Allington Parish Council

Present. Cllrs Stansfield, Lathey [Chairman] Wrighton [Vice Chairman] D & K Hitt, I. Gay. Mrs C V Stansfield [Clerk] Mr Adam Georgiou Play area Supervisor and 23 members of the public.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting. He explained that due to the planning applications arriving in between meeting dates unless we held the meeting today then we would miss the deadline for 2 of the applications.

1. Apologies had been received from Mrs Jane Dibdin and Cllr. Trevor Gruitt.

2. Declarations of members interests. Cllrs D & K Hitt item 8,9. Cllr Lathey item 5[b] plus Matters arising.[c]

3. The Chairman asked councillors if they had both received and read the minutes of the last meeting and if they were an accurate record. If so was it their wish he sign and date the minute book. ALL AGREED.

4. Matters Arising.
[a] We had heard from Gladedale that the Office Manager who had sanctioned the notice board at Pymore development had left.
[b] We were awaiting to hear from her successor. We still were waiting to hear from Lyn Cooch of Dorset County Council regarding the reed bed and Gladedales commitment to it.
[c] We had heard from Ian Brennan regarding the Minor Injuries Unit at Bridport Community Hospital i.e. from May 1st the opening hours will be 8.00am to 8pm seven days a week with the Dorset Emergency Care Service running the service outside these hours. The Chairman explained about the Emergency Care Service and the Ambulance Service role.

5. Planning applications discussed at the meeting on February 3rd 2005. The Chairman reminded everyone that after Councillors had seen the plans anyone was entitled to view them and comments were welcome.

January 19th 2005 1/W/04/002413 Bridport Medical Centre [this is an adjoining parish council consultation]

Proposal. To construct new 2 storey medical centre, retail pharmacy and ancillary floor space for office [B1]and/or D1[non residential consulting/health care use] Modify existing pedestrian access. Construct new vehicular and pedestrian accesses.

Council viewed the plans and the main comments were. Landscaping. The screening appeared to be insufficient and needed to be more trees before the building was occupied. The access and traffic problem was one of the main priorities. Pavement not wide enough for any motorised scooter users. No crossings with cone for visually and hearing impaired people. The building whilst this facility is needed the design and brickwork of the building is not in keeping with the area nor does it reflect the heritage of the town it will serve. Several of the members of the public wondered if other landowners had been asked if they had the land available. Philip Colfox told Council that he and other landowners had not been approached. Council felt that other areas such as the New Zealand site or St Michaels Estate would have been more appropriate being in the centre of the town. Views on a bus service with perhaps a shuttle bus service from town centre to Medical Centre should be considered. Much discussion ensued from the body of the meeting. The residents of Allington at the meeting felt that if the Medical Centre were to be placed within the town centre then this would create more revenue for the town. Including car parking fees which West Dorset District Council would re-coup. If these were applicable.

26th January 2005. [Parish Council Consultation] 1/W/05/000123 50 Cherry Tree Bridport
To erect a PVCU conservatory and 600mm high wall. Council had no objection.

1/W/2005/0054
Bilshay Farm Dottery. RETROSPECTIVE PLANNING PERMISSION SOUGHT

Waste Storage and Concrete Crushing
Councils comments. This should be a temporary facility for one year only which should be removed at the end of this period. No other units to be erected. Councillors were concerned that this long term could lead to the beginning of a Waste Station. Philip Colfox the applicant told Council this was not on the drawing board.

6. Finance In the play area savings account we have £3,669.91 of which £2,899 is for the Cherry Tree Play Area Fencing. We can claim v.a.t. back of over £400. This account is a 14 day notice account. In the ordinary account we have £1,319.73p of which £600 is the money for the Way Ahead Group Grant. There are no other monies at this time to come out of this account. The clerk explained about the grant received from the Countryside Agency for the parish plan. To date we have spent £400 of the £1,000. We can apply for the second half of the grant later in the year. Allington’s contribution will be given in June and Bridport Town Council have pledged a donation also.

7. Woodland Trust Paths. We had received many complaints to councillors and other members regarding the paths and the state of the steps. As a result of these complaints we sent an email to Valerie Staley of the Woodland Trust and also Mrs Jane Dibden complained to them. The main complaints were the steps were too slippery and very high and there were no hand rails. If people fell they could sue the Woodland Trust. There are no disclaimer notices on the hill. Valerie Staley’s reply was read out to Council and Mrs Dibden and Ms Staley are to meet on the hill next week. It was noted that Mr Alner and Mr Bowditch had been onto the hill and put bark down at the entrances to help people betting onto the field from Hospital Lane.

8. Cherry Tree Play Area It was explained to council and the assembled body of the meeting that the fencing will be erected within the next few weeks. The new fencing and the new equipment has not been bought by any grant but by saving for it. As soon as we are able another springy mobile will be purchased.

9. Woodland Trust Play Area C N Richards landscaping received the contract to cut the councils play areas for the lifetime of this council. This is to 2007. He is to cut the grass in readiness for TMH Fencing to erect the fencing so that the play area will soon be able to be used. The signs are ordered and the goal posts are ready for delivery.

10. Correspondence. The Chairman explained we had received correspondence from Leisure and Tourism, The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Dorset County Councils Schools, Dorset Community Action regarding affordable housing and the Litter Clearance from the District Council. If anyone was able to go to Athlehampton House for the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Conference please let the clerk know. As usual all books were on display for anyone to read.

11. A member of the public asked about the trees lining Longhayes Avenue which backs onto Cherry Tree. These lelandi are now very high and blocking out natural light. As this is an unadopted road the Chairman will speak with the gentleman at No. 5 who is supposed to maintain the hedge to a acceptable height. If this fails then Council will take action.

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending the meeting, reminded them the next meeting was March 8th and that there would be no meeting on February 8th [next week]

The meeting closed at 9 30pm