Minutes of Meetings

PRESENT: Cllr R. Arthur (Chairman), Cllr H.J. Woodbridge (Vice Chairman), Cllrs M. Brar, P. Brockwell, M. Coker, G. Harris, A. Hay, M. Innes, R. Piercey, A. Prichard, D. Ricardo, J. Stretton, M. Wellman.

OPEN FORUM: Marilyn Rothwell from Cookham Dean Bottom spoke on several issues. She queried whether preparations had been made to make the minor roads in Cookham Dean safe during icy weather. Normally only the main through roads such as Dean Lane are gritted but with many of the major routes closed during the mains drainage project, the minor roads are now much busier. The Chairman replied that this was a matter for the Highways Dept at RBWM but the Parish Council would relay these concerns. Mrs Rothwell also spoke about the increase in traffic on these minor roads during the course of the project. She asked whether any funds had been set aside for resurfacing the roads outside the route of the mains drainage. She said that private drives were being used as passing places by both cars and commercial vehicles and the surfaces were suffering as a result.

Mr John Stretton spoke as a resident of Cookham and as the Cookham Parish Council representative at the last Borough Planning Meeting. He spoke of the Dean Farm Garage application which was passed despite the Planning Officers admitting they has made serious errors in the original survey of this site. The building was still too high and the footings were in the wrong place but the panel approved the work to go ahead.

Mr Stretton then spoke of the Summerleaze site behind Halfway Houses. The original application was rejected at both Parish and Borough level on the Human Rights Act grounds. This latest application is virtually identical and was also rejected by the Parish Council. At the meeting the Borough Solicitor intervened in the discussion several times by stating that Summerleaze would appeal if turned down. He also stated that they would win the appeal and the Council would have to face the financial costs. This was pure speculation – not fact. Councillor Vicky Howes, lead member for Planning, then stated that before they voted they should bear in mind that the costs of any appeal would be borne by the tax payers and they surely would not welcome this. Mr Stretton reiterated that the residents of Halfway Houses were also taxpayers. The Chairman used his casting vote to approve this application. Mr Stretton closed his report by stating that David Trigwell has called for a full investigation into the conduct of this meeting and the residents may take the matter to the Local Government Ombudsman if they are not satisfied with his response.

Apologies were received from Cllrs Garrard and Fairlie. There were no declarations of interest.

03/40864

Raising of road surface in a dip in a private road to maintain vehicular access in times of flood.

STRANDE LANE, COOKHAM.

Environment Agency.

NO OBJECTION

see comment

Cookham Parish Council support any action that will reduce the risk of flooding for the residents of Cookham. However they are concerned that using just one 30mm pipe might be insufficient for the volume of flood water. Please can the Environment Agency ensure that extra piping will be provided if necessary.

03/40923

Construction of rear conservatory.

78, WESTWOOD GREEN, Cookham.

Mrs J. Cruse

NO OBJECTION

03/40917	Consent to fell a tree. (Works to trees in Conservation Area.) CHADSWORTH HOUSE, The Pound, Cookham. Mr and Mrs L. Shepherd.	DEFERRED
	Cookham Parish Council deferred the decision on this tree due to some confusion between the front cover from RBWM and the application. The Council will discuss at the next meeting when it has been established whether the applicant wishes to pollard or fell the tree.
03/40915	Consent to prune a row of lime trees to give 1.5 metre clearance from roof of Village Hall. (Works to trees in Conservation Area). THE ORCHARD, Church Road, Cookham Dean. Mrs Pam Campin.	NO OBJECTION
03/40924	Consent to crown lift and clean a walnut tree and crown lift a pine tree. (Works to tree in Conservation area) UNCLE TOM’S CABIN, Hills Lane, Cookham Dean. Mr S. Peck.	NO OBJECTION - see comment
	Cllr Harris advised the lower boughs only to be removed, he said the walnut was a young tree and too much pruning would spoil the shape. He recommends a visit from the Tree Officer. Also on the Pine Tree – the lower branches only should be removed – no more than 1 metre.
03/40696	Consent to crown reduce a Cherry Tree. (Works to trees in Conservation Area). CHERRYCROFT, Popes Lane, Cookham. Mrs Turner.	WITHDRAWN

PLANNING DECISIONS

03/40655	Conversion of redundant Barn (Change of use) HARDINGS FARM, Hardings Green,Cookham Dean.	REFUSAL
03/40679	Replacement of farm equipment store WINTERHILL FARM, Winter Hill, Cookham Dean	PERMITTED
03/40810	Telecom Dev Determination. Erection of 12m high monopole with shrouded antenna & 2 metre cabinets Land at Junction with Sutton Close with Sutton Road, Cookham.	APPLICATION WITHDRAWN
03/40749	Consent to reduce a chestnut tree. (Works to trees in Conservation area) THE COACH HOUSE, Ferry Lane, Cookham.	NO OBJECTION
03/40692	Single storey rear extension 15 Burnt Oak, Cookham Rise.	PERMITTED
03/40661	Erection of rear conservatory. WALNUT HOUSE, Dean Lane, Cookham Dean.	PERMITTED
03/40783	Two storey rear extension. 15, SOUTHWOOD ROAD, Cookham.	PERMITTED