1 | 2020-07-06

MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

PLANNING, TRANSPORT & AMENITIES COMMITTEE MONDAY 6th JULY 2020 18:30-20:30

Held online using Zoom during the Covis-19 pandemic

MINUTES Present: Cllrs Alick Miskin, Jane Ansell, Lynn Scudamore, Robin Layfield, Michael Cooksley & Steve Ponting In Attendance: Joy Jackson (Deputy Clerk), Cllr Charles Pedrick and five members of the public at various times. Absent: Simon Walker 1) Public Participation

a) Two members of the public spoke about their wish to see the car park at the Bownham Park playing field unlocked for general use and requested that site is promoted more widely. They considered there should be signage (this has already been agreed by council) so that this asset can be used by more of the Rodborough residents. A representative of the Bownham View Management Company explained their reasons for wishing the car park to be kept locked. Before it was locked they had problems with abandoned vehicles and drug taking. They also own and are responsible for the road between the site and main road and will have to pay for its upkeep. He highlighted the fact that the car park is only to be used in conjunction with the playing field and then only for sports and recreation.

b) A member of the public spoke about his planning application S.20/1119/HHOLD.

2) To note apologies for absence: Cllrs Paul Gibson, Michaela Elliott & Rebecca Lazell

3) Declarations of Interest There were no additional declarations of Interest. 4) Minutes of the previous meeting

a) Meeting agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 1st June 2020 5) PLANNING

a) Committee received the SDC decisions on previous planning applications (appendix 1) b) Committee agreed the following responses to new applications:

i) S.20/0716/FUL Aston Down, Minchinhampton - Hybrid planning application for the extension to the existing business park. Committee agreed to comment that while welcoming an increase in employment opportunities, measures needed to be put in place to alleviate the harm caused by additional vehicle moments both over the commons and further down into Rodborough. Full text in Appendix 2

ii) S.20/1119/HHOLD 16 Glen Park Crescent - Removal of existing external staircase and extension to front of house incorporating internal stair SUPPORT. Committee felt that the proposals would enhance the property.

iii) S.20/1163/TPO 23 Bownham Mead - G1 - Group of 4 ash trees with extensive ash die back which border pubic road. Fell to ground level. T1 - Large ash tree with compression fork and included bark at base. Heavy lean on southern stem towards neighbour’s property. Fell to ground

2 | 2020-07-06

NOTED iv) S.20/1253/FUL Kingscourt Garage, Bowl Hill – Demolish existing garage workshop and

the erection of 2 detached dwellings, carport and ancillary works. To agree response to this new application at Full Council.

6) TRANSPORT

a) 20 MPH TRO – The formal request has been sent to Highways and an online meeting with their TRO officer is to be arranged.

b) Quiet Lanes – The press release has been issued and an article appeared both online and in the paper copy of the Stroud News and Journal. This will be discussed with Highways along with the TRO.

c) Community Speed Cameras and Vehicle Activated Signs. i) The council’s Community Speed Cameras are now both working but the A46 one still

needs correcting. ii) The Stroud District Road Safety Group’s VAS will be on loan to the parish between 27th

July- 6th Aug. Committee agreed to place it at the start of the Common at the junction with Mount Vernon (subject to agreement of the SDRSG chair) or failing that, just above Dark Lane again. It was noted that there are few locations in the parish where it can be safely installed as it requires something to lock it to, an area of grass/non-pavement where it won’t be a trip hazard or damaged by vehicles as well as a clear line of site for approaching vehicles. It is hoped to borrow it again in the autumn.

d) Stroud District Road Safety Group – Committee noted recent correspondence from the group.

e) Road Closures i) Butterrow Lane – ongoing until approx mid-August. As pedestrians are unable to cross

the closure and have to use a footpath up to Butterrow Hill and then walk down a very narrow road, Highways installed traffic lights on the hill to allow pedestrians safer exit.

ii) A46 Bath Road – Overnight Wed 15th July – Wed 22nd July 18:00-07:00 – Postponed until later in the year.

iii) Butterrow Hill 1st-4th Sept. To repair the pavement. f) Winter Action Plan – Committee agreed the 2020/21 Winter Action Plan for GCC.

Committee agreed to put something in the November Commoner about snow clearance and the old Snow Warden volunteer scheme, many of whom were disappointed when the project was halted.

g) National Trust Report – Committee received the NT Commons Feasibility Report and agreed the following response:

While understanding the need for a licensing system to control events on the Commons, we feel licences for charitable purposes should, in general, be issued free of charge.

