Minutes of Meetings

COOKHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of the PLANNING COMMITTEE held at the

Community Room on Tuesday, 23^rd June 2009 commencing at 7.30 pm

PRESENT: Cllr D. Fry (Chairman), M. Barnes (Vice Chairman)

Cllrs M. Brar, P. Brockwell, G. Harris, F. Hewer, M. Innes, M. L. Kellaway, R. Piercey, D. Ricardo, M. Wellman and H. J. Woodbridge.

ALSO PRESENT: Four members of the public.

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OPEN FORUM – Cllr Pat Woodbridge spoke from the gallery to say that he had been approached by members of the public regarding the absence of dog bins on FP60. The Clerk clarified that there were two rubbish bins in Bellrope Meadow administered by RBWM; Marsh Meadow belonged to Geoffrey Copas and Cockmarsh belonged to the National Trust. It was agreed to make this an agenda item for the next meeting. Mr Andrew Coulter of Mardon, Lower Road spoke of his concern over Pln Appn 09/01081. He explained that he bought his home recently with the knowledge that there would be further development. He was however concerned about his privacy, positioning of the new development and screening. He said that the Design Statement suggested that the new housing would be inconspicuous but he was not convinced. Mr David Harris of The Belfry, Lower Road spoke of similar concerns. His home has a long garden which would be totally over-looked by the new homes. He had concerns over a mature hawthorn hedge on his boundary and over any additional lighting.

1. APOLOGIES AND DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Apologies were received from Cllrs Jean and John Stretton. Cllrs Piercey and Kellaway declared a personal interest in Pln Appn 09/01020. Cllr Fry declared a prejudicial interest in Pln Appn 09/01137.

2. PLANS CONSIDERED & DISCUSSED:

Planning

Ref:

Current Planning Applications

Decision

09/01081

(04/06/09)

Construction of 2 x 3 bedroom semi-detached houses.

LAND AT MARDON, Lower Road, Cookham.

Shanly Homes Ltd

Cookham Parish Council would like to this application to be decided by the MDC unless the Case Officer is minded to refuse the application.

Cookham Parish Council request 106 monies to go towards cycle racks.

OBJECTION – Un-neighbourly.

VOTE: IN FAVOUR = 10; AGAINST = 1

If approved, Cookham Parish Council request no extra lighting in this area and screening that is acceptable to the neighbours.

09/01000

(26/05/09)

First floor rear extension.

WIND WHISTLE, Cockmarsh, Riverside, Bourne End.

Mr & Mrs T B J Moulsdale

Cllr Wellman has spoken to the Case Officer since this meeting and established that there is no increase in footprint in the Flood Plain and this application does not necessarily mean more people at risk.

OBJECTION – Contrary to Policy F1 – another bedroom in the Flood Plain.

VOTE: IN FAVOUR = 5, AGAINST = 5, ABSTENTION = 2. The casting vote was cast in favour of OBJECTION.

Cllr Innes left the meeting at this point to go to another meeting.

09/00964

(08/06/09)

Listed Building Consent. Consent to dismantle, repair and reconstruct conservatory, reinstatement of sash window, repair work to roof and refurbishment of existing brickwork.

ENGLEFIELD, Poundfield Lane, Cookham.

Miss S Gissing

NO OBJECTION on the condition that this application is approved by the Conservation Officer.

VOTE: IN FAVOUR = 6, ABSTENTION = 5

An earlier proposal of OBJECTION due to the importance of this listed building was defeated: In Favour = 3, Against = 7, Abstention = 1.

09/01113

(10/06/09)

Dismantle and reconstruction of side conservatory enlargement of window to front elevation.

ENGLEFIELD, Poundfield Lane, Cookham. Miss S Gissing

NO OBJECTION

VOTE: IN FAVOUR = 7, AGAINST = 1, ABSTENTION = 3.

Cllr Ricardo was against this work – he felt that the conservatory was not to the same design and would ruin a unique building that is part of Cookham’s heritage.

09/01137

(09/06/09)

New roof to provide new gable extensions with new dormer windows and first floor side extension with front and side dormer windows. Single storey rear extension, front entrance gates.

MULBERRY LODGE, Alleyns Lane, Cookham.

Mr Geoffrey Turner

OBJECTION – Contrary to Policy GB4 – over-development of the plot; un-neighbourly; design out of keeping close to the Conservation Area.

VOTE: IN FAVOUR = 7, AGAINST = 2, ABSTENTION = 1.

09/01064

(09/06/09)

Partial re-roofing to change existing flat roofs to pitched.

SHANNON, Cookham Dean Common, Cookham Dean.

Mrs Lynne Randall

NO OBJECTION

VOTE: IN FAVOUR = UNANIMOUS

09/01123

(09/06/09)

Alterations to existing boathouse to include overcladding at first floor level, new chimney and raincap, satellite dish.

FORMER STONE HOUSE, Stone House Lane, Cookham Dean.

Mr Pieter Knook

OBJECTION – Contrary to Policy N1 and N2 – Wooden cladding and stainless steel chimney out of keeping in a sensitive area.

VOTE: IN FAVOUR = 10, ABSTENTION = 1.

