprising Field At 415191 465700 Low Wath Road, Pateley Bridge, North Yorkshire.
E415191 N465700. Applicant: Mr P Butler
AGREED- Council agreed to object to the Planning Application on the following grounds:
1. The additional number of dwellings proposed would double the size of the
estate and all would overlook the original estate leading to a marked loss of
visual amenity. It would be inappropriate for the site.
2. It is not clear as to how many parking spaces will be made available but
insufficient places will increase the risk of use of the highway and be
detrimental to the local view.
3. If the full application for 70 dwellings were granted, this would generate
much more traffic than the junction from Low Wath Road to the B6265,
already complicated by the recent extension of Costcutter, would be
capable of dealing with safely.
4. The road already has to deal with vehicular and cycle traffic to the High
School and Nursery. This involves up to a dozen full size coaches and
minibuses. The adjacent roads, Pateley High Street, and the Bewerley
Glasshouses road which is of very limited capacity (in places one way with
passing places and very poor visibility) would also not be able to cope with
such an increase in traffic. Pateley High Street is a particularly narrow road,
with no scope to change this. It often suffers from gridlock at present.
Planning is also in progress for 40+ dwellings at Glasshouses Mill which
will further exacerbate the situation.
5. Council is concerned as to the level of lead in the soil and downwash from
Greenhow Hill. There is already surface runoff and the addition of a large
area of impermeable surface will exacerbate the situation. Drainage and
runoff, despite the promised intermediate storage, remains a concern as
peak rainfall already overwhelms the present system. Downwash of
sediments into the storage and into the river is also a potential problem.
Anything which increases rapid runoff is a concern, especially as the side
of the park nearest Low Wath Road regularly floods. Downstream flooding
is also a concern especially in regard to the Sewage Treatment Works and
its ability to cope with flooding without effluent discharge direct to the River
Nidd.
6. The surroundings of Grassfield House, a Grade 2 listed building, which has
recently been renovated and improved will be marred by the proposed
estate. The site is also in the AONB area and deserves protection as such.
7. The number of houses proposed is too great for the location. We believe
that the estate will serve as a dormitory area for Leeds and Harrogate and
produce “rush hour” traffic peaks. See 3 above.
8. The design of the houses is not in keeping with the area where the vast
majority of buildings are in natural stone with sympathetic roofing. The
plan we were shown showed had bright pink brick construction which
would be a visual disaster. Any development would need to be constructed
with materials in keeping with the existing buildings.
9. The additional runoff engendered by seventy dwellings with associated
garages, drives and roadways will drastically increase the runoff on slopes
where such events, even if they are one off occasional events can be
overwhelming. Rainfall is much higher here than for example in Harrogate
and flooding is a problem.
10. The scale of the development, and the resulting traffic congestion and
noise, and other factors such as resultant light pollution and road use
would inevitably change the character of the area.
11. If the river floods, then the crossing points at Pateley and Glasshouses can
be lost, and all traffic must use Greenhow Hill. We have had two recent
blockages of Pateley High Street which have led to chaotic conditions of
the back road which has the potential to become a “rat run”.
12. The scale of the development, and the resulting traffic congestion and noise, and
other factors such as resultant light pollution and road use would inevitably
change the character of the area.
13. Development on a green field site would be a betrayal of the commitment to
protect the countryside, particularly when it is part of an Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty. Policy EQ7 makes a statement about landscape protection:
“planning permission will be refused for major developments within the AONB
other than in exceptional circumstances where it could be demanded it would be in
the public interest”. HBC’s own policies C1 and C2 (Conservation of the AONB and
Landscape Character) should offer protection to this green field site. Similar
statements on protection of the countryside are also contained in the NPPF and
Core Strategy- Policies SG3, SG2. This view may be modified since the
invalidation of the Local Plan but we feel it is important.
14. The council would like to see development of affordable housing but is concerned
that none will be provided in the range which is LOCALLY affordable. Average
salaries amongst the younger people in the Dale is low and they are being forced
out of the area because prices are inflated by second home owners and those who
want to live in the country and commute over inadequate roads to Leeds,
Harrogate and to a much lesser extent to Ripon. The additional traffic generated by
this would increase CO2 emissions, rather than decreasing it as is HBC’s current
policies.
15. There are brownfield sites available but these are generally more costly to develop.
We would like to see the former NYCC depot in Pateley Bridge developed first.
(iii)
Full permission
6.59.191.B.FUL 14/05312/FUL
Alterations to increase the height of the roof to the rear. Miners View, 3 White Row Cottages,
Greenhow Hill, Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG3 5JQ. E411746 N464296. Applicant: Mr and Mrs
Penswick.
