Uplyme Parish Council

A Personal View

Very and possibly just a bit biased

Of the Meeting Held on 14th August 2002

All eight councillors were present, there still being two vacant seats.

Again John Steven could not attend, it now being two months since we last saw him, which is causing people to put two and two together and make five. The parish council accordingly took the opportunity to start the meeting at 7 pm. Later during the public forum Beryl Denham answering a query said that to alleviate confusion on these occasions when John Steven could not be present the official meetings would start at 7 pm . Well the 7 pm start of the July meeting certainly confused me. Before the meeting got underway Stan Williams, a member of the public, said he had a couple of questions regarding Barnes Meadow. The first reaction to this was that he could not ask these questions, which seemed rather unfair as it was not his fault that JS had not turned up. A little huddle ensued with the outcome that he could go ahead. Brooklands This is the retrospective planning application for the extension, now apparently completed, next to the filling station (was Building Without Planning Permission - May). This was passed by the EDDC planning committee. Amongst the conditions was one that the window overlooking a neighbour's garden must be blocked up. Also the work must be started within a five year period! This decision was reported in the Mid-Week Herald of 24th July and I quote "Committee members agreed that as the extension was at such an advanced stage of construction, they would grant permission, but only on the condition that the offending window is bricked up" Obviously Mr Ostler was aware of this little known planning law and took advantage of it by building at such a pace. Betterment Homes They have now submitted new plans with which the parish council are in general agreement. They have a few quibbles amongst them that old chestnut, not enough chert being used and too much Purbeck Stone. More seriously there is concern that no provision has been made for the protection and care of the Glen. If this is not included in the planning application then the Glen will be neglected or worse once planning permission has been obtained. Plot no.16 is also a little worrying. It was originally agreed that a wall would be built on this plot with the objective of screening the house on this plot from people living in church Street. On the current plans this wall has been turned 90 degrees so defeating the original purpose. It also leaves an area ideal for building another property. Peter Burton said that the previous application produced 59 letters of protest from the parishioner and that he was disappointed that to his knowledge no one has protested to the present plans. Perhaps this is just an indication of how atrocious the previous plans were.All the same Beryl Denham is to post a notice on the parish notice board to attempt to encourage people to get their pens out. She will include suggested topics on which to protest. The Fudge Factory When the original application (Sept2001 ) was made last summer, the applicant said that all materials in and finished products out would be transported by car.Now a notice has appeared on the site requesting that all HGV drivers must report to reception. Peter Burton the lone voice against this application last summer said that he is not surprised. He considers it an enforcement matter (not that he will get much joy there) - see following article Colin Pratt said as no lorry has yet been seen there, the council could take no action. Enforcement Orders Peter Burton again raised the issue (July meeting) of the lack of action by EDDC enforcement officers. He gave an example that is giving great concern to the council and neighbours alike. A mobile home has been installed on a site in Springhead Road, the site has been cleared and leveled and mains water has been laid on. It is the owners intention to build a bungalow on this site, although how this is known without a planning application having been submitted is beyond me. The enforcement officers were told of this six weeks ago, but have responded that with the pressure of work they just have not got round to it. Of course if this was Mr Ostler's site he would have the roof on by now to take advantage of the "advanced stage of construction rule". Letters of complaint on the enforcement issue are being written to the Chief Executive and Leader of the District Council. Briefly..... The planned October meeting of the Village Design Statement (July Meeting) has had to be postponed until early November for it was hoped to advertise the meeting in the Parish Mag. Unfortunately as two issues are being combined the deadline has been missed. A new application for a change of use of the Uplyme Butchers Shop comes from Mr Chang who would like it to become a Chinese Restaurant. This brought forth similar comments as did the previous one for a chippy (Jan2002) . Smell, noise, close to houses and it would be the loss of a village shop. Not recommended. Recommended was the dwelling to be built at Blossom Hill Nursery. I have not seen the plans, but can't imagine where the building will go for the corner plot was sold off a few years ago. Could it be a bit of back land development, something the parish council are or were completely against. A couple of years ago this application would have brought out speeches that "back land development" must be stopped! The EDDC has been informed of the two vacancies (July meeting) on the council and accordingly if an election is to be called then it must be so done by 21st August. The September meeting will be held on the 11th.

Topics on this Page: Barnes Meadow. Brooklands Betterment Homes. Fudge Factory. Enforcement Orders . Briefly..... Other UPC Meetings: Meetings in 2003 Pre-2003 Meetings: 13th June 2001 11th July 2001 12th September 2001 10th October 2001 14th November 2001 12th December 2001 9th January 2002 13th February 2002 13th March 2002 10th April 2002 8th May 2002 12th June 2002 10th July 2002 11th September 2002 9th October 2002 13th November 2002 11th December 2002 Other Relevant Pages Barnes Meadow Development Rhode Hill Gardens Home Page Introduction Page

If you consider this report flippant, inaccurate, frivolous, misleading, vague, biased or incomplete then can I suggest that you contact the Parish Council and request that the minutes of the meetings are posted on an official Uplyme Parish Council website and that the subject is added to the agenda of the next meeting.