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Editor's note : as part of its Freedom of Information initiative, copies of the Parish Council's minutes will be placed on this web site after council approval at the following meeting, but are for information only. The printed edition is the only authoritative version.


ACTON BRIDGE PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 7th May 2013 at 7-00pm in the Parish Rooms.

  Present R Holt - Chairman
H Bayley
D Evans
M Hodgson
J Oliver
Clr C Fifield CW&C
  Apologies S Pardoe
D Hall
A Hughes
Clr J Grimshaw CW&C
Clr A McKie CW&C

1 Public Matters
There were no Public Matters

2 Minutes

The minutes of the meeting 2 nd April 2013 were accepted and signed.

3 Matters arising

November meeting
10 a) The Clerk reported that CW&C Highways now stated that the faulty road surfaces at Station Rd and Milton Rough were to be renewed this summer. The fence and verge at Milton Rough has not been attended to as yet but Clr Bayley said that she had received an email saying that the work would be done week commencing 13th May. The blocked grid and drainage problem in Wetton Lane has not been attended to as CW&C Highways said that they wished to inspect the Site during / after it had rained. Action - Clerk - Completed

10 b) Homewatch review and update, further to the Homewatch meeting held in March 2013, it was agreed that the Notes of the meeting should be put on the Village web site. Action - Clerk / Clr Pardoe - Completed

April meeting
Item 7 CW&C Councillors - A query was made regarding the recent Council Tax statements and that there was no explanation of how the Special Expenses was being assessed and allocated. Clr Fifield will check. Action Clr Fifield - ongoing

4 Planning Applications
a) Acton Hall Farm - replacement of farm house and ancillary buildings (13/00658/FUL).
Following the meeting in April the Council had forwarded a letter to CW&C requesting refusal of the application on reasons and grounds based upon the Green Belt policy, PPG2, the NPPF and Vale Royal Local Plan (2006) Section H10. An amended set of plans have been received for consideration via CW&C Planning Dept. Mr Platt had obtained and provided copies of the some of the new drawings that had not been sent by CW&C and was thanked for his efforts.

The Chairman gave a brief summary of the discussion at last months meeting and the concerns that had been raised. The height of the building elevation facing on to Cliff Rd was a major concern, as was the increase in dwelling size and the overall scope of the proposals with the added stables, barn and garage block. Prior to the meeting, Mr Platt had written a letter explaining his proposals and had asked for a copy to be sent to the Parish Councillors. This had been done.

The Chairman opened the meeting to all and invited Mr Platt to speak. Mr Platt stated as to how he had consulted with CW&C Planning Dept, that the Planning Officer had been to the site and he had asked what was acceptable.

He had been informed that a 'Cheshire courtyard area' preserving a similar layout to the present would be the preferred design. The officer had said that there should be a clear definition of what was house and what was barn. Mr Platt said that he had been told that all peripheral buildings could be included in the scheme.

There was discussion on the existing and new footprints and the heights of the buildings. It was decided to adjourn this item so that a site visit could be arranged.

Post meeting notes
The meeting took place at the site on 13th May.

Directly following the site meeting the Parish Council resumed the discussion on the application which focussed on the new plans and revised height of the building elevation facing Cliff Road (elevation F). The Parish Council decided unanimously that the proposed building compared with the existing barns at that location was a significant impact on the openness of the Green Belt and would have a detrimental effect on the visual amenity and character of the site. The change in height did not remove this objection.

b) 5, Cliff Road (Application 13/01514/FUL) The application requested conversion of existing garage into living accommodation and erection of a new garage. The Council were concerned that the change added further accommodation to an already large extension and that the new garage abutted the fence to the neighbouring property. The Council felt that although there were probably no legal grounds to object that the above points should be noted and forwarded as observations on the application.

c) Site at Hill Top Road for new dwelling (Application 12/04516/FUL). Notice has been received that there is an appeal against the refusal of this application. All evidence is to be in writing to the Inspector.

It was agreed to re-iterate the reasons and grounds for requesting refusal and to also consider any relevant points from the reasons and grounds relating to Acton Hall Farm application.

5 Planning Decisions
Riverside Inn - the application for new and revised signage has been refused on the grounds that the one of the signs (Ref E) was too big and prominent causing harm to the visual amenity and character of the surrounding landscape in a prominent location within the North Cheshire Green Belt.

6 Financial Matters
a) The Parish precept has been received. The sum received was £2833 as against £2750 requested on account of the new system for Council Tax Reduction Scheme grant.

b) Cheques were approved for £582 to Nigel Shore as part of the grant aided building work and to Zurich Insurance of £243.80 being the premium for 2013 to 2014.

7 CWAC Ward Councillors
Clr Fifield reported on the Forum for Weaver & Cuddington Ward held on the 24th April at Cuddington Community Centre. He spoke on the attendance of the Police, the PCSOs and matters raised.

Clr Fifield mentioned that no requests have been received yet from Acton Bridge and application should be made for the cost of the defibrillator.

Clr Fifield also commented on the planning approval for the Barons Quay development and the £13.5 million funding for the Memorial Court Leisure Facility. He said that there were no funds to change the swimming pool to eight lanes as was being campaigned for.

It was noted that Weaverham Post Office is to close for refurbishment between 14th to 21st May.

8 Reports from other meetings
a) Clr Bayley reported on a meeting of the Mid-Cheshire Footpath Society. She said that the Society is seeking more volunteers to assist with the assessment and reporting on footpaths in the area.

b) There had been a meeting of the Weaverham, Cuddington & Acton Bridge Joint Cemetery Committee. The minutes are being circulated.

9 Correspondence
Letter from Acton Bridge Bowling Club to thank the Council again for its support in obtaining a grant to renew the bowls mat and inviting the Council to an Open Day on the 2nd June.
CW&C - Members Briefings, issues 489 - 492 and 495 - 507.
CW&C - Bulletin -April 2013.
CW&C - Media release Connecting Cheshire funding.
CW&C - Cheshire West Warm Zone. Free advice on benefits and energy supplies in rural areas.
West Cheshire Together Partnership West April 2013.
Connecting Cheshire - April 2013 update on broadband.
Mid-Cheshire Footpaths Society - Annual Report.
CPRE - Publication - How to improve travel choices.
Glasdon - products brochure.

10 Village Matters
Clr Bayley reported that she had met the judges for the Community Pride competition and that she had pointed out those areas that are not within the control of the Village, e.g. the Station car park.

11 Any other business
None

Date of next meeting

The next meeting will be on Monday 3rd June 2013, at 7-30pm.


Minutes of the 2013 Parish Council AGM are here
Back to main Parish Council page

Web version edited by Steve Pardoe. E&OE.
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