AGREED- That the Parish Council has no objections
(iv)
Full permission
6.59.284.A.FUL 14/05128/FUL
Conversion of store to form 1 dwelling including alterations to fenestration (site area 0.01ha). 5
Parkside, Low Wath Road, Pateley Bridge, Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG3 5HL. E415572
N465431. Applicant: Mr P Buller
This application had been received on the day of the meeting. It was
AGREED- To request an extension on the deadline for a response to allow it to be deferred
to the next meeting
(b) Enforcements.
(i)
PLANNING ENFORCEMENT CASE NO: 15/00001/CONSRV
Blencathra, Greenhow Hill, Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG3 5JQ. Erection of building in garden.
A letter had been received from Harrogate Borough Council Planning which informed of a
possible breach of planning control. The case was being investigated, and a further letter
informing of the outcome would be sent out in due course.
AGREED- That the information be noted, and that any further information received should
be brought to a future meeting.
(c) Decisions
8
(i)
Variation of condition 7 of planning permission 6.59.T.FUL to allow the use of 8 The Watermill as
a permanent residential dwelling. Mr and Mrs J Beecroft. GRANT PLANNING PERMISSION
SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS.
(ii)
Felling of 1 Goat Willow within area A33 of Tree Preservation Order 01/1910. Bewerley House,
The Green, Bewerley, Harrogate. HG3 5HX. Mrs D Wood. GRANT CONSENT
Reports / Council Business
(a)
Caretaker tasks
It was
AGREED- That Litter Picking at the Lime Kiln, the new bin being concreted into place at
Greenhow and cutting back at Cow Pastures Lane at the Glasshouses end be added to
the Caretaker tasks
(b)
LEADER
Cllr Skaife reported that there were no updates for LEADER at this time.
AGREED- To discuss at the next meeting
(c)
Ashfield Court Road Development
This agenda item had been dealt with as part of Item 6, Planning.
AGREED- To discuss at the next meeting
(d)
Constitution of Planning Sub Committee
The possibility of constituting a Planning Sub Committee was discussed as a possible method
of ameliorating the impact of a number of high profile planning applications being received at
once, as had happened with the planning applications considered at this Council meeting.
AGREED- Not to constitute a Planning Sub Committee at this time.
(e)
Pateley Town Council Meeting- Report by Chairman
Cllr Whitney reported that he had attended a recent meeting of Pateley Bridge Town Council
where the possibility of Pateley Bridge Town Council and Bewerley Parish Council merging
was discussed. Concerns were expressed at the manner in which this matter had been raised
and the difficulty in obtaining the report which had been considered at the meeting.
AGREED- That the matter be noted, and discussed at a future meeting when further
information was available.
9
Correspondence
(a)
Mobile infrastructure Project- Parish Pre Application Consultation
This matter was discussed and it was
AGREED- To reply to the consultation with the view that the improvement in mobile
reception that would result from the Mobile Infrastructure Project would outweigh it’s
presence on the proposed site.
(b)
Candlemass Service
An invitation had been received for the forthcoming Candlemass Service at St Mary’s Church,
Greenhow.
AGREED- That Cllrs Whitney and Spooner would attend the Candlemass Service
(c)
Council Tax Support Grant 2015/16 Bewerley Parish Council
A letter had been received from Harrogate Borough Council giving an update on the Council
Tax Support Grant of 2015/16.
AGREED- That the letter be noted
(d)
Julian Smith Surgery information and Reporting Back
Details of Julian Smith’s forthcoming surgeries had been received.
AGREED- That the information be placed onto the website
(e)
HBC Planning workshop
Details had been received of a forthcoming Planning Workshop which was to be run by
Harrogate Borough Council.
AGREED- That Cllr Whitney attend, and that Cllr Critchley’s name be put forward in
case a second place became available
10 NYCC / HBC
(a)
(b)
11 Finance
(a)
Accounts for Payment:
i). Clerk’s Salary £496.65
ii) Homeworking Allowance (17 weeks) £68 / Telephone and Broadband ( 4 months) £97.54
iii) Grasscutting £610
iv) Caretaker £330
v) BT Bill Payment for Memorial Hall £5.67 and £3.38
vi) Todds (materials for repainting of Youth Shelter) £53.12
Bank Balances
*Current account balance : 1st January 2015 : £9,234.84
12 Chairman and Clerk’s Remarks
(a)
Publications: The following which had been previously circulated were noted:
(a) * Publications available:
(i) YLCA
(ii) North Yorkshire Now
(iii) Rural Services Network
(iv) The Clerk Magazine
(v) Clerks and Councils Direct Magazine
12 Date of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Monday 16th February 2015, at 7.00 p.m. at the Memorial Hall, Pateley
Bridge.
The meeting closed at 10.05 p.m.