Present: A. Creed (Vice Chair), S. Petherbridge, M. Heal, T. Holley,
A. Oakerbee, D. Creed, J. Gane, S.C. C. Sully, Susannah Clemence re The Glastonbury Train-Link and 21 members of the public.
Apologies for absence: G. Willcox (Chair) due to illness.
Pre-meeting statements and questions from members of the public in respect of business itemised as per Agenda - 2 speakers and 23 letters - reference Planning 2024/2315/FUL. All Objections.
Statement of Declarations of Interest (in accordance with the Local Authorities Model Code of Conduct Order adopted on 07.08.2012).
One - Councillor Petherbridge declared prejudicial interest in respect of Planning Application 2025/2308/FUL.
Approval of Meeting 12.01.26 - Proposed, seconded, all in favour and duly signed.
Matters arising from the last Minutes:-
- S.I.D. Devices locations: Councillor Oakerbee reported (as per email 09.02.26 - SC) Site Location 1 Glastonbury end (opposite The Cyder Barn Residential Home) the S.I.D. will replace the existing post with the 30MPH repeater signs. The 30MPH signs just need reattaching just below the bottom of the S.I.D.
Site Location 2 Pilton end (opposite The Lion Inn) - same as site 1. The S.I.D. post
will replace the existing post with the bend and reduce signs on. These signs will
be relocated by SC, further West to where it appears a post with 30MPH repeaters
is missing.
The hedge growth affecting the S.I.D. Location will be cut down as required during
the works. It would then fall to the PC to monitor future growth and deal with as
required.
In BOTH cases the existing 76mm posts must be replaced with larger 89mm
diameter posts of 4M above ground level.
An independent contractor is being sought and a Chapter 8 person to erect and
take down the S.I.D's when required following a one-day training to which the PC
unanimously agreed.
2. Update from Susannah Clemence in respect of The Glastonbury Train-Link.
For those who missed paper forms of the survey it can be accessed online under
Glastonbury TrainLink.
As of December 2025 the government announced a new fund for local bus
services, the Local Authority Bus Grant (LABG). Somerset Council has been
awarded £4.3M for the next 3 years. Through the Somerset Bus Partnership a
request has been submitted for £150k to cover the entire cost of the pilot service
for the first 6 months and to add a buffer to ensure the trial lasts for at least 12
months. £21,000 has been donated. £242,000 would run it for a year. The
decision on the location is due shortly.
Every household in Glastonbury, Pilton, Ansford and all the other communities
along the route will be receiving an information guide on the Glastonbury
Trainlink through their letterbox in the near future.
The rail network provides a low carbon option of travel but access is not easy as
Glastonbury has no direct link transport to Castle Cary Station. The Link also
gives proposed timetables.
Expected ticket costs would be £7 one way, Glastonbury to Castle Cary.
It is expected that numbers will build up slowly to eventually accommodate
commuters.
3. Claire Sully presented her February Report: Following the government's Local
Government Settlement (09.02.26) there has been a major revue of Council Tax.
It stands at 4.9% max. The Government has refused any increase . The
revised meeting timetable for budget decision making is 11.2 - Exec, 25.2 -Extra
ordinary Exec, 4.3 Rescheduled Full Council for Budget and Council Tax setting.
The grant for rural areas has been removed. The total budget for SC is over £1B
Social Care £300M. There has been a 60% decrease from government to local
authorities. Further info regarding commercial rates to come and it is believed
that Unitary Authorities create savings.
SC has launched a short consult to refresh it's Adult Social Care Strategy for 2026-
2029 and is inviting residents, unpaid carers and organisations to contribute.
On-line survey at https://www.somerset.gov.uk/consultations/
Correspondence:
1. Letter from the Environment Agency re Withdrawal of maintenance and request
for supporting information consultation in relation to Coxbridge Brook. Chair to
liaise with local landowners/farmers/residents who all experience flooding here
to formulate a response. Chair Councillor Creed emphasised just how important
this recurring issue is and the fact that (as all present agreed) only regular
k
maintenance right the way through the waterway network will keep the
waterways clear and prevent unnecessary flooding to homes, land (occupied by
livestock) and keep our rural roads clear. N.B. it has been documented the River
Brue has not been maintained for 10 years.
2. News and Views Article for March edition circulated. N.B. Clerk received letter
of apology from the editor for errors made at production level re Feb entry (date
of this meeting and clerk's email address).
3. Letter from resident present at January meeting commending the PC on
their hard work and promptness when dealing with his enquiry.
4. SC Dog Control PSPOs Consolidation and Consultation 2026. It was noted the
Dog-Bin in Newtown lane is well-used and there seems to be no problem with
dog-litter.
5. Step, Ride, Thrive Update: There is now a core steering group - input from
councillors most welcome. Cycling - 16 parishes have received (or have booked
to receive) community school/bike maintenance.