In order to maximise the use of parking in designated car parks (particularly on Rodborough Common), we would like to see some signage near or at the Mount Vernon turn, to indicate where the under-used Quarry car park is.

Have notices in other car parks advising regular users that, when full, rather than parking illegally on the grass, motorists should park in Quarry car park where there is usually ample space.

h) Accident Reports – Recent accidents include one at the top of Walkley Hill and one at the Golden Cross.

i) Public Rights of Way GCC PROW have asked if the parish would be willing to contribute towards the cost of replacement stiles/kissing gates which currently have to be funded by the landowner. Committee agreed to check the condition of the stiles in question as they are

3 | 2020-07-06

aware of others in the parish which also require repair. Deputy clerk will ask PROW why the council are being asked in this case.

7) AMENITIES a) Hall, Council Sites and Playgrounds

i) Committee suspended standing orders to allow a local publican to speak about external organisations using the pitch during the Covid-19 crisis. A possible idea for the future is a café bar but this would require some sort of semi-permanent/seasonal structure on site. Short term they would consider organising one-off events on the pitch. They would be in charge of the license.

ii) An ‘in-leaf’ tree survey was carried out on Wed 24th June but the report isn’t ready. A resident has requested that a tree is felled at Bownham. Committee agreed to wait for the tree survey before deciding and also to ask for proof that the previous site owners had agreed to remove the tree.

iii) The Playgrounds Annual Safety Check was carried out on Mon 29th June but the report has not yet been received.

iv) There have been incidents of anti-social behaviour at the Kingscourt playground during lockdown. The police have been involved.

v) Reopening playgrounds after lockdown - Committee received a Risk Assessment and poster from the clerk and agreed to add wording asking anyone with symptoms after a visit to report it to the council. The playground would then be closed for a minimum of 3 days.

vi) Bownham car park. Standing orders were briefly suspended to allow a member of the public to speak about access. A member of the public has asked that this be left open for anyone visiting the site to use and that the site is better publicised. The clerk is seeking legal advice so a decision will be postponed until Full Council.

b) Safe spaces for shielding families – The Barnwood Trust are inviting applications for funding to make sites more accessible for shielding households. Bownham would be a suitable venue. Cllr Layfield will investigate further. Agreed to ask the clerk if the term ‘Recreation’ as used in the transfer documents has a legal definition.

c) Bownham Pavilion – The flooring works has been completed. A possible leak in the roof needs to be checked. Agreed to ask the handyman if he can paint the walls (up to a max cost of £400).

d) The Commoner – Committee received the Commoner Editorial Group minutes. It was noted that the contract with the printers and compiler will end after the November issue.

e) Website & Facebook i) Statistics plug-in for the website – Committee agreed £50 was a reasonable price but will

find out more – Office and Cllr Layfield to investigate. ii) Facebook policy. Agreed to continue to permit pubic to comment.

f) Wallbridge – Cllr Cooksley reported that the Rodborough avenue residents have now applied to create a CIC group. A resident has more information about the additional plot of land alongside the road. It was noted that SDC have an interest in the area as part of their sustainability report. The clerk has prepared the consultation letter and will forward it to members before discussing with solicitors and sending out.

g) Dog Poo consultation – Deputy Clerk will send in the response supporting dogs being allowed off lead on the cycle track and canal towpath.

h) Large litter bins – There have been increased occurrences of littering during and post the Covid19 lockdown. Standing Orders were suspended to allow a member of the public to speak about the extent of the problem. Committee agreed that while the problem has been

4 | 2020-07-06

worse recently, under normal circumstances the council’s existing bins should be large enough. Bins on the Common are the responsibility of the National Trust.

Committee suspended Standing Orders to allow the meeting to continue past 20.30. i) The erection of swift nesting boxes as a memorial for a resident.

The members agreed to make informal enquiries for locations for donated swift nesting boxes to be sited. They need to be high up and on an existing flight path. Committee agreed to request that adding swift bricks to houses is included in suitable new planning applications.

j) The Door outreach project in Rodborough The Door Youth Project has an established outreach program. Cllr Layfield will forward further details to members. The committee agreed to funding for 4 outreach sessions over the next two months at a cost of £500 max. and would expect a full report after the sessions.

k) Litter pick A litter pick will be held on 12th Sept.

