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June 2009 Minutes
Gwernymynydd Community Council Cyngor Cymdeithasol Gwernymynydd
T. M. Richardson C. Eng. M.I.MMM, MIOA Clerk to the Council Telephone : 01244 815083
Minutes of the Meeting held on Thursday 25th June 2009 at the Village Centre, Gwernymynydd.
Chairman: Councillor E. Owens
The Chairman welcomed Members of the Public to the meeting
1. Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Ms. R. Morrell and T. Barley.
2. To Approve the Minutes of the May Meeting
The Minutes of the above had been distributed and were confirmed as a true record of the business transacted at the meeting.
3. Matters Arising from the Minutes
Councillor Taylor informed the Members that for the visit to the Aberduna Quarry scheduled to take place on the 22nd July at 2.00 PM he now required the names of everyone intending to go to the Quarry in order to be able to submit the number to the Quarry Management.
4. Planning Matters
Ref: DGJ/045783, Erection of 3 no. sustainable dwellings and the erection of 3 no. wind turbines on adjacent land and comprehensive landscape proposals. The Clerk informed the Council that an appeal to the refusal of this application had been lodged with the Planning Inspectorate on the 15th May 2009.
The Council resolved to submit to the Planning Inspectorate a modified letter of objection to the proposal; this is attached for the information of Members. Also with reference to a proposed informal hearing and site visit regarding the application appeal the Council in compliance with an invitation given by Flintshire County Council stated that Members would like to be in attendance. The Clerk was requested to respond accordingly to Flintshire County Council.
Ref: KYT / 046428, Two storey rear extension & first floor extension over the existing single storey garage located at 47,Godre'r Coed, Gwernymynydd.
With reference to this application Councillor Mrs. E. Parry declared an interest and as such took no part in the discussions. 2009; 07 The Council having discussed the issues involved resolved to object to the proposal for the following reasons.
Due to sloping nature of the road of Godre’r Coed the ridge level of No. 47 is more than 1 metre higher than that of No. 49; the proposal amounts to a 59% increase in volume and the 2-storey rear extension presents a bland blank wall to the neighbours.
The Council considered that the proposed extension would have an overbearing and obtrusive detrimental impact on the amenity of the neighbouring property.
Ref: AW/045764, Erection of 9no. 3 bed houses, new access road, car parking to residential units and 18no. car parking spaces to the ‘Rainbow Inn’ public house.
With reference to the above the Council raised objections to the proposal in its present form for the following reasons:-
1. Access to the site from the A 494 Trunk Road is on a bend in the road on the brow of a hill, visibility for motorists in this location is restricted in both directions.
2. The Rainbow Inn’s car park, the access into the site, frequently fills up at peak periods, opening times, with the proposed housing area presently accommodating the parking overspill. The building of too many houses on this site will exacerbate the situation by removing those extra customer parking spaces. Parking of customers’ vehicles outside of the Inn’s curtilage will result, as it has done so in the past, with vehicles being parked on the narrow Llys Enfys/Bryn Eithin housing estate road. This nuisance of additional vehicle parking in the proposed residential area would create further road user problems bearing in mind the 90º ‘T’ junction Llys Enfys/A 494 turning in the Mold to Ruthin direction.
3. The proposed housing density is too high for the site with houses fronting onto a pavement. The high density of houses also gives rise to the concern of the availability for the parking of vehicles belonging to residents and visitors to the properties, there being insufficient space to accommodate the expected vehicles.
4. The existing sewerage and surface water systems cannot accommodate too many additional properties; historically there is the possibility of flooding in this area. Also with the proposed development being below the level of the A494 flooding is more likely to occur.
5. There is concern about the close proximity of the pub’s car park to that of the proposed dwellings there should be a greater separation distance between residents/pedestrians and vehicles.
At this point in the meeting the Chairman allowed members of the public to make comments on the planning application, again the observations received mirrored those above and the Council was requested to object to the proposal.