Bus - The 668 stops at Avalon Marshes on some journeys. Finance being sought
to continue beyond April.
Walking - a new health walk is launching from Thurs 5th Feb fortnightly.
Discovering nature Week 6th-12th April across the parishes - hoping each parish
will get involved offering an activity.
Finance: Forms completed for finalisation of Update of parish councillor signatures/Lloyds Bank. Bank Service Charges £4.75 (10th Nov-9th Dec 2025), £5.25 (10th Dec 2025-9th January 2026). Total Balance £6,581.06.
Planning:
Councillor Petherbridge left the meeting (8.55PM).
1. Erection of self-build dwelling (barn previously approved for conversion to
dwelling 2024/2077/PAA)/Barn at 356617 138121 Kestrels Farm/Down Lane/
Planning Ref 2025/2308/FUL. Address from Agent stating applicant requires
barn for production.
Voting 1-against, 2-leave to planning officer, 2-abstentions. Comments: 1. This
is a new-build. 2. There is no agricultural tie. 3. This is using the wrong planning
strategy. 4. Contention over dutch barn - requires retrospective planning
consent - falls outside of agricultural. 5. N/W of the site does not appear on the
site-plan. There is a building there now. 6. Query as to waste disposal (recycling
etc). N.B. Extension given to response date to this planning application as it fell
on date of the meeting. (Clerk).
Councillor returned to the meeting at 9.14PM.
2. Demolition of and Erection of Replacement Poultry Buildings and Associated
Infrastructure (additional information received 20.03.25)/Chapel Farm/Bradley Way
Planning Ref 2024/2315/FUL.
Current Application has provided additional information dated 20.03.25 and as
before has received many letters of objection including the MP, Ward Councillor
West Pennard Parish Council and West Bradley residents. The Ward Councillor is
requesting the application goes to committee for determination. There appears
to be a series of inconsistencies within drawings and reports submitted and this
has not changed.
It was Proposed, seconded, all in favour Recommend Refusal.
Material Consideration for Refusal:
Excavation levels for elevations: The roadside would then appear to be 8m above
the road-level.
Overbearing nature of the proposal in open countryside.
Unsympathetic development in a quiet lane.
Many concerns about Highway access: Unacceptable impact on Highway safety
as the only route is through the village and is unacceptable due to the road being
narrow and dangerous for pedestrians with many paired vehicles. All the traffic
comes in and out of the village and Bradley Way including the waste. N.B. Bradley
Way is signed each end 'Unsuitable for heavy goods vehicles'.
No further comment as to request for 'swept path' analysis.
Further traffic generation is unacceptable.
Potential noise from fans in open countryside.
Potential odour coming from site (measurement used not in acceptable use).
Flooding as per a resident's objection - 'Discharge from the site enters bradley
Brook which then leads on to Coxbridge Brook as stated in the flood risk and
drainage assessment. Localised flooding of the Coxbridge Brook is well known to
residents and local landowners who are trying to work with Somerset Rivers
Authority and the Environment Agency at present.
Incorrect statement regarding waste being put on adjacent land - Applicant does
not own any adjacent land.
This site is not adequate for expansion due to these reasons.
Matter for Enforcement Officer, SC: Development without planning permission
within the locality which also gives rise to concern for Highway Safety.
Highways Matters:
Clerk reported large pothole outside Victoria Farm/Bradley
Way and has requested footpath clearance from West Pennard to Glastonbury
along the A361. Clerk will report large pothole outside The Owls, BA6 8LR.
Councillors concluded refilling potholes is not the solution - resurfacing is the
answer.
Road Closures: ttro422010E Whitstone Hill, Pilton, 9-13.03 for 5 days (drainage
works, ttro744833E Wells Road, Shepton Mallet 23.2 for 11 nights (19.00-05.00)
Pre-surface dressing patching works and ttro253338E Stockbridge Lane for 3 days
(07.30-18.00) for Machine patching works.
A.O.B. The following policies were viewed and adopted: Audio-Visual Recordings
and Photography at Meetings (19.01.26), LGA Councillors Guide to Handling
Intimidation (01/26), Social Media Guide (Civility and Respect) Policy (09.02.26),
Anti-Harassment and Bullying Policy (09.02.26), Financial Regulations (01/26),
Local Governance Statement 25/26 (01/26), Code of Conduct 2026 and Openness
and Transparency on Personal Interests (09.02.26), Policy for Managing Serial and
Unreasonable Complaints (19.01.26), Standing orders Updated 2025 (19.10.12).
Item to be carried forward to next meeting: Discussion re Litter Picking -
Assistance with Insurance, protective reflective clothing and equipment.
There being no further business the meeting was closed. Time: 9.30PM.
Next Meeting Monday 9th March, 2026, 8.00PM West Pennard Village Hall.
Chair.