WELSHPOOL TOWN COUNCIL

WELSHPOOL TOWN COUNCIL

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

MINUTES

Of a meeting held on Wednesday 10^th November 2010 at 6pm

in the Assembly Room Town Hall Welshpool

Committee

Cllr E Bleivas, Cllr G Cross, Cllr A Crowe, Cllr H Evans, Cllr P Humphreys, Cllr S Kaye, Cllr J Meredith, Cllr Dr J Morgan, Cllr S Squibb and Cllr T Squibb.

Remit

All matters relating to planning, development, highways, planning applications, notices, regeneration, Motte and Bailey and the Town Centre.

Authority

To deal with the above without further reference to the Full Council except where the scheme is of a larger or sensitive nature.

Attendance:

Cllr J Meredith (chair), Cllr E Bleivas, Cllr G Cross, Cllr A Crowe, Cllr H Evans,

Cllr P Humphreys, Cllr S Kaye, Cllr Dr J Morgan, Cllr S Squibb and Cllr T Squibb.

In attendance: Robert Robinson Town Clerk

1. Apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

2. Minutes of the last meeting.

The minutes of the last meeting were accepted as a correct record.

3. Current matters

Town Centre

The Town Clerk reported on the current progress with regard to the development and one way system. The current situation is that due to an error (something gone wrong in the communications between Tesco and PCC) regarding buses, raised by the Town Council as an issue 4 weeks before the opening date of the one way system maybe delayed until 12^th January 2011. This in turn has an effect on the street market and the way the works will be completed.

The plan has been issued with regard to works in Hall Street, the materials have been ordered and the road closed as soon as the contractor is able.

Lorry parking is now to be transferred to the Berriew Street Car Park.

Coach parking has not been considered short term but is now being so considered.

The plans and publication have been printed and now in circulation. The We Site is also up to date with news on progress.

A request for the petrol filling station to be 24 hour has been put to Tesco, there is no planning restriction on this.

The rumours of a possible Marston’s pub and restaurant on the Sheep Pens Site are correct, it is Town Council policy to only support such a use alongside a hotel or motel use.

Charity Shops

The final letter and report is now ready and is due to go off to the WAG over the next month.

Planning decisions

There were no planning decisions received.

Community Plan - Wels pool - Going Forward with Pride

The final draft is now on deposit and a copy at the TIC and the Town Clerks Office. The plan has been published in final form on the web site, through the press and by letter to relevant authorities such as Powys County Council.

If the Committee receives no comments or objections by Wednesday 17^th November the plan can proceed to the Full Council for adoption on 24^th November.

Motte and Bailey

Investigations into the new owner of the land recently sold at auction continue and in the next two weeks the details will be available on the land registry site.

Discussions with Powys County Council continue but a plan is still awaited.

4. Planning applications

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

P2010 1206 3 Erw Wen

Erection of a 2 storey front extension.

The Committee SUPPORTS this application.

P2010 1212 8 Broad Street

WRVS shop unit - change of use from A1 to A2 (estate agents)

together with alterations to shop frontage.

The Committee SUPPORTS this application

This is particularly as the application is in line with the policy in the UDP whereby A1 and A2 uses are to be encouraged within the main shopping area. In view of the current climbate with regard to retail unit’s the Committee feels that all occupiers should be supported to help keep the main street viable.

2010 1213 8 Broad Street

Advertising consent for facia and hanging sign.

The Committee SUPPORTS this application.

2010 1231 Wernllwyd Berriew Welshpool

Erection of an agricultural storage building

The Committee SUPPORTS this application.

5. Wind Farms - Community Benefit

Initial discussions have taken place between the Town Clerk and Venessa Garwood at Powys County Council. The Montgomeryshire Forum is a good place for dicussion on how best to manage the benefits.

The Commiteee discussed the issue and agreed:

Elected representatives should take places on any Trust board.

Divided communities should be avoided in decision making.

Make up of Trust with bias neither for against larger or smaller

councils.

6. Local Development Plan

Arrangements are being put in place for a representative of the LDP team to come and speak to the Committee about their involvement.

8. Morrisons - License Application

The Committee agreed to SUPPORT the application for longer licensing hours.

9. Local Planning decisions

The Town Clerk was asked to write the WAG seeking support for local smaller applications being dealt with by local Councils.

10. Oldford Phase 4.

The Town Clerk reported on the meeting held earlier in the day.

The plans from the housing association should now appear in planning application form to include the open space as requested and also it was confirmed that the local playground should remain in its current location.