WELSHPOOL TOWN COUNCIL

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

MINUTES

Of a held on Wednesday 8^th June 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 G Cross, Cllr A Crowe, Cllr H Evans, Cllr P Humphreys, Cllr S Kaye, Cllr Dr J Morgan and Cllr S Squibb

In attendance: Cllr A Holloway and Robert Robinson Town Clerk

1.         Election of chair for the ensuing year

            Cllr J Meredith was elected chair.

2.         Election of vice chair for the ensuing year

            Cllr S Kaye was elected vice chair.

3.         Apologies for absence.

            Apologies for absence were received from Cllr T Squibb

4.         Minutes of the last meeting.

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

5.         General Planning Matters

Town Centre update

An update was given on the Town Centre developments with particular regard to the one way system and the new shops on the Smithfield Site.

The one way system is getting better, there is works being completed to rectify the crossing point created at Jehu Road near the junction of the High Street.  Also the traffic lights are still not operating as they should, this is being addressed.

There were also comments made as follows:

            Traffic lights from Severn Street still not operating properly

            Yellow box junction needed by the SPAR

            20mph speed limit around the Town Centre welcome

            School buses are changing lanes just before Church Bank from Brook

                        Street then cutting in

            Two lanes needed on bypass leading to roundabout by station.

            Signs to car park and TIC needed at entrance to car park

            Signs (no entry or no right turn) needed at bottom of Red Bank

            Traffic island or something similar needed at entrance to Seven Stars

                        Car Park

Planning Decisions

There were no planning decisions.

P2011 1056 Leighton Farm Proposals

The Committee has considered this application on two previous occasions and on both of these the voting was 5 supporting the application and 4 against.  The plans considered have not changed and the Committee was informed by the Town Clerk that there needed to be more evidence or information to allow them to change their previous decision.

Members of the public addressed the meeting on the subject.

The Town Clerk informed the meeting that the applicant had been informed of the item being placed on the agenda.

Any objections raised regarding ownership were not taken into account as they are not a planning matter.

The Committee considered the public presentation and following points were made:

The committee considered that as the scheme is attracting great interest and

that the committee wishes to change is decision that it should be referred to

the Full Council.

Recommendation:

The Committee recommends that due to the new evidence (view from Red

Bank and Gungrog Hill) that a review of its decision should take place by the

Full Council.

The Committee recommends that the Powys County Council be informed that

Welshpool Town Council does NOT support the application on the following

grounds:

1.      The location is not suitable taking into account its size in relation to the school.

2.      There would be a significant increase in lorry traffic (approx 150pa).

3.      The building proposed is out of character with the area due to its size compared to the village as a whole.

4.      The smells from the slurry affecting residents close by would be excessive and measures need to be demonstrated to be in place to avoid this problem.

5.      The view of such a scheme from the top of Gungrog Hill and Red Bank is intrusive due to its sheer size.

6.      The views of local residents should be taken into account (Localism approach).

4.         Planning applications

P2011 0327  8 Broad Street

Amended proposal for signage.

The Committee SUPPORTS this application.

P2011 0328  8 Broad Street

Amended proposal for change of use from A1 to A2.

The Committee SUPPORTS this application.

T2011 0019  The Vicarage Church Bank

Works to trees in a conservation area.

The Committee SUPPORTS this application.

P2011 0565  Tesco

Display of advertisement signs.

The Committee SUPPORTS this application.

2011 0560    2 Park Terrace Mount Street

Proposed alterations to existing rear extension to improve kitchen and dining space.

The Committee SUPPORTS this application.

P2011  0561   Bron Hall (Meadowview Windows)

Erection of a showroom conservatory.

The Committee SUPPORTS this application.

5.         Wind Farms, overhead cables and sub station update

The forum met recently and requested supporting information for the surveys proposed from a solicitor.  This has been done along with the circulation of One Voice Wales (guidelines on surveys) and the ‘Working with your Council’ recommendation on surveys.  The method proposed by Welshpool Town Council is recognised by both these papers as being the best available.

The leaflets and map showing delivery points was issued to some Councillors present, others will go out before the weekend.

The count of the survey results is being held in the Town Hall at 10am and if anyone wishes to attend to help or observe they are most welcome.

6.         Motte and Bailey

A further meeting has taken place.  It appears that plans have not been drawn up by PCC as they were awaiting to see what money was available, however it further appears that without a plan the amount of money available can not be assessed.  The Town Clerk has agreed to prepare a draft plan with interested parties and to present same to PCC to take the process forward.

7.        Touch Screens for Town Centre

The money has been received for the touch screens from Tesco.

The four locations being considered are Tesco, Berriew Street (Ben Williams McColl window), The Town Hall and the Tourist Information Office.

Content is being designed.  The Committee agreed that the views of Welshpool Projects (businesses) should be gained for the next meeting.

8.         Highways suggestions by residents

The Committee considered two suggestions by residents as follows:

            Roundabout at Salop Road/By Pass Junction

The suggestion is a roundabout as above to encourage people to use the bypass towards Newtown rather than using the one way system.

            The Committee does not support this view.

            Loading in Broad Street

            The suggestion is to remove parking on one side of Broad Street and

            use it for loading only.  The Committee did not support this view.

9.         Welsh Assembly Consultation – Calling in of applications

The Committee considered the consultation and although in general agreement with its principles felt that the specific mention of ‘renewable energy applications’ as a matter that can be the subject of calling in by the Welsh Assembly as not acceptable.

The Town Clerk is to lodge the objection.

10.       LDP (retail topic paper) consultation

The Town Clerk circulated the proposed draft before the meeting.

The Committee considered the proposed response and it was AGREED that this is approved and should be submitted to Powys County Council as the formal Town Council response to this part of the LDP.

11.       Marstons PH Application in Mill Lane

The Committee is concerned that yet again the planning department has taken an extensive amount of time to consider this application.  The objections by highways and Tesco have been resolved (from information received) but the design is not yet right.

The application was submitted after officer consultation and after the application was made an approach made to the design commission which was critical.

The Committee AGREED to seek a meeting with the Planning Officer and parties involved to seek a way forward as it was considered that regeneration of the Town Centre is so important and needs to be moved forward.

 

12.       Air Show

The Committee considered an urgent item with regard to the Air Show.

A disabled lady has requested that as she can not get on the bus she should be allowed to enter the site car park for free.

The Committee considered the matter and the following was agreed:

1.                  A check to be made on the double decker bus facilities as it is no the classic bus running. This is a normal service bus and maybe ok for disabled.

2.                  Disabled persons get an allowance to help with these situations and therefore there is to be no reduction in entry car park fees.