Present: G. Willcox (Chmn), D. Creed, T. Hodgson, J. Tucker, P. Gurl, M. Colman and A. Creed.
Apologies: L. Aldridge, J. Gane and D.Cllr J. Greenhalgh.
Minutes of the last meeting were approved and signed.
Correspondence: Circulated.
Dog Fouling in the village: Request for another Dog waste bin. This and Dog-fouling signage will be budgeted into the 2019-20 Precept.
A. Creed reported an article 'Why should you pick up your dog Poo' has been written by a local vet will be submitted to the Parish News Magazine.
Mendip Local Plan Part II: Sites and Policies.
Mendip District Council has designated the following:
Land to side and Rear of Avalon is allocated for residential development under policy WP1.
This would be up to 5 dwellings making provision for affordable housing in line with relevant policies.
It would leave a further 4 to be developed over the plan period within the existing development boundary.
Proposed amendments to the development limits to take account of committed development at Bishops Orchard and south of Fallowfields.
Local Green Spaces:
Land surrounding Whitegates and The Grange.
Churchyard and land surrounding The Old Vicarage and West Pennard House.
Infrastructure: West Pennard Primary School is over capacity. A feasibility test would be required to test whether further demand could be met: If not financial contributions for education may be sought from proposed developments in this area.
The Parish Council made the following observations:
Entrance/exit A361 to and from East street/Laurel street is precarious.
Newtown lane is very congested. Entrance and exit off the A361 is also precarious.
The current development proposal constitutes 'back building' and there is a 'bottle-neck' by the Garage.
The Parish Council felt Mendip District Council should visit these sites at optimum times to get a true picture.
Of the designated green spaces Whitegates and The Grange are private land.
The proposed development is sited 'partly' within development limits.
There is also the presence of Lesser Horseshoe and Brown Long-eared Bats to be taken into consideration as they are 'Protected'.
West Pennard Primary School is not over capacity.
N.B. To accommodate further demand revenue would be sought from the proposed developments.
Ownership of such developments needs to be clarified in able to do this.
It has been observed properties at the Yew Cottage site in Newtown lane would appear to be unsold.
N.B. Recently due to OFSTED ruling West Pennard Primary School is no longer able to offer it's Play facilities and there is no longer recreational space.
Clerk to write to the Head requesting if such facilities could be opened at weekends.
Observations to be submitted to Mendip District Council.
Finance:
Proposed, seconded and passed the following cheques were drawn:
1. £500.00. West Pennard Village Hall Management Committee. Upkeep and Hire of the Committee room for parish council meetings 01 - 12. 2017.
2. £1000.00 West Pennard Parochial Church Council: Upkeep of the Churchyard.
Highways Matters to be reported:
Request for drainage and road resurfacing in Scottles lane.
There being no further business the meeting was closed.