8) Committee Budget There has been no expenditure from the budget during the last month.

9) To note any correspondence: No correspondence has been received. The meeting concluded at 20:50 Next meeting of the Planning, Transport and Amenities committee – Monday 3rd August at 18.30pm

5 | 2020-07-06

Appendix 1

5.a SDC decisions on previous planning applications for information

Reference Location Description Rodborough Parish Council SDC Decision

S.19/2447/FUL

Bath Road Trading Estate, Bath Road

Change of Use from B use to D2 assembly and leisure use with internal and external alterations

Resolved to neither support nor object to this application

Withdrawn

S.20/0335/ADV

Clockhouse Vets, Wallbridge

Advertisements proposed are to enhance the visibility of the practice.

Resolved to neither support nor object to this application

Consent

S.20/0361/HHOLD

Rodborough Court, Walkley Hill

Plunge pool, pergola & roof. Garden equipment store. Replace gate.

Resolved to neither support nor object to this application

Granted

S.20/0362/LBC

Rodborough Court, Walkley Hill

Plunge pool, pergola & roof. Garden equipment store. Replace gate.

Resolved to neither support nor object to this application on the assumption that the Listed Building officers will be better able to judge the effects on the property and surrounds.

Consent

S.20/0480/LBC

Clockhouse Veterinary Hospital Wallbridge

9 proposed signs; Sign no.1 that is on the facade of a listed building is replacing an existing sign

Council decided to neither support nor object

Consent

S.20/0557/FUL

Rodborough Court, Walkley Hill

Rebuild of defective bridge

No reason to support or object to the application. Ratified 20/4/20

Granted

S.20/0583/HHOLD

39 Rodborough Avenue

Rear extension and new decking area

No reason to support or object to the application however the council has some concerns that given the current Covid-19 isolation, adjoining properties, who would be most affected, may not be aware of the application. Ratified 20/4/20

Granted

S.20/0650/HHOLD

7 Southgate Crescent

Single storey extension No reason to support or object but ask that a site visit is carried out to assess impact on house behind property.

Granted

S.20/0660/HHOLD

Greystones Cottage, Butterrow West

Replacement porch and alterations to front boundary wall

Support Granted with condition that no other external lighting be installed without prior consent (to maintain dark corridors for nocturnal Local Plan Policy ES6)

S.20/0793/HHOLD

21 Court Way

Proposed single storey side extension.

Resolved to neither support nor object to this application

Granted

S.20/0802/TPO

87 Bownham Park

Norway Maple (T1) - Crown reduction by 4m height & 4m width

Noted Consent

6 | 2020-07-06

Appendix 2

S.20/0716/FUL Aston Down, Minchinhampton - Hybrid planning application for the extension to the existing business park While welcoming the possibility of more local employment, this mustn't be to the detriment of the unique ecology of the two Commons or lead to vastly more traffic heading up and down through Rodborough. It's obvious that most vehicles travelling to the site from the west will use the Commons roads rather than the A419 which threads its way tortuously around Stroud. Moreover, likely traffic generation for the proposed facilities has been based on the internal dimensions of the buildings currently on the site; these are disused aircraft hangars more suited to warehousing and not the new, purpose built facilities being proposed. This would indicate a serious underestimate of the likely traffic increase associated with 358 new employees together with all the anticipated vehicle movements to support such a workforce. Consequently, as a condition of any planning approval, we would like to see a range of traffic calming schemes to mitigate the effects of this development on the Commons. These should include:

the relocation of the current South Cotswold HGV management boundary so that it is to the west of the site entrance on the Cirencester Road

<Access Only> signs at this point with a visual 'road narrowing' feel with white gates either side, together with possible removal of white lines & cats' eyes on the stretch west towards Minchinhampton and across the Commons

a reduced speed limit, to 40mph from this point to the start of the current 40mph zone near the Ragged Cot

physical traffic calming across the Commons with the main spine road narrowed every 150 metres to around 3.5 - 4 metres, thus allowing two vehicles to pass but requiring extra care

the possible extension of the current Rodborough Quiet Lane scheme to all the Commons roads within the cattle-gridded area

a re-think as to how best traffic should be dissuaded from going up and down Walkley Hill to the Golden Cross (A46 Bath Road); as well as the new 20mph (already in process), there might be a Home Zone with <Access Only> for a short visually narrowed section between Kingscourt Lane and Church Place