5. Finance
To approve the Council’s Financial Statement and Accounts for 2008-2009 for submission to the appointed Internal Auditor, Mr. David Griffiths. 2009; 08 The Clerk presented the information to the Members who gave full approval of the Financial Statement and Accounts for 2008-2009.
As stated in the previous Minutes the Clerk, for the information of the Members, reported the end of year Financial Statement 2008-2009; the Receipts gave an Income of £30,527.27 and the Expenditure an amount of £12,290.15, leaving an end of year balance of £18,235.12 to carry over into 2009-2010.
To approve the Council’s Financial Risk Assessment and Financial Controls; the Clerk provided for the Members information on the systems set in place to protect the Council’s finances, this was put to the meeting and accepted by the Members.
To receive invoices for payment to order payment and to sign cheques, the Clerk informed the Members of the expenditure for June, the details of which can be found on page 2009; 12.
6. Gwernymynydd Development Plan
Councillor C. Bradshaw informed the Members that a ‘Showcase’ Feedback Bulletin would be produced in order that the Development Plan was kept alive, to maintain its prominence in the community and that the ideas submitted by residents, from the questionnaire and post-its be kept on board. It was hoped that The Bulletin would compliment the Village Newsletter and would be a good means of keeping the community aware of the Development Plan.
Information was given to the Members in draft form reference to ideas collated from the ‘Showcase’ event. The respective Focus Groups would utilise the information given and work towards the production of the Gwernymynydd Development Plan.
It was noted by the Council that some of the items listed in the feedback, e.g. ‘dog dirt’ was already being attended to by Flintshire County Council under powers to produce By-Laws to combat the nuisance. Enforcement was still an issue to resolve but Councillor Mrs N. Matthews informed the Council that this was being dealt with.
Other items of concern included in the feedback were the Village Post Office, the availability of local country produce for sale and a lunch club. Councillor Owens provided a draft leaflet which when agreed would be distributed throughout the community to keep everyone up to date with what was happening.
Councillors E. Owens and C. Bradshaw reported back on their meeting with the Leader of Flintshire County Council, Councillor A. Woolley.
Councillor E. Owens informed the Members that interest was still being shown in the ‘Showcase’ questionnaire (Satisfaction and Opinions Requested) that was available for all to complete on the day. Councillor Owens emphasised that the Development Plan has to be kept alive, that it must be prominent in the community and that the ideas submitted by residents need to be kept on board.
With reference to the raffle promoted on the 10th May the winning number was drawn at the Council meeting, the prize a dinner for two in the Glyndwr Inn was won by Mrs. L. Evans of Glascoed, Ruthin Road, Gwernymynydd. 2009; 09
7. Gwernymynydd Youth Club/Youth Council
Councillor E. Owens reported to the Council that the Club was still gaining popularity with approximately 15 members turning up at the last meeting. The ‘Drug Bus’ had paid a visit on Club night and this was well received by everyone. Fixed dates for future meetings had now been confirmed and negotiations were still taking place with Flintshire County Council and the Gwernymynydd Village Centre Management Committee with regard to increasing the number of Youth Club meetings to twice per month. Councillor Owens informed the Council that a local resident had come forward as a volunteer to help with the running of the Club; this information was well received by the Members and was seen as a positive step forward.
8. Cadole/Loggerheads, A 494
With reference to the discussions held in previous meetings concerns were still maintained by the Members with regard to the continuing nuisance of parked vehicles alongside the A 494 at Cadole and Loggerheads. It was again noted that North Wales Police were doing all that was possible however the problem of parked vehicles obstructing the footway was still a hazard accompanied with an unacceptable risk to pedestrians.
9. Reports
1. Police Matters
PC Gary Aldous reported to the Council that there had been a number of burglaries in the area over the last few weeks, the theft of televisions, DVD players and similar electrical goods being taken. Cars had been taken in Gwernaffield and from the Glyndwr Inn, also garden sheds had been broken into in Llanferres. The culprits had since been caught and charged with 9 offences, it was known that those caught were part of a larger criminal gang. PC Aldous appealed to the Council to inform the community by word of mouth and by an article in the Village Newsletter for everyone to be vigilant and not to leave windows/doors open for the opportunist thief to take the advantage.
