WELSHPOOL TOWN COUNCIL

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

MINUTES

Of a meeting held on Wednesday 12^th October 2011 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.

Present were:

Cllr J Meredith (Chair), Cllr E Bleivas,  Cllr A Crowe,

Cllr H Evans, Cllr P Humphreys, Cllr S Kaye and Cllr S Squibb.,

In attendance: Cllr T Harvey, and Robert Robinson Town Clerk

1.         Apologies for absence.

There were apologies for absence from Cllr Dr J Morgan, Cllr G Cross  and Cllr T Squibb

2.         Minutes of the last meeting

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

3.        Planning decisions

There were no planning decisions.

4.        General Matters:

Town Centre Plan - Church Street Car Park Scheme

The Committee considered the Church Street Car Park situation and the request to confirm if there is a will to find an acceptable scheme or if there is a ‘flat’ no to anything.

The Committee into account the Council decision at the last Full Council Meeting and also the principles of planning for the site. (PCC must have it in mind to develop it as shopping as they have sold the site on an option).

The Town Clerk read out the Full Council approved objections to the current scheme.

Concern was expressed over timing and concern about delivery of any promises made.  The Committee recognised the difference between what J Ross has offered in the past and that of Tesco.

Although the Committee wished to ‘pause for breath’ they were prepared to consider alternatives.    The Committee also considered the effects of development on the Town Centre against the wishes expressed in both the Town Plan and LDP Surveys.

The Committee was advised that the Planning Authority has in the past expressed concern about the Town Council meeting with the developer.  The Committee still wished to meet J Ross Developments to assertain their plans for the Town in general with regard to sites they control or own. 

The Committee also agreed to invite the Planners at PCC in December to their meeting.

Tesco site – removal of café from development

The Town Clerk confirmed that the café on the Livestock Market is not proceeding.  The Town Clerk is to ascertain from the planning authority what effect this has on the elevations to the development.

One Way System Review

The Town Clerk has met with Dale Boyington and he has been re-issued with the Council requests for alterations.  The review panel of PCC has not made contact but the Council requests have been passed to Cllr D Jones.

The Committee welcomed some residents who are seeking support from the Committee for a 20mph limit around the system.  This has been applied for and is being followed up by the Council.

The Town Clerk informed the meeting that the Police are seeking to trial a ‘speed limit’ indicator on Brook Street.  The policing of speed around the Town Centre is important.

The Town Clerk is to seek out the minute in 2007 about the origination of the One Way System.

The Committee AGREED that the Town Clerk should seek to find out when the review is to be published.

The Committee AGREED to support the petition and to aid the residents in putting one together.

Charity Shops Issue

There is no further news at present.

Puzzle Square

The owners of Puzzle Square have given consent for the Council to do whatever works it feels it would want to do.  However, the owner is not willing to do anything themselves.  The Police have asked for the benches to be turned into planting boxes. There has been a request to leave the light on all night in Puzzle Square due to the difficulties there.

Recommendation:

The Committee recommends that the benches in Puzzle Square be replaced with planting boxes and the plants in the existing areas be tidied up and replaced, as necessary, with prickly plants.

The cost is estimated at £300.

5.         Planning applications

P2011 1057    Powys County Council Depot Severn Farm Estate

Relocation of a health and welfare unit within the site.

The Committee SUPPORTS this application.

6.       Motte and Bailey project

The Town Clerk updated the meeting on the project.  Plans in draft were circulated for comment.  A meeting with the other owners is taking place shortly before a full project meeting can proceed with PCC to the next stage.

The Committee felt that a cross between options 1 and 3 should be taken forward which includes car parking on site with a railway carriage feature for any commercial support activity on the site.

The Town Clerk will report back on how things proceed with PCC and other interested parties.

7.       Wind Farms, Pylons, Hubs and Transport

An update was given by the Town Clerk.

The request to PCC to respond to the Department of Energy with an objection has been made, this would provoke a public inquiry.

Press statements have been issued on the traffic issues again.

8.        Enterprise Zones

The Committee considered initiatives in other areas of the UK where rate holidays are given to help revitalise centres.
The Town Clerk is to assertain the views of PCC with this in mind for Welshpoool.

9.         Morrison’s Traffic Lights

The Committee was informed of the request by Cllr Dr J Morgan that the reduction of the lights to part time (not working when the store is closed) be considered.  The Town Clerk has spoken to PCC and they are no in favour for two main reasons which are:

a)       The traffic lights slow traffic down as they approach the Town Centre.

b)       There is a crossing facility on the lights.

However, PCC will check the sensors to ensure there is no undue delay.

10.      49 Gungrog Road

The Town Clerk is to gain a response from the Planning Authority on why this application was refused on the grounds it was for clarification.

11.      Maypole

The Committee is to consider the best place for putting back the old maypole at a future meeting.