Jeremy Sparks

Here’s a summary of the funding secured for road re-surfacing in the ward:

… and the BathNES Conservatives claim that we are not interested in looking after the rural areas!

As per the heading; many residents of Stanton Wick and Stanton Drew have formed a local action group to oppose the B&NES proposal to use what was Pensford Colliery as a properly designated site for Gypsies and travellers.

Personally my views regarding this are mixed. I fully support the idea of providing properly managed sites for travellers and recognise that it is likely that wherever the council look at a potential site there will be objections for nearby residents for many reasons; this makes the scheme very difficult indeed and the fact of the matter is that they do need to go somewhere and the concept of providing legal sites is a realistic and potentially workable measure to provide living space for one of the most discriminated against communities in society and also in an attempt to cut down on the problem of illegal pitches appearing on private land across the country.

However, on the other hand I can see some genuine planning related reasons why this is not the best of sites. For example; the site is in the green belt and a traveller’s pitch could detract from the openness of the environment. Seeing as Filer’s Coaches are struggling to gain permission for a few extra coaches it would seem rather hypocritical in that case to then allow a permanent traveller’s site next door. Also you could argue that the site is too far from any real infrastructure to support it. Stanton Wick is also a very small hamlet and such a site could easily over whelm it and cause a lot of traffic on the very narrow country lanes.

I am also concerned for the welfare of the traveller’s themself seeing as a previous inspection of this land reveiled significant arsenic contamination.

I am keen to listen to the views of local people on the issue. Any comments or suggestions based on prejudice or stereotyping of these people from anyone are of no interest to me. However if residents wish to highlight any genuine planning related matters then these will certainly be taken into consideration.

At the cabinet meeting on May 9th I will be echoing the concerns of residents which I represent on an official and formal level. The outcome of the meeting is the decision whether or not to go to full consultation on these proposed sites; not whether or not to go straight ahead with the proposal. Even then after any consultation period I have been advised that it will still need to go through the regular planning process (i.e. scrutinised by officers and determined by the development control committee).

Overall my views are; nice idea, but wrong site and environment and I will be working alongside Stanton Drew Parish Council and local residents to put the necessary points and pressure forward to the B&NES cabinet in order to persuade them to rethink this proposal.

At per the article title; the Barratt planning application has been refused by delegated powers by B&NES.

More information can be found by clicking here.

As per usual company protocol they will likely be appealing against the decision to the planning inspectorate however B&NES have advised that they will be be heavily opposing any appeal process.

I am writing to express thanks to the current B&NES Liberal Democrat cabinet for keeping such an admirable capital sum aside for the Clutton ward in the recently approved budget.

The current capital programme shows funding for the puffin crossing on the A37 just north of Station Road, this will be implemented during financial year 2012/13. We are just waiting to hear from contractors before we can confirm exactly when this will be. This will be crucially important if planning permission is to be granted for a new farm shop next to Low Cost Vans on the A37 (to replace the current Butcher’s shop in Clutton village).

Also, Station Road foot-way has funding in 2012/13, this will be a foot-way provision from Maynard Terrace to roughly opposite Venus Lane and then possibly a “pseudo foot-way” through the narrow section up to Greenridge, linking up to existing foot-ways.

Venus Lane and Church Lane are due for much needed resurfacing and I am pushing for Barn Lane in Chelwood and Sandy Lane in Stanton Drew to be included in this years resurfacing programme. I am glad to see that B&NES have swiftly repaired the worst potholes on Venus Lanes I reported for urgent attention due to them becoming beyond a nuisance to motorists, but more of a real danger of causing an accident or damage to vehicles.

Barratt Homes has finally submitted their revised planning application.

Unlike the Somer (Maynard) application this proposal has near enough no local support whatsoever.

For this reason I have requested that if the planning officer is minded to approve the plans then they should be referred to the planning  committee to be determined publicly. If the officer is minded to refuse due to the RA2 policy I am happy for it to be refused on delegated powers.

This would also give objectors (and ever the odd supporter) time to publicly express their views – if only for three minutes.

If you wish to right a letter of objection / support or just a general comment then please do so to:

Richard Stott
Planning Services
PO Box 5006
ath
BA1 1JG

Don’t forget to quote application reference: 11/04955/FUL

Or submit your comments online via the new and improved B&NES planning portal:

http://isharemaps.bathnes.gov.uk/iShare42/projects/bathnes/developmentcontrol/default.aspx?requesttype=parsetemplate&template=DevelopmentControlApplicationComments.tmplt&basepage=default.aspx&Filter=^REFVAL^=%2711/04955/FUL%27&SearchLayer=DCApplications&SearchField=REFVAL&SearchValue=11/04955/FUL

The application to build on land south of Maynard Terrace was withdrawn the day before it was due to be heard by B&NES planning committee at my request this was due to “technical highway issues”.

It will be re-submitted early next year but due to the nature of the site being a green field and outside of the housing development boundary will most likely still be recommended for refusal.

For anyone who is unclear who is planning what and where in the village in regards to future housing development; please see the below map I have created. Which one do you think is most suitable at this time?  –Click to enlarge–

An application has been submitted by Somer Housing Association to build 42 houses (50% affordable) on the land south of Maynard Terrace.

This proposal is responsible for a very considerable amount of local controversy.

Many people are supportive of the idea of a moderate amount of additional low cost housing in the parish, especially if it can be prioritised somehow for local people who would otherwise be forced to move away elsewhere.

However, serious concerns have been raises over the ethics of digging up and building on a pristine green field when there is a brownfield site available very close by. The lack of local infrastructure and impact of traffic and road safety has also been mentioned. Also, the village’s local plan and the emerging B&NES core strategy do not prescribe large green field developments such as what is being proposed here.

If you wish to make a comment to B&NES planning officers; be it a letter or support, an objection or just a general comment you may do so here:

http://isharemaps.bathnes.gov.uk/ishare42/projects/bathnes/developmentcontrol/default.aspx

Application reference: 11/04300/OUT

Finally after having put up with bumpy old roads covered in pot holes for many years the local tax payers have got what they deserved by all of the major roads in the village resurfaced.

I have been advised that the remaining few (Venus Lane etc) are on the high agenda for next year.

Stowey Quarry Landfill Plan

Do you think that it is a good idea to be filling an old local quarry with tons upon tons of asbestos?!

Planning permission has now been granted by by B&NES despite my objections. However it seems that the final call is down to the Environmental Agency.

If you object please sign the petition created by myself and Clutton Parish Council at this weekend’s flower show, the full list of signatures will be sent to the EA.