CHALVINGTON WITH RIPE PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING held on 5th February 2007 at the Hayton Baker Hall, Ripe

PRESENT:                 Cllr Bishop (in the chair)    Cllr Thomas                                                                                    Cllr Mrs Allcock                 Cllr Mrs Balcombe             

                                    Cllr Brass                            Cllr Ms Thyer                          

                                    Cllr Mrs Harper

ATTENDING: K Hirschman (Clerk), K Whitehead (Dist Cllr) and 22 members of the public

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE - None

1. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 8^th JANUARY 2007 - The minutes, having been previously circulated, were approved by all and signed by the Chairman.

1. MATTERS ARISING
1. Hedges trimmed along Firle Road
2. Sent correspondence to EDF regarding lighting at substation.

PUBLIC ADJOURNMENT - The Chairman asked members of the public to keep their comments on the telephone mast as brief and non-repetitive as possible so that all who wanted could get a chance to speak.

Mr Garner asked why due consideration had not been given to the airfield as PPG8 states and why there had been no consultation prior to the submission of the application.  The agents reiterated their prior comment that they had been given a "green traffic light" indicator on this application and did no further research as to airfields, schools or consultation.  Mr Whitehead asked why they did not mast share, to which the agents responded they had not done a drive test of other operators' masts in the area.  Mrs Brotherton-Ratcliffe described a bill in Parliament that, if adopted, would make operators and local councils accountable to residents for "statutory nuisances" caused by masts.  Mr Whitehead picked up on this and described that this idea of nuisance had been considered a successful planning objection in the case of a mast planned, but refused, in Alfriston.  Mr Turner talked of the visual impact from Chalvington.  Mr McKenzie made the case for not spoiling forever a landscape which we find valuable, and the Chairman responded that the Planning Inspectorate recently took the "approach to the Conservation Area" into consideration as a planning objection in the recent application for two link-detached cottages behind Curls Farmhouse.  Various residents who send their children to the Ripe Nursery School suggested they would not send their children to it if a mast were positioned so close, and that this would have knock-on effects on the School, the Finances of the Village Hall, the Village shop and the rural community of Ripe.  Mr Hill concurred that the Village Hall could not sustain in the long term a loss of the Nursery School rental revenues.  Mr Whitehead stated that he had already called this application to Committee where it will be decided on planning grounds.  The Committee will accept four outside speakers, two for and two opposed, and it was discussed that the Chairman along with a planning consultant would represent the parish's views.  Mr Whitehead also suggested writing letters to the 12 members of the Committee when it is close to being heard.  He will let us know that date.  From Mr Whitehead's perspective, he sees three planning reasons for is refusal: 1) it is detrimental to the Conservation Area; 2) there is a perception of a health danger which could be a statutory nuisance; and 3) it has a detrimental relationship with the listed buildings nearby.

1. PLANNING MATTERS
1. The Chairman of the Parish Planning Committee recommended the following decisions to the Council:

i. WD/2006/3358/F

ASH TREE COTTAGE, RIPE

            First floor extension to the rear with link to Downview Cottage

            IT WAS RESOLVED to RECOMMEND APPROVAL

ii. WD/2006/2461/F

AMBER COTTAGE, RIPE

            Creation of hardstanding for a car in the front garden, widening of             gateway and provision of disabled access

            IT WAS RESOLVED to RECOMMEND REFUSAL

                                     iii. WD/2006/3578/F

                                    CHURCH FARM, ECKINGTON CORNER, RIPE

Installation of 20m monopole telecommunications mast with three antennas and three equipment cabinets within a fenced 7.2m x 5.3m compound

IT WAS RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND REFUSAL

1. The Clerk reported the following decisions taken by WDC:

i. WD/2006/2966/F

            DEANLAND COTTAGE, GOLDEN CROSS

            First floor extension over part existing flat roof projection to rear.              New double garage with single storey link and office built into             roofspace.   New conservatory and front entrance porch.  Lean-to             extension on southwest side and enhanced planting to southwest             boundary

            GRANTED PLANNING PERMISSION

ii. WD/2006/3149/F

            CHURCH LANE HOUSE, RIPE

            Single storey side extension and swimming pool surround

GRANTED PLANNING PERMISSION

1. EMERGENCY PLANNING UPDATE

Cllr Brass reported he is still compiling the lists of people who might need assistance.

1. PARISH WEBSITE - The website is running and can be seen on www.thelocalchannel/chalvingtonwithripe.co.uk Cllr Ms Thyer has posted agendas for the meetings, local histories and is looking for photographs, which will be changed every month, to reflect different events and seasons.  There is an email address for contributions: ripewebmistress@hotmail.co.uk

1. REVIEW OF ELECTION PROCEDURE - The Clerk reviewed the procedure for the upcoming May election.  The notice will be posted on 19^th March and anyone wishing to stand for Parish Councillor will have to submit nominations by 4 April.

1. FINANCIAL MATTERS - There were no invoices to pay.

1. CORRESPONDENCE

• a. For consideration - Cllr Bishop and Cllr MS Thyer agreed to attend the Parish Planning Conference on 13^th March at WDC, Crowborough. It was also agreed NOT to support ESCC's call for contributions to the Tree Warden Scheme.
• b. For information - List attached.

1. ANY OTHER BUSINESS  - The Parish Council wished to thank Cllr Mrs Balcombe for standing on the Parish Council during the last three years and wished her will in her move.

The next meeting is 5^th March 2007