Councillors query the size and position of chimney. Also the boathouse should not used for business, corporate entertaining or permanent residency..

Planning Ref:

Works To Trees In Conservation Area

Decision

09/00997

(26/05/09)

Consent to crown reduce by 15% and crown thin by 10% one Weeping Willow, reduce height of one Cherry Laurel to height of fence, reduce one Bay Laurel by 1.5m and tip reduce foliage to give 1.5m clearance above ground of Western Red Cedar.

ORCHARDLEIGH, Church Road, Cookham Dean.

Mrs Judith Deats

NO OBJECTION

VOTE: IN FAVOUR = UNANIMOUS

09/01020

(27/05/09)

Notification to fell one Cypress, three Conifers, one Western Red Cedar and one Cypress, 2 groups of Cypress trees and a Laurel hedge.

FIELDFARE, Startins Lane, Cookham.

Mr Ian Johnson

NO OBJECTION

VOTE: IN FAVOUR = UNANIMOUS

Cookham Parish Council is concerned that this property is looking very open and would like to see more trees planted.

09/01094

(04/06/09)

Notification to fell a Silver Birch.

WILLOW BANK, Cookham Dean Bottom, Cookham Dean.

Ms Lisa Hobson

NO OBJECTION

VOTE: IN FAVOUR = UNANIMOUS

Planning Ref:

Planning Decisions

Decision

09/00724

Notification to prune back foliage to give clearance to overhead power cables on T1 Plum tree located in rear garden of Crossways and T2 Crab Apple located in rear garden of Holly Cottage.

HOLLY COTTAGE, Kings Lane, Cookham Dean.

Mrs Katie Turner

NO OBJECTION

09/00111

Outline application with all matters reserved for the construction of a detached four bedroom dwelling with detached garage with room above.

LAND AT BUTTS LEGH, School Lane, Cookham.

Mr David Ashwanden

REFUSED – Contrary to Policy F1 – fails to demonstrate that it would not increase the number of people or properties at risk from flooding due to insufficient detail in respect to a safe escape route for use during flooding. Contrary to advice in PP Statement 25: Development and Flood Risk.

09/00861

Certificate of Lawfulness for a proposed entrance porch.

WILLOW BANK, Cookham Dean Bottom, Cookham Dean.

Mr Steve Kendrick

CERTIFICATE WAS LAWFUL

09/00732

Part two storey, part single storey rear extension. First floor side extension, new ground floor front bay window and front porch.

TIMBERS, 6 Sutton Close, Cookham.

Mr M. Lloyd

PERMITTED

09/00637

Single storey side and rear extension.

52 WESTWOOD GREEN, Cookham.

Mr P. Slator

PERMITTED

3. TO APPROVE THE END OF YEAR ACCOUNTS FOR 2008-2009 FINANCIAL YEAR: The end of year accounts have been circulated to every Councillor. Cllr Wellman proposed that the Full Council agree with the recommendation of the Finance Committee to approve these accounts for the 2008-2009 financial year. This was seconded by Cllr Piercey. VOTE: IN FAVOUR = 10, ABSTENTION = 1.

4. TO APPROVE THE ANNUAL RETURN FOR THE 2008-2009 FINANCIAL YEAR: Cllr Wellman proposed that the Full Council approve the Annual Return, as recommended by the Finance Committee for the 2008-2009 financial year. This was seconded by Cllr Piercey. VOTE: IN FAVOUR = 10, ABSTENTION = 1

5. CHAIRMAN’S SUBMISSIONS: The Chairman spoke of an incident on the Alfred Major where Mrs Betty Pearce stumbled in a small hole and broke her leg and ankle. She had been left in plaster and a wheelchair and is suffering great inconvenience. The Clerk had drafted a letter of sympathy in reply to a very detailed letter from Mrs Pearce’s son. It was agreed that the Clerk should send this letter to the insurance company and keep them informed of the situation should a claim be made. Due to the poor service the Parish Council was getting from Zurich, it was agreed to give them seven days to ask for amendments before sending our response to Mr Pearce. The Councillors then discussed the 106 projects listing. Cllr Kellaway asked for cycle racks to be added to the list. The Cemetery paths had now been completed using the Council’s own monies. Cllr Fry wanted extra seating for the elderly and dog bins – Cllr Wellman said that the Parish Council should do this. Other ideas were extra paths signage and maps – Cllr Wellman said that we could try for these items. Cllr Hewer asked for cycle path improvements – again projects should only be added that include new facilities rather than trying to improve existing facilities.

The Clerk announced the judging dates for the Britain in Bloom Competition: Cookham Village Friday 10^th July; Cookham Dean Tuesday 14^th July and Cookham Rise Friday 31^st July.

The plaque above the Tarrystone Seat was also discussed and it was agreed that the plaque was sadly incorrect. The first message relating to the Tarrystone Stone clearly needed to be separated from the second message regarding the inscription on the Tarrystone Seat. It was agreed that the Clerk would ring Lambs and ask them to consider a new plaque

but a time limit would have to be imposed. It had taken two years for this work to be completed and the Parish Council would rather give the work to another stone mason rather than wait another two years.

The meeting closed at 9.00pm.

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