Complaints had been received about the ‘Gallon Walk’ with a lot of people taking part in the event, petty damage was caused, there was outrageous behaviour and litter was strewn about the roads and hedgerows. It was resolved that in next years event a proactive approach would be taken to discuss the problems experienced with means to curbing the nuisance.
With reference to speeding vehicles, PC Aldous reported that he had created an action plan to be taken forward, Hugh G. Jones, Speed Management Officer, Flintshire County Council to arrange the Arrive Alive vehicle to be present on a number of occasions.
The Members thanked PC Gary Aldous for attending the meeting.
2009; 10
2. Outside Bodies
With reference to the Village Centre Management Committee, Councillor K. Taylor provided an update of information for the Members.
Councillor Taylor reported that the Main Hall had been booked by the Planning Inspectorate for the forthcoming Public Inquiry; also David Hanson MP will be holding a Surgery at the Centre on the 9/10/09. The Gwernymynydd Scout Group cub camp held on the 19th to the 21st June was a resounding success.
Councillor C. Bradshaw reported to the Council the partner working relationship with other Councils, The Village Development Plan was being well received in the Flintshire County Forum (a meeting of all Town/Community Councils with Flintshire County Council held on a regular basis). Councillor Bradshaw informed the Members that he is one of 6 Councillors brought together to work on and develop a County Charter.
3. Sub-Committees
With respect to the previous Minute 2008; 20; 3.8.5 reference to vehicles speeding through the housing estates, a proposal to hold a meeting to discuss the issue and to resolve the problem still needs to be held. This matter is to be progressed.
4. A494, Gwernymynydd/Cadole
There were no additional items to Agenda Item 8 for discussion.
5. Gwernymynydd and Cadole; Area Reports
Tros-y-Wern: Swan Lane: Glyndwr Road: Cadole. In these areas there were no items reported for discussion.
Llys Enfys/A494 Junction: Councillor K. Taylor again raised his concerns about the 90º turn into the estate road from the trunk road. Blaenwern: Councillor C. Jackson reported to the Council that the road and pavements needed to be swept. Ruthin Road: It was reported that overgrown bushes, opposite to the Village Centre were causing a nuisance.
The Council resolved to report the respective matters for attention to Flintshire County Council.
10. Correspondence
Items 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 were received by the Council.
2009; 11
11. Late Correspondence
The following information was received by the Council:-
Flintshire County Council, Rural Business Plan Phase 1, June 2008-Feb 2011.
A request to the Council for financial assistance submitted by the Gwernymynydd Senior Citizens’ Association; this was put to the Members and the amount of £200 was agreed.
Chairman……......................................................................................................
Payments authorised at the meeting held on the 25th June 2009.
Appeal Ref: APP/A6835/A/09/2103520/WF Planning Inspectorate National Assembly for Wales Crown Buildings Cathays Park Cardiff CF10 3NQ
22nd June 2009
Town and Country Planning Act, 1990 (as amended) Planning Application Ref: 045783; Erection of 3 no. sustainable dwellings and the erection of 3 no. wind turbines on adjacent land and comprehensive landscape proposals located at Tros Y Wern Farm, Ruthin Road, Gwernymynydd
Dear Sir
With reference to the above Appeal the Council at the recent meeting most strongly resolved to continue to object to the proposal for the following reasons.
1. This planning application must be treated as a complete new proposal and not as the next step forward, a detailed application, to the previous outline application Ref: DGJ/041819. This application proposes 3 dwellings of approximately twice the size of the previous outline with the addition of 3 wind turbines each 16m in height with a large blade span and located in a very prominent position. The Council perceives this application to be completely different to the original application; the 3 dwellings have a completely different footprint on the land to accommodate their very large size.
2. The application proposes a residential development on a site which lies outside the d |
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